When I conclude a sermon series, I usually share resources I utilized in my study and preparation for sermons. Here is the bibliography for our recent series, "Power in Preparation," which is the second part of an extended walk through the Gospel of Matthew, focused on Matthew, chapters 3-4. Bibliography for “Power in Preparation” [Gospel …
Patience and Personal Discipleship
Good things come to those who wait, I’ve been told, but, honestly, I have a really hard time with that. Let me give you three situations many of us face. Number one: music tries to calm me down as I anxiously wait behind unending lines of traffic, hoping I arrive reasonably on-time to my next …
It Needs to Get Inside of You: Eugene Peterson on the Spiritual Disciplines
One of my favorite authors is Eugene Peterson. Peterson is best known as the author behind the paraphrase of the Bible, The Message. As a pastor, his works on pastoral ministry for our contemporary era, such as Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity, Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work and Under the Unpredictable Plant, are unparalleled. …
Continue reading "It Needs to Get Inside of You: Eugene Peterson on the Spiritual Disciplines"
Spiritual Tourists or Pilgrims?: Eugene Peterson from A Long Obedience in the Same Direction
Not too long ago, I was sitting with some of my staff in what feels like an altogether different universe from today. We were talking about the calling of the church and what it means to really do ministry. I shared with them this introduction from Eugene Peterson's masterful book, A Long Obedience in the …
Worship and the Idolatrous Heart: Spiritual Harlotry in Hosea
One of the pervasive themes in Hosea, chapters 1-3, is that God's people have become like a promiscuous spouse through their idolatry. Like a harlot seeking after other lovers, God's people turned to other gods, seeking good things in them as lovers, even though God is the source of every good thing they have. This …
Continue reading "Worship and the Idolatrous Heart: Spiritual Harlotry in Hosea"
Matthew Erickson 