The Message (Eugene Peterson)

Just picked up a copy of The Message from Genesis to Revelation. I started on my walk through this amazing look at scripture a few years ago, when I bought a copy of the New Testament. Later I picked up the first five books of the Bible in Message format. Even Leviticus became a devotional read through Eugene Peterson's poetic eyes.

Being a poet myself... this time I dived into the Psalms. Reading them aloud with a new slant to the poetry of David's work was a soul lifter. I have quite a few versions of scripture in my library, because I'm always looking for a different flavour for the manna that God has given me to live by.

I call it Manna, because that is all the Israelites had to eat in the desert.. (the odd quail flew in to quench their griping hearts). Maybe I'm not the only one who has this problem, but I need a change in my diet every once in a while. The manna must sustain me on a daily basis and I don't ever want it to get old and tasteless.

The Message is like adding cinnamon and raisens to oatmeal porridge...

The healthy, life sustaining nutrients are in the porridge, not so much in the flavour... The flavour makes it sweeter to taste and fresh. The seasoning must never take away from the life giving value of the porridge (manna)... but after the thirtieth some year of eating oatmeal porridge, it's nice to have a change in the seasoning.

Gone are the days that King James and the NIV are the only way to injest the Word of God. The Message is easy to read and understand. It's vibrant and dramatic. It will bring common passages to life in a way you've never experienced before.

Here's an example. (Psalm 1)

"How well God must like you --
you don't hang out at Sin Saloon
you don't slink along Dead-End Road,
you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.

Instead you thrill to God's Word
you chew on Scripture day and night
You're a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
always in blossom.

You're not at all like the wicked,
who are mere windblown dust --
Without defence in court,
unfit for company for innocent people.

God charts the road you take.
The road they take is Skid Row."

"Monster" ( Frank Peretti) fiction

Not my favourite by Frank, but an enjoyable read. He did make me jump at one place in the story. Without spoiling the whole thing...it's about Sasquatches and one woman's experience with the creatures. I've read all the Frank epics... my favourites were "The Prophet" and "The Visitation". I liked "The Oath" but it took too long to get to the end. There are queasy segments that made me put the book down and get my stomach settled. So all in all, it was worth the time spent in the bush with the monsters.

The Bait of Satan ( John Bevere) non-fiction

John Bevere gets right to the point. He pulls no punches in this epic of relational proportion.

EVER BEEN OFFENDED? STILL HARBOURING OFFENCE IN YOUR HEART? (here's the catch) HAS YOUR OFFENDED HEART WALLED YOU OFF FROM PROSPERING IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS...

This book is a must read. Offence, unforgiveness, bitterness, jealousy, resentment...all have the power to destroy the closest relationships we have. Here are a few quotes..

"The closer the relationship, the more severe the offence."
"Only those you care about can hurt you."
"A person who cannot forgive has forgotten how great a debt God has forgiven them."
"Many people are unable to function properly in God's purpose and calling for their lives because of wounds, hurts, and offences in their lives."

After the first read through the book, John Bevere invites you as the reader through a 30 day devotional journey that takes you back through the book, through some timely principles in scripture and through the sore spots in your life...to bring you through the woundedness to a wholeness and freedom that Christ has for every believer.

I just finished the first read, and started the devotional journey today. Already it has been soul-opening.

Is it time for surgery of the soul? Have you harboured your hate and resentment long enough? Do you lack the tools to get our of the trap you've found yourself in? Pick up a copy of "The Bait of Satan" and take a walk with the Holy Spirit out of the mire and into freedom where you belong.

Racing to Win - (Joe Gibbs) non fiction

I just finished this book. It wasn't so much an autobiograpy, but a copilation of learning experiences a great man of sports chose to share. Joe Gibbs, pro-football coach and NASCAR owner, talks about football and stock car racing and life. I found the book an easy read. He's very knowledgeable about what he talks about, but uses down to earth language to express his thoughts. For a reader that doesn't understand football all that well, I found the use of his imagery still very understandable.

Joe Gibbs also shares about his faith and how it has fashioned his life. He doesn't preach, but shares from his heart how Jesus has changed his perception on life and relationships. Joe talks about marriage, communication, team building, leadership and finances. He gets his material from the Bible and his life experiences. His role model for leadership is Jesus.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his life, and hope that one day I get the chance to meet him... this side of heaven.