If you want to live well and share wisdom with your children and your neighbors about how they can also live well, the Bible will chart a sound course.
If you are looking for inspiration or comfort or if you are preparing a speech, you will certainly want to lift some of the soaring phrases from the psalms or a stirring descriptive passage from Isaiah to adorn your thinking.
If you are curious about the future or have strong ideas about politics, you’ll find gasoline-words in the Bible to support your position and to throw on any conversation to keep the flames dancing high.
It’s clear that we can add the Bible to our rhetorical tool-belt and never once be singed by its fiery truth; however, this is not the reason the Word has been given. In Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading, Eugene Peterson has written a practical guide for those who want to approach Scripture in the manner suggested to the Apostle John in his Revelation:
The voice out of Heaven spoke to me again: “Go, take the book held open in the hand of the Angel astride sea and earth.” I went up to the Angel and said, “Give me the little book.” He said, “Take it, then eat it” .

I’m taking a look at this classic book and sharing my thoughts over at The Redbud Post this month where the theme is biblical literacy. I hope you’ll join the conversation over there because how we read the Bible is just as important as that we read it. Eugene Peterson’s work never fails to inspire and challenge!
Holding you in the light,

Here’s the goal: Our reading of scripture and our living to become one offering and one way of being with God in this world.
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Because of the positive response to my first Guided Meditation, I’ve created another based on 2 Peter 1:5-7, and it will be available with the September 2021 newsletter. Spread the word! New subscribers can sign up using the handy (and only slightly annoying) pop-up form or simply enter your email here:
Northern New England friends!
I’m busily preparing a parenting workshop for the Thrive Conference, and I’d love to share the content with YOU on September 25 at New Life Church in Biddeford, Maine.
Together, we’ll explore biblical principles that inform parenting along with action steps that flow from those principles. The emphasis is on heart attitudes and the parent/child relationship rather than parenting formulas or ‘good behavior.’
Head on over to their Facebook page for more details or visit their website to register!
The fall issue of Joyful Life Magazine is out now, and it includes an article from me! Look for “If I’m Already Forgiven, Why Do I Need to Confess My Sins?” Too, my friend Sue Moore Donaldson is sharing her thoughts on spiritual growth. This print publication will orient your gaze toward the beautiful growth and change that the Lord is working in our hearts and our homes.
And as always, you can also subscribe to Living Our Days blog to get regular content delivered to your inbox twice a week. Just enter your e-mail address in the field at the top of this page. If you’re encouraged by what you read here, be sure to spread the word!
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I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this book by the late Patterson, Michele. I’ll be sure to look this one up.
Blessings!
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I am currently rereading it, and all the lessons are sharp and bright. It’s fun to remember his process of writing The Message.
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Michele, the entire article is wonderful and there are so many thoughts I want to highlight. After reading the entire article, I asked myself, “What is the one thought I want to remember?” It was this >>> “As readers of Truth, we are called to take the Word into our being in a way that changes us.” May His Word change me every day, in every way so that I live to reflect Him. You brought to mind the words of this song:
“Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.”
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Thanks so much, Joanne, for your faithfulness in reading and commenting. It is such an encouragement.
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…these days, wisdom is something in short supply with many.
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Sadly…
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We could all use more wisdom and spiritual reading. Some more than others. Thanks for linking up.
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As Peterson has said, HOW we read is more important than THAT we read.
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It’s been a few years since I read Eat This Book, but I remember I enjoyed it very much too.
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I try to read something by Peterson every year. This is a favorite!
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It’s been a while since I’ve picked up the Bible but I spent a lot of time reading it when I was younger. There definitely is a little bit of everything there #mischiefandmemories
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Yes, so many genres! I wonder if the words come back to you, years later?
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I hadn’t heard of this title by Eugene Petersen before! Headed over to read more!
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Thanks for taking time to meet me over there!
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What a great title. Welcome back to the #mischiefandmemories linky Michele. I hope you’ve had a lovely break over the holidays.
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Thanks, Annette!
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I have read the Bible cover to cover and found it comforting when I felt lost. I hope others feel safe within Its pages. Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories
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That’s so great to hear. Safety is a much needed commodity in our world right now.
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[…] had three top commenters last week: thank you to Thirsty Daddy, Michele Morin and Pandora and […]
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We were just talking about the bible last night with the children and it triggered some excellent conversation with them. Thanks for being with us on #MischiefandMemories
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So good to hear. There’s certainly plenty to talk about in those pages.
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[…] Michele Morin […]
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I had not heard of any of your books (although I have heard of C. S. Lewis), it looks like a great list, especially for spiritual development. Have a great week.
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Lewis is one of my favorites, and has been formative in my thinking.
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[…] had three top commenters last week: thank you to Thirsty Daddy, Michele Morin and Pandora and […]
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[…] had three top commenters last week: thank you to Thirsty Daddy, Michele Morin and Pandora and […]
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