Comments on: Farewell, Eugene

By: Francisco

Francisco — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 18:32:22 +0000

Obrigado Ms. Philip Yancey!!!

Obrigado por homenagear um dos homens mais respeitados aqui no Brasil. Certamente ele está num lugar muito melhor do que outrora. Porém, é importante citarmos aqueles que colaboraram para que o mundo fosse um lugar menos caótico!!!

De coração, com grande carinho, que Deus o abençõe!!!
Francisco/Brazilian Christian.

By: Tim Richards

Tim Richards — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 03:38:29 +0000

As a pastor for nearly 40 years I’ve often been amazed by how clearly God sometimes spoke to me and others through The Message. Philip Yancey is perhaps my very favorite author. To hear how Eugene Peterson blessed and encouraged him over the years and to read of the personal humorous moments and his wonderful humility is truly a blessing.
Thanks for sharing your personal memories and for the humble grace of this incredible servant of God.

By: Shari Voyda

Shari Voyda — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 02:21:38 +0000

Thank you Philip for your words regarding this man who changed my relationship with God via his translation of The Message and Eat This Book.

Thank you also for your transformational words in “Where Is God When it Hurts.”

By: Jen Gibbs

Jen Gibbs — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 00:32:57 +0000

Thanks Philip for these slices of life that bring us closer to this man whose words are so often quoted and will forever be remembered. Thanks for sharing these with us all.

By: Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 15:47:04 +0000

In reply to Mark Fitzgerald. I have heard of Jordan, but haven't yet read his 12 Rules, so I don't yet have an opinion. A few YouTube clips from him have piqued my interest. --Philip

By: Mark Fitzgerald

Mark Fitzgerald — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 11:27:04 +0000

Hi Philip, I enjoy your blog posts each month including this one. Please excuse me for straying off topic but I couldn’t find where else to post this. I have to know: have you heard of Jordan Peterson and what do you think about him?
Your reply will be gratefully received.

By: Kathryn Helmers

Kathryn Helmers — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 18:40:13 +0000

Philip, thank you for this colorful, moving, and funny portrait. The image of the deer leaping up from the lake is a wonderful way to depict Eugene’s departure from this earth to the next life. It reminds me of the time he told one of his publishers that no, they couldn’t change the title he’d chosen, so take it or leave it. (They took it.) The book was based on David’s life and the title was taken from its key scripture, 2 Samuel 22:30–“by my God I can leap over a wall.”

By: Craig Parker

Craig Parker — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 15:30:28 +0000

I work for the Navigators and have often used THE MESSAGE. For many years I led a Navigators ministry at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Sometimes I would gather groups of students and set up “speaker phone interviews” with Christians of note.

Maybe 12 years ago, after THE MESSAGE had sold millions of copies, I wondered how to contact Eugene Peterson. I was shocked to find his number in, of all places, the Montana phone book. I called him. He answered the phone. I told him that I worked for the Navigators at Dartmouth College. He said, “Uh, uh.”

I said, “Could I do a speaker phone interview with you with a group of students?!?”

Very quietly, he replied, “You know, I just don’t think I would like to do something like that. But God bless you.”

His kindness and restraint impressed me far more than if he had done the interview.

What a wonderful gift he has given us all. The gift of a godly, caring, and humble life.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

By: Ron James

Ron James — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 04:21:34 +0000

Thank you Philip for illuminating the person, Eugene Peterson. As you and many of the comment writers point out he was a unique person who touched millions of people, he knowing only a few of them.
My daughter and I attended a conference at SPU in Seattle a few years ago where Eugene was the featured speaker. My takeaway moment was during a Q&A session when he was asked what he thought of all the dying churches in the US. His first response got the attention of his audience. He laughed or rather he chuckled. Then he said, “You know there has to be death before there can be resurrection.”
Eugene Peterson had a strong belief in his Lord, Jesus the Christ. More than that he backed up his belief by following Jesus. His was a life of loving God and loving others. His actions were predicated on that life of love.

By: Amy Gregg

Amy Gregg — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 01:04:46 +0000

Thank you for the beautiful tribute to this wise and gentle man of God.