On Living Well Brief Reflections on Wisdom for Walking in the Way of Jesus by Eugene H. Peterson - WaterBrook & Multnomah

On Living Well Brief Reflections on Wisdom for Walking in the Way of Jesus by Eugene H. Peterson - WaterBrook & Multnomah

16 Nov 2021 Pub Date

On Living Well by Eugene H. Peterson is a beautiful, calming collection of pastoral wisdom that feels like sitting down for a quiet conversation with a grandfatherly mentor. Released posthumously, this book compiles previously unpublished short writings, weekly newsletter excerpts, and sermon snippets from Peterson's 29 years as a local pastor. It completely avoids the heavy academic tone found in many theological texts, offering instead a grounded look at how to find sacredness in ordinary, daily life. 

Rather than demanding complex spiritual regimens, Peterson invites readers into what he famously termed a "long obedience in the same direction" via several key themes:

• Becoming More Human: A core takeaway of the book is that growing closer to Jesus doesn't make us ethereal or detached. Instead, it makes us deeply, authentically human, embracing our everyday lives with frequent humor, honesty, and grace.
• The Beauty of Simplicity: Peterson challenges the modern obsession with efficiency, performance metrics, and anxious power plays. He redirects focus back to fundamental practices like quiet prayer, genuine community, and patient generosity.
• No Moral Cop: Reflecting his decades in ministry, Peterson explicitly notes that his goal was never to act as a "moral policeman". His writing gently nudges readers toward personal confession and inner peace rather than rigid behavior modification.

Because the entries range from a single short paragraph to a few pages long, On Living Well makes for an exceptional daily spiritual touchpoint. It is a soul-nourishing read for anyone tired of superficial self-help metrics and looking for an invitation to slow down.

Description

In these never-before-published stories, sayings, and biblical teachings, the beloved author and translator of The Message Bible shows us how the wisdom of deep faith helps us live well.

“Calming, encouraging, and profound.”—Matt Chandler, lead pastor of The Village Church

“Jesus’ words bring us the news of an expanded world, a bright world, a full-dimensioned world, a world in which God rules, mercy is common experience, and love is the daily working agenda.”
 
Eugene H. Peterson (1932–2018) was one of the most beloved authors, pastors, poets, and professors of our time. While millions have read his bestselling paraphrased Bible translation, The Message, far fewer have heard his direct practical insights and wisdom about how to live well.

Eugene knew the extraordinary spirituality of ordinary life. He understood that we actually become more, not less, human as we grow to live like Jesus. And living like Jesus means living well.

On Living Well is a collection of Eugene’s never-before-published asides, ponderings, stories, and sermons. It’s designed to help you walk in the way of Jesus with a little more courage, passion, and hope—by offering new ways to practice generosity, community, prayer, simplicity, worship, inner peace, and so much more . . . even with the challenges of today.

This book is a rich feast for the soul, ideal as a daily spiritual touchpoint or simply to nourish a heart hungry for pastoral wisdom. It is your invitation to enter into the meaningful simplicity of life with Jesus in a world of immense beauty, real difficulty, and endless wonder.