5/5 stars

While I would love to do a traditional book review, I know I will never get around to finishing it so it will be better to just add some thoughts on the book. Since this book was our top read of the year (so far) it seemed a good idea to write something on it.

A Burning In My Bones is the biography of Eugene Peterson, translator of The Message Bible. He grew up in Kalispell, Montana and spent much time in the Flathead Valley. It seemed appropriate for us to read his biography as his home is just down the road from us.

“…God brought about deliverance that only comes when someone really moves into the neighborhood of one’s soul and decides to stay, to love and care.”

This book captured Lance and I so much because it encapsulates a lot of our heart in ministry, to move into the neighborhood of someone’s soul to love and care. The simple ministry of presence, no hurrying or agenda for people. We loved reading about how Eugene cared for people, knew the people in his church and put his pursuit of God before anything else. He loved the real, raw, tangible and “friendship (with God and one another) is real.”

It was encouraging to read how he sought to truly pastor people and turned down many “promotions,” whether they were professorships or other churches, to continue his pastoring at his church even when he felt he was in a desert. He did not follow after what was popular for pastors/churches and did not care for the current fad or latest strategy. God was the center of all decisions. Such a good reminder to us, to not always follow what is popular but to keep God as our compass.

“Eugene saw with a growing sense of both joy and desolation that what was most essential in all his work was the opening invitation he offered each Sunday- Let us worship God.”

Another thing that stood out was the imagery of being like a hound dog, sniffing out and following a trail. Sometimes that’s what it feels like to follow God, we are not sure what the final destination will be but we continue to follow His leading. It may not always make sense but we continue in obedience and a desire to serve and worship God.

“His life and work had been more like tracing a scent than following a map. Discovery, not direction.”

We recommend the book to anyone interested in discipleship and how to draw people toward God. Author Win Collier did a great job of showing Eugene Peterson at different points of his life, the many decisions and struggles he dealt with. The book has helped us to mentally settle in our new home in Montana.