A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society

Our society is no less obsessed with the immediate than when Eugene Peterson first wrote this book. E-mail and the Internet only add to our quest for the quick fix. But discipleship will not yield to prescriptions for swift success, it calls instead for perseverance, for a long obedience in the same direction." "Tucked away in the Hebrew Psalter Eugene Peterson discovered "an old dog-eared songbook," the Songs of Ascents that were sung by Hebrew pilgrims on their way up to worship in Jerusalem. In these Psalms (120-134) Eugene Peterson finds encouragement for modern pilgrims as they learn to grow in worship, service, joy, work, happiness, humility, community and blessing." "This new edition includes these psalms in Peterson's widely acclaimed fresh translation, The Message. Also included is an epilogue in which he reflects on the themes of this book and his ministry over the succeeding twenty years.