If you wonder what God had in mind for you when He created you, then I suggest you read Tom Paterson's book, Living the Life You Were Meant to Live. Paterson's book is designed to be a process guide to help you gain perspective on where you have been, where you are now, and where you are to go. The goal of the book is to offer the reader a sense of direction in fulfilling God's purpose for his or her life.

Three years ago I heard about Tom Paterson's LifePlan process. Since I was in the midst of moving across the country, leaving my successful private practice as a psychologist, and getting used to being a grandmother, I knew I needed help in designing my new life season. I decided to go through the two-day LifePlan process with a trained facilitator. My experience was life-changing. When I saw my life choreographed on charts around the room, I was amazed. I gained insight about my past life experiences, both the positive and the negative ones.

One result of my time with a LifePlan facilitator was that I realized God had gifted me to use this format to help others find freedom and purpose. A few months later, I met Tom Paterson at a facilitator's training session for LifePlanners. Soon I began leading people through the two-day LifePlan process and I know it works.

When I read Tom's new book, Living the Life You Were Meant to Live, I felt like I was sitting in his workshop again, listening to him passionately explain the LifePlan process. Paterson inspires people to find their God-given inner resources in order to experience spiritual vitality in their daily life and work. He encourages individuals to acknowledge their talents, see meaning in the "turning points" of their life, identify personal core values, and then face the roadblocks that keep them from reaching their full potential.

If you are self-motivated you can work the process on your own by reading the book. After reading the book, if you find that you want a personal guide, I encourage you to get more information ( available in the book) about hiring a LifePlan facilitator to work with you in an intense and helpful two-day format. This strategic plan process will work for you, if you will work the plan. This book is a gift to us from a man who has walked with God, listened to God's plan for him, and now fulfills this plan by helping others become the men and women God created them to be. I highly recommend Tom Paterson's new book, Living the Life You Were Meant to Live.

If you have ever met Tom Paterson, you will know that the words of this book come from his very soul. If you haven't met him, you should know that he has built a spectacularly successful career of achieving results in many major corporations and organizations through his own disciplined planning process. Consequently, this is not your average self-help book written for the purpose of selling books, but rather one man's desire to share what he has learned with others. While Tom does not promise (just as Jesus did not) that, having discovered the life one is meant to live, that there will no longer be pain, suffering, frustration, or huge hurdles to surmount. What he does promise is that life is intended to be fulfilling and rewarding, and that this is possible by understanding and doing what God intends for you to do . The book follows a very Christian doctrine- that is, the belief that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. The theme of surrender to God's will and becoming Christ-centered are woven throughout the text. It might be argued, however, that the process outlined in the book could still be profoundly useful to the non-Christian through its insistence that the individual make an honest assessment of his or her life and build on personal strengths going forward. The chapters (fittingly, Tom calls them Modules) are arranged like building blocks with places to stop along the way to take stock of where you are. Follow the instructions and guidelines Tom has developed for the LifePlanning Process. Be brutally honest with yourself, and allow the book to lead you step by step to a clear understanding of your past and plans for a brighter future.

Tom Paterson is definitely leading the life he's meant to live. He is helping others find their gift and a fulfilled life by putting his "Life Planning" process into this book for all to share. From the very first page, he inspires and leads you to follow his proven step-by-step process on a path that results in a new assessment of your life and personal fulfillment. He has helped me achieve these goals, and I am recommending this book to all my friends as a "must read."

What I like most about Ms. Peterson's book, Follow Your Heart: And Discover God's Dream for You, is the simple language in which she writes it. Actually, her message is a simple one too--Follow Your Heart-- but one most of us have great difficulty doing. In her book, Ms. Peterson teaches that we all have a dream, but we have to have the courage to believe we do and feel we are worthy of having it. Dreams aren't lofty, they're necessary to live a fulfilling life. I hope Judy Peterson writes more books about finding and following your dreams.

I highly recommend "Follow Your Heart" to women who are on a heart's journey of discovery. How many of you have had hopeful dreams and yet time slips by without giving more serious thought and respect to them? Judy Peterson effectively "catches" one in this ambivalent dance and gently guides and helps point us back to those unfulfilled desires while holding our hand as we dare to summon these dreams to life. Dare to live the dream. This book will greatly assist to this end!

"Follow Your Heart" is an inspiring approach to finding your inner self and the path that brings deep inner peace. This comes when you are in the center of God's plan for your life. This book led me on a remarkably insightful journey - I have read it over and over again, and discovered new truths and new depths each time. I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for more meaning in life!

It took the folks at Amazon.com 22 months to locate and send me a 'used' copy of Wilferd A. Peterson's, "The Art of Living Treasure Chest." -- and I'm amazed that they were able to find a copy! I had not read the book previously, just heard "rave" comments about it -- and that was enough to make me want the book. Once I received the book, I couldn't put it down, it was that good. I immediately made plans to obtain additional copies to give as gifts, but I didn't have a clue as to where I could obtain those additional copies...(gee, I already had experienced a difficult time obtaining just one copy). A very good clue appeared in a recent "Dear Abby" column: A letter written by Wilferd A. Peterson's daughter, Lilian Peterson Thorpe regarding his essay, "The Art of Parenthood" which had been published in "The Art of Living Treasure Chest." I contacted Mrs. Thorpe and she told me that all of the essays in "The Art of Living Treasure Chest" -- as well as several additional essays written by her father, were compiled in another book by him: "The Art of Living: Thoughts on Meeting the Challenge of Life."

Years ago a friend gave me this book as a gift. It is one of the best gifts I have ever received.

I have been looking for this book to give as gifts to others and spread the wisdom/thoughts of Wilferd Peterson. I am so sorry to learn it is out of print.

I have been trying to locate this book for years. It is said to be warm and touching, unfortunately it is unavailable.

This book was excellent! All four stories are linked together beautifully, and when you finish one, you'll want to start the other. The mystery element was a nice, added touch. If you enjoy Tracie Peterson's work, you should NOT miss this novella collection. It's a must-read!

I liked this as much as "Sunrise". Good read, but like 'em a little hotter like my newest favorite "Anything, my Love" by Cynthia Simmons.

Tracie Peterson takes the lives of some very interesting and prevocative people, separates them into four spell-binders, and then puts one cover on all! True to style, the author lets the reader learn all about the budding romances, the extreme disappointments, the rational and irractional fears and the final triumphs of faith!

Set in the Colorado Rockies, the love stories unfold slowly, entwined with tremendous complications of suspense, suspicion and subtle sub-stories.

The characters from story one continue over to story two and so on, just the lead changes. Tracie keeps the reader comfortable with glimpses from the previous stories as she unfolds the mysteries of the subsequent ones.

This 4-story book is not only romance, it is faith in God and faith and trust in other people at its best!

Kudos again Tracie!

I highly recommend "My Dream of Heaven" as a life changing book that will impact your' heart and soul. Every Christian should read this book, it is by far the finest book on the subject of heaven that is yet to be released.

A friend loaned me this booklet while my daughter was dying. It was one of the most comforting and hope-giving books I've read. After my daughter's death, another friend who hadn't read Springer's book told me about a dream she'd had of heaven. It was very much like this book. Whether you're somewhat skeptical about dreams and visions, as I am, or a believer in this sort of thing, I think you will find this book comforting and uplifting. I've read several books about heaven and this is one of the best.

Jim Mou... from Somerset, Ky. "Immanuels Book and Gifts" , January 30, 1999 Comforting, to say the least This little book was given to me by my Pastor, when I confided in him concerning my ultimate fear, 'death'. I was both comforted, and given hope for eternity via this book. Every Christian should read it, own it, and keep extras on hand to give to others who are wrestling with lifes ultimate fear, and/or grieving the loss of a loved one. Wonderful reading!

In writing this book, 'Subversive Spirituality', Eugene Peterson, professor of spiritual theology at Regent College, Vancouver, has gone back over his writings of the past twenty-five years and pulled together elements of writings in essays, biblical studies, poetry, pastoral readings, and interviews to examine many of the overlooked aspects of spirituality.

Peterson writes: 'This gathering of articles and essays, poems and conversations, is a kind of kitchen midden of my noticings of the obvious in the course of living out the Christian life in the vocational context of pastor, writer, and professor. The randomness and repetitions and false starts are rough edges that I am leaving as is in the interests of honesty. Spirituality is not, by and large, smooth.'

We have a particular meaning attached to the word subversive, which is generally a sociological and political one. While this is certain akin to the meaning utilised here, it has a different slant and context. All spirituality, in a sense, is subversive, in the sense that it seeks not that which the material world (and usually that means the political world) holds to be important, but seeks a transformation. Most major religious figures have been subversive -- they have tried to change in small and major ways the prevailing framework of life. Religion is sometimes described as the institutionalisation of a revolution; when the institution overpowers the revolution, what is needed to get back on track is a subversion.

Peterson divides the book into five broad sections: Spirituality, Biblical Studies, Poetry, Pastoral Readings, and Conversations. In discussing scripture, seminary experiences, pastoral encounters and relationships, innovative ideas and creative imaginings, Peterson presents, as it were, the raw, unrefined nuggets of spiritual expression he has encountered, in his own life and in the experiences of those close by him, as well as those lessons he has gleaned from the studies of others.

'Spirituality is always in danger of self-absorption, of becoming so intrigued with matters of soul that God is treated as a mere accessory to my experience. This requires much vigilance. Spiritual theology is, among other things, the exercise of this vigilance.'

Spirituality is a subversive practise, when done properly. As Peterson states in one of his conversations, Christians in the West believe they are living in a culture which is Christian, and are often truly amazed to discover that they have more in common with the idol worshippers warned against in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures than with anything Jesus would have really wanted.

As one currently in seminary, I found his discussion of spiritual formation in context of the seminary to be intriguing and enlightening.

'They commonly enter seminary motivated by a commitment to God and a desire to serve their Lord in some form of ministry, and find that they are being either distracted or deflected from that intention at every turn. They find themselves immersed in Chalcedonian controversies, they find themselves staying up late at night memorising Greek paradigms, they wake in the morning, rubbing their eyes, puzzled over hairsplitting distinctions between homoousios and homoiousios. This is not what they had bargained on.... Seminaries were regarded as the graveyard of spirituality. Seminaries were where men and women lost their faith.'

I am fortunate that my seminary experience has, thus far, maintained a balance of spiritual encouragement as well as academic enlightenment.

This is a first class book, borne of a lifetime of searching, reflecting, and acting, and can give much food for thought. Regardless of the denomination of the reader, there is material here for the deepening of one's own spirituality, and for putting into life's practise a greater amount of living in accord with the spirit.

Eugene Peterson is an author that should be read by all believers - not just pastors. To best appreciate his work, it is helpful to meet Eugene Peterson - the man, the husband, father, pastor, etc. This book covers articles that were written between 1969 and 1996. The content demands interaction and will take you back and will help you to look forward in your own journey of life. After this book is thoroughly read - after this feast, you will have an appetite for his other work.

My advice is not to merely read, but experience what you read, and by all means - share with your family and friends - invite them to the banquet.

Max Rondoni
Menlo Park, California

with his experience Eugene shared with us the most essential things as a pastor. to reflect and renew pastoral life, this book/ handbook is a must read for all pastors who's been serving for a period of time.

The Wisdom of Each Other is highly readable and packed with gems of insight into the work of the Spirit and the silliness of what often passes for spirituality. In fact, Peterson differentiates penetratingly simply between Religion, what we do and Spirituality, what the Spirit does in us. He affirms the laity in their importance and gives their vocations equal status with clergy. In a series of letters from a long time friend and Christian to a mate who has rediscovered faith in Jesus, the author refreshingly takes a lot of the hype out of modern religion and points the reader towards the originator and sustainer of the life of Christ within. Friends, Peterson maintains. have much to offer each other in pressing on to maturity. Highly recommended. A good gift.

This is a really pretty book: through an exchange of letters, the reader sees the development of two men growing, and leaning on each other for strength, in Christ.

Christian books tend to be heavy, so this serves as a good prop, right underneath your pillow, so you can peak into these wise letters, or to protect you from bad dreams I suppose.

An excellent book. Exposing the deep need we have for each other. Addressing the critical issue of relationship over religion.

Profound theology in simple terms. Get it!

It's easy to mistake good biblical characters for saints - and Eugene Peterson shows, in this book, that we all a lot more that is identifiable with David than we think. It's not impossible to follow God the way David did - and this book shows us how. Fantastic reading and lots to learn from.

Peterson brings a breath of fresh air to a stagnant atmosphere of worn out spiritual cliches. He makes the Bible come alive again,and gives flesh and blood to the names and places that we have heard and read about all of our lives. He forces you out of one dimensional thinking to three dimensional reality. His words get to the real heart of the matter. He words call out to my heart and challenges me to to seek and know God, God who knows me better than I know myself.

This book, detailing and probing the life of King David, has provided many valuable insights into the matter of living in communion with God even as being fully human. Although I was skeptical, I am glad to note that the biblical text was handled with integrity. The author researched the texts that he commented on, and admitted to speculation when doing so. This book is a must-read for anyone who struggles with the matter of living with God even as he or she struggles with being human. Peterson's narrative style also pulls the Davidic story right off the pages! The perspective is refreshing and challenging at the same time.

I found this collection of novelas to be magnificent. I didn't want to put it down. At one point I acutally cried. The characters become so real to you that you are moved with their pain and elated in their victories. I also found them spiritually uplifting. Now I just wish I could go see the places that were so wonderfully discribed.

I do not read alot but I could not put this book down. I live in Alaska and have been in the same place as the charcter in the book. I liked the spiritual content too. Differently better than the trashy love novels you can buy.

I liked the second story the best, because it really made me ask myself "What would I have done if I were in her situation? Would I have put God first? Would I have denied myself a strong opportunity like that because God said NO?" But I liked all four of them. They were realistic romance but not mushy or improper. A MUST-READ...YOU WON'T FORGET THIS BOOK AND (HOPEFULLY) THE LESSONS YOU LEARNED THROUGH PRACTICAL EXAMPLES OF SUBMISSION TO GOD.

Unlike the other reviewers, I am not a minister although I read this book because I am thinking of candidating.

Briefly looking at the content of the book, Peterson uses the book of Jonah as a story-metaphor for what he sees as the ideal way of being a minister. It seems to me that he has two main points: 1) that a minister must first and foremost be grounded in a spirit-filled life through prayer and; 2) to achieve that, the minister must stay in one church throughout his or her whole ministry to really be rooted in the lives of people in the congregation.

He develops other points such as the idea that American culture wants the minister to be first and foremost a "program director" rather than a "spiritual director". He believes that the expectation of the church hierarchies as well as congregations is that ministers will whip up the action and make things happened as if they were PR executives rather than healers of souls. In contrast, Peterson advocates a ministry of waiting and watching for the God who walks before all of us so that the minister does not interfere with the work of the Holy Spirit.

This book is written almost as a series of images, metaphors, stories and parables rather than as a propositional treatise, which is hardly surprising given the author's literary background. While this allows the reader to make of some of the messages what he or she will, I found myself thinking "I KNOW the church hierarchy will try to push me to be a glorified PR executive if I'm successful in candidating for the ministry, but what steps can one take to avoid that happening in the first place?" I don't think this book answers that question and I think it's one of the main questions he poses. Perhaps we are to figure out the answer ourselves?...?

Eugene Peterson is a prolific writer - and this is a good book to read first. In this book, the author takes you into his confidence and writes movingly of his rich background and the influence of his godly parents. You learn about the man - and this will make his many other books very enjoyable and capable of providing inspiration and guidance.

Under the Unpredictable Plant did not provide a compass as much as it affirmed my own journey. The book can certainly provide guidance in our culture.

It is an excellent book for church leaders to read. Perhaps the greatest benefit will be to help church leaders from having unrealistic expectations about their pastors.

After reading this book, the reader can look forward to many more enjoyable hours of reading other books by this man. Along with that enjoyment will be the opportunity to deepen and enhance your own spiritual journey.

It is a pleasure to recommend this book - and to get to know a very special man - Eugene Peterson - as he opens his heart and his life to the readers.

Max Rondoni

I am pastor of a United Methodist two-point charge. Two churches. Many headaches. I've been here three and a half years. I am told numerous pastors "start-out" in smaller, typically rural or town churches as mine are. Then we get noticed and we get moved on up the ladder. Better appointment--better pay--more prestige--better location. How many pastors buy into "the ladder"? More than you think. But Peterson does not. This book planted my feet deeply within my call. I wanted to move into bigger, better, different pastorates. Peterson would tell me, "You wanted to go to Tarshish instead of Ninevah." His book forced me to recognize that the grass is not greener in a different parish. Comparing me to Jonah, Peterson left me no excuse of any theological integrity to leave my two-point charge. So here I stay. But Mr. Peterson, if you read this..."Under the Unpredictable Plant" is a horrible title. Few of the dozens of people to whom I have recommended your book can remember that crazy thought.