Agreed.
I wouldn’t attack anyone who reads the Message, but I’d clearly answer anyone’s questions with much the same answers you did

I’m looking (if you have it please direct me) of direct quotes or videos of him stating Peterson that The Message should not be used in a church. In other words don’t quote from the pulpit or a Sunday School class when Bibles are easily accessible

The best comparison I can make is Joel Osteen. If someone listens to him and gets something from him …fine.

If they ask what I think, I’d direct them to better ministries for people who are ready for something other than milk and want meat. All I’d say to that person is “ would you be interested in listening to?” And then let the Holy Spirit direct

The Message is not a Bible. When you read a Bible you are reading the words of God which is The Word of God. You are actually meeting with God.

From what I’ve read and heard, The Message is definitely not The Word of God. It’s Eugene Petersen’s words, a paraphrase. And I find it to be a poor paraphrase.

Did you know as NUTTY AS HE KIGHT SOUND TO YOU MIRZA GHULAM AHMED SECT OF ISLAM IS THE FASTEST GROWING RELIGION ON THE PLANET WITH NEARLY 70% of Ghana (only stating Africa as to show cam prison with dowie) is his community followers. Mirza Ghulam ahmed also wrote a book with divine guidance which he called Jesus in India in which he proves that Jesus was crucified and survived and died at age of 120 in Kashmir which bbbc has done documentary he explained just like when Jesus came John the Baptist came as the old Elijah same Jesus was gonna be another person come to do same role in same spirit. READ HE HAS 82 BOOKS WHICH HE HAS WRITTEN AND ONLY RELIGION WITH COMMOM SENSE EXPLAINS WHERE AMD WHAT HAPPMED TO JESUS. http://Www.alislam.org for his community web page

I’m going to use it.

I have a lonely to say the word life. I moved because I had not much choice. I thought has I came from a large church I would be ok. I knew some folk where I am now moved from another.

I go in a morning when well been here 6 months. My son found his church where he’s happy and has 3 friends he went school with when we was here before.

I’m a wheelchair user so I can not access a home group well.

Have suggested that be at the church instead of my house. Dought people who have a car would come anyway!

I have to get on a bus to church.

A ladies tea came up I thought here I could at least try to make conversation. Sadly up steps to get in.

I no I’m saved I pray everyday for change of finding me a church that’s a bible believing church on my doorstep I can go on my chair.

I joined a Christian charity too. To help raise awareness that all churches need to be inclusive to all sinners. Either with additional needs or not!

How can a church grow if say I invite a nonce belivers I have but they come and don’t return regularly because they realise!

I’m also autisic I brought a person from other group I attend in the community. I would like to invite more but if no change it’s hard.

I got a sensory box I have asked for the drums to be has drums in the back ground.

I found also in the evening children was sticking fingers in there hears I emailed the church about this drum kit heard nothing.

If church the people too busy and doing other things seems like there’s no real trained pastoral care either.

Usually I’d let folk no I’m not well but this time I left it.

I see more people from miles away where I use to live more times than I hung out with brothers and sisters.

I’m just doing everything bible lesson on line often praying and reading my bible daily.

So now I’m waiting a sign. To point me in the right direction.

Giving is not just about tithes offerings. It’s about friendships we will be in heaven with who are our brothers and sisters. And encouring others in our churches.

I’m vunruble and banging out with none believers can lead astray so I just see in groups and community choirs.

I sit at home all other times. At Christmas not long after I moved I had COVID so me and my son was in alone all Christmas we had no Christmas dinner or support.

New year’s Day no church service so I thought I go to the see front lots there! I got a cob and a seagull came down and stole it!

I drove home to make a sandwich and went to bed and found a church service online.

I been in hospital no visits. No one visited hospital you have to drive bus train or taxi. No one asked if I needed anything. My son who has his own needs came in a taxi costing 80 pounds there and back! Because I needed few bits and my wheelchair he struggled and forgot some important bits! And I left in a taxi alone in them blue gowns alone nothing eles on! He did not understand.

That week out budget ran out the window with bills. We lived on sandwiches and tin bits a week or 2. Awful time.
Every one has to drive or people who can not drive needs taxis to go miles when you live in a place everything spread out.

I look fawards to being with my support worker and carers such a lot. They listen rare id find a Christian.

So I joined none Christian band to play my guitar. And a 2 none Christian choirs. Um…. Just so at least I’m doing something or I will be isolated too.

The bibles tells stories Jesus left no one out! Gathered disciples from different backgrounds.

Luke 5 even shows some friends I assume believed in Jesus a none believer up on a roof and lowered him down to meet him on a stretcher maybe to crowded to get him in or the doors to narrow.

So lowered him through the roof he forgave the man. And said take up thy bed and walk!

Jesus even said let the little children come to me. Too so even if there’s a child adult who has development issues can still or should be included in churches too. Disabilities blind deaf health mental everyone has a rights to go to church hear the word and be saved baptisted. And be used how ever educated or not uses gifts even a smile at a door is serving. And have rights to Access more even a friend or to to guide us in our walk. And we grow. If we not growing and seeing odd families lots of older people and singles but we should go in a cafe need up speak to others out and about and re grow our churches.

There’s a reason behind everything if you ask me!

It was lovely to hear from you, Michael. Long time no see. I hope you and the family are well. That story about the nun was beautiful. What a sweet soul.

Thanks David. Good to hear from you again, friend.