This book I truly enjoyed, I found it amazing how God could use a monk from the sixteenth century to write such a profoundly amazing book on being in the presence of God. I enjoyed reading the letters from Brother Lawrence. He touched my heart on so many spiritual concepts when it comes to prayer that I was constantly finding myself in awe at the amazing information and insight that he had. There was a particular letter that caught my attention directly because of how much I struggle at times in prayer with day dreaming. Lawrence talked about using our free will to will our minds back to concentrating on God and his word. Waiting on the Lord and letting his word and spirit soak into you was just such an amazing revelation to me even though it was simple. “One way to re-collect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquility, is not to let it wander too far at other times: you should keep it strictly in the presence of GOD; and being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings.” The Spiritual Maxims were intellectually and spiritually challenging. The means of acquiring the presence of God has six steps that as I went through them I began to examine my own life and the Holy Spirits conviction drew more near. “We must take care to glance inwardly toward God, even for a moment, before proceeding with our outward actions. Then, as we go about our duties, we must continue to gaze upon God from time to time.” This cut me so deep because with my life I sometimes with the business of life get distracted and at times put God on the side so I can accomplish my task list for the day. Daily looking inward and seeking God throughout the day is so vital in our relationship and practicing being in the presence of God. “Practicing the presence of God is a little difficult in the beginning, but when it is done faithfully, it secretly works marvelous effects in the soul, brings a flood of graces from the Lord, and it leads it without its knowledge to gaze simply and lovingly at God and find His presence everywhere.” This concept of practicing this spiritual maxim allow for the marvelous effect in the soul and the ability to gaze simply and lovingly at God and find His presence everywhere is a hunger my soul is striving for. This reading has given me a passion to develop my biblical spiritual formation in a more intense and better understanding of my relationship with the Lord. Being in the connection with Gods presence and able to enjoy his presence everywhere I look is such an amazing concept and desire of my very soul. Although Brother Lawrence had some far out views and was an awkward person God still used him to communicate these very wonderful spiritual truths to strive for. My spiritual life will forever be enriched from the wonderful experience that Brother Lawrence has given to me these writings from his book.
I felt the book Practicing the Presence of God was a amazing book. Brother Lawrence shows that by having constant conversations with God it helped keep him on track spiritually, one area that particularly spoke to me-- he reminds us in our practice of conversing to quickly seek forgiveness when our mind wanders with distractions and to ask God to bring us back on track, to help us to keep our focus. How great it could be if we could keep God in our focus always~ as he keeps us in his.
Practice of the Presense of God One quote that I would share that I was impacted by: "The presence of God is the concentration of the soul's attention on God, remembering that He is always present."
How easy it is to forget about God's presence throughout the day. I also read a chapter out of another book that shared some insights about seeking God....it gave some practical ideas to help keep your mind fixed (stayed) on God.
1. Pray the Jesus prayer as many times a day as possible..."Lord Jesus, be merciful to me". The book suggested praying it 300 times a day. 2. Pray a verse of scripture throughout the day. 3. Kneel 7-10 times for 2-3 minutes in prayer.
Brian - I like the quote you shared. Selfish strife sure does generate alot of noise.
Marie - I have become very aware since reading the book how easily my mind can get distracted.
Greg - Have you seen any of those "marvelous effects" yet? In the Spiritual Maxims, the first one read: "We should be considerate of God in everything we do or say." This reminded me of your sermon from Proverbs...3:5-6 to acknowledge Him in all our ways.
Pursuit of God "If we would find God amid all the religious externals (or the 'noise of selfish strife') we must first determine to find Him." I hope that is what we are all concluding by this pursuit...that we must determine to "find" Him.
One of the most profound statements to me in this book is: "The Bible assumes as a self-evident fact that men can know God with at least the same degree of immediacy as they know any other person or thing that comes within the field of their experience." Wow...if I could know God as certainly as I know material things through my five senses, how would that impact my relationship with God?
This is my first time ever blogging. It feels really weird to me! Regardless, I finished the book, and would say I came away from it feeling like I need to find new ways to THINK about God. When my father died years ago, I carried him around with me, his face and voice living in my heart constantly for months before finally, I suppose time just healed the hurt. What I would desire, is for my relationship with God to be something like that...where no matter where I am, or what I am doing, his voice and presense is constantly with me. We all live such busy lives with so many distractions, but I am trying to remind myself often of his presense, and draw close to Him as I go throughout my day. It is more than just praying...it is a deeper awareness of Him in my life, something that is never silent, always beating in my heart.
Rob - It has been a wonderful Journey which I have only begun to scratch the surface on. Actually taking time to consider God in all we do is so powerful and I have been trying to do this but at times faulter, but when I do the lord blesses me for obedience and for letting him take control. We need to strive to Acknowledge him in all that we do...
I had been familiar with the story of Brother Lawrence for many years, but this was the first time I had read the Practice of the Presence of God. I must admit, when I had initially heard the stories of Brother Lawrence - a man who was in constant communication with God, even when working in the kitchen of a monastery, I was left with the thought of - "well good gracious, what else does a monk have to do? That's their job to focus on God. It's not like he lived a life with the distractions and busyness that we all live today." But reading this collection of conversations and letters of Brother Lawrence has really inspired me. Even though he lived nearly 350 years ago and in a monastery, he did not profess this practice of being in the constant presence of God to be an easy one. He faced wandering thoughts, thoughts of doubt, and even distractions from outside business. There were days that he succeeded in allowing God to guide him through his day, and others that were not so good - and even in those he just asked that he be forgiven and moved on to try again to do better. Brother Lawrence continued, in spite of his failures, to pursue God and gained a habit. How great it would be for us all do follow his advise, no matter what the setbacks - just confess and move on with a renewed pursuit. How will we ever find God if we don't spend time looking for Him?
I'm reading The Pursuit Of God book.
ReplyDeleteOne part that struck me was quote from the intro..
"Above the noise of selfish strife We hear thy voice,
O, Son of Man.
That to me is a reminder to put the focus back on the Lord.
This book I truly enjoyed, I found it amazing how God could use a monk from the sixteenth century to write such a profoundly amazing book on being in the presence of God. I enjoyed reading the letters from Brother Lawrence. He touched my heart on so many spiritual concepts when it comes to prayer that I was constantly finding myself in awe at the amazing information and insight that he had. There was a particular letter that caught my attention directly because of how much I struggle at times in prayer with day dreaming. Lawrence talked about using our free will to will our minds back to concentrating on God and his word. Waiting on the Lord and letting his word and spirit soak into you was just such an amazing revelation to me even though it was simple. “One way to re-collect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquility, is not to let it wander too far at other times: you should keep it strictly in the presence of GOD; and being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings.”
ReplyDeleteThe Spiritual Maxims were intellectually and spiritually challenging. The means of acquiring the presence of God has six steps that as I went through them I began to examine my own life and the Holy Spirits conviction drew more near. “We must take care to glance inwardly toward God, even for a moment, before proceeding with our outward actions. Then, as we go about our duties, we must continue to gaze upon God from time to time.” This cut me so deep because with my life I sometimes with the business of life get distracted and at times put God on the side so I can accomplish my task list for the day. Daily looking inward and seeking God throughout the day is so vital in our relationship and practicing being in the presence of God. “Practicing the presence of God is a little difficult in the beginning, but when it is done faithfully, it secretly works marvelous effects in the soul, brings a flood of graces from the Lord, and it leads it without its knowledge to gaze simply and lovingly at God and find His presence everywhere.” This concept of practicing this spiritual maxim allow for the marvelous effect in the soul and the ability to gaze simply and lovingly at God and find His presence everywhere is a hunger my soul is striving for. This reading has given me a passion to develop my biblical spiritual formation in a more intense and better understanding of my relationship with the Lord. Being in the connection with Gods presence and able to enjoy his presence everywhere I look is such an amazing concept and desire of my very soul. Although Brother Lawrence had some far out views and was an awkward person God still used him to communicate these very wonderful spiritual truths to strive for. My spiritual life will forever be enriched from the wonderful experience that Brother Lawrence has given to me these writings from his book.
I felt the book Practicing the Presence of God was a amazing book. Brother Lawrence shows that by having constant conversations with God it helped keep him on track spiritually, one area that particularly spoke to me-- he reminds us in our practice of conversing to quickly seek forgiveness when our mind wanders with distractions and to ask God to bring us back on track, to help us to keep our focus.
ReplyDeleteHow great it could be if we could keep God in our focus always~ as he keeps us in his.
Practice of the Presense of God
ReplyDeleteOne quote that I would share that I was impacted by: "The presence of God is the concentration of the soul's attention on God, remembering that He is always present."
How easy it is to forget about God's presence throughout the day. I also read a chapter out of another book that shared some insights about seeking God....it gave some practical ideas to help keep your mind fixed (stayed) on God.
1. Pray the Jesus prayer as many times a day as possible..."Lord Jesus, be merciful to me". The book suggested praying it 300 times a day.
2. Pray a verse of scripture throughout the day.
3. Kneel 7-10 times for 2-3 minutes in prayer.
Brian - I like the quote you shared. Selfish strife sure does generate alot of noise.
ReplyDeleteMarie - I have become very aware since reading the book how easily my mind can get distracted.
Greg - Have you seen any of those "marvelous effects" yet? In the Spiritual Maxims, the first one read: "We should be considerate of God in everything we do or say." This reminded me of your sermon from Proverbs...3:5-6 to acknowledge Him in all our ways.
Pursuit of God
ReplyDelete"If we would find God amid all the religious externals (or the 'noise of selfish strife') we must first determine to find Him."
I hope that is what we are all concluding by this pursuit...that we must determine to "find" Him.
One of the most profound statements to me in this book is: "The Bible assumes as a self-evident fact that men can know God with at least the same degree of immediacy as they know any other person or thing that comes within the field of their experience." Wow...if I could know God as certainly as I know material things through my five senses, how would that impact my relationship with God?
This is my first time ever blogging. It feels really weird to me! Regardless, I finished the book, and would say I came away from it feeling like I need to find new ways to THINK about God. When my father died years ago, I carried him around with me, his face and voice living in my heart constantly for months before finally, I suppose time just healed the hurt. What I would desire, is for my relationship with God to be something like that...where no matter where I am, or what I am doing, his voice and presense is constantly with me. We all live such busy lives with so many distractions, but I am trying to remind myself often of his presense, and draw close to Him as I go throughout my day. It is more than just praying...it is a deeper awareness of Him in my life, something that is never silent, always beating in my heart.
ReplyDeleteJana
Jana - thank you for sharing your thoughts. I like your analogy. I think that my desire is all of us have a sense of God's constant presence.
ReplyDeleteRob - It has been a wonderful Journey which I have only begun to scratch the surface on. Actually taking time to consider God in all we do is so powerful and I have been trying to do this but at times faulter, but when I do the lord blesses me for obedience and for letting him take control. We need to strive to Acknowledge him in all that we do...
ReplyDeleteI had been familiar with the story of Brother Lawrence for many years, but this was the first time I had read the Practice of the Presence of God. I must admit, when I had initially heard the stories of Brother Lawrence - a man who was in constant communication with God, even when working in the kitchen of a monastery, I was left with the thought of - "well good gracious, what else does a monk have to do? That's their job to focus on God. It's not like he lived a life with the distractions and busyness that we all live today." But reading this collection of conversations and letters of Brother Lawrence has really inspired me. Even though he lived nearly 350 years ago and in a monastery, he did not profess this practice of being in the constant presence of God to be an easy one. He faced wandering thoughts, thoughts of doubt, and even distractions from outside business. There were days that he succeeded in allowing God to guide him through his day, and others that were not so good - and even in those he just asked that he be forgiven and moved on to try again to do better. Brother Lawrence continued, in spite of his failures, to pursue God and gained a habit. How great it would be for us all do follow his advise, no matter what the setbacks - just confess and move on with a renewed pursuit. How will we ever find God if we don't spend time looking for Him?
ReplyDelete