Paul N. F. (10 March 2007)
"The Practice of the Presence of God"

  I found Brother Lawrence's "The Practice of the Presence of God" outstanding!  It is difficult to use the proper words to describe this little 'gem'.  I discovered it some years ago, PTL!  The website listed by LightHeart is EXCELLENT and you can also get a copy of Brother Lawrence's wonderful little book of about a couple of dozen or so pages long.   You can also download LightHearts wonderful free articles that are heart warming.  LightHeart just may be our modern day Brother Lawrence.

http://www.practicegodspresence.com
"There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God.
Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it."                       ... Brother Lawrence
*******************************************************************
 
 
Below is a review which I thought was interesting and was written by a young man in which he describes the little book very well.
                                                           

 
    In college, I survived by hanging out on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, as I poured out my hopes, fears, doubts to the Creator of the waves that pounded the beach.  This was my Quiet Time, an oft recommended solution to keep one on the narrow path.  But now in the working world, I find that its tough to keep a consistent time to read the Word or pray.  Is 20 minutes too short or good enough?  Does God reject me if I forgot to have my Quiet Time on Tuesday?  Oh boy, I got through my chapter requirement; now I can put the Bible away and rush off to work.  Well, the Quiet Time had served its purpose in college by discipling me to be in the presence of Jesus.
    Brother Lawrence challenged me to break the bonds of routine, of taking my RDA of Bible reading and powering prayers down my prayer list.  This is Jesus Bro Law. cries!  Not a task to be completed.  Did I seek to be with Him the same way I sought to be with those I loved?  Hardly!  Bro Law. tried the spiritual retreats.  Hum , that sparked my curiosity.  I thought about going on some retreat this year, to escape the world's distractions.
    Yet Bro. Law states that as soon as he returned from the retreat, he was back battling the same battles of a wayward mind, disobedience, an unthankful attitude.  He began meditating on Bible verses throughout the day, picturing Jesus right next to him, all day long.  What the awesome thing to me was that Bro Law wasn't spending his whole day praying or Bible study.  Who could relate to that?  No, he was working!  Scrubbing pans, sweeping and cleaning, doing errands. He successfully thought of Jesus in the middle of soap foam and dusty roads! Minute by minute he talked to Jesus.  Amount of words didn't matter.  Even there were times that he said nothing but just reminded himself that his friend Jesus was there in the kitchen sitting next to him.
    Now as I grade papers, give a Spelling test, drive to work, eat a In and Out burger, laugh at a dolphin under my surfboard, cry at pain inside, fear getting older.....I try to remind myself that Jesus is right there, talk to Him as I would to any friend.  Thanks Bro Law!
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Yours in Christ,
Paul N.  F.