Customer Reviews

The Practice of the Presence of God (Pure Gold Classic) (Pure Gold Classics)

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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 Law. 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 curiousity. 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 awesoime thing to me was that Bro Law wasnt 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!

I highly recommend reading The Practice of the Presence of God. I just recommend getting a different copy. Here's why:

Though the back of the book advertises a "7-point advantage," these features seem to have been haphazardly thrown together and are of little use to the book's target audience.The color timeline does not offer information about events surrounding Brother Lawrence's life. Rather, it is a grand historical timeline on which Brother Lawrence's life appears as little more than a brief footnote. The endnotes are intrusive and unhelpful, and the index is practically worthless. Endnote references are treated superscript in some instances and in others run right in to the text. This is probably the worst-edited book I've seen. The back cover advertises that the book is "one of a fabulous collection." Judging by this member, I think I'll pass on the rest of the Pure Gold Classics.

Like I said, I strongly suggest reading the book, but I would spend a few more dollars and spring for a nicer copy as it is a book worth returning to.

This book is too good and too short not to be read by every Christian. The author has stated simply what the Bible calls all believers to: Living every moment, every circumstance, every chore, every delight, every trial of life for the love and worship of God. We don't need to make things so complicated in trying to balance these activities with those activities with other activities. Yes, directed meditative time with God in His Word is necessary; but the author makes clear the teaching of the Bible when he says:

"I am doing now what I will do for all eternity."

Brother Lawrence is simply saying: "Make life simple--do everything for the love and worship of God, and you will be living the life of eternity even here on earth." Brother Lawrence explains how he lived such a live and gives principles on how we may do the same. And it works for one simple reason: It's biblical--it's the same method God has given us in His Word.