Customer Reviews

Practicing God's Presence: Brother Lawrence for Today's Reader

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book attracted my attention immediately. I've heard of Brother Lawrence for twenty years, but each time I read a piece by him, I bogged down in the archaic language. Elmer takes the meat of Brother Lawrence's philosophy/religious tenets and puts them in words I can relate to. I intend to read this small volume several times. The first time was rewarding, but the material is so rich, it requires at least a second read to absorb the finer points.

This is a really weak and uninspired translation - really a rewriting - of Brother Lawrence's classic little book. The author/translator says that this is a "thought-for-thought" translation rather than a literal one, and admits that this is a risky proposition. He's right that it's risky, especially when a writer is careless and takes unwarranted license with a text, and unfortunately he's failed in his attempt. It could and should have been otherwise. The author goes overboard trying to make the book sound contemporary, filling it with American colloquialisms and excessive informality to the point that it often sounds like a trivial conversation between teenagers ("let's bulldoze the dike that holds back God's flood," "let's cash in lost time," "if death is tailgating us, we need to be ready," "life offers no `do-overs'," don't look for the pleasure payoff," and on and on). There are places where subject and verb don't agree and other grammatical or stylistic errors cause a lack of clarity. When a writer allows himself great license, he can't blame problems like these on the original text. The author has been a news reporter and advertising copywriter, and it shows. This is too important a book to be treated with this much sloppiness and irreverence. I'm surprised at NavPress for letting this one slip through, and I strongly suggest that you buy a better version (the Whitaker House version, for example, is better and cheaper).

This is a book to be read and reread, along with Scripture, to draw us focus on Christ and help us become totally sold-out for Him.

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I'll be honest with you... there is a serious need in the Christian market for books like this. Reading this book opened up the words of Brother Lawrence like no other book I've ever read before! The updated language in this book (that's perfect for use as a devotional) made the timeless teachings of Brother Lawrence accessible to a whole new generation of readers. I know there may be those who say otherwise, but recent translations of the Bible like the Message and books like Mr. Elmer's latest are wonderful resources that today's Christians cannot overlook.

This book clearly reinforces the legacy of Biblical Truth through the interpretation of Brother Lawrence from many years ago.

this is one of the most practical books I've ever read. Although it's relatively short(I read the whole thing in a little under 2 hours), it still packs a pretty good punch. It's just a very helpful book, overall, and I know it will be one I re-read over and over again.

I don't know what I expected but this little book is just OK. Not as weighty as the Puritan writings, but probably very helpful for someone looking for encouragement.

This is an excellent book for the younger generation. In today's language (channel surfing, etc.) it presents the translation of the letters of Brother Lawrence. He lived a humble life yet stayed in constant contact with God through prayers and thoughts. It is easy, yet thoughtful reading; a great addition to a believer's library.

Book is great. Very simple. Helps take away some of the confusing things of God and shrink it down to layman terms to help give us a better understanding. Get your highlighter ready because there are a lot of amazing quotes.

Easy to read, fits in purse or pocket. Ready for meditation at any time. Helpful format.