The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.12 You Save: $3.87 (65%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Practice of the Presence of God
Book Review: Incredible Book
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great book. I helped me understand God in new an different ways. Don't let the size fool you, it is packed with a lot of down to earth information.Book Review: Access to the Father's presence
Summary: 4 Stars
"We hear from the saints who experienced prayer power that prayer gives wings to humans lifting them up so they can fly. These wings are the elation felt at the proximity of Christ and the relief from the burden of a saint conscience, which pesters our prayer." Matthew the Poor
"Silence is God's first language. Every thing else is a translation." John of the Cross
The Practice of God's Presence:
Brother Lawrence, like the Desert Fathers' creative subversion, their simple and radical renunciation, of the world cut powerfully into the kingdom, keeping his presence continually renewed. The wisdom of scripture as interpreted by the mystical writers, from the Desert elders to Therese of Lisieux, John of the Cross, and brother Laurence, would guide us on a road we may have never expected to take. Writing from their own experience of prayer and from their expertise as spiritual directors, the late contemporary mystics Thomas Merton, Henry Nouwen, and Father Matthew the poor, help us arrive at a deeper understanding of ourselves and direct us to the presence of God, which brother Laurence reveals.
Brother Christopher:
Chris Marshall, a young father of three, from Ohio wrote, "I believe that in our communion with Christ and His Kingdon now, that we are already experiencing a quality of heaven that is yet to come. Its not about pearly gates, streets of gold and mansions so great you don't even need a "no interest" loan to acquire. Heaven is perfect communion with God like we had in the Garden. A reality of being one with our Creator as Christ said, "I and the Father are one". We don't have to wait till we die to live in the reality that He will be our God and we can be His people. As westerners, we always look ahead to more progress, we need to learn to slow down to realize that the Kingdom is already all around us awaiting our communion."
HerbEly wrote telepathically, explaining Chris contemporary mystical conscieceness, ".. a moment's reflection leads us to the recognition that there are many things in the outside world what can 'go into us' through our senses and perceptions. It is not the outside world that is that is a problem. It is our reaction to the outside world that is the problem. When we react from any of the list of evil thoughts listed, we will be " .. stained by the world." The question then becomes; how do we move from a state in which we react out "evil thoughts" to one in which we can respond to the world out of grace?
Access to the Father's presence:
The right to enter into God's presence, we have learned, was gained when Christ opened the way. It was consecrated on the day he was crucified and inaugurated the day he rose and ascended. he introduced a new and living way through his body, the temple curtain separating from man what belongs to God. It was torn open by God's hand. The tear proceeded from the top, which is God's dwelling, to the bottom, where we reside. Having previously been hidden in the father, eternal life rushed into our being and appeared within us. Therefore, if through his body we have a mystical ladder rising up to him, then it is by his blood that we have access to the heavenly holies. The Holy Spirit presents us to the Father, testifying that we are his sons. (Matthew the poor, Orthodox Prayer Life)
Brother Lawrence:
Nicholas Herman (c. 1605-1691) was born in Lorraine, France and served as a cook and shoe repairer at a Carmelite monastery. He was only a lay member of the order, and walked with a limp from injuries incurred as a soldier, in an irreligious age, amid skeptical people, yet his contemplative thoughts provide a wellspring of devotional insight and refreshment. His practice of the presence of God was as much a reality as the watch of the early Coenobetic monks, and the holy seed in him. like others, was the stump of Isaiah from which grew the household and piety of the eighteenth century.
Book Review: Knowing Christ in Practice
Summary: 4 Stars
Brother Lawrence has given us a very practical approach to experiencing the presence of Christ moment-by-moment. He desribes in wonderful simplicity what it is like to walk in constant awareness of the love of God.
Lawrence writes, "If I were a preacher, I would preach nothing but practicing the presence of God... I would urge everyone to be aware of God's constant presence, if for no other reason than because His presence is a delight to our souls and spirits."
Lawrence shares of practical exercises that he found ushers him into the daily presence of God. What might seem ritualistic and unnatural... should become very natural and fluid. He covers the topic of effective prayer and helps us to break away from our religious concepts of the spiritual life. It is time to draw near to God as Person instead of the distant Father who demands work to gain favor.
This little book will aid you in your pursuit of experiencing the depths and riches of Jesus Christ. It will help to bring about the much anticipated spiritual revolution that the church so desperately needs in our day. If you are ready to leave religion and are looking to find the natural faith of Christ... Brother Lawrence will help in that journey.
I also recommend reading:
EXPERIENCING THE DEPTHS OF JESUS CHRIST VOLUME 2
THE SPIRITUAL MAN VOLUMES 1,2, 3
The Release of the Spirit
The Centrality of Jesus Christ (Works of T. Austin-Sparks) Volume One
Book Review: The true source of Hope found
Summary: 4 Stars
In a day of self-help and healing services, Brother Lawrence's discourses offer the reader much contentment and rest in trusting the Lord. Unlike many contemporary preachers and psuedo-religious televangelists, this servant exhorts the reader to abstain from seeking physical healing and to strive for spiritual enlightenment. He asks his friend to cast down his rituals and rites and instructs him to find the Lord in quiet and somber prayer and service.
The author writes to his friend the only hope and cause for joy; that is, a life of full and true committment to the Lord Jesus Christ. He doesn't look for wealth, nor does he strive for great fame. He contents himself as a potato peeler, seeking only to please the Lord with a meek life of service and worship.
Christians and non-Christians alike should read the compilation of this man's work. The Practice of the Presence of God will lead all who read it to a closer walk with the one and true living GodBook Review: Presence
Summary: 4 Stars
I thought that this was a great piece of work to think through the omnipresence of God. Go is always there and we can seek to practice the awareness of God's presence.
For more commentary on the book, click on or cut and paste the following link into your web browser:
http://robbiepruitt.blogspot.com/2009/03/presence.html
This work by Brother Lawrence is worth the read.
Thanks,
Robbie