A Proposal for Lent
Would readers of this blog like to discuss a book for Lent? I'd like to suggest The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, considered a great Christian classic for about 400 years now. I have found a modern language version on the'Net, free of copyright. I was thinking of posting a bit of it daily with a few questions.
This same thing is going to be offered at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KnitternunMeditation/ if a less unwieldy mode of conversation is desired.
here goes!!
If you would like to print out the entire document, please click here: http://www.practicegodspresence.com/brotherlawrence/index.html
It's approximately 19 pages
Here is the first section: the Editor's Preface. It gives us some biographical information about Bro Lawrence. This little book, here in a modern language version, has been considered a Christian classic for centuries.
Do we think Bro Lawrence has anything to say to us today?
In the midst of our busy frenetic lives, do we need help to practice the presence of God in our lives? Or even, do we want to practice the presence of God in our lives?
Does this mean anythign to us today?
I look forward to seeing your answers to these questions!!
The Practice Of The Presence Of God: Brother Lawrence's Conversations and Letters
Editor's Preface
Brother Lawrence was born Nicholas Herman around 1610 in Herimenil, Lorraine, a Duchy of France. His birth records were destroyed in a fire at his parish church during the Thirty Years War, a war in which he fought as a young soldier. It was also the war in which he sustained a near fatal injury to his sciatic nerve. The injury left him quite crippled and in chronic pain for the rest of his life.
He was educated both at home and by his parish priest whose first name was Lawrence and who was greatly admired by the young Nicholas. He was well read and, from an early age, drawn to a spiritual life of faith and love for God.
In the years between the abrupt end of his duties as a soldier and his entry into monastic life, he spent a period of time in the wilderness living like one of the early desert fathers. Also, prior to entering the monastery, he spent some time in private service. In his characteristic, self deprecating way, he mentions that he was a "footman who was clumsy and broke everything".
At mid-life he entered a newly established monastery in Paris where he became the cook for the community which grew to over one hundred members. After fifteen years, his duties were shifted to the sandal repair shop but, even then, he often returned to the busy kitchen to help out.
In times as troubled as today, Brother Lawrence, discovered, then followed, a pure and uncomplicated way to walk continually in God's presence. For some forty years, he lived and walked with Our Father at his side. Yet, through his own words, we learn that Brother Lawrence's first ten years were full of severe trials and challenges.
A gentle man of joyful spirit, Brother Lawrence shunned attention and the limelight, knowing that outside distraction "spoils all". It was not until after his death that a few of his letters were collected. Joseph de Beaufort, counsel to the Paris archbishop, first published the letters in a small pamphlet. The following year, in a second publication which he titled, 'The Practice of the Presence of God', de Beaufort included, as introductory material, the content of four conversations he had with Brother Lawrence.
In this small book, through letters and conversations, Brother Lawrence simply and beautifully explains how to continually walk with God - not from the head but from the heart. Brother Lawrence left the gift of a way of life available to anyone who seeks to know God's peace and presence; that anyone, regardless of age or circumstance, can practice -anywhere, anytime. Brother Lawrence also left the gift of a direct approach to living in God's presence that is as practical today as it was three hundred years ago.
Brother Lawrence died in 1691, having practiced God's presence for over forty years. His quiet death was much like his monastic life where each day and each hour was a new beginning and a fresh commitment to love God with all his heart.
Light Heart
www.PracticeGodsPresence.com
This same thing is going to be offered at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KnitternunMeditation/ if a less unwieldy mode of conversation is desired.
here goes!!
If you would like to print out the entire document, please click here: http://www.practicegodspresence.com/brotherlawrence/index.html
It's approximately 19 pages
Here is the first section: the Editor's Preface. It gives us some biographical information about Bro Lawrence. This little book, here in a modern language version, has been considered a Christian classic for centuries.
Do we think Bro Lawrence has anything to say to us today?
In the midst of our busy frenetic lives, do we need help to practice the presence of God in our lives? Or even, do we want to practice the presence of God in our lives?
Does this mean anythign to us today?
I look forward to seeing your answers to these questions!!
The Practice Of The Presence Of God: Brother Lawrence's Conversations and Letters
Editor's Preface
Brother Lawrence was born Nicholas Herman around 1610 in Herimenil, Lorraine, a Duchy of France. His birth records were destroyed in a fire at his parish church during the Thirty Years War, a war in which he fought as a young soldier. It was also the war in which he sustained a near fatal injury to his sciatic nerve. The injury left him quite crippled and in chronic pain for the rest of his life.
He was educated both at home and by his parish priest whose first name was Lawrence and who was greatly admired by the young Nicholas. He was well read and, from an early age, drawn to a spiritual life of faith and love for God.
In the years between the abrupt end of his duties as a soldier and his entry into monastic life, he spent a period of time in the wilderness living like one of the early desert fathers. Also, prior to entering the monastery, he spent some time in private service. In his characteristic, self deprecating way, he mentions that he was a "footman who was clumsy and broke everything".
At mid-life he entered a newly established monastery in Paris where he became the cook for the community which grew to over one hundred members. After fifteen years, his duties were shifted to the sandal repair shop but, even then, he often returned to the busy kitchen to help out.
In times as troubled as today, Brother Lawrence, discovered, then followed, a pure and uncomplicated way to walk continually in God's presence. For some forty years, he lived and walked with Our Father at his side. Yet, through his own words, we learn that Brother Lawrence's first ten years were full of severe trials and challenges.
A gentle man of joyful spirit, Brother Lawrence shunned attention and the limelight, knowing that outside distraction "spoils all". It was not until after his death that a few of his letters were collected. Joseph de Beaufort, counsel to the Paris archbishop, first published the letters in a small pamphlet. The following year, in a second publication which he titled, 'The Practice of the Presence of God', de Beaufort included, as introductory material, the content of four conversations he had with Brother Lawrence.
In this small book, through letters and conversations, Brother Lawrence simply and beautifully explains how to continually walk with God - not from the head but from the heart. Brother Lawrence left the gift of a way of life available to anyone who seeks to know God's peace and presence; that anyone, regardless of age or circumstance, can practice -anywhere, anytime. Brother Lawrence also left the gift of a direct approach to living in God's presence that is as practical today as it was three hundred years ago.
Brother Lawrence died in 1691, having practiced God's presence for over forty years. His quiet death was much like his monastic life where each day and each hour was a new beginning and a fresh commitment to love God with all his heart.
Light Heart
www.PracticeGodsPresence.com
posted by Gloriamarie Amalfitano @ 12:12 PM
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