Archive for July, 2020

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21

“I do not pray that you may be delivered from your pains; but I pray God earnestly that He would give you strength and patience to bear them as long as He pleases. Comfort yourself with Him who holds you fastened to the cross: He will loose you when He thinks fit.

Happy are those who suffer with Him: accustom yourself to suffer in that manner, and seek from Him the strength to endure as much, and as long, as He shall judge to be necessary for you. The men of the world do not comprehend these truths, nor is it to be wondered at, since they suffer like what they are, and not like Christians: they consider sickness as a pain to nature, and not as a favor from God; and seeing it only in that light, they find nothing in it but grief and distress.

But those who consider sickness as coming from the hand of God, as the effects of His mercy, and the means which He employs for their salvation, commonly find in it great sweetness and sensible consolation. I wish you could convince yourself that God is often (in some sense) nearer to us and more effectually present with us, in sickness than in health. Rely upon no other Physician, for, according to my apprehension, He reserves your cure to Himself…

Whatever remedies you make use of, they will succeed only so far as He permits. When pains come from God, He only can cure them. He often sends diseases of the body, to cure those of the soul. Comfort yourself with the sovereign Physician both of soul and body.”

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614-1691) in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 28.

The 11th letter of Brother Lawrence provides perspective in suffering and sickness. As the plague rages around the world, I think part of our generosity is sharing this perspective with people.

Everyone seems to be looking for a vaccine when the purpose of a plague or pestilence in Scripture is to get people to look to God. In conversations, at social distance, let’s point people to the Sovereign Physician.

And may the Psalms, many which include lament, be dripping from our tongues (if you are joining me in pausing to pray the Psalms in the daily office (6am, 9am, 12noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, and bedtime or 12midnight).

Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. Psalm 119:164

“Pray remember what I have recommended to you, which is, to think often on God, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave Him not alone. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone, who came to visit you: why then must God be neglected? Do not then forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually, live and die with Him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian; in a word, this is our profession, if we do not know it we must learn it. I will endeavor to help you with my prayers, and am yours in our Lord.”

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614-1691) in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 26.

One of my colleagues was just saying to me recently that the unemployment rate is very high in the USA and around the world. And then I read this excerpt from Brother Lawrence.

“Do not then forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually, live and die with Him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian; in a word, this is our profession, if we do not know it we must learn it.”

Here’s what struck me. When we pursue this profession, that is, practicing the presence of God, we always have something to share! Let me explain.

I resolved yesterday to start praying the Psalms on the Divine Hours (mark your calendar to pause at 6am, 9am, 12noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, and midnight or sometime between 9pm and 6am, depending on whether you are a morning or night person).

It was actually a super busy day. But something amazing happened. The Psalms I read corresponded to what was going on. The Scriptures nourished me. I shared verses with others. It was so enriching. And positioned me to be generous.

Care to join me. It’s glorious employment that positions us for generous sharing.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

“One does not become holy all at once…Since by His mercy He gives us still a little time, let us begin in earnest, let us repair the lost time, let us return with a full assurance to that Father of mercies, who is always ready to receive us affectionately. Let us renounce, let us generously renounce, for the love of Him, all that is not Himself; He deserves infinitely more. Let us think of Him perpetually. Let us put all our trust in Him: I doubt not but we shall soon find the effects of it, in receiving the abundance of His grace, with which we can do all things, and without which we can do nothing but sin.

We cannot escape the dangers which abound in life, without the actual and continual help of God; let us then pray to Him for it continually. How can we pray to Him without being with Him? How can we be with Him but in thinking of Him often? And how can we often think of Him, but by a holy habit which we should form of it? You will tell me that I am always saying the same thing: it is true, for this is the best and easiest method I know; and as I use no other, I advise all the world to it. We must know before we can love. In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure.”

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614-1691) in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 26.

What do you think about?

Brother Lawrence reminds us to think about God continually. The danger about not doing this, and he’s right about it, is that thinking about earthly things causes us to treasure earthly things, and that’s where we get into trouble. We must generously renounce them.

What does that mean?

Apostle Paul urges us to see ourselves as dead. Think about it. We can’t be drawn to something if we are dead. Our lives are hid with Christ in God, and since we are raised with Christ our thoughts need to be about Christ. Don’t just begin every day focused on Christ, think about him continually.

I am taking a week away to reset. I am flying to Florida to join my wife who went on ahead of me to stay with my brother and his wife and visit my parents, in part, to celebrate my mom’s 80th birthday. For the week to reset, I am praying a Psalm on the seven divine hours. I am excited to do this with a friend.

Reply if you want to join us. I’ll share the specifics.

And generously renouncing all that is not Him is to describe the world’s messages for what they are: lies. Few do this better than my friend and fellow author, Roger Lam. Everywhere he goes he alerts people to the deceitfulness of wealth. Want to hear Roger and I speak with other colleagues at an upcoming free online event?

Join us for Hope and Help in Times of Crisis on 7 August 2020 from 7-8:15pm Hong Kong Time. It’s a free webinar. We will consider together how Christians and churches can offer hope and help in challenging situations like we find ourselves in today.

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. Luke 18:35-43

“When the mind, for want of being sufficiently reduced by recollection, at our first engaging in devotion, has contracted certain bad habits of wandering and dissipation, they are difficult to overcome, and commonly draw us, even against our wills, to the things of the earth.

I believe one remedy for this is, to confess our faults, and to humble ourselves before God. I do not advise you to use multiplicity of words in prayer; many words and long discourses being often the occasions of wandering: hold yourself in prayer before God, like a dumb or paralytic beggar at a rich man’s gate: let it be your business to keep your mind in the presence of the Lord.

If it sometimes wander, and withdraw itself from Him, do not much disquiet yourself for that; trouble and disquiet serve rather to distract the mind, than to re-collect it; the will must bring it back in tranquillity; if you persevere in this manner, God will have pity on you.

One way to re-collect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquillity, is not to let it wander too far at other times: you should keep it strictly in the presence of God; and being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings.

I have told you already at large, in my former letters, of the advantages we may draw from this practice of the presence of God: let us set about it seriously and pray for one another.”

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614-1691) in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 25.

Today is Jenni’s (my wife’s) birthday. Happy Birthday, Jenni!

I want to honor her for her generosity in giving her life to serve as the Soulcare Anchoress, a spiritual director, and the perfect complement to the Generosity Monk.

I mention her today because she often encourages people (me included) to have a centering prayer. Today’s Scripture is a famous one, know widely as the Jesus prayer for it’s simplicity.

What does this have to do with generosity, you may ask? Everything.

Read the Scripture again and notice how our Lord Jesus responds to people who pray humble, simple prayers. He is generous. And the generosity results in worship from the one who prays and onlookers join the celebration.

For all who are looking for help or hope in these times, there is one remedy. Let us humble ourselves, confessing our faults, and asking God for mercy, as we are sinners. Afresh He may show up with gracious generosity and restore what is broken.

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19

“Here’s the preface to Brother Lawrence’s Seventh Letter: At the age of nearly fourscore exhorts his correspondent, who is sixty-four, to live and die with God and promises and asks for prayer.

I pity you much. It will be of great importance if you can leave the care of your affairs to, and spend the remainder of your life only in worshiping God. He requires no great matters of us; a little remembrance of Him from time to time, a little adoration: sometimes to pray for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, and sometimes to return Him thanks for the favors He has given you, and still gives you, in the midst of your troubles, and to console yourself with Him the oftenest you can. Lift up your heart to Him, sometimes even at your meals, and when you are in company: the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of.

It is not necessary for being with God to be always at church; we may make an oratory of our heart, wherein to retire from time to time, to converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Every one is capable of such familiar conversation with God, some more, some less: He knows what we can do. Let us begin then; perhaps He expects but one generous resolution on our part. Have courage. We have but little time to live; you are near sixty-four, and I am almost eighty. Let us live and die with God: sufferings will be sweet and pleasant to us, while we are with Him: and the greatest pleasures will be, without Him, a cruel pun- ishment to us. May He be blessed for all. Amen.

Use yourself then by degrees thus to worship Him, to beg His grace, to offer Him your heart from time to time, in the midst of your business, even every moment if you can. Do not always scrupulously confine yourself to certain rules, or particular forms of devotion; but act with a general confidence in God, with love and humility. You may assure – of my poor prayers, and that I am their servant, and yours particularly.”

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614-1691) in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 24.

Are you troubled in these uncertain times? Brother Lawrence would echo David, the psalmist, and say that finding our hope consolation in God alone is the only pathway to joy.

At nearly 80 he tells a troubled 64 year old to make a generous resolution: have courage. This might be the best form of generosity we can share everywhere as we start another week. Think about it.

Regardless of your financial assets, you can extend this form of generosity richly. Receive it from me with the same poor prayers that Brother Lawrence prayed. You got this. I’ve got this. We’ve got this, because God’s got us.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

“I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the practice of the presence of God. For my part I keep myself retired with Him in the depth of centre of my soul as much as I can; and while I am so with Him I fear nothing; but the least turning from Him is insupportable.

This exercise does not much fatigue the body: it is, however, proper to deprive it sometimes, nay often, of many little pleasures which are innocent and lawful: for God will not permit that a soul which desires to be devoted entirely to Him should take other pleasures than with Him; that is more than reasonable.

I do not say that therefore we must put any violent constraint upon ourselves. No, we must serve God in a holy freedom, we must do our business faithfully, without trouble or disquiet; recalling our mind to God mildly and with tranquillity, as often as we find it wandering from Him.”

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614-1691) in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 23.

It’s common in modern times for automakers to do a recall. They want the cars back to make something right. Maybe it is replacing an airbag or some other part. In the same way we need to recall our minds to God. If any part is focused on anything other than God we will not “live satisfied” and we are on a path that is “insupportable.”

Everybody is worried about COVID and what to do in the next 2-3 months or years. I think we should be more concerned about the next 2-3 million years. When we live in light of eternity, the “little pleasures” are less distracting. What distracts you? Identify it. That way, when it gets your attention and grips your affection, you can recall your mind to God.

To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Mark 12:33

“The heart must be empty of all other things; because God will possess the heart alone; and as He cannot possess it alone, without emptying it of all besides, so neither can He act there, and do in it what He pleases, unless it be left vacant to Him.”

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614-1691) in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 22.

The famous scene in the Christmas story portrays Mary and Joseph finding “No room in the inn.” There was no vacancy for the young couple who would soon welcome our Lord Jesus Christ. No vacancy for Jesus.

During His ministry on earth, Jesus taught that more important than our generosity and sacrifices is our love for God and love of neighbor. Our tendency is to think we can love God and fill-in-the-blank. How are you doing in that regard? Do you have any other loves?

To grow in generosity, each of us must empty our heart of all other loves. Notice Jesus does not say love Him with part of our heart. Or to put it another way, He neither needs nor wants anything from us. He wants us.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. 2 Corinthians 9:8

“We are to be pitied who content ourselves with so little. God, saith He, has infinite treasure to bestow, and we take up with a little sensible devotion which passes in a moment. Blind as we are, we hinder God, and stop the current of His graces. But when He finds a soul penetrated with a lively faith, He pours into it His graces and favours plentifully; there they flow like a torrent, which, after being forcibly stopped against its ordinary course, when it has found a passage, spreads itself with impetuosity and abundance. Yes, we often stop this torrent, by the little value we set upon it. But let us stop it no more: let us enter into ourselves and break down the bank which hinders it. Let us make way for grace; let us redeem the lost time, for perhaps we have but little left; death follows us close, let us be well prepared for it; for we die but once, and a miscarriage there is irretrievable.”

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614-1691) in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 20-21.

Where are you in this profound quote? Do you content  yourself with little? Does the abundant current of His graces flow throuogh you? Or have you stopped it? 

With Brother Lawrence let us resolve to stop it no more. This requires us to “enter into ourselves” or be honest with ourselves, which will likely result in breaking the bank.

It’s the only process that makes way for the current of His graces.

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

“We have a God who is infinitely gracious, and knows all our wants. I always thought that He would reduce you to extremity. He will come in His own time, and when you least expect it. Hope in Him more than ever: thank Him with me for the favours He does you, particularly for the fortitude and patience which He gives you in your afflictions: it is a plain mark of the care He takes of you; comfort yourself then with Him, and give thanks for all.”

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614-1691) in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 19.

I got to go fly fishng with my son yesterday on the Upper Piney above Vail. It was my Father’s day present. He planned everything (see header photo). God, who is infinitely gracious, knew I needed that time with with Him in creation and with my son. The blessing was worth the wait (as Father’s day was weeks ago).

Are you waiting on God for something? Do you need patience in affliction? I think everyone needs help in these troubled times. Delight yourself in God. Find comfort and take solace in the one who knows your wants and needs. And trust in His timing though it may feel like He is reducing you to extremity.

This relates to generosity because God is neither predictable nor absent. He is with you but rarely works as you expect. Let your generosity be likewise. Care for those around you in unexpected ways. I will never forget the special day Sammy planned for us in the mountains and how God surprised us. Thanks God.

We caught and released a record number of trout between the two of us in one day, 105 trout. In five hours that was one every three minutes or so. And we both got the trout grand slam: rainbow, cutthroat, brown, and broot trout. Each one was a gift from God to us. Releasing them was our gift to future anglers.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

“As for my set hours of prayer, they are only a continuation of the same exercise. Sometimes I consider myself there, as a stone before a carver, whereof he is to make a statue: presenting myself thus before God, I desire Him to make His perfect image in my soul, and render me entirely like Himself.”

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614-1691) in The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 17.

Paul described us as “God’s handiwork” that is created to do good works. We are like the stone before a carver. And so beautiful that He is re-making us Christ to live generously!

What stirs within you when you hear that you are like a stone before a carver? How is God working in you? Know this. It is for a purpose. What is that purpose? It is to do good works!

Recently, I said to someone that I think doing good works when all society and order around us seems to be crumbling during COVID is simply doing what Jesus would do regardless of what others are doing.

It means that we live, give, serve, and love like Jesus no matter what. Its the opposite of the world, and may even result in trials and suffering. Our job is to be the stone and let the Carver have His way.