"A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. " Job 6:14

Sunday morning we're studying the book of Job during second hour, if you do not already have commitments during this time stop by and be encouraged by the discussion as we search to discover what Job needed from his friends in his time of deepest distress.

Last Sunday we explored Job's statement about a man needing the kindness of his friends, especially during this, the most difficult time in his life.  Job had friends that went the extra mile to grieve (from the Latin to burden) with him.  Job had friends who sat silently with him for SEVEN days and did not say a word because words could not comfort; friends who knew that only their presence could offer any solice.  Friends that knew how to be a better friend than I.

Yet, when they did begin the speak, Job had to rebuke his friends for trying to fix him. 

What kind of friend am I?

It's never too late to drop by and check out our study, and it's a great time of discussion in a smaller, focused environment.  Stop on by.

Eric Joppa gave his last message as a staff member of ASC this past Sunday, August 30^th.  For the benefit of the multitudes at family camp this past weekend, I would like to recap the key points to a message which was immensely enriching to me in my understanding of what it means to “Practice the Presence of God.”

A few years back I read a book called The Practice of the Presence of God which discussed the practical subject of closeness to God.  In it were thoughts compiled from a 17^th century monastarian by the name of Brother Lawrence.

An excerpt from a Wikipedia entry on brother Lawrence says,

’common business,’ no matter how mundane or routine, was the medium of God's love. The issue was not the sacredness or worldly status of the task but the motivation behind it. "Nor is it needful that we should have great things to do. . . We can do little things for God; I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for love of him, and that done, if there is nothing else to call me, I prostrate myself in worship before him, who has given me grace to work; afterwards I rise happier than a king. It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God."

The question on my mind has been, how do I come to this place.  Brother Eric helped to pave the way for this understanding.

First, what does it mean to “practice the presence?”  Simply put, it means to live in God’s presence.  But, God is everywhere so what in the world does this mean?  To me it means to live as if I am in His presence.  With my mind I know he is everywhere, that He is always with me – but in my life that is not how I live.  If for just a moment I take my eyes off all the do’s and don’ts I would put on myself if I lived as if He were beside me and instead looked at the adoration and wonder that He is beside ME, I would be living in His presence.  In other words, I am in His presence all the time but my soul does not acknowledge that presence.  It’s as if only what I can see if real.  I have had moments (and longer) where I felt I was in the very presence of God but I don’t live there.  ‘Practicing the presence’ is about living in this place.

So how do I get there?

1. Solitude – I need to quiet my mind.  
This IS NOT a time to read my Bible, to pray or anything else.  This is a time of complete quiet.  If it takes an hour, so be it.  If it takes longer, great.  This cannot be rushed, it cannot be given a time limit.

All this stuff rattling in my head is noise.  I need to put it all aside.
 - All those projects and problems at work, not enough income, not enough vacation, not enough going into 401(k), not being the worker I should be, not enough due respect to my employer.
- All those honeydo’s
- All the small group activities I’m not doing or doing too much of
- All those thoughts about what does it all means; where is my life going?
- All those thoughts about what does God want me to do, how can I do it, why is it so hard to hear Him?

Jesus taught us a little about this.  It was His habit to get away before the day came at Him.  Search the scriptures and see how many times Jesus found a place of solitude.  What daily habits do you think He had?

2. Conversation – I need to converse with God as a person not an object.
- If I have not quieted my mind in # 1, conversation is going to be strained at best.
- If I talked to my spouse as I talk to God how would that relationship look?
- Yes, He is my creator, my maker, my sustainer but He also desires a personal relationship with me.   Somehow there is a balance between not treating God like our buddy and not treating God like some impersonal ruler of the universe.

3. Meditation – Psalm 19 says, “These are the words in my mouth, these are what I chew on and pray…” (The Message)  The Word of God is something to put great thought into, His words are my life!

4. Enjoy – Now this fascinated me.  If I do not enjoy God then none of this makes sense.  Spurgeon’s catechism says that the “chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  That says it all.

If I am to enjoy Him from now until forever without end, I better start meeting Him, talking to Him and Pondering His words because I’ve got a long ways to go.