Psalm 78 confronts us with how easy it is to speak against God and ask, “Can God set a table in the wilderness?” On the hard days we struggle to remember. It’s human. But, what if we kept a journal, like Ann Voskamp’s 1000 gifts, and on the hard days, we perused the pages and found the goodness of God printed in our own handwriting? Or what if we used a holiday primed for this, Thanksgiving, to speak the stories of gratitude into each other’s lives, to pass the goodness of God from one generation to another just like we do the mashed potatoes. This simple ritual, three kernels of corn, is our own family’s way of doing just that.

"Sometimes we get a glimpse of a soul and we want to take off our shoes.

Whether it’s looking into the eyes of the checkout clerk surprised someone truly wants to know how she’s doing or a spiritual directee who lets me see the pain underneath her socially accepted story. Like all of us, she’s become adept at holding up a whole bevy of masks. Every time she walks into our chapel for direction, she takes a while to settle, going through an awkward song and dance performing for my approval before becoming quiet and receptive to the Spirit.

What she doesn’t know is that underneath, when the Holy Spirit broods over her vulnerable story, she’s stunning. & the wrinkles and scars point to a story as deep as her words.

And then as she closes her eyes childlike, holding her face up to the light of God’s Presence I too am warmed by her light."

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How centering prayer teaches our brains to release compulsive thoughts into the hands of God.

Hurry clamps down on creativity.

Hurry makes decision-making nearly impossible.

Hurry leaves us weary.

Hurry divides our focus.

And usually, Hurry is driven by anxiety. 

Overwork. Overfunctioning. Overscheduling. They’re rarely if ever driven by joy or trust. And if we follow the train back far enough, we find they’re created by fear. Fear we’ll miss something. Fear we’ll be rejected. Fear we’re not caring enough. Fear Fear Fear.

Can we experience God as our primary attachment figure, turning and returning towards the face of He who is always accessible, responsive, and engaged?  

Frank Laubach's story reveals a man who has found this not only possible but he stands on the shore of Mindanao with an invitation in his hand. 

And this is where we intersect Practicing the Presence with Calling. Brother Lawrence prayed with his arms elbows deep in warm soapy water, doing dishes in a monastery kitchen.

Brother Lawrence was less interested in his calling or vocation and more interested in following closely behind Jesus.

Today, we have our own brand of static, the constant search for personal fulfillment and umpteen journals stamped with a rainbow and “Follow your dreams.” Dreams are important to pay attention to. The deep desires of our soul can often be signposts to God’s invitation. But, I wonder if sometimes in following our dreams, we’re actually losing sight of the Dream-Giver.

Often we slander the small, trashing the simple and beautiful act of offering, and worship the large.

But so much of our lives are serving in small ways.

And really, if we think about it, every big thing is made up of a thousand tiny faithfulnesses. “We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”

Follow along at aThirstforGod.com

When we are functioning out of the orphan spirit our primary default mode is believing that love, care, and provision are scarce. Fear grips and we put on the rags of the matchstick girl wandering the streets of people pleasing, perfectionism, and performance hoping for a coin, a kind look, a handout, a crust.

But here’s the truth: all this time a seat has been set at the King’s table.

A story of following the light of Christ's Presence one moment after another. 

So here’s my question: Is it possible to intentionally place sensory reminders of the truth of God’s Presence and walk from present moment to present moment using them to remind us that God is here? Whether it’s a lit candle, a praise song on repeat, the liturgy of the hours at a monastery, or a cross in your pocket?

Our brains have to be rewired for perfect love. 

Here’s why. Many of us transfer our attachment disorders onto our relationship with God. We have received halting, crippled human love from our caregivers and we end up using that same lens with which to view God. It’s the only lens for love we have! 

In Brain science speak, we’re literally  trying to push perfect love through the same neural pathways we were given of imperfect human love.

& this rewiring to perfect love is the ultimate mission of The Presence Project.

Richard Foster says this in his mini-book which I highly recommend: Sanctuary of the Soul, “Distraction is the primary spiritual problem of our day.” Maybe you agree, maybe you don’t. When I look around me at Starbucks tonight, I see what he means. 90% of the people around me have their eyes glued to a device. When I look into my own soul, I agree.

Distraction is the fog that can keep me from self-awareness and self-correcting. And I wonder, whose presence am I practicing? Am I practicing the presence of my iphone or the thousands of “friends” chatting there?

This episode is the story of a hike up to Hemlock Falls and how a clinging cross and a question steadied my focus in prayer and ultimately opened up a powerful moment of healing.