PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD

OUCH

I love it ---- there are times when there is no better word to use to describe moments in life.

My current moment is not a physical ouch, it is a spiritual one. (try finding a picture for that)

I have been working on my spiritual journey .... placing importance on my relationship with God. One of the must reads in life is Brother Lawrence -- that man had being in the presence of God down. In my small group we have been talking and learning about spending and being in the presence of God during our days (and nights). See where the focus should be ....

This past week things in life got interesting, someone was caught trying to do me wrong ..... trying to do me harm ..... I of course, am not at fault here. (reality --i did not deserve what was going on) My first reaction -- anger== defensive (how dare you)!!!! then came the mind tapes .....

I was driving into town, alone in my truck, no radio on and venting to God ..... do not know how that still small voice got through (i vent loudly) but somehow I heard ..... Why are you practicing the presence of *******(insert name). OUCH!

Practicing the presence of God is inviting Him into our every moment. Acknowledging him in the moment.

I had been spending time inviting stress, discontent, anger, strife, and all else anti-God into my moments .... all in the name of *******(insert name). That did not leave any place for God. Very big OUCH!

What other names to we, you and I practice during our day? How much time is spent pushing God away so that we have room for ________? At the end of the day who did you/I spend the day with?

Funny thing, when I stopped and recognized what I was doing and gave it to God ..... things changed. (yes for my benefit)