Jesus grew up as a common laborer in a lower middle income bracket. Twice in the Gospels he’s described in the family business as a carpenter. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” (Matthew 13:55). “‘Isn’t this the carpenter?’ . . . And they took offense at him” (Mark 6:3). When Jesus begins his public ministry, he’s…

Whoever said “there’s no shame in poverty” was either someone who was never poor or someone who learned to live above their poverty. I’m inclined to think that Jesus was the latter. Jesus faced the shame of growing up in a poorer family. When Jesus’ parents come into the temple to offer the sacrifice for…

I want to talk with you about the shame Jesus experienced in his life and in his death. Today is the beginning of the Lenten season. Different Christians respond differently to this season. Some conscientiously follow it. Others mostly ignore it. I’m probably in the middle. Sometimes in the 40 days leading up to Easter…

Hi QCAC Family, I trust you’re following along with the “40 Days of Prayer”. You can still receive these devotionals through https://mailchi.mp/cmalliance.org/40daysofprayer-signup. Following today’s reading with Psalm 91, hear God the Father speaking to you: “Have no fear of sudden disaster. When it comes, proclaim that I am your Refuge and your Fortress, your God,…

Resolutions often fade. To overcome this, some suggest the 21/90 rule. You commit yourself to some goal or pattern for 21 straight days to form a habit. Then you continue doing it for another 90 days to make it a lifestyle. Three weeks plus ninety days starts with a resolution. I followed a similar strategy…

Brother Lawrence defines “simple awareness, this loving view of God present everywhere [as] the holiest, the surest, the easiest, and the most efficacious form of prayer.” That’s helpful. Perhaps the most daunting command of the Bible is 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which has been translated in many ways: Pray continually. Pray constantly. Pray without ceasing. Always…

Brother Lawrence summarized his journey of practicing God’s presence: While “somewhat difficult in the beginning, [it] secretly accomplishes marvelous effects in the soul, draws abundant graces from the Lord, and, when practiced faithfully, imperceptibly leads it to this simple awareness, to this loving view of God present everywhere, which is the holiest, the surest, the…

Praying breath prayers – prayers that you can pray in one breath – is a valuable exercise in practicing God’s presence. Brother Lawrence illustrated: “Formulate a few words interiorly, such as: ‘My God, I am completely yours,’ or ‘God of love, I love you with all my heart,’ or ‘Lord, fashion me according to your…

In practicing God’s presence Brother Lawrence had no qualms in reiterating ways for making the habit stick: (1) The priority of “purity of life”. (2) That “fostering this awareness of God within, must always be performed gently, humbly, and lovingly, without giving in to disturbance or anxiety.” (3) Taking “special care that this inner awareness,…

To keep us from discouragement, Brother Lawrence says that God often brings the Christ follower “savory, delicious [spiritual] nourishment, though it never sought nor did anything to obtain it, and in no way contributed to it itself, except by its consent.” We do actively pursue God. Yet at times God will surprise us with his…