Practicing the Present: The Neglected Art of Living in the Now

by John M. Koessler

The present is more than a place where the past comes to rest. It is more than a staging ground for the future. The present is where God shows up. We live our lives in the present, but often our minds are racing toward the future or overwhelmed by the past. We want to change the past and control the future, but usually all we really do is exhaust ourselves in the here and now. Writing especially with church leaders in mind, Dr. John Koessler, a former pastor and professor, teaches you how to evade the tyranny of past regrets and future plans and meet God right where you are, in the present.

Genres: Christian Non Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 2019

Reviews

[Andy Huette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, just not what I thought it’d be. Practicing the Present was a book geared toward pastoral leadership more than daily habits. It’s worth a peruse for pastors and had some helpful reminders and takeaways, but I probably won’t be recommending this to others.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Practicing the Present was an okay read. I didn't get as much out of it as I had hoped, although there were a few things that were great. I liked the talk on past, future, and present. I also liked the part at the end about time management and rest. Some good tips on making time for rest.

I see now that this book was written especially for church leaders, so that might be why I didn't connect with it that much.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

[Kaitlyn Bouchillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this new book from John Koessler, readers are encouraged and challenged to both practice the present and practice the presence. In other words, how do they see God at work in the here-and-now... not only at work in the past or in their dreams for the future.

There are many sentences, even entire paragraphs that I highlighted throughout the book. However, I didn't realize that the book is written specifically for pastors or those in church leadership positions. There is still much to be both encouraged and challenged by in this book even if you don't find yourself in either of those categories, but there will be examples and stories in each chapter that don't necessarily apply directly to your life (because they are specifically written for those who hold a leadership position in the church).

I do wish that marketing materials and the book description made this clear, as it may be a disappointment and frustration to readers who aren't expecting the book to be written specifically for this audience. Overall, it is an important message that we all need - whether we work in vocational ministry or not.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book for pastors and church leaders, especially those who tend to live in the past or are obsessed with the future. Koessler attempts to put the present in its proper place, viewing present circumstances through the lens of the sacred.

Much of the material is not for laypeople but I, a layperson, found some parts of the book very helpful. I liked his teaching on how we worry about the past. We speculate about what we might have done and how it might have turned out. He encourages us to live in the truth that God has redeemed our past. I also liked his teaching on those of us experiencing anxiety about the future. He encourages us to understand God established the future by appointment. We brood about the past and fret about the future because we have lost sight of God. (522/2262)

I like his encouragement for clergy to reclaim Luther's vision of the sacred importance of the “secular.” We are to find the sacred value of ordinary life. (486/2262)

Koessler covers a number of other topics such as responsible eating, self awareness and contemplation, decision making (intuition, Holy Spirit leading, and collective discernment), and more.

This is a book for clergy who want to be reminded to pay attention to what God is doing right now. It is an encouragement to see the opportunities God is presenting to them right now. The appeal of this book for laypeople is very limited.

Food for thought: “Practicing the present will require us to reclaim a sense of the eternal significance of [the] mundane spaces in our lives.” (494/2262)

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Marvy Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Moody Publishers via NetGalley, this review is my personal opinion.

Practicing the present by John Koessler
This book took me by surprise, what a great book. John Koessler talks from his own experience about what means to live and practice the present. I found interesting what he said that must of all don’t like them now since we are so busy planning the future. And what he says about the goals and dreams in church, that's so true. I believe many can be related to that.
 
There are so many good things in this book, you have to take your time and re-read specific pages. For example, I have read Matthew 6: 34 many times. But I never understood that verse as he mentions in his book. Page 35 “ The admonition of take no thought of tomorrow” is an encouragement to practice the present. Our fears and anxiety holds us captive into fear and like say on page 35 “ We simply try to anticipate for what might happen to prepare for the worst”. And I must say that was me, what I found truly interesting about this book is how we can be living like that for many years and not even noticing it.
 
I love this quote on page 41 “Living in the present is not flight from reality. Jesus does not teach us to dismiss the past or ignore the future. Practicing the present is not the habit of looking our lives through the rose glass of sentimentally. Neither is a careless disregard of the things that need to be done to prepare for the future. Instead, it is the practice of orienting ourselves in the present because it is the present that past and the future meet”.
 
When I read this quote on page 46 “What our anxiety for the future amounts is a failed attempt to put ourselves in the places of God. We have been trying to control our destiny”.
 
This quote was just wow!! “We do not need to attempt great things at all times. We do not need to make a great name for ourselves”
 
I believe this is a must-read book because we live in a society that it's so busy for what's next, how to be more productive, be better; I am not saying this book is magical. By no means, but I talk from my own experience since I start practicing what is on the book I see many things differently. It takes time, determination; but I believe that with the help of God we can live and enjoy practicing the present.
 
Truly grateful to Moody Publishers for the ARC of this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Practicing the Present: The Neglected Art of Living in the Now" by John Koessler is written for pastors and other church leaders, but lay people can discover tips, too, that help us live each moment in the present.

Practicing the present is about living for God by living with God in the real world. We can entrust our past to God and accept His present circumstances as divine assignments as we look forward to what He will do in and through and for us in the future. Likewise, we can trade a past that cannot be changed and a future that may never come to pass for an experience with God in the here and now.

In every chapter of this book, I found nuggets of wisdom that will help me live contentedly here and now. Topics include tips for handling worries about the future, ways to process past pain, trauma and grief, ways to trust God for our daily needs, how to follow the Holy Spirit's lead, and the importance of developing spiritual practices that enable us to enjoy and fully live in each moment of the present.

I want to reread this book every year - it's that important. And I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to live life fully each moment.

[Rebecca Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

We live in an age of hurry and distraction, both of which keep us focused on the future or the past. We may exist in the present, but anxieties are symptoms of our attempt to control the future. Our nostalgia is often an attempt to bring back the past.

God, however, does not deal with us in the future or the past. He deals with us in the present. The present is where we need to live. In Practicing the Present, John Koessler examines eight attempts we make fo live in places other than the present of our lives. He explains why these attempts are deficient ways to live and shares a few practices to help live more in the now.

Although this book is written primarily with pastors in mind, I found this book to be incredibly helpful as I struggle with so many symptoms of living on future worries and past regrets rather than in the present. There were so many good things and things in this book that I needed to hear that I took pages and pages of notes to go back and look at later. I’ll definitely be thinking about the ideas in this book for a long time to come.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is from a Christian perspective - capital 'C'. If that's not your perspective - and it is not mine - then the usefulness of the arguments is truncated.

Can I say though - I love the title. I love the subtitle. There are a few sentences in the book that are provocative: “practicing the present,” “the opportunity of the immediate,” and “Disciplines for living in the present tense."

I find these phrases inspiring and interesting - in ways not activated by the author.

So if you want the Christian bible to offer a lead into changing your life, then this is your book. For other perspectives - look for another book. The title is the best part of it.

[Andy White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written mainly with church leaders in mind (something that would have been useful to know from the outset), this book starts well. The author's premise on what the practice of the present is and why it is needed is excellent, I was highlighting like crazy. About halfway through, it loses it's way. It seems to forget that it is a book about practicing the present and instead talks to church leaders by squashing various leadership issues through the idea of practicing the present. As such it loses its focus and engagement.

[Reyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time goes by and I find this book more and more useful. It breaks my heart to see a lot of people disengaged from where they are. If you go to a park or restaurant you can see parents there but with no one, their children are there too occupying the same space, but also alone. I would like to blame intelligent cellphones or social media, but the reality is that everything that occupies our minds can rob us of the gift of presence. If you want to be challenged to really be present where you are, get this book.

[Lauren Brownfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written for church leaders, but good insights for any Christian. He helpfully puts into perspective our view of the past and the future and how we distract ourselves with both.
I particularly liked the chapter on intuition. He argues we should trust it and do what we feel prompted to do. Sometimes we will get it wrong, but we should trust God will work through that as well.
A good, practical perspectives on orienting ourselves to life in the present.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book required both deep consideration and attentiveness, as well as honest vulnerability, as Koessler challenges us to consider what it means that God is present with us, and how that ought to shape our active engagement with Him and the world around us.

This is a great resource for laypeople, pastors, and theologians alike. Never too heady for the uneducated, nor without import for those with PhD's.

[Emma Sunderman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The audience of this book is definitely intended for church leadership (read pastors). I didn’t realize that when I started but it became evident quickly. Still some solid truths to keep our minds fixed on the reality in front of us - which stems from knowing ourselves and God better.

I liked the ending “it is not the present that is the still point but God Himself… we are always at rest in Him.”

[Lori Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practicing the Present hasn't turned the world upside down for me, but has reinforced many ideas I've had. The author backs up everything with Holy scriptures. I agree with the author, in that we need to be more disciplined in our intentional practice of the present, experiencing God's presence, and realization that God is ever present. God never sleeps.

[Katt Y]

really good things to think about especially in the current time.

[John Muriango · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important

It's to see a work on the importance of living in the here and now, and not dwelling on either our past and future fantasies.

Really loved it.

[Xyz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too broad. Maybe just not for me.

[Bret Legg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a wonderful and much needed premise. The practice of living in the present is a lost art. But much of the book’s content often seemed loosely connected to the premise. Still, a good read.