Glory In The Mess is a podcast in which we share discoveries we have made in our journey together as an intentional Christian community with a focus on worship. The first series focuses on Practising the Presence of God, and we share our thoughts and experiences, as well as our reflections on writings by a variety of authors including Brother Lawrence, Henri Nouwen, Frank Laubach and Ronald Rolheiser. The Glory In The Mess podcast is hosted by the Presence House of Worship community. Dan Lee is asking the questions, and his conversation partners include Robin Dillamore, Helen Carr, Mirkku Ridanpaa and Claire Dillamore.
This is the last of our first series of six episodes of the 'Glory in the Mess' podcast. In this episode, Helen Carr, Claire Dillamore and Robin Dillamore share a conversation around the practicalities of Practising the Presence of God in different life circumstances. All three of us belong to Presence House of Worship, a Christian community in Blacon (a suburb of Chester in England), which is made up of about a dozen adults and children who gather through the week to worship, fellowship and share meals together.
The discussion falls into three main areas. First, we circle back to Frank Laubach's book ("Letters by a Modern Mystic") and take a few minutes to discuss his practical advice about on how to win 'the game with minutes.' Then we reflect on our personal progress over the last two years in learning how to practise God's presence in community. In the final part, we look ahead to future episodes in which we plan to share some of the lessons we have learned in our journey of intentional Christian community, which began in November 2018.
The main resources referred to throughout this podcast series have been "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence, "Letters by a Modern Mystic" by Frank Laubach, and "How to (actually) pray without ceasing," an article by Henri Nouwen which can be accessed at https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2022/01/24/henri-nouwen-prayer-unceasing-242269/
Thank you for taking the time to listen to this podcast. We hope you have enjoyed it! If you would like to receive news of further podcast episodes, please email Robin Dillamore at robin@worshippinghearts.org
26 Nov 2025
Practising the Presence of God: episode 5
In this episode, Dan Lee, Claire Dillamore and Robin Dillamore continue the conversation, which they began in episode 4, on Practising the Presence of God and how we can do this in practice.
In episode 5, we turn our attention to community: What does it means for us to practise the presence of God together in community? Most of our conversation so far has focused on us as individuals, and how we can each practise His presence in our personal lives. This also seems to be the focus of most of the books and articles we have considered. Now reflect on the fact that the Bible was written to God's people as a community and not just as a bunch of individuals, and we consider how our community life and our gatherings can be meaningful times of practising God's presence together.
This is the fifth in a series of episodes which are being released every two weeks through the final quarter of 2025.
12 Nov 2025
Practising the Presence of God: episode 4
In this episode, Claire Dillamore joins Dan Lee and Robin Dillamore to further explore the subject of Practising the Presence of God.
We have divided this conversation into two parts; the second half will be aired as episode 5. In episode 4, we attempt to get practical. So far, we have considered the inspirational writings of people who lived decades or centuries ago - Brother Lawrence, Frank Laubach, and Henri Nouwen in particular. Now we turn our attention to the question of what this all means for us in practice, today. Is the practice of the presence of God something that only happens in our minds? And if not, how do we engage our whole being in the pursuit of His presence (loving Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength)? In episode 5, we will go on to consider how we can practise God's presence together in community, and not just as a bunch of individuals.
This is the fourth in a series of episodes which are being released every two weeks through the final quarter of 2025.
29 Oct 2025
Practising the Presence of God: episode 3
In this episode, Mirkku Ridanpaa joins Dan Lee and Robin Dillamore to further explore the subject of Practising the Presence of God.
We talk about the book which is the original inspiration for this series, “The Practice of the Presence of God” by the 17th century monk, Brother Lawrence. We ask why this book has had such an impact on so many people, and we reflect on the simple trust and delight that are so evident in Brother Lawrence’s relationship with God. Mirkku also tells us what brought her from Finland to the UK, and shares about her journey of practising God’s presence - and of discovering a love for liturgy.
This is the third in a series of episodes which are being released every two weeks through the final quarter of 2025.
15 Oct 2025
Practising the Presence of God: episode 2
In this episode, Dan Lee, Helen Carr and Robin Dillamore continue their conversation about Practising the Presence of God.
We discuss an article by Henri Nouwen entitled "How to (actually) pray without ceasing" and consider Nouwen's idea that we can convert unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer. We also talk about why this is harder than it sounds, and how the practice of contemplative prayer can help make a difference. Nouwen's article can be found at https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2022/01/24/henri-nouwen-prayer-unceasing-242269/
During our introductions, we mention a worship and prayer organisation called Burn 24-7 UK. Please note that this organisation has since changed its name to Worship 24/7 Network and no longer has any links with Burn 24-7 in the USA.
This is the second in a series of episodes which will be published every two weeks during the final quarter of 2025.
1 Oct 2025
Practising the Presence of God: episode 1
In this episode, Dan Lee, Helen Carr and Robin Dillamore introduce the theme of this series, Practising the Presence of God, as well as briefly introducing Presence House of Worship, the community behind these podcasts.
This is the first in a series of episodes which will be published every two weeks during the last quarter of 2025. In this first episode, we talk about why this theme has become so important to us, and what our own experience has been of seeking to live in a continual awareness of God's presence with us. Two books in particular are referred to - The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence (c.1614-1691), a French Carmelite monk; and Letters by a Modern Mystic by Frank Laubach (1884-1970).
(Please note that, towards the end of this episode, a brief reference is made to the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, and that this conversation was recorded shortly before news of serious allegations began to emerge concerning Mike Bickle, the founder of that ministry.)
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