Five Words That Can Change Your Life. I love my job. I would not be who I am if I didn’t get to work in Christian writing and publishing. For example:

For the past several months we’ve been working with an author, Brandon Barker, and his team on a short manuscript. The book releases in July: Living in the Present Moment, with Jesus: The Practice of Returning Home.

What struck me most is how simple, but effective it is.

It reminded me of Brother Lawrence of Practicing the Presence of God. The idea that life with God isn’t somewhere else or later. It’s here, in the middle of ordinary life. Washing dishes. Driving. Sitting in a meeting. Being with people. And the invitation isn’t to add something complicated, but to return.

That simplicity is easy to miss. It’s also hard to live.

Presence is a challenge for me. It’s hard to give up the constant going, the constant thinking about the past or the future, anything but the present moment. Even when I’m doing good work or hanging out with the people I love, my mind tries to be somewhere else. Brandon’s manuscript keeps exposing that, and gently bringing us back. Jesus is already here. The question is whether I’m with Him.

The book is built around a short prayer at the center of Brandon’s own life:

“Jesus, I’m here with you.”

Five words. You return to them throughout an ordinary day. When you remember, you say them. When you forget, you return when you remember. The conviction underneath it all is simple: the return is the win, not sustained perfection.

Now, the cool part.

This book isn’t launching alone. Brandon and his team have been building something called NARROW PATH—a Christian community and lifestyle built around the same five words. A book. A simple daily rhythm. A weekly reflection. A community walking it together.

Before the public launch in July, they’re running a four-week beta starting May 14.

They’re looking for a small group of people willing to walk it with them. Read or listen to the book, engage with the community, and help shape it before more people come in.

Brandon and his team have built something special here. And when he asked me if I’d share this with you. I said yes.

If you genuinely want to grow in presence with Jesus, want something that fits inside ordinary life, and want to help shape something from the ground up, this is for you.

To join: email brandon@narrowpath.com by Sunday, May 11 and tell him you’re in. He’ll send details on May 14.

The beta runs May 14 through June 14. The book and NARROW PATH open publicly in July.

Brandon has become a good friend over the years, I can’t recommend this enough.

Some of you are exactly the kind of people who would thrive in this kind of group.

If that’s you, send the email.

Jeff

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