The Lessons of St. Francis: How to Bring Simplicity and Spirituality into Your Daily Life

Rating:
Summary: Spiritual & Practical
Review: A down-to-earth book that explains in simple, meaningful and practical terms what it means to cultivate these virtues in our life: Simplicity, Joy, Solitude, Humility, Creativity, Chastity, Community, Compassion, Creation, Service, Peace and Prayer.

For example, practical tips in the chapter on Humility include: "When you are around other people, do you insist on promoting your opinions, driving home your points, and being the last one to talk on an issue? Or are you content to let others have their say without any commentary or criticism from you?"

For deepear impact, try reading this book and listening to the songs in JMT's Wisdom CD (ASIN: B00005OACU) alternately. Be patient and the music in the latter will grow on you. The messages in the songs such as Wisdom, Humility, Discipline (The Easy Yoke), Prayer and The Cross Is Foolishness also dovetail beautifully with the messages in the book.

Rating:
Summary: How-to Franciscan lifestyle
Review: A gentle compendium on bringing the Franciscan lifestyle into your world, this book will help you express the simplicity and faith of Francis in your personal life. For anyone who has "always loved St. Francis".

Rating:
Summary: How-to Franciscan lifestyle
Review: A gentle compendium on bringing the Franciscan lifestyle into your world, this book will help you express the simplicity and faith of Francis in your personal life. For anyone who has "always loved St. Francis".

Rating:
Summary: A Treasure Chest of Peace and Wisdom!
Review: Do not hesitate to purchase this book! A wonderful reflection on the lessons left to us by the life of St. Francis and how to apply them in our daily lives. One need not enter a monastery to enjoy the applications in this book. As a suggestion, this book is especially wonderful when read with one of the author's CDs playing in the background. Some good ones available from Amazon.com.

Rating:
Summary: We need to be reminded continually...
Review: I became a Roman Catholic 30 years ago and received instruction form a Capuchin Franciscan who lived this philsophy to the fullest. Now, years later, I am so grateful that I read this book for it reminded me that a simple life often leads to a rich complex faith - this came to me at just the right time and is so timely for others who are caught up in our consumer-driven culture... Savor the thoughts contained in this book. You will want to own this book and re-read it from time to time....

Rating:
Summary: We need to be reminded continually...
Review: I became a Roman Catholic 30 years ago and received instruction form a Capuchin Franciscan who lived this philsophy to the fullest. Now, years later, I am so grateful that I read this book for it reminded me that a simple life often leads to a rich complex faith - this came to me at just the right time and is so timely for others who are caught up in our consumer-driven culture... Savor the thoughts contained in this book. You will want to own this book and re-read it from time to time....

Rating:
Summary: St. Francis lives in our heart and soul
Review: I love this book...it is full of usefull tips and ideas...if you are just open to them...it was life changing for me...and still is 5 years after I bought it at Little Portion.

Rating:
Summary: St. Francis lives in our heart and soul
Review: I'll bet if (non-Catholic) readers of this book would just take a look at the truth of early Church History they would see the same things (liturgy,worship, devotion, surrender)Justin Martyr, Iraneous and other people of the first century witnessed yes the things current Catholic parishnors see rather than the rumours and would become part of the Church Christ Founded.

Rating:
Summary: A very catholic book
Review: I'm amused by the readers who find it unfortunate that Francis of Assisi was a Catholic Christian. I don't think Francis found his Catholicism unfortunate--after all, he continued his mission in Assisi only upon approval of the pope, to whom Francis remained loyal all his days. Talbot has done a wonderful job of distilling the essence of Franciscan spirituality into a book that will enrich the lives of any reader, of whatever religious or spiritual background. Francis is a continual reminder to all Christians that the call to follow God in obedience, poverty, simplicity, forgiveness and love is possible without compromise. Weird how Christians like Francis and Mother of Teresa keep popping up in the Catholic church. I wonder what explains such a strange phenomenon?

Rating:
Summary: It's a Shame People Call Him a Catholic...
Review: John Michael Talbot's little book goes with me everywhere I go. I am nowhere NEAR being a Catholic and never will be, but I have to say that in just a few short chapters, I've learned where mainstream Christianity goes horribly wrong. Most important are the chapters on Service, Prayer, and Humility. If we get just these three right, we will have come a long way. I'm sorry Francis is considered a Catholic; it's not a good time to be one this day and age, but if there were more like him there wouldn't be much problem. That having been said, there is the interesting section on his friend and disciple Clare, whom he didn't even want to look at, yet considered an equal? I'm off to look for a similar book on her life and teachings; in the meantime, I'll keep this unanimous and give it five stars, because I recommend this book to anyone, Catholic or not. I believe it'll give the reader plenty of food for thought.