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

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Summary: Nice blend of integration and integrity
Review: John-Michael Talbot manages to crystallise essential of Franciscan spirituality in a manner which makes it appealing and accessible for those in any state of life. Of particular note are his words about prayer, the practise of virtue, discretion and charity in dealing with others, and maintaining integrity without letting one's zeal exceed one's prudence.

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Summary: Talbot does it again, a true expression of Franciscan ideals
Review: Talbot does it again. What he has done in his music for so long, he does in this book: give a lucid expression of the Catholic, specifically Franciscan, life in a way that all seekers of simplicity can be encouraged by. A treasure of practical spirituality!

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Summary: Back to Basics
Review: Talbot offers us a nicely packaged little book on the essentials of Fransiscan faith. He interprets the way of St. Francis for 21st century man, gleaning nuggets of truth that apply to most all of our daily lives. What I liked about the book was its straight forwardness. It's a book that can be read again and again, helping us to strip away the complicated baggage that we clutter our lives with. Someone once said, "To live simply is to simply live" and that sums up this book. Talbot offers chapters on creativity, community, service, peace, prayer, solitude, simplicity, joy, and more. We are richer for the life of St. Francis, and this book brings that to light.

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Summary: Francis is the man!
Review: This is a wonderful book...very easy to read and quite helpful. If you want to learn how to live the Christian life; read this book and begin your journey.

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Summary: A very catholic book
Review: This was simply an excellent book. No other way to put it, really. This book got so far down into me that I felt more aware, more present, more spiritually attuned during the entire time I was reading it. It spoke to me in a quiet and humble way...the way I seem to hear the best. Though I'm not Catholic, I am moved and inspired by the life of St. Francis, and his life is worthy of many books. I have to agree with another reviewer, though. I'm somewhat disappointed that this great man is seen mainly as a "Catholic"...I think if we can take the labels off of some things (and people) others might dare to venture into something they wouldn't have ordinarly. I'm a Christian, but I don't hear much about the life of St. Francis or his teachings from the pulpit of my non-denominational church. Yet I can't help but feel that the messages of this book and the lessons of St. Francis (who sought to be like Christ in every way) could seriously benefit today's Christians, if we open our minds and hearts. This is the kind of book that causes us to examine the kind of religion and Christianity we say we are pursuing. We say we don't love money, but I'm convinced that we work overtime trying to balance our love of God with our love of money. I'm not an extremist, and I'm not saying we've got to give up everything. But the kind of Christianity that promotes "believing God for a Lexus" while our brother goes hungry makes no sense to me whatsoever. I think we have a HUGE responsibility as Christians, and this little book really brought that (and so much more) to life for me.

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Summary: Digs a Little Deeper...Wait, No...a LOT Deeper...
Review: This was simply an excellent book. No other way to put it, really. This book got so far down into me that I felt more aware, more present, more spiritually attuned during the entire time I was reading it. It spoke to me in a quiet and humble way...the way I seem to hear the best. Though I'm not Catholic, I am moved and inspired by the life of St. Francis, and his life is worthy of many books. I have to agree with another reviewer, though. I'm somewhat disappointed that this great man is seen mainly as a "Catholic"...I think if we can take the labels off of some things (and people) others might dare to venture into something they wouldn't have ordinarly. I'm a Christian, but I don't hear much about the life of St. Francis or his teachings from the pulpit of my non-denominational church. Yet I can't help but feel that the messages of this book and the lessons of St. Francis (who sought to be like Christ in every way) could seriously benefit today's Christians, if we open our minds and hearts. This is the kind of book that causes us to examine the kind of religion and Christianity we say we are pursuing. We say we don't love money, but I'm convinced that we work overtime trying to balance our love of God with our love of money. I'm not an extremist, and I'm not saying we've got to give up everything. But the kind of Christianity that promotes "believing God for a Lexus" while our brother goes hungry makes no sense to me whatsoever. I think we have a HUGE responsibility as Christians, and this little book really brought that (and so much more) to life for me.

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Summary: The Only Person More Spiritual Than St Francis is Wayne Dyer
Review: Wayne Dyer is really a living legend in the spiritual realm.

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Summary: A Catholic Who Helped Break the Mold of Catholicism
Review: What impresses me about this book is that while I am of the Reformation faith, and thus certainly in little agreement with anything the Roman Catholic church has to offer or teach, this book has much to offer for true Protestant believers, as well. As you read, put aside the few unprovable episodes of superstitious events and look at Francis where he really counts---as he compares with Christ. Francis is one of the few people to be written about who truly lived Christlike to a truly full and biblical extent (I would also include Amy Carmichael). Francis teaches us that it is not necessary to be a beggar, or homeless, or to walk in rags to live Christlike. Rather, one must completely stop serving self, and there is most likely no Christian reading this that has yet to take Luke 9:23 to the biblical level that Jesus intended and Francis accomplished. I also especially like this book because I am a very analytical, heavy thinking theologian; and often is the time that I need to take all the theology and channel it to obedience where it was intended by God to be: in selfless, Christlike living. And this book is a major assistance for me to do this. Regardless of denominational differences, Francis of Assisi is a biblical challenge to every person who claims to be a follower of Christ.