The Lessons of Saint Francis: How to Bring Simplicity and Spirituality Into Your Daily Life

By John Michael Talbot and Steve Rabey

Book Overview

The life of St. Francis of Assisi was a paradigm of simplicity, humanity, and love. In today's busy world, his practices have enormous appeal, described in this inspiring work by John Michael Talbot , the founder of The Brothers and Sisters of Charity, a lay order based on the Franciscan principles of simplicity and self-sufficiency. In The Lessons Of St. Francis , Talbot and co-author Steve Rabey demonstrate the enduring significance of Franciscan wisdom. Organized by topic, such as Simplicity, Humility, Compassion, Solitude, Service, and Prayer, each chapter includes excerpts from the writings of St. Francis, as well as those of his followers and biographers. Combining deep spiritual insights with the offer of a saner, less chaotic way of living, The Lessons Of St. Francis offers wise advice on how to incorporate these virtues into our own lives today.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452278341
• ISBN13: 9780452278349
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 7.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Spiritual & Practical

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 deeper 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.

It is great and very helpful...

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.

Talbot does it again, a true expression of Franciscan ideals

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!