Someone's thoughts on St. Francis

I've been a long time studier of St. Francis of Assisi. One of the key components that we see in his example is: simplicity. While on one hand, I enjoy studying Francis and what he said, and observe from a far distance how he followed Jesus in the context of his life and times, I also like hearing how he has inspired others in practical ways. For instance, Rich Mullins and his 'Kid Brothers of St. Frank' expression of discipleship. In this case, the testimony comes from the professional musician and franciscan: John Michael Talbot and his book The Lessons of Saint Francis: How to bring simplicity and spirituality into your daily life. Here are a few snippets:

You don't need to be an itinerant or a monk to follow God's call to simplicity. [St.] Francis describes a third, more mainstream model: practicing equality in a world of savage disparity. Like other Franciscan approaches, this one also has a basis in the Bible. Paul, in his second letter to the Christians at Corinth, encouraged those believers to consider the welfare of others: "as a matter of equality your surplus at the present time should supply [others'] needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality." ...This equality-based model for simple living is both a matter of urgent practicality and a potent symbol of spiritual intent. The effort to simplify and consume less is a real way to decrease our emphasis on self-gratification and increase our ability to share with others. Simplifying our lives and denying some of our incessant cravings is also a powerful way to symbolically enter into the suffering of others around the world (pg. 23-24).

By practicing simplicity and pruning the tangled branches of our lives, we will be doing two things at once. First, we will cut back the areas of our lives that have grown wildly out of control and threaten to kill us or drive us crazy. And second, we will channel our future growth toward a simpler approach to living that will leave us less subject to future headaches and heartaches (pg. 26).

"God, give me new eyes to see my life as you see it. And give me a new heart to sense the difference between my wants and my needs. Give me compassion for the suffering of the world, and a willingness to help those who are hurting. Amen" (pg. 32).