Livesimply is an initiative launched by the Catholic relief agency, CAFOD, to encourage lifestyles that are simple, sustainable and that show solidarity with the poor. It has been the focus of much of their recent fundraising - asking people to take the 1 per cent challenge, for example, whereby they live on 99 per cent of their income and give the rest away. It was originally intended to come to an end in the spring of 2008, but such is the momentum that it has built up (over 50 organisations such as Pax Christi, the Catholic Women's Network etc have become affiliates, promoting livesimply to their members) it will now continue and this is the first livesimply resource book.All royalties go to CAFOD for relief and development work.

A full calendar, an empty life. Here's a refreshing perspective that will help you choose quality over quantity in areas from family and friendships to meals and celebrations.

This book focuses primarily on what we have termed the ‘Quaker Condition’. It looks sociologically at the condition of present-day British Quakerism. This original and innovative collection contributes to several different, though obviously connected, fields within the study of religion. It operates on five levels. In the first place, the volume is the first to represent, substantially, the contribution of social science to the study of Quakerism and therefore provides useful comparative material for those whose focus is on other faith groups. Second , the book focuses largely on British Quakerism and so enriches the pool of resources relating to the sociology of British religion and British culture more generally Third , there are very few sociological volumes dedicated to the analysis of a single faith group. Fourth, the book represents an in-depth study of a liberal faith group, when liberal religion is the focus of much scholarly debate at present particularly with reference to the secularisation thesis. The study of British Quakerism is especially fascinating in this regard, given how the group can be described almost as hyper- or ultra-liberal, prefiguring many of the developments which may overtake currently more conservative groups. Fifth, the volume represents a particularly collective way of working of interest to all those concerned with the methodology of social research, with the design and construction of the volume jointly agreed by all the authors. Regular meetings of the group and a conference based on these chapters has culminated in a book far more interwoven and layered than a typical ‘edited collection.’

“The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” Matthew 13:31–2 There has always been a few who believed in the magic of their imagination, and the faith to make them come true. The inventors, believers, and visionaries manifested the future in their minds, before it came into being. They mentally envisioned the microwave, light bulb, airplane, refrigerator, house toilet, and anesthesia. Without their faith we would still be driving the horse and carriage. Faith carries our ingenuity beyond our wildest dreams, by simply saying to oneself, “I can do this,” and believing in your heart that you can. All these inventions, the light bulb ,refrigerator, house toilet, and anesthesia, all became great to mankind, but they all started with a thought as small as the mustard seed. They planted, sowed, grew it, and those mustard seeds changed the human race forever. All it took was the faith of a mustard seed. “The Mustard Seed” is a great book of inspiration. It has stories of wisdom and a love for life. You will read it, and get a greater positive perspective on the world. It tells about prayer, meditation, spirituality, and how we should count our everyday blessings. Once you read the “The Mustard Seed” you will grow wiser, enlightened, and appreciative. The book speaks on how to handle failure, how life is a gift, the importance of prayer, and how we should cherish life. The book is good if you are depressed, and if your heart needs filled with hope. A great gift book to pass on to a friend who is seeking spiritual comfort. Read, and learn, what having the “faith of a mustard” seed all is about. “The Mustard Seed” is your light in darkness.

The immensely popular blogger behind Little House Living provides a timeless and “heartwarming guide to modern homesteading” (BookPage) that will inspire you to live your life simply and frugally—perfect for fans of The Pioneer Woman and The Hands-On Home. Shortly after getting married, Merissa Alink and her husband found themselves with nothing in their pantry but a package of spaghetti and some breadcrumbs. Their life had seemingly hit rock bottom, and it was only after a touching act of charity that they were able to get back on their feet again. Inspired by this gesture of kindness as well as the beloved Little House on the Prairie books, Merissa was determined to live an entirely made-from-scratch life, and as a result, she rescued her household budget—saving thousands of dollars a year. Now, she reveals the powerful and moving lessons she’s learned after years of homesteading, homemaking, and cooking from scratch. Filled with charm, practical advice, and gorgeous full-color photographs, Merissa shares everything from tips on budgeting to natural, easy-to-make recipes for taco seasoning mix, sunscreen, lemon poppy hand scrub, furniture polish, and much more. Inviting and charming, Little House Living is the epitome of heartland warmth and prairie inspiration.

This perennial book features daily meditations, each written by Rohr and adapted or excerpted from his many written and recorded works. The meditations are arranged around seven themes: Methodology: Scripture as validated by experience, and experience as validated by tradition, are good scales for one's spiritual worldview Foundation: If God is Trinity and Jesus is the face of God, then it is a benevolent universe. God is not someone to be afraid of, but is the Ground of Being and on our side. Frame: There is only one Reality. Any distinction between natural and supernatural, sacred and profane is a bogus one. Ecumenical: Everything belongs and no one needs to be scapegoated or excluded. Evil and illusion only need to be named and exposed truthfully, and they die in exposure to the light. Transformation: The separate self is the problem, whereas most religion and most people make the "shadow self" the problem. This leads to denial, pretending, and projecting instead of real transformation into the Divine. Process: The path of descent is the path of transformation. Darkness, failure, relapse, death, and woundedness are our primary teachers, rather than ideas or doctrines. Goal: Reality is paradoxical and complementary. Non-dual thinking is the highest level of consciousness. Divine union, not private perfection, is the goal of all religion. Yes, and...is an excellent daily prayer resource for fans of Richard Rohr's work, and those who are looking for an alternate way to live out their faith--a way centered in the open-minded search for spiritual relevance of a transforming nature.

What role does, could or should theology play in current discussions about our political realities? Is there a place for theological worldviews in the public conversation about policy making? Should theology critically unmask the underlying theological and metaphysical sources of contemporary politics? The contributors to this volume reflect on new questions in public and political theology, inspired by the theology of Edward Schillebeeckx. They discuss a variety of theological traditions and theories that could offer substantial contributions to current political challenges, and debate whether theology should contribute to the liberation of communities of poor and suffering people.