"The most valuable aspect of religion," writes Robert Lawrence Smith, "is that it provides us with a framework for living. I have always felt that the beauty and power of Quakerism is that it exhorts us to live more simply, more truthfully, more charitably." Taking his inspiration from the teaching of the first Quaker, George Fox, and from his own nine generations of Quaker forebears, Smith speaks to all of us who are seeking a way to make our lives simpler, more meaningful, and more useful. Beginning with the Quaker belief that "There is that of God in every person," Smith explores the ways in which we can harness the inner light of God that dwells in each of us to guide the personal choices and challenges we face every day. How to live and speak truthfully. How to listen for, trust, and act on our conscience. How to make our work an expression of the best that is in us. Using vivid examples from his own life, Smith writes eloquently of Quaker Meeting, his decision to fight in World War II, and later to oppose the Vietnam War. From his work as an educator and headmaster to his role as a husband and father, Smith quietly convinces that the lofty ideals of Quakerism offer all of us practical tools for leading a more meaningful life. His book culminates with a moving letter to his grandchildren which imparts ten lessons for "letting your life speak."

Necessary Wisdom presents an invitation by one of today's most far-reaching thinkers to explore the new creativity and maturity that future challenges will increasingly demand. The profound challenges that define our time--changes in love and family, the gifts and curses of a global world, inescapable threats to the environment--require not just fresh policies, but whole new ways of understanding. Necessary Wisdom draws on one of the simplest ways to get at what makes such new understanding new: such thinking successfully "bridges" polarities. It draws an encompassing circle around the either/ors of conventional thought-political left and political right, might and body, masculine and feminine, alley and enemy, or matter and energy. Besides applying the concept of bridging to issues such as those above, it draws on Creative Systems Theory to help tease apart how our thinking can stop short of the needed conceptual maturity. Creative Systems Theory identifies three kinds of polar traps, what it calls Unity Fallacies, Separation Fallacies, and Compromise Fallacies. Each issue-focused chapters ends with a listing of ways we can fall for each of these kinds of fallacies in attempting to address those particular concerns.

This 10-week study of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon mines the Wisdom Literature not only for wise principles for living, but also for the wise person these books point to through their drama, poetry, proverb, and song. In her accessible and authentic style, Nancy Guthrie focuses on seeing Jesus in the Old Testament instead of emphasizing works-based moralism. She presents clear commentary and contemporary application of gospel truths, speaking directly to issues such as repentance, submission, happiness, and sexuality. Each weekly lesson includes questions for personal study, a contemporary teaching chapter that emphasizes how the passage fits into the bigger story of redemptive history, a brief section on how the passage uniquely points to what is yet to come at the consummation of Christ's kingdom, and a leader's guide for group discussion.

DeMoss gathers insights for living wisely from history, Scripture, and a lifetime of listening. The result is a handy, accessible book that gives readers a new way to enjoy lasting success in the work world and beyond.

This powerful book contains chapters by 22 of the world’s leading luminaries in the field of personal development and spiritual transformation, including bestselling authors Neale Donald Walsch (Conversations With God) and Don Miguel Ruiz (The Four Agreements). Covering topics from co-creating a peaceful world, forgiveness, healing, and finding purpose and happiness, to chapters about health, well-being, destiny, and the mysteries of kundalini, The Light also includes practical exercises and guidance, empowering readers to achieve their greatest potential.

A collection of 100 one-page tips for making thoughtful, equitable, lasting group decisions for our communities, organizations, governments, families, and our planet. Each tip is a provocative meditation and the book as a whole is a complete toolkit. The book is based on Caroline Estes' simple premise that "We each have a piece of the truth and we make our best decisions when we put all our pieces together." Freshley is a Quaker and while this book is not spiritually rooted, much of it is inspired by the Quaker idea of consensus. -- Publisher's description.