Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker: A Humble Stumble Toward Simplicity and Grace

by J Brent Bill

Overview

On quick observation, the Quaker lifestyle boasts peace, solitude, and simplicity—qualities that are attractive to any believer of any denomination or religion. Yet living a life of faith is not as simple as it may look. In fact, it’s often characterized more by the stumbles than the grace. “When someone asks me what kind of Christian I am,” says Quaker author J. Brent Bill, “I say I’m a bad one. I’ve got the belief part down pretty well, I think. It’s in the practice of my belief in everyday life where I often miss the mark.” In Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker, a self-professed non-expert on faith invites readers on a joyful exploration of the faith journey—perfection not required. With whimsy, humor, and wisdom, Bill shows readers how to put faith into practice to achieve a life that is soulfully still yet active, simple yet satisfying, peaceful yet strong. For anyone who is bad at being good, this is an invitation to a pilgrimage toward a more meaningful and satisfying life . . . one step—or stumble—at a time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781630881313
Publisher:	Abingdon Press
Publication date:	12/15/2015
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	220,226
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

J. Brent Bill is a Quaker minister, photographer, retreat leader, and author. He holds an MA in Quaker Studies from Earlham School of Religion (a Quaker seminary) and has been a recorded (ordained to non-Quakers) Friends minister for thirty years. He has also served as pastor in Friends meetings (churches) large and small, rural and urban. After more than eleven years as executive vice president of the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, Bill now travels and speaks across the country serving as the coordinator of a project to seed new Quaker congregations across the United States and Canada. Bill resides in Mooresville, Indiana.

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

1 Just Be Quiet: Stillness for Those Too Busy to Sit Still 1

2 World at War: Forget the Middle East-How Do I Get Along with My Family, Coworkers, and Annoying Neighbors? 21

3 To Buy or Not to Buy: Living Simply When I'd Really Like a New Mercedes-Or Even a Honda! 43

4 Red and Yellow, Black and White, They Are Precious in His Sight-Um, Perhaps My Vision Needs Checking 65

5 Truth Be Told: Integrity in an Often Duplicitous World 81

6 God's Good Green Earth: The Call to Care for Creation 97

7 Walking Cheerfully: A Little Levity Never Hurt Anybody (Well, Except for That One Guy) 113

8 Closing Deep Thoughts… And a Word on Fashion 125

Appendix 1 Humble Stumble Hymnbook: Spiritual Songs for Imperfect Saints 127

Appendix 2 The Good, the Bad, and the Quakers 131

Appendix 3 Wanna Learn More? 137

Appendix 4 Some Good Advices: Friendly Food for Faith and Thought 141

Appendix 5 How to Talk Quaker: A Handy Guide to Quakerese 151

Acknowledgments 157

Notes 159

About Brent 177