The trouble with simple living is that, though it can be joyful, rich, and creative, it isn't simple.

If it hasn't already done so, the church... must recognize that it lives in a pagan society it must seek for values and norms not shared by society. In short, it will either recover the Christian doctrine of nonconformity or cease to have any authentic Christian voice.

Now and then, living more with less means paying more money. It may mean buying better quality - leaving behind repetitive purchases of discount junk for one expensive, well-made, thoughtfully designed tool that will last.

The best reason for listening to and learning from the poor is that this is one way God is revealed to us.

Time with yourself, with your family, and with your God may prove to be the ultimate saving.

About cars: They can list with faithful accuracy each model they acquired through the years, how much they paid for each one, its main faults, and why they traded it in - but they couldn't list as many close friends.

We become victims of the great disease of technological society - meaninglessness.