Over the past week, I revisted a book I once read for one of my Christian history classes in college--Saint Francis of Assisi, by John Moorman. I remember being the only one out of the class of approximately 30-40 students who liked the book. Most felt that it deified, or at least over-glorified St. Francis. Others felt it was a bit of an exaggeration.

I couldn't help but become enamored with the little guy.

Though Francis would be the first to say that one's life shouldn't be modeled after his own, I found myself desiring a heart like his. Simple. Passionate. Loving.

Most of us know at least a little about St. Francis--

-His love of materialism, foolery, and riches which radically changed to a life of voluntary poverty after his conversion.
-His care for the poor and sick.
-His many prayers and hymns that still are used today.
-His affection for all of creation.
-The cheesy but inspirational movie based on his life, Brother Sun, Sister Moon.

However, we're probably unaware of the ways and reasons that he lived the way he did.

In the book, Moorman points out that Francis lived the way he did out of a deep and burning love for God, which led him to want to try to live out the Gospel literally. Through this, Francis developed 4 foundations for living: Humility, Simplicity, Poverty, & Prayer.

In the upcoming days and weeks I'll attempt to address each of these one-by-one, shedding light on Francis' way of life while wrestling with how this would look for a 20-something soon-to-be father living in the richest nation on earth.

(Granted, these 4 foundations could take a while to tread through...especially if Geroge/Amani/Caleb decides to join us sometime before his 2nd birthday!)