Simplify: 106 Ways to Uncomplicate Your Life

by Paul Borthwick

Book by Borthwick, Paul

196 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2007

About the author

Paul Borthwick is senior consultant for Development Associates International and teaches global Christianity at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), a Master's of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Cross-Cultural Studies, also from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In addition to his numerous books, Paul’s articles on the topics of youth, missions, and discipleship have appeared in such Christian publications as Decision, REV, Leadership Journal, Evangelical Missions Quarterly and GROUP. He contributes often to Discipleship Journal. Through his speaking, writing and resource ministry, Borthwick works to mobilize others to participate in world missions. Borthwick is an active speaker and teacher, having taught courses at Gordon College, Africa International University (Nairobi), Alliance Theological Seminary (Manila) and Lanka Bible College (Sri Lanka), plus a guest faculty position at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Previously he served for more than twenty years on the staff of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts, first as youth pastor and then as minister of missions. Borthwick is the author of Western Christians in Global Missions, How to Be a World-Class Christian, Six Dangerous Questions to Transform Your View of the World, A Mind for Missions, and other books and Bible studies. He and his wife Christie have been married since 1979 and they live in Lexington, Massachusetts, when not traveling internationally.

Reviews

[Rod Innis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good and practical book. It should not be read and then just put on a shelf and forgotten! It should be put into practice.

[Wilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Christian book with short sections that make us re-evaluate and identify our priorities, perceived needs, wants, idols, and worldliness. Could be used as a group discussion guide, even though it is not presented as a Bible study persé.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simplify is not exactly the book that I thought it would be when I picked it up. To me, the title suggested that this book would tell me how to manage my time and focus on the really important things in my life. That by the end of the book, I would feel just a little more centered and would have deleted a half dozen things off my to do list. Perhaps, I might even come away with an idea of why I overstress myself and be armed with a few new strategies to counteract this unhealthy behavior.

Instead, as I read through Simplify, I realized that this was a book about downsizing your life of material objects and saving money in the process. I'm already pretty frugal (downright cheap) so the majority of the ideas presented in this work are already part of my routine. Still, it's a very important concept, especially in this material driven world. I am sure that many people are looking for ideas to help them save money so that they can focus on their faith and family.

[Ben]

The title of this book felt oddly misleading. The 106 tips focused more on living responsibly in areas of finance, consumption, environmental and global sustainability, and spiritual well being. Many of the tips felt redundant and perhaps could have been "simplified" to a shorter list. I agreed with most of the author's thoughts on cultivating a responsible lifestyle, but since I expected a more focused topic, it was disappointing.

[Deborah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Obviously didn't help me at all.

[Sharla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read - I like how it was laid out in simple steps.