Breathe: January 2011 update

Big news for the Breathe network – we now have a book!

Consumer Detox has just been published by Zondervan in the United States and the UK. The book arises out of everything we’ve been doing in Breathe since we began in 2005 – it even has the Breathe logo on the back. The launch of the book gives us an amazing opportunity to spread the message of a simpler, more generous, less consumerist life.

So what’s in the book? The first part unpacks why consumerism is so powerful: the quest for identity, the magic of marketing and our insatiable demand for ‘more’. The second part looks at some of the lessons we’ve learned about breaking out of the consumer crush. There’s material on stopping and resting; how to be more present with others and savour the moment; and how to find space for what’s important in a technology-dominated world. The final part of the book is an invitation to an adventure in generosity. It contains fresh angles on the words and challenge of Jesus, and ends with ideas for how to take the next step. There’s even a Detox Diary at the end of the book that you can work through on your own or with a small group.

We hope you’ll excuse a couple of plugs for the book over the next month as we try to spread the word. And most of all we hope it leads to changed lives and more people engaging with the detoxifying effects of following Jesus.

Catch Mark Powley launching the book as part of a speaking tour (Aldridge Parish Church 20^th Feb, St Paul’s Hammersmith 27^th Feb, London Institute for Contemporary Christianity 28^th Feb, St Michael le Belfry York 13^th March, Wharfedale Vineyard Leeds 3^rd April, St Georges Leeds 10^th April, Trinity Cheltenham 10^th July, more details on Facebook).

‘Like’ the Facebook page and share with friends

Watch out for the Climate of Hope Conference in Leeds on Saturday 12^th March with Sir John Houghton (ex-chair of the IPCC reports), Tearfund, Christian aid, Breathe and others. More details to come.