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Life Lessons: Fifty Things I Learned in My First Fifty Years
Popular author and presenter Patrick Madrid draws Life Lessons from the many interesting, funny, instructive, and poignant experiences of his life. With wisdom and good humor, Patrick reflects upon the treasure trove of riches we can all take from our daily lives.
Grounded in Scripture and a firm moral foundation, Patrick's Life Lessons shows how the smallest stories that make up your life are clear pointers to the greater story of God's work in your life. The laughter, the tears, and the beauty of life come alive through Patrick's insightful and clear style. These life lessons will inspire you to look anew at your everyday experiences-and see the wonder of God.
Grounded in Scripture and a firm moral foundation, Patrick's Life Lessons shows how the smallest stories that make up your life are clear pointers to the greater story of God's work in your life. The laughter, the tears, and the beauty of life come alive through Patrick's insightful and clear style. These life lessons will inspire you to look anew at your everyday experiences-and see the wonder of God.
223 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2016
17 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Madrid
70 books96 followersPATRICK MADRID is the publisher of Envoy Magazine, a journal of contemporary Catholic thought, and the director of the Envoy Institute of Belmont Abbey College. Since its inception in 1996, the Envoy team has garnered numerous journalism awards, including several first-place awards in the magazine-of-the-year “General Excellence” category from the Catholic Press Association.
Patrick is the author or editor of 14 books on Catholic themes including, Pope Fiction, Search and Rescue, Does the Bible Really Say That, 150 Bible Verses Every Catholic Should Know, and The Godless Delusion: A Catholic Challenge to Modern Atheism (Spring 2010). He edited and co-authored the acclaimed multi-volume Surprised by Truth series.
He has published numerous popular articles on Scripture, Church history, patristics, apologetics, and evangelization in various Catholic and Protestant periodicals, and he has contributed scholarly articles on apologetics in the New Catholic Encyclopedia.
Active in apologetics since 1987, he worked at Catholic Answers for eight years (from January 1988 to January 1996), where he served as vice president and helped co-found that apostolate's flagship magazine, This Rock, in January of 1990.
Patrick is a cradle-Catholic, not a convert. By God's grace, he was raised in the Catholic Faith and has been a practicing Catholic his entire life.
Growing up in Southern California, he attended grammar school at the Mission San Juan Capistrano parish school, where for years he served as an altar boy for the parish's daily Traditional Latin Mass in the famed Serra Chapel. Ever since his boyhood, Patrick has loved the Traditional Latin Mass.
Patrick earned a bachelor of science degree in business from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor of philosophy degree (B.Phil.) from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, where he is completing a master's degree in dogmatic theology. He has also done graduate studies in theology at the University of Dallas.
He is the host of several EWTN television series, including “Pope Fiction,” “Search & Rescue,” and "Where Is That In the Bible?" and he hosts the Thursday edition of EWTN Radio's “Open Line” broadcast, heard on approximately 150 AM & FM stations across the United States, as well as on shortwave and on the Sirius Satellite Radio Network (Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. ET). He is also a regular guest on the "Catholic Answers Live" program and Sirius Radio's "The Catholic Channel."
Patrick serves on the board of trustees of the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, CA, on the board of directors of St. Gabriel Catholic Radio, in Columbus, Ohio, and on the board of advisors for Catholics United for the Faith, Immaculate Heart Radio Network, and Catholic Scripture Study International. He authored all the original website content for CatholicsComeHome.org, where he also serves as a theologica
Patrick is the author or editor of 14 books on Catholic themes including, Pope Fiction, Search and Rescue, Does the Bible Really Say That, 150 Bible Verses Every Catholic Should Know, and The Godless Delusion: A Catholic Challenge to Modern Atheism (Spring 2010). He edited and co-authored the acclaimed multi-volume Surprised by Truth series.
He has published numerous popular articles on Scripture, Church history, patristics, apologetics, and evangelization in various Catholic and Protestant periodicals, and he has contributed scholarly articles on apologetics in the New Catholic Encyclopedia.
Active in apologetics since 1987, he worked at Catholic Answers for eight years (from January 1988 to January 1996), where he served as vice president and helped co-found that apostolate's flagship magazine, This Rock, in January of 1990.
Patrick is a cradle-Catholic, not a convert. By God's grace, he was raised in the Catholic Faith and has been a practicing Catholic his entire life.
Growing up in Southern California, he attended grammar school at the Mission San Juan Capistrano parish school, where for years he served as an altar boy for the parish's daily Traditional Latin Mass in the famed Serra Chapel. Ever since his boyhood, Patrick has loved the Traditional Latin Mass.
Patrick earned a bachelor of science degree in business from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor of philosophy degree (B.Phil.) from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, where he is completing a master's degree in dogmatic theology. He has also done graduate studies in theology at the University of Dallas.
He is the host of several EWTN television series, including “Pope Fiction,” “Search & Rescue,” and "Where Is That In the Bible?" and he hosts the Thursday edition of EWTN Radio's “Open Line” broadcast, heard on approximately 150 AM & FM stations across the United States, as well as on shortwave and on the Sirius Satellite Radio Network (Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. ET). He is also a regular guest on the "Catholic Answers Live" program and Sirius Radio's "The Catholic Channel."
Patrick serves on the board of trustees of the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, CA, on the board of directors of St. Gabriel Catholic Radio, in Columbus, Ohio, and on the board of advisors for Catholics United for the Faith, Immaculate Heart Radio Network, and Catholic Scripture Study International. He authored all the original website content for CatholicsComeHome.org, where he also serves as a theologica
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 8, 2019
With turning 50 this year the timing of reading this is perfect. Quick review, this book is an excellent read. Wish I had read something like this when i was in college but happy for the lessons and advice even at this age.
Full review to post soon.
...
This book showed up on my radar a few months before I enter my 50th year. I took it as a prompting and gave it a read. I am so thankful that I did. This book is an excellent read. Wish I had read something like this when I was in college but happy for the lessons and advice even at this age. To be honest even though it is a collection of essays or articles I could hardly put this book down. When I went to write this review, I was surprised that I had not read any other books by Patrick Madrid, I have read most of the three Surprised by Truth books, and have a number on my kindle. I just have not got around to reading them. That is about to change. I was very surprised I had not read any of his 40 plus distinct works, and that is my loss, for what I learned from this one is life changing. And I am sure his other works will be as well.
In the preface Madrid states:
“Perhaps something shared in these pages will be useful to you and maybe even save you some time and trouble or heartache. That’s my sincere prayer.”
And it lives up to that prayer. It does not matter if you are 50, or 15 this book will be a great read and serve as a tool for your personal and spiritual growth. One of the greatest things about being Catholic is the witness of those who have gone before us, saints, holy men and woman, and people like Patrick Madrid that share from their own mistakes and help us grow in our faith, through their example. And the preface finishes with these words:
“Here’s a bonus lesson before you get started:
God loves you just the way you are, but he loves you too much to let you stay that way.
If that little thought doesn’t hit home right now, if it doesn’t kind of bonk you on the head and shake you up a little, don’t worry. Eventually, it will. Someday, you’ll understand.”
This book can be read from beginning to end, or you can jump around and use it for topical devotions. I have read it through from beginning to end, but am leaving it on my device, and will likely reread it and will reference it from time to time as a reminder. The 50 lessons are:
1. Guilt Show
2. The Beggar
3. The Waitress
4. Biker Guy
5. Letting Go of Someone I Never Knew
6. Right Place, Wrong Timing
7. The Pipe in the Pipe
8. The Box of Books
9. The VW Bug
10. Saving Face on Facebook
11. The Bus Ride
12. Give ’Em Hell
13. Miracle Sinus-Headache Cure
14. St. Joseph to the Rescue
15. The Plane Ride
16. Caroline
17. A Narrow Escape
18. The Death Cookie
19. Suffer the Little Children
20. The Cheesecake
21. The Angry Wife
22. Short-Changed on the Foreign Exchange
23. The Lost Girl
24. The Roller Coaster
25. Teach Your Children Well
26. Gate B-32
27. The Mosque
28. An Embarrassing Case of Mistaken Sacramental Identity
29. Do the Right Thing
30. The Napkin
31. My Christmas Surprise
32. The Policeman
33. The Scar
34. The Jerk
35. The Beehive
36. The Atheist Lady
37. You Have How Many Kids?
38. The Fight
39. The Absentminded Samaritan
40. My Hero
41. The Friends
42. The Sand Pebbles
43. The Neighbor
44. The Mansion
45. The Window Seat
46. The Mormon
47. The License
48. The Heart of the Home
49. The Crucifix
50. The Hourglass About the Author
You find some of these lessons might make you laugh, like the one about the speeding ticket. Or they might bring tears to your eyes, such as the one about the waitress in the parking lot. Or they might cause you to pray and reflect on your own attitude and actions, like the one about the seat on the plane. But no matter what it is an excellent read that will encourage, challenge and inspire you in your growth as a Christian.
As mentioned, this is one of those books, I wish I had read when I was younger, I know it would have saved me some trouble, heartache and maybe even some penance. And so, I recommend this book to all readers, of all ages. From High school student or university student to retiree this book will be of great benefit. As such I give it a very solid 5/5 stars and highly recommend it!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan!
Full review to post soon.
...
This book showed up on my radar a few months before I enter my 50th year. I took it as a prompting and gave it a read. I am so thankful that I did. This book is an excellent read. Wish I had read something like this when I was in college but happy for the lessons and advice even at this age. To be honest even though it is a collection of essays or articles I could hardly put this book down. When I went to write this review, I was surprised that I had not read any other books by Patrick Madrid, I have read most of the three Surprised by Truth books, and have a number on my kindle. I just have not got around to reading them. That is about to change. I was very surprised I had not read any of his 40 plus distinct works, and that is my loss, for what I learned from this one is life changing. And I am sure his other works will be as well.
In the preface Madrid states:
“Perhaps something shared in these pages will be useful to you and maybe even save you some time and trouble or heartache. That’s my sincere prayer.”
And it lives up to that prayer. It does not matter if you are 50, or 15 this book will be a great read and serve as a tool for your personal and spiritual growth. One of the greatest things about being Catholic is the witness of those who have gone before us, saints, holy men and woman, and people like Patrick Madrid that share from their own mistakes and help us grow in our faith, through their example. And the preface finishes with these words:
“Here’s a bonus lesson before you get started:
God loves you just the way you are, but he loves you too much to let you stay that way.
If that little thought doesn’t hit home right now, if it doesn’t kind of bonk you on the head and shake you up a little, don’t worry. Eventually, it will. Someday, you’ll understand.”
This book can be read from beginning to end, or you can jump around and use it for topical devotions. I have read it through from beginning to end, but am leaving it on my device, and will likely reread it and will reference it from time to time as a reminder. The 50 lessons are:
1. Guilt Show
2. The Beggar
3. The Waitress
4. Biker Guy
5. Letting Go of Someone I Never Knew
6. Right Place, Wrong Timing
7. The Pipe in the Pipe
8. The Box of Books
9. The VW Bug
10. Saving Face on Facebook
11. The Bus Ride
12. Give ’Em Hell
13. Miracle Sinus-Headache Cure
14. St. Joseph to the Rescue
15. The Plane Ride
16. Caroline
17. A Narrow Escape
18. The Death Cookie
19. Suffer the Little Children
20. The Cheesecake
21. The Angry Wife
22. Short-Changed on the Foreign Exchange
23. The Lost Girl
24. The Roller Coaster
25. Teach Your Children Well
26. Gate B-32
27. The Mosque
28. An Embarrassing Case of Mistaken Sacramental Identity
29. Do the Right Thing
30. The Napkin
31. My Christmas Surprise
32. The Policeman
33. The Scar
34. The Jerk
35. The Beehive
36. The Atheist Lady
37. You Have How Many Kids?
38. The Fight
39. The Absentminded Samaritan
40. My Hero
41. The Friends
42. The Sand Pebbles
43. The Neighbor
44. The Mansion
45. The Window Seat
46. The Mormon
47. The License
48. The Heart of the Home
49. The Crucifix
50. The Hourglass About the Author
You find some of these lessons might make you laugh, like the one about the speeding ticket. Or they might bring tears to your eyes, such as the one about the waitress in the parking lot. Or they might cause you to pray and reflect on your own attitude and actions, like the one about the seat on the plane. But no matter what it is an excellent read that will encourage, challenge and inspire you in your growth as a Christian.
As mentioned, this is one of those books, I wish I had read when I was younger, I know it would have saved me some trouble, heartache and maybe even some penance. And so, I recommend this book to all readers, of all ages. From High school student or university student to retiree this book will be of great benefit. As such I give it a very solid 5/5 stars and highly recommend it!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan!
November 19, 2016
Patrick Madrid’s Life Lessons: Fifty Things I Learned in My First Fifty Years is perfect for time-crunched readers. You don’t have to read this book start to finish in a long reading session or two to get the most out of it; I’d argue that this book is best read in small bits of time. Written in an engaging style, this book boasts 50 short chapters and is packed with hope and humor. The vignettes in the book deal with those life lessons, both large and small, that we have to learn the hard way. Some of these lessons will make you cringe in recognition of having done (or said) something similar. Others will warm your heart. All of them will show you how God teaches us in gentle and dramatic ways.
March 2, 2022
Recommend? Yes! I also highly recommend anyone to listen to Patrick Madrid’s show on Relevant Radio.
Patrick reflects and writes on life lessons he has learned in his first 50 years (though he writes this in his mid-50s). Because he is a Catholic apologist, his lessons and experiences are usually focused around the faith. The book’s format is easy to understand: one chapter is one lesson, so therefore there are 50 chapters. Each chapter ends with scripture that aligns to the lesson that was learned. Though he does not always explicitly tell the reader the lesson learned, it is easy to infer.
I found this book a quick and enjoyable read. It had a few typos, but as a huge fan of his work, I liked learning more about his personal life. The biggest lesson that will stick with me is titled “The Waitress.” This lesson resonated with me the most because I believe in being open to life and seeing children as blessings from God.
Patrick reflects and writes on life lessons he has learned in his first 50 years (though he writes this in his mid-50s). Because he is a Catholic apologist, his lessons and experiences are usually focused around the faith. The book’s format is easy to understand: one chapter is one lesson, so therefore there are 50 chapters. Each chapter ends with scripture that aligns to the lesson that was learned. Though he does not always explicitly tell the reader the lesson learned, it is easy to infer.
I found this book a quick and enjoyable read. It had a few typos, but as a huge fan of his work, I liked learning more about his personal life. The biggest lesson that will stick with me is titled “The Waitress.” This lesson resonated with me the most because I believe in being open to life and seeing children as blessings from God.
April 28, 2018
I really enjoyed these stories. My husband and I read these together before bed a few times a week, and would often laugh out loud or it would spark a great conversation about our own similar experiences. Good little read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews