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Becoming Sage: Cultivating Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife
Why Do We Act Like There Is An Age Restriction on Spiritual Growth?
For the last several decades, Western churches have focused the bulk of their resources on the early stages of discipleship—children’s Sunday school, youth group, college ministry. While these are all important, we have neglected the spiritual growth of those in the second half of life. In fact, an outside observer might think that after the growth of the college years, the goal is simply to coast through the rest of your Christian life.
Michelle Van Loon has a different idea. In Becoming Sage, she challenges those in midlife and beyond to continue pursuing radical spiritual growth, and she’ll help you get started. She explores what the unique challenges of midlife can teach us about Jesus and how to think about everything from church, friends, and family, to money, bodies, and meaning. Don’t settle for a life of coasting. Revitalize your spiritual growth today.
For the last several decades, Western churches have focused the bulk of their resources on the early stages of discipleship—children’s Sunday school, youth group, college ministry. While these are all important, we have neglected the spiritual growth of those in the second half of life. In fact, an outside observer might think that after the growth of the college years, the goal is simply to coast through the rest of your Christian life.
Michelle Van Loon has a different idea. In Becoming Sage, she challenges those in midlife and beyond to continue pursuing radical spiritual growth, and she’ll help you get started. She explores what the unique challenges of midlife can teach us about Jesus and how to think about everything from church, friends, and family, to money, bodies, and meaning. Don’t settle for a life of coasting. Revitalize your spiritual growth today.
208 pages, Paperback
Published April 7, 2020
29 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Van Loon
13 books76 followersMichelle Van Loon’s Jewish heritage, spiritual hunger, and storyteller’s sensibilities have been informing her writing and shaping her faith journey since she came to Christ at the tail end of the Jesus Movement. She is the author of eight books, as well as numerous articles, and several full-length plays for the educational market.
She's been a church communications director, served on staff at Trinity International University, and been the U.S. Administrator for an educational ministry based in Jerusalem. She earned a graduate certificate from Northern Seminary in 2017. She's married to Bill, and is mother to three and grandmother to two.
She's been a church communications director, served on staff at Trinity International University, and been the U.S. Administrator for an educational ministry based in Jerusalem. She earned a graduate certificate from Northern Seminary in 2017. She's married to Bill, and is mother to three and grandmother to two.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 30, 2020
Summary: An exploration of what Christian growth looks like in the second half of life.
One of the dirty little secrets of Christian discipleship is that most of the resources that have been developed focus around the early years of the Christian life, and most around the issues of the first half of life. What is a Christian to do who lives beyond his or her forties?
Michelle Van Loon proposes in this book that we move from what a Christian believes and does to growing in the wisdom won of hard life experiences, in other words becoming sage. Drawing on the work of Hagberg and Guelich, she argues that most church discipleship programs address the first three of six stages of Christian growth: 1. "God I believe in you"; 2. "God I belong to you."; and 3. "God, I'm working for you." At mid-life, we often hit the wall and all the earlier answers seem to stop working. She calls this "God where are you? I'm alone in the dark." We face loss and we move from certainty to humility. If we persevere, we move into Stage 5 where we pass along what we've given, and Stage 6 as we prepare for and move toward the conclusion of our lives ("Lord, I'm coming home").
Van Loon explores the process of growing sage through our changing relationship with the church and how we deal with wounds and disappointments. She describes our changing relationships with family and friendships that fade or endure and new ones that develop.
She explores that changes that inevitably happen to us bodily. She observes:
Becoming sage means growing into the tension of wasting away and being renewed. It is not an either/or proposition, but both/and. As unlovely as the notion of suffering and decay are, Paul tells us here that eternal glory is being created through them.
Change happens with our money and our intangible treasures as well. We come to terms that we can't take anything with us, and need to think how we leave these things behind well.
One of the most perceptive chapters is on the "U" curve of happiness. She discusses acedia (often known as the "noonday demon"), a kind of weary sadness that comes over many in midlife. Van Loon doesn't have simple answers for this but rather the persevering faith that allows Christ to deconstruct and transform our relationship with Him.
She describes the movement from doing to being, from being "world changers" with the hubris this carries to those who by quiet faithfulness heal the world. We learn to impart what we learn and begin to prepare for facing our own home-going, our own death.
People hitting midlife are leaving the church. Some decide that when the answers they learned in their early years as Christians don't work or satisfy, that there is nothing there, particularly when the church offers nothing, no vision of the second half of life. The issues Van Loon discusses often aren't discussed. How do we deal with the disappointments of the church itself. How do we come to terms with the bodily changes that remind us of our mortality? How do we fruitfully invest what we've earned and learned? How do we prepare to die well when no one talks about this? Van Loon breaks the conspiracy of silence and casts a rich vision of the second half of life, a vision of becoming sage, going deeper into Christ and Christ-likeness in a lifelong journey of discipleship.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
One of the dirty little secrets of Christian discipleship is that most of the resources that have been developed focus around the early years of the Christian life, and most around the issues of the first half of life. What is a Christian to do who lives beyond his or her forties?
Michelle Van Loon proposes in this book that we move from what a Christian believes and does to growing in the wisdom won of hard life experiences, in other words becoming sage. Drawing on the work of Hagberg and Guelich, she argues that most church discipleship programs address the first three of six stages of Christian growth: 1. "God I believe in you"; 2. "God I belong to you."; and 3. "God, I'm working for you." At mid-life, we often hit the wall and all the earlier answers seem to stop working. She calls this "God where are you? I'm alone in the dark." We face loss and we move from certainty to humility. If we persevere, we move into Stage 5 where we pass along what we've given, and Stage 6 as we prepare for and move toward the conclusion of our lives ("Lord, I'm coming home").
Van Loon explores the process of growing sage through our changing relationship with the church and how we deal with wounds and disappointments. She describes our changing relationships with family and friendships that fade or endure and new ones that develop.
She explores that changes that inevitably happen to us bodily. She observes:
Becoming sage means growing into the tension of wasting away and being renewed. It is not an either/or proposition, but both/and. As unlovely as the notion of suffering and decay are, Paul tells us here that eternal glory is being created through them.
Change happens with our money and our intangible treasures as well. We come to terms that we can't take anything with us, and need to think how we leave these things behind well.
One of the most perceptive chapters is on the "U" curve of happiness. She discusses acedia (often known as the "noonday demon"), a kind of weary sadness that comes over many in midlife. Van Loon doesn't have simple answers for this but rather the persevering faith that allows Christ to deconstruct and transform our relationship with Him.
She describes the movement from doing to being, from being "world changers" with the hubris this carries to those who by quiet faithfulness heal the world. We learn to impart what we learn and begin to prepare for facing our own home-going, our own death.
People hitting midlife are leaving the church. Some decide that when the answers they learned in their early years as Christians don't work or satisfy, that there is nothing there, particularly when the church offers nothing, no vision of the second half of life. The issues Van Loon discusses often aren't discussed. How do we deal with the disappointments of the church itself. How do we come to terms with the bodily changes that remind us of our mortality? How do we fruitfully invest what we've earned and learned? How do we prepare to die well when no one talks about this? Van Loon breaks the conspiracy of silence and casts a rich vision of the second half of life, a vision of becoming sage, going deeper into Christ and Christ-likeness in a lifelong journey of discipleship.
________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
July 14, 2020
I purchased this book because I know the author, Michelle Van Loon, through the blogsite she co-founded called "The Perennial Gen" (https://theperennialgen.com/). Her perspectives frequently resonate with me and are always thought-provoking. Her book did not disappoint!
Van Loon addresses the challenges we face in mid-life. For example, finding our place in churches often geared to younger adults raising families. She takes on changing body image in "Glorify God with this Body?" She discusses the role of friendships through midlife in "Forever Friends." She addresses the dark night of the soul depression many older adults face in "Happiness is Spelled with a U." And finally, she helps us see that becoming sage is about becoming real!
Any adult in midlife would find this book helpful and encouraging. I am praying about using it to lead a women's class/small group this fall at my church. I'm confident it would spark excellent discussion! (Individual and group discussion questions are included in each chapter.)
Van Loon addresses the challenges we face in mid-life. For example, finding our place in churches often geared to younger adults raising families. She takes on changing body image in "Glorify God with this Body?" She discusses the role of friendships through midlife in "Forever Friends." She addresses the dark night of the soul depression many older adults face in "Happiness is Spelled with a U." And finally, she helps us see that becoming sage is about becoming real!
Any adult in midlife would find this book helpful and encouraging. I am praying about using it to lead a women's class/small group this fall at my church. I'm confident it would spark excellent discussion! (Individual and group discussion questions are included in each chapter.)
April 7, 2020
Michelle Van Loon has spent over a decade thinking and writing about the feasting and the fasting, the challenges and the rewards of the second half of life, and has observed that “chronological age does not automatically translate into spiritual maturity.” Becoming Sage: Cultivating Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife is her response to autumn fruitlessness, but even more, it’s a call to put down deep roots in the truth, to cultivate meaning, purpose, and spirituality in midlife. At a time when the temptation is strong to put ourselves out to pasture, Becoming Sage is a field guide for breaking up our fallow ground and pressing into true biblical maturity through a healthy relationship with God, his church, our families, our friends, and ourselves.
Many thanks to Moody Publishers for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.
Many thanks to Moody Publishers for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.
April 27, 2020
"Becoming Sage" is a book about pursuing Christian maturity in midlife. Author Michelle Van Loon writes that we often get the wrong idea that maturity is a given once we reach a certain age. We also get the wrong idea that discipleship is only for the young. But "maturity is not a destination but an on-going process." (pg. 10) This time of life with its disappointments and unexpected turn of events is an invitation to become sage - "a way of life in which a person expresses experience, knowledge, insight, and self-mastery." (pg. 11)
In the first section of the book, Michelle addresses defining and understanding maturity. Midlife is an opportunity to assess our Christian growth and see where we may have gotten lopsided. She describes discipleship models that emphasize one aspect of ourselves over the others leaving us imbalanced. For example, discipleship that is more imitation fueled by peer pressure or an overemphasis on mental knowledge that neglects character formation. However, true wisdom should be holistic and integral to all areas of our lives - heart, soul, mind, and strength. She then uses the life of King David as an example of stages in our faith from its beginning through the end of life. As we age, the zeal, energy, and certainty of youth begin to be tested when our growth doesn't follow a neat and tidy trajectory. We also begin to realize that the strength of a younger faith won't automatically give us success later in life. But these challenges can bring humility, greater communion with God, and the desire to pass on what we know to the next generation.
The second section of the book focuses on becoming sage in specific areas in midlife and beyond. These are:
the local church
family
friendship
our physical bodies
our legacy (financial and otherwise)
mental health
vocation
facing our mortality
Within these topics, Michelle discusses issues such as finding one's place in a youth-focused church, the loss of a spouse and other family changes, loneliness, aging bodies, and financial challenges. She also addresses the importance of emotional health for our spiritual well-being and coming to terms with our callings.
"Becoming Sage" is not a to-do list or how to become a mature believer in 12 steps. Neither does the author make her experience prescriptive for her readers, which I greatly appreciate. Rather Michelle brings to our attention areas that are worth examining before the Lord in the light of his Word. Some of these are often overlooked when it comes to discipleship such as the challenge of aging bodies and the struggles of mental health. I especially liked chapter 9, From Doing to Being, on vocation. I could relate to her example of looking too often in the mirror of other people's expectations to discern direction for one's life. I was also encouraged that God does not waste any of our losses and that what moves us to tears may help clarify our callings. There was a good balance of personal examples and topic content, and the chapters flowed well together. Even though one isn't supposed to judge a book by its cover, I think the cover is beautiful.
So if you want to be encouraged to press on to spiritual growth in midlife, I highly recommend "Becoming Sage."
(I received a review copy from Moody Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review.)
In the first section of the book, Michelle addresses defining and understanding maturity. Midlife is an opportunity to assess our Christian growth and see where we may have gotten lopsided. She describes discipleship models that emphasize one aspect of ourselves over the others leaving us imbalanced. For example, discipleship that is more imitation fueled by peer pressure or an overemphasis on mental knowledge that neglects character formation. However, true wisdom should be holistic and integral to all areas of our lives - heart, soul, mind, and strength. She then uses the life of King David as an example of stages in our faith from its beginning through the end of life. As we age, the zeal, energy, and certainty of youth begin to be tested when our growth doesn't follow a neat and tidy trajectory. We also begin to realize that the strength of a younger faith won't automatically give us success later in life. But these challenges can bring humility, greater communion with God, and the desire to pass on what we know to the next generation.
The second section of the book focuses on becoming sage in specific areas in midlife and beyond. These are:
the local church
family
friendship
our physical bodies
our legacy (financial and otherwise)
mental health
vocation
facing our mortality
Within these topics, Michelle discusses issues such as finding one's place in a youth-focused church, the loss of a spouse and other family changes, loneliness, aging bodies, and financial challenges. She also addresses the importance of emotional health for our spiritual well-being and coming to terms with our callings.
"Becoming Sage" is not a to-do list or how to become a mature believer in 12 steps. Neither does the author make her experience prescriptive for her readers, which I greatly appreciate. Rather Michelle brings to our attention areas that are worth examining before the Lord in the light of his Word. Some of these are often overlooked when it comes to discipleship such as the challenge of aging bodies and the struggles of mental health. I especially liked chapter 9, From Doing to Being, on vocation. I could relate to her example of looking too often in the mirror of other people's expectations to discern direction for one's life. I was also encouraged that God does not waste any of our losses and that what moves us to tears may help clarify our callings. There was a good balance of personal examples and topic content, and the chapters flowed well together. Even though one isn't supposed to judge a book by its cover, I think the cover is beautiful.
So if you want to be encouraged to press on to spiritual growth in midlife, I highly recommend "Becoming Sage."
(I received a review copy from Moody Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review.)
March 31, 2020
In this wise and welcome field guide, Michelle Van Loon casts a vision for what our lives might look like if we refuse to settle and instead use the many challenges, losses, and disappointments of midlife as traction to keep growing. Becoming Sage not only empowers us to flourish today—it infuses us with hope for our future. (Plus, humor, because Michelle is funny.)
April 21, 2020
I have been reading a lot about wisdom and when I saw Michelle Van Loon's book on NetGalley, I immediately requested a review copy. While there are many books about wisdom and wise sayings, there are few that actually approach how to become wise, and in this case, how to become wise as you spiritually mature and approach mid-life and beyond. I appreciated the explanations of different levels of spiritual maturity and the breadth of authors and perspectives Van Loon draws upon. She addresses some problems that seem specific to Evangelical Protestant churches, such as congregations whose programming seems focused on youth and young families - I think this is less a problem in churches with a liturgical tradition. Still, it's good for anyone in a church leadership role to be cognizant of the concerns and needs of aging congregation members. It's not just a book for church leadership though, but really for any Christian approaching mid-life. The book includes reflection and discussion questions that make it useful for reading in groups and book clubs.
January 1, 2023
Good encouragement for those of us in midlife. It's a nice conversational book with helpful reminders.
May 23, 2020
Favorite quote, “Maturity is forged from the beautiful and terrible and mundane stuff of our lives as we seek to crawl, stand, walk, and run with Jesus on our way to Real.” Highly recommend!
October 30, 2020
Add this book to the collection of important small group books. How can we make church a place where every person can serve? No matter the age, marital status, gender. Well-researched and speaking from her own experiences, Van Loon gives very practical advice and exercises.
January 31, 2024
Author introduced me to acedia - ancient word with current connection and importance.
May 15, 2020
A wise, heartfelt, and very valuable study of middle age and how our theology needs to change and deepen to appreciate it and prepare us for it. Highly recommended.
Want to read
November 10, 2020I requested Becoming Sage for review knowing it was a nonfiction title, but that fact somehow slipped my mind while it waited on my Kindle. As a result, I assumed it was a novel when I picked it up. Hey, Becoming Sage is a great title for a women’s fiction story!
Once I got over my “oops!” moment, I found Becoming Sage was a book I needed to read.
It’s also a book I suspect many of my friends who have been Christians a long time will benefit from reading.
Becoming Sage walks readers through the life of King David, showing how he went through six distinct stages of life and faith. Van Loon points out that we go through the same six stages as Christians. Unfortunately, most churches focus on the first three stages, which can leave many of us feeling lost and unfulfilled in our church lives because we feel we don’t fit in.
A 2005 study by Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago showed this is common:
"The Reveal study highlighted the fact that the more a person grew in their faith, the less they fit into the life of the church."
This may be a case of Job’s comforters, but I find it comforting to know that I am not alone. I’m not the only person who feels out of place in church. I’m not the only person with a weary soul. And it’s not selfish to want to attend a church that meets our spiritual needs … which might mean changing churches, to find one that ministers to my stage in life.
Van Loon points out that our society emphasises the first three stages. That’s not entirely a surprise: living long enough to get to the later stages is a privilege of our modern lifestyles. But many people “drop out” of Christian life at Stage Four, which Van Loon refers to the “dark night of the soul” in our faith journey.
If you’re feeling a bit “blah” about church and that blah feeling is impacting your faith walk, then I’d recommend checking out Becoming Sage. If you’re feeling burned out in your Christian walk but feeling condemned at the idea of wanting rest, then I’d recommend checking out Becoming Sage. Or if you’re a woman of a certain age who wonders what is next in your spiritual life, then I’d recommend checking out Becoming Sage.
Because you might see yourself in the pages. Because Becoming Sage might answer your unasked question the way it answered mine.
Thanks to Moody Publishers and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Once I got over my “oops!” moment, I found Becoming Sage was a book I needed to read.
It’s also a book I suspect many of my friends who have been Christians a long time will benefit from reading.
Becoming Sage walks readers through the life of King David, showing how he went through six distinct stages of life and faith. Van Loon points out that we go through the same six stages as Christians. Unfortunately, most churches focus on the first three stages, which can leave many of us feeling lost and unfulfilled in our church lives because we feel we don’t fit in.
A 2005 study by Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago showed this is common:
"The Reveal study highlighted the fact that the more a person grew in their faith, the less they fit into the life of the church."
This may be a case of Job’s comforters, but I find it comforting to know that I am not alone. I’m not the only person who feels out of place in church. I’m not the only person with a weary soul. And it’s not selfish to want to attend a church that meets our spiritual needs … which might mean changing churches, to find one that ministers to my stage in life.
Van Loon points out that our society emphasises the first three stages. That’s not entirely a surprise: living long enough to get to the later stages is a privilege of our modern lifestyles. But many people “drop out” of Christian life at Stage Four, which Van Loon refers to the “dark night of the soul” in our faith journey.
If you’re feeling a bit “blah” about church and that blah feeling is impacting your faith walk, then I’d recommend checking out Becoming Sage. If you’re feeling burned out in your Christian walk but feeling condemned at the idea of wanting rest, then I’d recommend checking out Becoming Sage. Or if you’re a woman of a certain age who wonders what is next in your spiritual life, then I’d recommend checking out Becoming Sage.
Because you might see yourself in the pages. Because Becoming Sage might answer your unasked question the way it answered mine.
Thanks to Moody Publishers and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
February 15, 2020
I started again when I finished! I wanted to soak up more of the guidance and principles Van Loon lays out. Identifying the developmental stages of adulthood and those of faith are so helpful in a culture that glorifies and strives for youth, even on the church.
Lifelong discipleship and life with God is the aim.
Without being overly prescriptive, Van Loon shares principles and questions like a friend guiding you through this rarely discussed time of life.
Lifelong discipleship and life with God is the aim.
Without being overly prescriptive, Van Loon shares principles and questions like a friend guiding you through this rarely discussed time of life.
May 1, 2020
Of all the books I've read about midlife and beyond this one has been the most meaningful to me. While I have secretly wished that one of these books would just tell me what to do next what I really needed was this book which reveals what all of us must do: "...urge one another in community toward lives characterized by love and good works, in light of the fact that the end of days grows ever nearer."Michelle Van Loon reminds us to 1) ask God what he wants us to learn in this stage/circumstance and to 2) practice gratitude.
I appreciated her call for churches to provide support to all demographics within their congregations (often neglected are singles and those who are aging). The entire book is a validation of the aging process helpful for those of us who feel they are becoming less and less "visible" with each passing day. "Becoming sage means growing into the tension of wasting away and being renewed" with a new focus "from doing to being".
Reading this book feels like arriving at a new home; a home that lingered in your mind but until now remained just out of your grasp. In this new home, while outwardly we change in ways we do not want, inwardly we have the opportunity to focus on what has, all along, mattered most: "to live fully the life God has given us."
I appreciated her call for churches to provide support to all demographics within their congregations (often neglected are singles and those who are aging). The entire book is a validation of the aging process helpful for those of us who feel they are becoming less and less "visible" with each passing day. "Becoming sage means growing into the tension of wasting away and being renewed" with a new focus "from doing to being".
Reading this book feels like arriving at a new home; a home that lingered in your mind but until now remained just out of your grasp. In this new home, while outwardly we change in ways we do not want, inwardly we have the opportunity to focus on what has, all along, mattered most: "to live fully the life God has given us."
May 17, 2021
In this book, Michelle Van Loon shares personal and crowd-sourced insights into how Christians can gain wisdom and live well through their midlife transitions. Years ago, she cofounded a website about midlife, and because of that experience, she has thought deeply about this topic and learned from other people’s stories. Many of the stories shared here are from women, but Van Loon also includes examples and testimonials related to men, and this is not exclusively a women’s book.
Van Loon emphasizes that no particular age or life stage guarantees maturity, but that midlife includes opportunities for people continue to grow instead of stagnating. Van Loon also addresses the ways that church culture tends to emphasize youthfulness and focus on programming for children and young couples, to the marginalization and exclusion of middle-aged members. She encourages churches to keep midlife members in mind, ministering to them as well.
Content and Audience
Becoming Sage focuses on transitions. She writes about the “shifting relationship” that often happens with one’s local church, showing how some people spiritually mature beyond a church that focuses on new converts, or come to realize as their children leave home that their church was near-exclusively focused on children’s ministry and parenting. She also writes about family changes and caregiving, friendship transitions, bodily changes, financial discipleship, emotional health, career changes and vocation, and how to love God and others in midlife. Each chapter is practical and wise, including the author’s personal insights, Scripture, quotes and ideas from other writers’ works, and stories from people she knows or has connected with on her website. This includes some details related to long-term singleness, and she doesn’t assume that all of her readers are parents.
I found this book practical, eye-opening, and encouraging. Many of my friends have started talking about how strange and alarming it is to anticipate their thirties, and many of our parents are going through midlife-related changes, so it is helpful to read a book like this to get deeper insight into life transitions that many secular and Christian circles rarely address. I appreciate this book’s realistic understanding of aging, and its encouragements about finding abundant life in older life stages, instead of clinging to youth. This is also a great conversation-starter for friends and church groups. Each chapter concludes with personal reflection prompts, helping people connect the material to their lives even if they didn’t relate to the shared examples, and there are also questions for group conversation. The questions are open-ended and insightful, and can be a wonderful gateway into deeper conversations in community.
A Few Concerns
My main critique is the way that Van Loon outlines the journey to maturity through someone else’s “six stages of faith” system. She writes with the assumption that people will follow these stages in a mostly linear way, and will hit “the dark night of the soul” in midlife. This is true for many people, but some of us don’t have that luxury and hit a wall much earlier. This stage’s description matches my experience at age thirteen, in the midst of mysterious chronic illness and excruciating psychological suffering from OCD, but I would never claim that I made it to stage four of a lifelong faith journey before I could even drive. I wish that Van Loon had provided more nuance to this simplistic system, acknowledging the horrifying things that young people go through instead of assuming that tragedy mostly hits in midlife.
I found this part of the book discouraging, and people who have faced worse struggles and losses in their youth may feel even more isolated by it. Also, this book mostly assumes that the reader is from a comfortable, middle-class background. Van Loon writes in the money-related chapter about her and her husband’s scary financial losses during the Recession, but the book as a whole does not acknowledge the anxieties or experiences of people who are facing dire financial struggles or working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Van Loon has good messages about non-material legacies in her chapter about finances, and she acknowledges the role of money worries and financial losses in people’s lives, but this book would be helpful for more readers if she had included examples or insight related to people seeking spiritual growth in the midst of working hard just to survive.
Conclusion
Even though I have a few critiques, this book is excellent overall. The author acknowledges lots of different midlife experiences, including caregiving, losing a spouse, long-term singleness, and divorce. This book thoughtfully addresses the complexity of midlife, the transitions that it entails, and the ongoing process of discipleship for a group that the American church typically neglects in their discipleship emphases and programs. This is a great book for Christians who want to pursue growth in midlife, need a mentoring voice, or want to better understand an older loved one’s transitions and challenges. I would also recommend this to pastors and other church leaders, so that they can become more sensitive to the life stages and needs of middle-aged people in their congregations.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Van Loon emphasizes that no particular age or life stage guarantees maturity, but that midlife includes opportunities for people continue to grow instead of stagnating. Van Loon also addresses the ways that church culture tends to emphasize youthfulness and focus on programming for children and young couples, to the marginalization and exclusion of middle-aged members. She encourages churches to keep midlife members in mind, ministering to them as well.
Content and Audience
Becoming Sage focuses on transitions. She writes about the “shifting relationship” that often happens with one’s local church, showing how some people spiritually mature beyond a church that focuses on new converts, or come to realize as their children leave home that their church was near-exclusively focused on children’s ministry and parenting. She also writes about family changes and caregiving, friendship transitions, bodily changes, financial discipleship, emotional health, career changes and vocation, and how to love God and others in midlife. Each chapter is practical and wise, including the author’s personal insights, Scripture, quotes and ideas from other writers’ works, and stories from people she knows or has connected with on her website. This includes some details related to long-term singleness, and she doesn’t assume that all of her readers are parents.
I found this book practical, eye-opening, and encouraging. Many of my friends have started talking about how strange and alarming it is to anticipate their thirties, and many of our parents are going through midlife-related changes, so it is helpful to read a book like this to get deeper insight into life transitions that many secular and Christian circles rarely address. I appreciate this book’s realistic understanding of aging, and its encouragements about finding abundant life in older life stages, instead of clinging to youth. This is also a great conversation-starter for friends and church groups. Each chapter concludes with personal reflection prompts, helping people connect the material to their lives even if they didn’t relate to the shared examples, and there are also questions for group conversation. The questions are open-ended and insightful, and can be a wonderful gateway into deeper conversations in community.
A Few Concerns
My main critique is the way that Van Loon outlines the journey to maturity through someone else’s “six stages of faith” system. She writes with the assumption that people will follow these stages in a mostly linear way, and will hit “the dark night of the soul” in midlife. This is true for many people, but some of us don’t have that luxury and hit a wall much earlier. This stage’s description matches my experience at age thirteen, in the midst of mysterious chronic illness and excruciating psychological suffering from OCD, but I would never claim that I made it to stage four of a lifelong faith journey before I could even drive. I wish that Van Loon had provided more nuance to this simplistic system, acknowledging the horrifying things that young people go through instead of assuming that tragedy mostly hits in midlife.
I found this part of the book discouraging, and people who have faced worse struggles and losses in their youth may feel even more isolated by it. Also, this book mostly assumes that the reader is from a comfortable, middle-class background. Van Loon writes in the money-related chapter about her and her husband’s scary financial losses during the Recession, but the book as a whole does not acknowledge the anxieties or experiences of people who are facing dire financial struggles or working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Van Loon has good messages about non-material legacies in her chapter about finances, and she acknowledges the role of money worries and financial losses in people’s lives, but this book would be helpful for more readers if she had included examples or insight related to people seeking spiritual growth in the midst of working hard just to survive.
Conclusion
Even though I have a few critiques, this book is excellent overall. The author acknowledges lots of different midlife experiences, including caregiving, losing a spouse, long-term singleness, and divorce. This book thoughtfully addresses the complexity of midlife, the transitions that it entails, and the ongoing process of discipleship for a group that the American church typically neglects in their discipleship emphases and programs. This is a great book for Christians who want to pursue growth in midlife, need a mentoring voice, or want to better understand an older loved one’s transitions and challenges. I would also recommend this to pastors and other church leaders, so that they can become more sensitive to the life stages and needs of middle-aged people in their congregations.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2020
"Maturity isn't a fixed destination but describes a process of growth in Christlikeness in every area of life, through every season of life." - Michelle Van Loon
When you hear the word 'sage,' you may think of someone advanced in years, a wise spiritual counselor, or mentor willing to give advice. In Becoming Sage, Van Loon suggests that we are all on the road to becoming sage, and this is a unique process for a Christian. As a forty-something, I wasn't aware of specific stages related to my faith in Christ that would change over the years. Yet, I had been feeling stagnant, like I no longer fit into the typical women's groups, and that I wasn't feeling as energetic about volunteering so much of my time. I chalked this up to being in a somewhat different life stage - the middle 'survival' years. While this was true for me, I found Van Loon's insights incredibly helpful to my spiritual growth. The book begins with a good summary of what many churches focus on: the building years of young families. With little focus on spiritual growth and maturity during the middle years of a person's life, many churches under-serve people in this demographic. The author spells out six stages of spiritual maturity, then dives into some of the most relevant aspects of this process that most must go through during middle age. For the first time, I felt my heart spoken to in a way it hasn't been spoken to before.
Van Loon tapped into a scary space: am I as devoted a believer as I thought I was? Can I trudge through these building years and come out with a stronger faith? She addresses these questions and more in Becoming Sage. This book is an essential read for any follower of Christ over the age of 40. While most of us have heard that we're on a 'Christian Walk,' few have dared into the territory of middle-aged faith; it can be a time of deep introspection, a time to wrestle with God as Jacob wrestled with an angel. As a mature believer, I'm now seeing that these middle years have their purpose; I must trudge, cry out, and ask God to reveal himself in new ways as I slog through the 'dark night of the soul.' On the other side of the questions and uncertainty lies growth, renewal, and a refreshed relationship with the giver of life.
[I received an advance copy of Becoming Sage as a part of the book launch team.]
When you hear the word 'sage,' you may think of someone advanced in years, a wise spiritual counselor, or mentor willing to give advice. In Becoming Sage, Van Loon suggests that we are all on the road to becoming sage, and this is a unique process for a Christian. As a forty-something, I wasn't aware of specific stages related to my faith in Christ that would change over the years. Yet, I had been feeling stagnant, like I no longer fit into the typical women's groups, and that I wasn't feeling as energetic about volunteering so much of my time. I chalked this up to being in a somewhat different life stage - the middle 'survival' years. While this was true for me, I found Van Loon's insights incredibly helpful to my spiritual growth. The book begins with a good summary of what many churches focus on: the building years of young families. With little focus on spiritual growth and maturity during the middle years of a person's life, many churches under-serve people in this demographic. The author spells out six stages of spiritual maturity, then dives into some of the most relevant aspects of this process that most must go through during middle age. For the first time, I felt my heart spoken to in a way it hasn't been spoken to before.
Van Loon tapped into a scary space: am I as devoted a believer as I thought I was? Can I trudge through these building years and come out with a stronger faith? She addresses these questions and more in Becoming Sage. This book is an essential read for any follower of Christ over the age of 40. While most of us have heard that we're on a 'Christian Walk,' few have dared into the territory of middle-aged faith; it can be a time of deep introspection, a time to wrestle with God as Jacob wrestled with an angel. As a mature believer, I'm now seeing that these middle years have their purpose; I must trudge, cry out, and ask God to reveal himself in new ways as I slog through the 'dark night of the soul.' On the other side of the questions and uncertainty lies growth, renewal, and a refreshed relationship with the giver of life.
[I received an advance copy of Becoming Sage as a part of the book launch team.]
August 29, 2025
This book addresses the gifts and challenges of midlife (mid-30s, 40s, 50s). Each chapter aims to bring transformation and renewal into your life. Topics include:
• Relationship with God during midlife and latter years.
• The challenges of growing older.
• A call to the church to rightly disciple older generations.
One Content Warning: Each topic was balanced and did not present anything problematic; however, I was disappointed that Richard Rohr, who holds to unbiblical theology, was quoted in chapter 3. To be clear, the quote was not theology-related but an observation related to the church and its focus on younger generations.
Nonetheless, I gleaned deeply from Becoming Sage on the topic of spiritual formation in midlife. I also appreciated how the book did not sugarcoat things. It encourages the reader not to negate our suffering by agonizing over perfect positivity in the midst of suffering. We are allowed to call upon our redeemer God with tears and cries of anguish in times of loss or pain.
Chapter 8 was particularly notable on “the essential task of nurturing emotional and spiritual health,” especially concerning the topics of depression, acedia (spiritual depression), and their differences.
I recommend this book as one that will help bring growth and refreshing to those in midlife.
Highlights:
“If God calls us to glorify Him with our bodies (1 Cor. 6:19-20), then He has a purpose for those marvelous bodies at every physical life stage and within every limitation.”
“Our aging, decaying bodies, bear witness to our hope of resurrection.”
“A visual is worth a thousand words, and when we in the church appear to give preference to youth and beauty in the same way our culture does, we send the message that those who aren’t young or beautiful are less valuable in our community.”
“Our faith may give us courage and strength in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis, but it also means our trust may look like tears.”
“There is consolation in knowing even our darkness is not dark to him.”
★★★★★ (4.75)
Readability: 5
Impact: 5
Content: 4
Enjoyment: 5
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
• Relationship with God during midlife and latter years.
• The challenges of growing older.
• A call to the church to rightly disciple older generations.
One Content Warning: Each topic was balanced and did not present anything problematic; however, I was disappointed that Richard Rohr, who holds to unbiblical theology, was quoted in chapter 3. To be clear, the quote was not theology-related but an observation related to the church and its focus on younger generations.
Nonetheless, I gleaned deeply from Becoming Sage on the topic of spiritual formation in midlife. I also appreciated how the book did not sugarcoat things. It encourages the reader not to negate our suffering by agonizing over perfect positivity in the midst of suffering. We are allowed to call upon our redeemer God with tears and cries of anguish in times of loss or pain.
Chapter 8 was particularly notable on “the essential task of nurturing emotional and spiritual health,” especially concerning the topics of depression, acedia (spiritual depression), and their differences.
I recommend this book as one that will help bring growth and refreshing to those in midlife.
Highlights:
“If God calls us to glorify Him with our bodies (1 Cor. 6:19-20), then He has a purpose for those marvelous bodies at every physical life stage and within every limitation.”
“Our aging, decaying bodies, bear witness to our hope of resurrection.”
“A visual is worth a thousand words, and when we in the church appear to give preference to youth and beauty in the same way our culture does, we send the message that those who aren’t young or beautiful are less valuable in our community.”
“Our faith may give us courage and strength in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis, but it also means our trust may look like tears.”
“There is consolation in knowing even our darkness is not dark to him.”
★★★★★ (4.75)
Readability: 5
Impact: 5
Content: 4
Enjoyment: 5
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
July 22, 2020
In her book, Becoming Sage: Cultivating Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife, Michelle Van Loon takes a look at what it means to age, to go through midlife, and experience new growth.
Yes, new growth. She refreshingly reminds us that this aging process, this season of life, can be the very beginning of new growth and opportunities. Every stage of life is meant to bring about maturity, spiritual maturity:
"Maturity isn't a fixed destination but describes a process of growth in Christlikeness in every area of life, through every season of life. It is marked by an ongoing increase in self-giving love modeled in the ministry of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is a generative, generous existence marked by ongoing ripening of the fruit of the Spirit and a steady increase in godly wisdom. By definition, this kind of wisdom saturates our hearts, souls, minds, and strength." (from page 27)
Each stage of life is the very process by which we become whole. She breaks life down into six stages for us, recognizing we all do not move through the stages by our chronological age but by our experiences and desire to grow. Some may progress through the stages, while others may get stuck in a stage.
Becoming Sage brings wisdom on such topics as: our involvement in our local church; our changing family dynamics; friendships; our aging bodies; financial decisions; emotional and spiritual health; and vocations.
Each chapter is rich with thoughts, closing with questions for individual reflection and group conversation.
There are no prescribed steps to becoming sage, as the process is unique for each of us. Drawing from the story of The Velveteen Rabbit, we are reminded:
"Maturity is forged from the beautiful and terrible and mundane stuff of our lives as we seek to crawl, stand, walk, and run with Jesus on our way to Real." (from page 181)
The book was both a comfort and an encouragement.
*I was provided a copy of this book by Moody Publishers. All opinions are honest and my own.
Yes, new growth. She refreshingly reminds us that this aging process, this season of life, can be the very beginning of new growth and opportunities. Every stage of life is meant to bring about maturity, spiritual maturity:
"Maturity isn't a fixed destination but describes a process of growth in Christlikeness in every area of life, through every season of life. It is marked by an ongoing increase in self-giving love modeled in the ministry of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is a generative, generous existence marked by ongoing ripening of the fruit of the Spirit and a steady increase in godly wisdom. By definition, this kind of wisdom saturates our hearts, souls, minds, and strength." (from page 27)
Each stage of life is the very process by which we become whole. She breaks life down into six stages for us, recognizing we all do not move through the stages by our chronological age but by our experiences and desire to grow. Some may progress through the stages, while others may get stuck in a stage.
Becoming Sage brings wisdom on such topics as: our involvement in our local church; our changing family dynamics; friendships; our aging bodies; financial decisions; emotional and spiritual health; and vocations.
Each chapter is rich with thoughts, closing with questions for individual reflection and group conversation.
There are no prescribed steps to becoming sage, as the process is unique for each of us. Drawing from the story of The Velveteen Rabbit, we are reminded:
"Maturity is forged from the beautiful and terrible and mundane stuff of our lives as we seek to crawl, stand, walk, and run with Jesus on our way to Real." (from page 181)
The book was both a comfort and an encouragement.
*I was provided a copy of this book by Moody Publishers. All opinions are honest and my own.
September 20, 2020
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Michelle Van Loon, in her latest book, Becoming Sage: Cultivating Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife, does a beautiful job of helping the middle aged woman transition through these plateaus and thrive a daughters of the King.
Becoming Sage, is a great read for anyone looking to grow in their faith and in their Christian walk among midlife transitions. Full of wisdom and insight, Michelle walks readers through the areas that we tend to cultivate in the second half of life.
She gracefully carries the reader through areas of spiritual maturity recognizing the unique challenges we face in family, friendship, church, body image, finances, and our own personal happiness. Along the way she points readers to the truths found in Scripture and how to combat the frustrations we often find here.
Each chapter of her book contains practical thoughts for reflection in an individual and group setting. These allow the reader to dive deeper into Scripture and discover what God calls each of us to as women who are spiritually maturing.
Becoming Sage is an encouraging and thought provoking read for women who are transitioning into midlife and feel that they are spinning their wheels or are frustrated with their spiritual growth. It is a great read for ministry leaders as they look for ways to meet the needs of the women they serve.
This is an excellent and thought provoking book to use to dive into your personal quiet time and grow in your personal faith. With easy to read, short chapters, this book feels like a good friend with life experience is sitting down for tea at your table.
Michelle Van Loon, in her latest book, Becoming Sage: Cultivating Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife, does a beautiful job of helping the middle aged woman transition through these plateaus and thrive a daughters of the King.
Becoming Sage, is a great read for anyone looking to grow in their faith and in their Christian walk among midlife transitions. Full of wisdom and insight, Michelle walks readers through the areas that we tend to cultivate in the second half of life.
She gracefully carries the reader through areas of spiritual maturity recognizing the unique challenges we face in family, friendship, church, body image, finances, and our own personal happiness. Along the way she points readers to the truths found in Scripture and how to combat the frustrations we often find here.
Each chapter of her book contains practical thoughts for reflection in an individual and group setting. These allow the reader to dive deeper into Scripture and discover what God calls each of us to as women who are spiritually maturing.
Becoming Sage is an encouraging and thought provoking read for women who are transitioning into midlife and feel that they are spinning their wheels or are frustrated with their spiritual growth. It is a great read for ministry leaders as they look for ways to meet the needs of the women they serve.
This is an excellent and thought provoking book to use to dive into your personal quiet time and grow in your personal faith. With easy to read, short chapters, this book feels like a good friend with life experience is sitting down for tea at your table.
June 18, 2020
In my fourth decade, I’m discovering the joys and challenges of middle age. This wonderful book affirms, directs, encourages and strengthens you if you are grieving, confused, or weary in your middle years.
I love the focus on how middle-aged women can find new purpose and meaning in this life stage. The author spends a lot of time talking about how the church has not always accommodated middle aged people well, and offers great suggestions for changing this around.
I was originally drawn to this beautiful cover, because I love botanicals. I’m even more drawn to the inner content, which has blessed me with new motivation. It’s full of insightful research and hopeful quotes. I especially enjoyed the breakdown of spiritual stages, which helps me understand myself and others better.
Quotes I’ve Enjoyed:
“Many of us don’t discover how lopsided we are in our [spiritual] formation until we approach or enter midlife.”
“Midlife should unsettle us.”
“Chronological age does not automatically translate into spiritual maturity.”
“As we move into our second adulthood, the shifts that happen in our families can be used by God to reintroduce us to the truth that we’re first and foremost apprentices, not headmasters.”
I received a preview copy of Becoming Sage from Netgalley.
I love the focus on how middle-aged women can find new purpose and meaning in this life stage. The author spends a lot of time talking about how the church has not always accommodated middle aged people well, and offers great suggestions for changing this around.
I was originally drawn to this beautiful cover, because I love botanicals. I’m even more drawn to the inner content, which has blessed me with new motivation. It’s full of insightful research and hopeful quotes. I especially enjoyed the breakdown of spiritual stages, which helps me understand myself and others better.
Quotes I’ve Enjoyed:
“Many of us don’t discover how lopsided we are in our [spiritual] formation until we approach or enter midlife.”
“Midlife should unsettle us.”
“Chronological age does not automatically translate into spiritual maturity.”
“As we move into our second adulthood, the shifts that happen in our families can be used by God to reintroduce us to the truth that we’re first and foremost apprentices, not headmasters.”
I received a preview copy of Becoming Sage from Netgalley.
October 30, 2023
Becoming Sage is a beautiful book that discusses how we become sage as we age--hopefully gaining spiritual maturity and wisdom. I love Michelle Van Loon's approach as she talks about various areas where we might experience struggles as we enter midlife and beyond. Like it or not, we will all experience changes in our church life, with family and friends, and in our bodies.
My biggest takeaway came from the chapter, "What's It All About?" where the author talks about our culture's emphasis on leaving your mark on the world. Even in Christian circles we might feel pressure to Do Big Things for God. But this attitude doesn't reflect God's kingdom where small things done in love are important too.
The author talks about the Jewish concept of tikkun olam which means "repairing the world." To repair the world doesn't necessarily mean doing something big like starting a ministry for the homeless, but can be as simple as picking up garbage off the beach and definitely means sharing the good news of Jesus with the people in our lives.
Anyone who wants to make the most of the second act of life could benefit from reading Becoming Sage by Michelle Van Loon
My biggest takeaway came from the chapter, "What's It All About?" where the author talks about our culture's emphasis on leaving your mark on the world. Even in Christian circles we might feel pressure to Do Big Things for God. But this attitude doesn't reflect God's kingdom where small things done in love are important too.
The author talks about the Jewish concept of tikkun olam which means "repairing the world." To repair the world doesn't necessarily mean doing something big like starting a ministry for the homeless, but can be as simple as picking up garbage off the beach and definitely means sharing the good news of Jesus with the people in our lives.
Anyone who wants to make the most of the second act of life could benefit from reading Becoming Sage by Michelle Van Loon
March 27, 2020
Who wouldn’t want wisdom? Apparently, many of us, because it means growing up and giving up our first-half-of-life preoccupations. And to reach the second half of life’s maturity, we must traverse the midlife “dark night of the soul,” always accompanied by unhappiness and often loss. As Michelle Van Loon states, “there are no shortcuts” through this transition. But on the other side, we discover deeper relationships with church, family, friends, and wholeness within ourselves. We look at our finances, spiritual lives, and vocations differently. As we see the end of life ahead, we think less about changing the world and more about our legacy in loving others. We grow up, grow whole, and grow old. Apprenticed by Jesus, we may also become sage.
I was honored to review one of the chapters and to receive an advance copy. As a guide for Christian Living—Van Loon includes individual reflection and group questions at the end of each chapter—I highly recommend Becoming Sage.
I was honored to review one of the chapters and to receive an advance copy. As a guide for Christian Living—Van Loon includes individual reflection and group questions at the end of each chapter—I highly recommend Becoming Sage.
April 20, 2020
Title: Becoming Sage
Author: Michelle Van Loon
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
For the last several decades, Western churches have focused the bulk of their resources on the early stages of discipleship—children’s Sunday school, youth group, college ministry. These are all important, but we’ve neglected spiritual growth in the second half of life. In fact, an outside observer might think that after the growth of the college years, the goal is simply to coast through the rest of your Christian life. The book explores what the unique challenges of midlife can teach us about Jesus and how to think about everything from church, friends, and family, to money, bodies, and meaning.
I found Becoming Sage to be a thought-provoking and intriguing read, and it addresses a topic that seems prevalent in many churches: the focus on family and children that seems to occupy a prominent place in church life. But what about after the children have left home? What then?
Becoming Sage explores the topic in depth, without castigating the church, which I found refreshing and hopeful
(Galley courtesy of Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review.)
More reviews at Tomorrow is Another Day
Author: Michelle Van Loon
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
For the last several decades, Western churches have focused the bulk of their resources on the early stages of discipleship—children’s Sunday school, youth group, college ministry. These are all important, but we’ve neglected spiritual growth in the second half of life. In fact, an outside observer might think that after the growth of the college years, the goal is simply to coast through the rest of your Christian life. The book explores what the unique challenges of midlife can teach us about Jesus and how to think about everything from church, friends, and family, to money, bodies, and meaning.
I found Becoming Sage to be a thought-provoking and intriguing read, and it addresses a topic that seems prevalent in many churches: the focus on family and children that seems to occupy a prominent place in church life. But what about after the children have left home? What then?
Becoming Sage explores the topic in depth, without castigating the church, which I found refreshing and hopeful
(Galley courtesy of Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review.)
More reviews at Tomorrow is Another Day
June 20, 2020
Midlife Reality Check
Michelle VanLoon did a great job writing and giving her perspectives on a diversity of aging topics with depth and an array of topics of midlife. I loved how the book presented other authors’ quotes and perspectives, as well as reminding us of important scriptures through the whole book! VanLoon also wrote on hard aging topics. Well done!
This book has me thinking, wondering about my future, as life is not always pretty. Thank you Michelle for giving me perspective on aging in a Christian perspective.
Michelle VanLoon did a great job writing and giving her perspectives on a diversity of aging topics with depth and an array of topics of midlife. I loved how the book presented other authors’ quotes and perspectives, as well as reminding us of important scriptures through the whole book! VanLoon also wrote on hard aging topics. Well done!
This book has me thinking, wondering about my future, as life is not always pretty. Thank you Michelle for giving me perspective on aging in a Christian perspective.
February 13, 2021
Spirituality at midlife
I identified so much with the book. My faith has changed and matured and I am desperately seeking meaning in my second half of life, but perhaps that isn't the point at all. There is much to reflect on here and there are paths glimpsed here to go deeper and be who God calls me to be.
I identified so much with the book. My faith has changed and matured and I am desperately seeking meaning in my second half of life, but perhaps that isn't the point at all. There is much to reflect on here and there are paths glimpsed here to go deeper and be who God calls me to be.
March 2, 2022
I found this to be a very accessible book for Christian individuals and church groups in looking at the season of midlife (and beyond) through the lens of Fowler's stages of faith. Provides lots of good points of reflection and conversation.
Noted that it feels very American middle-class to me (which is not problematic, per see, just noted) and uses male pronouns for God.
Noted that it feels very American middle-class to me (which is not problematic, per see, just noted) and uses male pronouns for God.
November 9, 2024
This was a solid book that gave a diff perspective a gentle touch amongst the noise of this phase of life. It’s coming whether we want it to or not. Would have liked to read more on everyday solutions but I think that’s what the whole point is - there is no one answer. But God. What struck me is the call out of how the church disappoints singles. That was bold and brave.
March 28, 2020
Excellent book on the stages of faith. Very well thought out and research and engaging to read. It was good to read about the different stages and have what I’ve experienced in my faith journey reinforced
July 17, 2020
A thoughtful book for followers of Jesus at midlife or needing encouragement for the next season. The author prompts the reader to look at all the dimensions of life, rejoice at what is good, discard what doesn't foster growth, and look forward to the road ahead.
June 6, 2022
I really, really enjoyed this one. It's a useful book to take through that midlife dark night of the soul, but I think Christians would really benefit from reading it first earlier in life for a preview of what's to come (and then again when it's immediately relevant).
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