Lost in the Middle: Midlife and the Grace of God [Paperback]

Paul David Tripp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2004

The Bible never discusses midlife, just like it never discusses teenagers. Yet the Bible is able to address any of life s experiences because it was written by the One who made them all. Life on this side of glory is hard. This world is a broken place. You will face things in midlife that beat at the borders of your faith, but you do not have to be lost in the middle of your story.

Although this book is directed at those who are facing the issues of midlife, it has a much broader net than that. Lost in the Middle can help all who are confronted with life in this broken world and have lost their way. The God who seems so distant to you in this moment is actually near and active. Lost in the Middle is written to give you eyes to see him, to see yourself more clearly, and to find the real hope that you need to carry on.

You do not have to be paralyzed by regret, defeated by aging, and discouraged by the passing of your dreams. This time of life, which can seem like the end of many things, can actually welcome you to a brand new way of living. As is so often the case in your walk with the Lord, this moment of pain is also a moment of grace. Because of this, we all need to occasionally step back, slow down, and consider where we are going. Lost in the Middle will help you to do just that.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is the God-send that an entire generation needs to read, and I say that with no exaggeration. Americans deal with the midlife dilemma in such a superficial way. We think that if we can laugh at ourselves, joke about our circumstances (and maybe undergo a little cosmetic surgery or buy a sports car), then we'll get through it okay. That's just about the only approach to the midlife crisis I've come across, anyway. But Paul Tripp isn't interested in palliatives. As always, he wants to get to the heart of things. Or, more accurately, he wants us to see that God gets to the heart of things, using the indignities of aging, the accumulated load of life's regrets, the rising fear of life's end, to wrest our attention away from this empty material world. It is quite simply life-changing to view midlife from this perspective. This book, with its emphasis on the grace of God, is so life-affirming, so filled with words of hope, that you'll never again look in the mirror with such despair." --N.B. Kennedy ************** "I absolutely agree with the previous reviewer. Paul Tripp's book is one of the most profound, yet practical modern Christian books I have ever read. It's theology, deeply rooted in Scripture, is right on the mark and provides the reader with amazing insights into how the Christian should and must understand the process God uses in our 'middle years'. Even if you are not experiencing any 'midlife crisis' (or think that you aren't), you MUST read this book. And I would highly recommend it for all 20- and 30-somethings as well. It is a book of great depth and of tremendous encouragement. Ponder deeply the principles contained in this gem, and thank God for the fruit that comes from being 'lost in the middle'!" --L. Alexander --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Shepherd Press (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972304681
• ISBN-13: 978-0972304689
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope in midlife, October 14, 2005

By 

N. B. Kennedy (Hopewell, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Lost in the Middle: Midlife and the Grace of God (Paperback)

This book is the God-send that an entire generation needs to read, and I say that with no exaggeration. Americans deal with the midlife dilemma in such a superficial way. We think that if we can laugh at ourselves, joke about our circumstances (and maybe undergo a little cosmetic surgery or buy a sports car), then we'll get through it okay. That's just about the only approach to the midlife crisis I've come across, anyway.

But Paul Tripp isn't interested in palliatives. As always, he wants to get to the heart of things. Or, more accurately, he wants us to see that God gets to the heart of things, using the indignities of aging, the accumulated load of life's regrets, the rising fear of life's end, to wrest our attention away from this empty material world. It is quite simply life-changing to view midlife from this perspective.

This book, with its emphasis on the grace of God, is so life-affirming, so filled with words of hope, that you'll never again look in the mirror with such despair. And it's only in midlife that we are ready to hear this message; in our youth the word mortality is hardly even an entry in our inner dictionary. Read this book, and then read it again. Don't go on to the next new, new thing on the Christian bookshelf. This is too important. Thank you, Dr. Tripp. May God continue to richly bless you.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound and Practical, November 18, 2005

By 

L. Alexander (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lost in the Middle: Midlife and the Grace of God (Paperback)

I absolutely agree with the previous reviewer. Paul Tripp's book is one of the most profound, yet practical modern Christian books I have ever read. It's theology, deeply rooted in Scripture, is right on the mark and provides the reader with amazing insights into how the Christian should and must understand the process God uses in our 'middle years'. Even if you are not experiencing any 'midlife crisis' (or think that you aren't), you MUST read this book. And I would highly recommend it for all 20- and 30-somethings as well. It is a book of great depth and of tremendous encouragement. Ponder deeply the principles contained in this gem, and thank God for the fruit that comes from being 'lost in the middle'!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A realistic robust and inspiring read for anyone over 30, February 11, 2006

By 

J. Hardyman (Cambridge, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lost in the Middle: Midlife and the Grace of God (Paperback)

This book is a five star gem. Tripp writes like an angel: even when he is presenting truths you've heard a hundred times, he captures your heart with his crisp prose and brilliant illustrations. He starts with a robust realistic view of what we are like and how this life pans out for us; he analyses our responses to the trials of life, especially middle age, with a deep insight into how our hearts actually work. Then he brings all that under the redeeming light of the gospel. Quite wonderful to read. Unreservedly recommended to anyone over 30 - and under 30 too.