40/40 Vision (ITFP)

At midlife, our perspective can become blurry. Midlife is a disruptive season where we collide with limitations on all sides. We recognize there is more of life in the rearview mirror than on the road ahead of us. We wonder if our lives so far have been worthwhile. We are uncertain about what lies ahead. But midlife is also an opportunity to recalibrate our vision. It's a time to look back, take stock of our lives so far, and refocus on new dimensions of identity and calling. Peter Greer and Greg Lafferty offer insight for navigating midlife with fresh clarity and purpose. Drawing on the wisdom of the book of Ecclesiastes, they show how we can come to grips with the realities of who we are and what we should become in the years ahead. In a world that can seem meaningless at times, God offers perspective that anchors us, renews us and propels us back into the world in meaningful mission and service. Rediscover who God has called you to be. And see the rest of your life with the clarity of 40/40 vision.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Bob Buford Introduction 1. Forty(ish) 2. Meaning(less) 3. (Dis)appointment 4. (In)satiable 5. (Im)mortal 6. (Un)charitable 7. (Un)rest 8. Age(less) 9. (Dis)connected 10. (Un)controllable 11. (De)Humanizing 12. (F)utility Conclusion Discussion Questions Acknowledgments Notes About the Authors

About the Author :
Peter Greer is the president and CEO of HOPE International, a global faith-based microfinance organization. Peter is a graduate of Messiah College and Harvard University. He previously served as managing director for Urwego Community Banking in Rwanda and as a microfinance technical adviser in Zimbabwe and Cambodia. Peter is the coauthor of The Poor Will Be Glad, The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good and Mission Drift. He and his wife, Laurel, live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with their three children. Greg Lafferty is the senior pastor of Willowdale Chapel, a church with campuses in Kennett Square and Jennersville, Pennsylvania. Previously Greg served at both Wheaton Bible Church and Christ Community Church in suburban Chicago, and Saddleback Church in Southern California. He and his wife, Deane, have three children.

Review :
"The stereotypes and stories tell us that midlife is an unpredictable and mysterious time, full of temptation and ruin—but what Greg and Peter offer is a clear picture of how unpredictability and mystery are actually opportunities to bring renewed faith and fresh encounters with Christ. Read this book and be equipped to live for what matters most." "At midlife, we are forced to wrestle with the fundamental question of how to live authentically and make the most of life. In 40/40 Vision, Greg Lafferty and Peter Greer provide biblical and practical insights on how to sort through such issues as busyness, unmet expectations, the pursuit of pleasure, wisdom, injustice and identity. Ultimately, they inspire us to lean into the future, seek our pleasure in God and learn to live redemptively. For those well into the race of life or ready for a fresh start, 40/40 Vision is sure to be an energetic and welcome encouragement." "Finding meaningful work, making sense of disappointments, valuing relationships with those around you—these are the questions that many deal with in the second half of life. Greer and Lafferty help us rethink our relationship to work, expectations and others. They use the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes to speak poignantly into the realities (and questions) of modern life." "Greg and Peter are the friends you want to have as you enter midlife. They remind you of age-old warnings, guide you to healthy practices of flourishing and have you laughing along the way. This is an important book about an important decade, no matter what your age." "Midlife can be a dangerous and disappointing time. In 40/40 Vision, Greg and Peter do a fantastic job leveraging lessons from Ecclesiastes to help those of us in this critical season find purpose and satisfaction." "As a forty-six-year-old dad with four sons, I can testify that midlife is a turbulent time. It's easy to lose our perspective and stumble at a time when our families need us most. Peter and Greg help us see clearly through the haze of midlife and live for what ultimately matters. I am grateful for their insights and confident you will be as well." "Having recently turned forty, I'm grateful for how 40/40 Vision provides a great opportunity to reflect on the past and look toward a meaningful future. We don't want this second half of life to slip by. We're invited to live it faithfully and fully—in how we love our families, serve in the world, do our work and seek God." "As I approach my forties, I find myself thinking about what's next and assessing what I've done and have left to do. At a time when all of us at any age can find ourselves pondering our gifts, talents and callings, this book calls us to be hopeful through all seasons and believe that our best is yet to come, no matter our age. Just as Moses didn't start his most notable ministry until later in life, this book invites us to not waste our time thinking what could have been and focus instead on what could be." "I turned forty this year, and I'm happy to report I'm still the same person I was last year . . . but not without a bit of existential angst about the brevity of life. In this timely book, Peter and Greg guide us to reflect on the gifts of growing older, inviting us to learn from past mistakes and refocus on what matters most. This is a book everyone in the midst of midlife needs to read." "The sobering realities of midlife may offer the most opportunity and risk for followers of Christ. During this time, the importance of our ability to thoughtfully reflect and respond to God's call to walk with him cannot be overstated. In 40/40 Vision, Peter and Greg have written an honest and essential guidebook to help us navigate the rest of our days. It's a must-read."