Finishing Our Course with Joy: Guidance from God for Engaging with Our Aging

Aging can be quite challenging. But as a follower of Jesus this book spells it out perfectly what our mindset should be as we navigate the challenges involved with an aging body. So encouraging.

Getting old is something everyone can relate to. But at eighty-eight years of age, J.I. Packer is uniquely qualified to share biblical principles that concern the subject of aging.Most people know that Dr. Packer is a first-rate theologian who has influenced untold thousands of people over the years. Packer shares his God-given gifts and experience which include a tenure longer than most people can imagine in his latest book, Finishing Our Course: Guidelines For Engaging With Our Aging.In a style that we’ve grown to love over the years, Packer expresses his heart in a youthful wittiness which is combined with a depth of theological and emotional maturity: “Aging is not for wimps,” he says.Dr. Packer is careful to remind readers of the biblical perspective on aging: “The Bible’s view is that aging, under God and by grace, will bring wisdom, that is, an enlarged capacity for discerning, choosing, and encouraging.” He makes a strong case for being productive in the golden years: “And my contention is going to be that, so far as our bodily health allows, we should aim to be found running the last lap of the race of our Christian life, as we would say, flat out. The final sprint, so I urge, should be a sprint indeed.”Such a worldview runs against conventional wisdom. The world notion is growing old includes focusing on self, spending money on self. There is a not so subtle brand of narcissism that is plaguing many adults; a narcissism that needs to be rooted out and replaced with God-centered ambition. Packer helps eradicate this selfishness which is all too common in American culture, especially.I found Finishing Our Course to be helpful on so many levels. It contains the biblical wisdom that is necessary to inform and motivate anyone who desires to finish well – all to the glory of God.

No surprise, Packer tells us as we age "how then shall we Live?" Not just for the aging but throughout our lives as believers and followers of Christ, continually day by day "Glorify God"Easy read, large print for those that may need it, read it slowly, and in a couple hours.Purchasing several as gifts.

This book straightened out my mind over what my life should look like as I age. Far from relaxing and amusing myself, it showed me that God intends for us to be useful to the Kingdom and glorify Him in our “golden years.” Having purpose like this is invigorating!

In this succinct and profound work, J.I. Packer reflects--and then elaborates--on the pitfalls and hopes that accompany the Christian's growing old. He combines personal experience and reflection with Scriptural exegesis to make and develop the point that no matter how diminished they might feel, aged Christians are called to marshall their efforts to complete their earthly walk in spiritual strength and resoluteness.This is not only a good read for seniors, but a clarion call to youth and the middle-aged on two levels: first, exercise caution in discounting the aged simply on the basis of their age. They have much to offer! Second, live your life with the end in mind, and be a good steward of your present so that you may finish strong!

J.I.Packer was a strong leader in the church around the world. Even into his latter years, he was a gem to listen to and to follow. The books does a good job on his biography.Where I find the book short is the inclusion of the impact he made at the conferences (large and small). I often heard him at Easter Michigan Univ. when he came for the annual conference in lower Michigan. He had time for anyone and any question. I would have loved to have seen the book include more about the people he made an impact on that are now leading the church in the early 21st Century.A good read...it just needed more.

Who better to address how to approach the finish line of life successfully than 88-year-old and world-renowned theologian - J.I. Packer. Some people say when E.F. Hutton talks people listen, not me. However, when J.I. Packer talks I listen and if you are wise, so should you.In this short book J.I Packer tactfully and theologically addresses the excuses that the ages 65 and beyond crowd make for "coasting" or "relaxing" in the final years of life. It's a well-known fact that retirement doesn't exist in the Bible, so what Packer does is show how we can learn from the Apostle Paul and how he finished his life by: seeking opportunities to invest in those who would outlive him; making the most of his maturity and wisdom (working smarter, not harder); with humility (as opposed to living pridefully); and with great intensity and zeal for the things that will last beyond the grave in eternity.With his characteristic theological precision and humble guidance Packer will motivate you to live for those things that bring glory to God by investing in that which will outlast your own life by living for others. Joy comes to those who seek Jesus first, then in increasing the joy of others by pointing them to Jesus, and lastly by the joy that results for you in delighting in God and others. This book will definitely increase your joy and help you to finish your course well because of Him, and for Him.

We all need to be spurred on.Succinct and well written. If all retirees would invest in the local church what love and maturity would explode.

Brief words of great wisdom on aging from a renowned and widely respected aging evangelical scholar - major incentive for elders of all ages "not to grow weary in doing good" while still are occupying real estate on this earth.

Good book good seller very good price

Klar, herausfordernd, kurz: Ein Buch, das ich allen Christen empfehlen kann.Der 86-jährige Packer beschreibt seine eigene letzte Wegstrecke. Er beschäftigt sich mit der eminent wichtigen Frage: Wie können wir unseren Lauf mit Freude beenden? „Lasst uns mit Ausdauer den vor uns liegenden Wettlauf gehen, indem wir auf Jesus schauen.“ (Die Bibel, Hebräer 12,1-2)Eine Zeit des Verlustes und des KampfesDer Prediger der Bibel beschreibt das Alter als Zeit des Verlustes, der Schwäche und der Apathie. Doch dies ist nur ein Teil der Wahrheit: Die Bibel sagt auch, dass Altern unter Gottes Gnade Weisheit hervorbringt, nämlich eine erweiterte Kapazität um zu prüfen, zu wählen und zu ermutigen. Ein gereifter alter Mensch wird auch auf der letzten Etappe mit dem fortfahren, was er sein ganzes Leben getan hat. Auf den Christen bezogen: Der Kampf der Heiligung fortsetzen; Sünden bekennen, Eigensucht bekämpfen und abtöten, anderen dienen, die geschenkten Gaben (und Resultate daraus) so lange einsetzen, wie es geht.10 Lernpunkte1. Spare für die letzte Runde eine Reserve auf.2. Lebe vor Gott Tag für Tag.3. Kämpfe gegen Versuchungen.4. Denke an andere, bete für sie, schreib ihnen, ruf ihnen an.5. Kopple dich nicht vom Leben ab.6. Du dienst Gott auch mit deinem Körper. Halte ihn fit.7. Übernimm so weit es geht Verantwortung in Gottes Familie, der Gemeinde.8. Denke darüber nach, was die Muster und Gewohnheiten deines säkularen Umfelds sind.9. Sei geistlicher Vater/geistliche Mutter für die nachrückenden Generationen.10. Halte das Ziel im Blick und plane sorgfältig den nächsten Tag.Der Betrug des Säkularismus für alte MenschenDas säkulare Ideal geht in eine ganz andere Richtung. Der Abschied vom Erwerbsleben geht mit einem grundsätzlichen Richtungswechsel einher. Man muss sich belohnen. Tagträume, Nostalgie und Verwöhnung beschleunigen den Alterungsprozess. Die Imperative lautet: Ruhe dich aus. Amüsiere dich. Tu endlich das, was dir gefällt. Das Resultat ist eine zunehmende Öde und ein Gefühl erlebter Hoffnungs- und Hilflosigkeit, Altersdepression.Lerne und leite!Mit diesem doppelten Aufruf ist ein Christus-zentriertes Leben und dadurch ein würdevolles Altern zusammengefasst: Lernen - mit allen Fähigkeiten und Fertigkeiten; leiten - mit aller Erfahrung und Einsicht. Dieses Ziel verfolge ich als 40-Jähriger, weil ich mir bewusst bin: Das Heute prägt mit, wie ich in einigen Jahren oder Jahrzehnten sein werde. Das sind Botschaften, die wir von unseren Kanzeln hören sollten. Männer wie Packer sind Vorbilder für uns Mittelalterliche und ältere Menschen.

The book is an easy read and the subject clearly dealt with I can commend it as helpful to those working with the elderly with a Christian background.