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I've Never Been This Old Before: The Dawn of the Golden Years
Older, Wiser, Funnier!
Adjusting to middle age is a lot like getting into a hot bath. At first, it’s painful. Then, you get acclimated and it feels comfortable, but after a while you’re just lying there wondering how your skin got so pruned and why you’re too tired to get up.
Celebrate midlife and beyond with this joyful collection of wit and wisdom dedicated to both the serious and silly sides of aging. Bestselling author Stan Toler will help you face the inevitable march of time with a healthy sense of humor and a warm heart.
Packed with entertaining anecdotes, good advice from God’s Word, and smart suggestions for self-improvement, I’ve Never Been This Old Before will give you a fresh outlook on the second half of life and remind you that no matter your age, God isn’t through growing you.
Adjusting to middle age is a lot like getting into a hot bath. At first, it’s painful. Then, you get acclimated and it feels comfortable, but after a while you’re just lying there wondering how your skin got so pruned and why you’re too tired to get up.
Celebrate midlife and beyond with this joyful collection of wit and wisdom dedicated to both the serious and silly sides of aging. Bestselling author Stan Toler will help you face the inevitable march of time with a healthy sense of humor and a warm heart.
Packed with entertaining anecdotes, good advice from God’s Word, and smart suggestions for self-improvement, I’ve Never Been This Old Before will give you a fresh outlook on the second half of life and remind you that no matter your age, God isn’t through growing you.
144 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2020
5 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Stan Toler
167 books11 followersStan Toler is senior pastor of Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and hosts the television program, "Leadership Today." He conducts seminars throughout the U.S. as the Model Church Instructor for INJOY Ministries, a leadership development institute for pastors. He has written over 30 books and is co-author of The Year Round Church Event Book.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 13, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review
I am not religious so I realize now that I'm not the target audience for this book. That said, there is a lot of good humor about growing older and life's ups and downs that come with aging. This is a fast and funny read when you need a pick-me-up.
I am not religious so I realize now that I'm not the target audience for this book. That said, there is a lot of good humor about growing older and life's ups and downs that come with aging. This is a fast and funny read when you need a pick-me-up.
January 7, 2020
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review. I am getting up there in years and other than jokes and what I heard when I was younger, I didn't know much about this stage in life. When I saw this book, I just had to read it.
Parts of the book made me laugh and I have been thinking before I have to have a sense of humor in this stage of life which I never had. But thankfully, I am getting one and I could see while reading that I was getting the right frame of mind for this stage in life.
I have been thinking about God more and more as I am getting older so it was nice that this was talked about in the book. God isn't done with us when we get old, He still has plans for us and we still are useful and have a purpose.
As I read the book, I thought about things other than the changes going on in my life, which has been a shock that I can't do things the same as I used to. This part of my journey wasn't feeling too good to me. Reading the book gave me hope that being this old was going to be all right. I've Never Been This Old Before but now I can see this journey from someone else's point of view and it gives me hope, it inspires me to have a sense of humor and God does have a plan for me and I am feeling better about being this old. This would make a great gift for a parent or grandparents that are getting up there in years, it would also be good for younger people to have a better understanding of not only what is to come but what people they know might be going through. It isn't a textbook, it is a story that will give you insight or it did me.
Parts of the book made me laugh and I have been thinking before I have to have a sense of humor in this stage of life which I never had. But thankfully, I am getting one and I could see while reading that I was getting the right frame of mind for this stage in life.
I have been thinking about God more and more as I am getting older so it was nice that this was talked about in the book. God isn't done with us when we get old, He still has plans for us and we still are useful and have a purpose.
As I read the book, I thought about things other than the changes going on in my life, which has been a shock that I can't do things the same as I used to. This part of my journey wasn't feeling too good to me. Reading the book gave me hope that being this old was going to be all right. I've Never Been This Old Before but now I can see this journey from someone else's point of view and it gives me hope, it inspires me to have a sense of humor and God does have a plan for me and I am feeling better about being this old. This would make a great gift for a parent or grandparents that are getting up there in years, it would also be good for younger people to have a better understanding of not only what is to come but what people they know might be going through. It isn't a textbook, it is a story that will give you insight or it did me.
January 24, 2020
This book is filled with Laugh-Out-Loud funny snippets and anecdotes about our day to day lives as we age. I quite enjoyed the stories and the humor :) For me, this book lacked a good flow and seemed a little choppy until I changed my view of this as a traditional book to a book of collected short stories :)
April 12, 2020
This is fun entertainment and encouragement to help age more gracefully.
I am beyond middle age and much of the humor in this book is relatable! I started smiling on the first page. I was absolutely delighted when reading revealed that the anecdotes are mixed with advice from God’s Word.
There are several suggestion lists. I had the honor to share devotion in early March at my local woman’s club. As part of my short program I shared from this book: 10 Ways You Can Turn Someone’s Life Around (location 210). We all agreed this was a great list that helps to improve our own lives by helping others. Another good list shared is “seven reasons why we should take up the torch of service and put a fire under our feet”.
The author shares wonderful attitude and action advice all woven with sound Biblical foundation. The only drawback I had with the NetGalley version was formatting issues that resulted in excessive hyphenation breaking up words and the easy flow. Hopefully, that is resolved for the released Kindle version. I highly recommend this entertaining and encouraging work to all readers although it's particularly fun and helpful for middle and senior ages.
Source: NetGalley 2019. My Rating 4.75.
I am beyond middle age and much of the humor in this book is relatable! I started smiling on the first page. I was absolutely delighted when reading revealed that the anecdotes are mixed with advice from God’s Word.
There are several suggestion lists. I had the honor to share devotion in early March at my local woman’s club. As part of my short program I shared from this book: 10 Ways You Can Turn Someone’s Life Around (location 210). We all agreed this was a great list that helps to improve our own lives by helping others. Another good list shared is “seven reasons why we should take up the torch of service and put a fire under our feet”.
The author shares wonderful attitude and action advice all woven with sound Biblical foundation. The only drawback I had with the NetGalley version was formatting issues that resulted in excessive hyphenation breaking up words and the easy flow. Hopefully, that is resolved for the released Kindle version. I highly recommend this entertaining and encouraging work to all readers although it's particularly fun and helpful for middle and senior ages.
Source: NetGalley 2019. My Rating 4.75.
October 23, 2019
As we age, we face more difficulties. Health declines, friends and relatives move away or die, and things just don’t seem to be easy to do anymore. Those difficulties can make people think God has nothing more for them, but they still have something to offer. Stan Toler shares more about that message in I’ve Never Been This Old Before.
I’m not to the Golden age yet, but I was intrigued by the point of the book. There is a lot of negativity about getting older, and it is a nice change to see something positive. In fact, positive outlooks are stressed throughout the book, outlooks that are based on God’s promises. Stan Toler uses anecdotes and jokes to relate biblical truths. The humor at first seems a little random, but he brings all of it together to illustrate the point of each chapter.
It’s a quick read, but there is plenty of fun and many things to think about. It serves as a good reminder that getting older doesn’t mean becoming useless. God still has a plan for you and a way for you to serve Him.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I’m not to the Golden age yet, but I was intrigued by the point of the book. There is a lot of negativity about getting older, and it is a nice change to see something positive. In fact, positive outlooks are stressed throughout the book, outlooks that are based on God’s promises. Stan Toler uses anecdotes and jokes to relate biblical truths. The humor at first seems a little random, but he brings all of it together to illustrate the point of each chapter.
It’s a quick read, but there is plenty of fun and many things to think about. It serves as a good reminder that getting older doesn’t mean becoming useless. God still has a plan for you and a way for you to serve Him.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
January 26, 2020
Toler gives readers a good dose of humor, spiritual teaching, and practical suggestions for a better life, all centered on aging. The humor was interesting. I think one might need to be a southerner to understand and appreciate some of it. I laughed aloud sometimes and groaned others. I appreciate the teaching Toler included on topics like contentment. He has insights into Christian living that might only come through long life and experience. He shares some of those experiences with illustrative stories from his own life.
This is an entertaining book for those entering the second half or perhaps last third of life. You'll be encouraged to not worry about your sagging skin or lack of technical expertise. You'll receive some very practical ideas to help flourish in life. You'll also be inspired to know that God has exciting plans for your days ahead.
Food for thought: “No matter where we are on our journey, we're just visiting. Let's make the most of every moment, say the best of every person, and see the positive in every situation.” (Loc 880/994)
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
This is an entertaining book for those entering the second half or perhaps last third of life. You'll be encouraged to not worry about your sagging skin or lack of technical expertise. You'll receive some very practical ideas to help flourish in life. You'll also be inspired to know that God has exciting plans for your days ahead.
Food for thought: “No matter where we are on our journey, we're just visiting. Let's make the most of every moment, say the best of every person, and see the positive in every situation.” (Loc 880/994)
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
February 3, 2020
Reading Stan Toler is like having a conversation with an old friend. Topics change without warning, advice is given and received by all parties and beliefs are shared by all. When you were young and listened in on your older relatives talking, this is what they sounded like. I've Never Been This Old Before is a unique title of a unique story.
February 4, 2020
I enjoyed the humorous anecdotes and spiritual insights on the subject of aging, but the structure made for a less-than-smooth read. When quotes are inserted in the middle of a paragraph or even a sentence, it interrupts the message the author is trying to convey. I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2019
I was curious about this ARC even if I'm not into Christian books.
I found it funny at times and well written. I think it can surely be appreciated by more religious people.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I found it funny at times and well written. I think it can surely be appreciated by more religious people.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
February 20, 2025
Clean humor with a few good jokes, but so much nonsense it got overwhelming and somewhat old. Some good points about trusting God.
January 24, 2020
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
This is a light hearted look at getting old by the author Stan Toler, He celebrates midlife and beyond with wit and wisdom dedicated to the silly and serious sides of ageing. The book is packed with numerous anecdotes, advice from God and notes on self improvement..
It is a light hearted look at ageing, with snippets from the authors work as a preacher.
Recommended.
This is a light hearted look at getting old by the author Stan Toler, He celebrates midlife and beyond with wit and wisdom dedicated to the silly and serious sides of ageing. The book is packed with numerous anecdotes, advice from God and notes on self improvement..
It is a light hearted look at ageing, with snippets from the authors work as a preacher.
Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews