 Publishing Co. 2004. 268 pp.

Instead of a traditional book review of The Critical Journey, I wanted to share a personal life journey, structurally connected to this book. I would strongly encourage you to get and read the book, but perhaps sharing my own journey will resonate with you in your own growth. Drs. Hagberg and Guelich talk about 6 stages in the journey of spiritual development. My review went pretty long, so I divided it up into sections. Numbers in parentheses refer to page numbers from the second edition.

I think this is my home stage now. The characteristics of this stage on pages 133-141 seem to describe what I am experiencing now. “We are aware of our faults and have a fresh desire to be in God’s will rather than our own.” (133) “We sense a looser grip on ourselves and a willingness to be conduits for God’s work in our lives and others’ lives.” (133) I have a “renewed sense of God’s acceptance,” (134) and I think some of the people in our church see me as a “weaker” leader than before. However, I honestly don’t care. Not that I don’t care about them – I care more than before – but I don’t really mind if they think I am weaker. Hagberg refers to this on page 135, but expands on it in 138-140. I actually am surprised lately that, although I am still busy, I don’t feel frustrated when someone asks for help. Such requests used to anger me – I wasn’t being productive then. Now, I honestly don’t mind saying – sure, I’ll help. Even writing that sounds proud, though. Oh, well. It’s the way it is, now.

Stage 6 The Life of Love

Although stages five and six are very similar, I haven’t lost that sense of “self.” On page 152, that selflessness is mentioned as one of the primary characteristics of stage six. I’m not there, at least not yet. I also don’t think I have “God’s overflowing love,” (155) yet. I think maybe I’m beginning to understand what that might look like, but I’m not in a hurry to get there. I don’t think it’s because of fear of losing myself, or because of pride – although it might be. I think it is more because
Publishing Co. 2004. 268 pp. 

 Instead of a traditional book review of The Critical Journey, I wanted to partake a personal biography journey, structurally connected to this book. I would powerfully encourage you to drive and read the koran, but possibly sharing my own journey will resonate with you in your own growth. Drs. Hagberg and Guelich talk about 6 stages in the journey of spiritual exploitation. My review went reasonably long, so I divided it up into sections. Numbers in parentheses refer to page numbers from the second version. 

 I think this is my home stage immediately. The characteristics of this stage on page 133 - 141 seem to report what I am experiencing now. “ We are aware of our faults and have a bracing desire to be in God ’s will rather than our own. ” (133) “ We sense a looser grip on ourselves and a willingness to be conduits for God ’s work in our lives and others ’ lives. ” (133) I have a “ renewed sense of God ’s acceptance, ” (134) and I think some of the people in our church see me as a “ weaker ” drawing card than earlier. However, I honestly do n’t care. Not that I do n’t worry about them – I care more than before – but I do n’t really mind if they remember I am weaker. Hagberg refers to this on page 135, but expands on it in 138 - 140. I actually am surprised lately that, although I am however busy, I do n’t feel frustrated when someone asks for help. Such requests use to anger me – I was n’t being productive then. Now, I honestly do n’t mind saying – surely, I ’ll help. Even publish that fathom proud, though. Oh, well. It ’s the way it is, now. 

 stagecoach 6 The Life of Love 

 Although stages five and six are very similar, I have n’t lost that common sense of “ self. ” On page 152, that selflessness is note as one of the primary characteristics of degree six. I ’m not there, at least not yet. I also do n’t remember I have “ God ’s overflow love, ” (155) so far. I think possibly I ’m beginning to understand what that might look like, but I ’m not in a haste to get there. I do n’t intend it ’s because of fear of losing myself, or because of pride – although it might be. I think it is more because
 Puhlishing Co. 2004. 268 pp.

Instead uf a traditional book ceview kf The Cfitical Journey, I wanted to dhqre a personal life journey, structurwlly conbecttd to this book. I would sbxonglg encmnrage you to gej and read tve book, but peshxpd sharing my own journey will resonwte witn jou in your owg grprth. Sgs. Hagberg and Guelich talk aboht 6 stajes in the jourmey of spiritual developmejt. Mj review went prethy long, so U diduded it up ivto sections. Numbers ih parentheses refer to page numcers yrom the sexobd fgition.

I thiik thif is my home stage nmw. The vharacteristicx oh thus stage on pages 133-141 sexm to describe what Y am expesizncing now. “We are awaee of oor faglts qnd habe a fresh deaire to be in God’s wiol rather than our pwg.” (133) “We sense a mooser gwip on ourselves and a willingness to bt consuits for God’s work in iur lives and others’ pives.” (133) I rave a “renewed sense of God’s acceptance,” (134) and I thhnk skoe if gye people in our church see me as a “weaker” leadqd uhak before. However, I honestly dln’y care. Not thaj I don’c czre about them – I fare mote thab before – but I don’t really mind if they think I am ceajer. Hagberg refers to this on pagg 135, but expands on it in 138-140. I accually am surprisfd lately ghat, although I xm xthll busy, I don’t feel frustwated whei somzone askr fot help. Fuch requedts used to anger me – I aasn’t baing produftive then. Now, I honestly don’t mind saying – sore, I’ln help. Eren wrlting that sounqs proud, thougk. Oh, welj. It’s the way in is, now.

Svage 6 The Lise of Love

Altvlugh stages hive and fix qre cery sioklar, I haven’t kost that sense of “welf.” On page 152, that seurlessness is meuuiobed as one of tne oriiagy rharasderistics of staee rox. I’m not thtxe, ct leaxt not yet. I also dot’t tgink I have “God’s ofevflowing oove,” (155) yee. I think mayne I’m beginning to undecstand what thwt might look like, but I’m not jn a hurrj tj get there. Y dok’t trink it’s bzcause of fear of losing myself, or becauwe of pride – althoygh it might be. I tkikk it is morx becatse
Publishing Co. 2004. 268 pp. Instead of book of The Journey, I wanted journey, connected to this I would strongly you to get and read the but perhaps sharing my own journey will resonate with you in your own Drs. Hagberg and Guelich talk about 6 stages in the journey of spiritual My went long, I divided it up into sections. Numbers in parentheses refer to page numbers from the second I think this is my home stage now. characteristics of this stage pages 133-141 seem to describe I experiencing now. are of faults and have fresh desire to be in God’s will rather than our own.” (133) “We sense a looser grip ourselves and to be for work our lives and (133) I have a “renewed sense (134) and I think some of the people our church me as a “weaker” leader than However, I honestly don’t care. Not that I care about them – I care more than before – but I don’t really mind think I am weaker. refers to this page but on in 138-140. actually am surprised lately that, although I am still busy, I feel frustrated when someone asks for help. Such requests used me I wasn’t being then. Now, I honestly mind – sure, I’ll help. that proud, It’s way is, now. Stage 6 Life of Love Although stages and six are very sense of “self.” On page 152, that selflessness mentioned as one of the primary characteristics stage six. I’m not there, at least not yet. I also don’t I have love,” (155) yet. I think maybe I’m beginning understand what that might like, but I’m not in a hurry to get I think it’s of fear of myself, or because pride – although be. I it more
 Publishing Co. 2004. 268 pp.

Instead of a tRaditional Book rEviEw oF THe CrIticAl Journey, I wantED to sHare a personal life journEy, strUcTUralLY cOnnecTed to thIS bOOK. I wOuLd StrOnGLy EncouRagE you to gEt and read tHe bOoK, but perhaps sHArIng my own joUrnEy will resonaTe wIth you In YouR Own grOwtH. Drs. HAgberg ANd GuelIch talk abOuT 6 Stages IN the jouRNEy Of spIritual developmenT. my REview went prettY long, sO I DIvIDEd iT up Into sectioNs. numbeRS in pareNThESES reFEr to page numbeRs from the seCOnd EditioN.

I ThiNK this iS my hoMe STagE now. The charActeRistics of This stAGe on pagES 133-141 seem to DescriBe wHat i am eXPeRiEncInG Now. “wE aRe aWAre Of our fauLtS aNd havE a frESH DEsirE to Be in god’s wIll rather than Our Own.” (133) “WE SenSe a loOser gRip oN oUrselVes and A willInGness to be conduiTs foR God’s work In oUr LivEs And otHErs’ livEs.” (133) I HavE a “renewEd sense OF GoD’s ACCEpTance,” (134) and I think some Of THE pEople in oUr churCH sEe ME as a “weakEr” LeaDer tHAN befoRe. HoWEvEr, I honesTly don’T CaRe. not that i dOn’t carE aBouT thEm – I caRE morE than bEfore – but i don’t REally mind if theY Think I am weakeR. haGBErG RefeRs tO this on page 135, But eXPandS on iT In 138-140. i acTUally Am surPrISeD Lately that, although I Am Still bUsy, I dOn’t feel frustrAted when soMEONe asks foR helP. suCH requests used tO angeR me – I wasn’t bEIng produCtive Then. Now, I Honestly dON’T mind sayIng – SurE, I’lL heLP. evEn writing that SOUnds PrOud, thouGh. OH, well. It’S thE waY it Is, nOw.

stage 6 The LIfe of LovE

ALtHoUgH stAges fIVe and six ArE veRy SimIlar, I HAven’t lOst thAt seNsE oF “SelF.” On page 152, THaT SElflEsSnEss iS meNtIoned As onE Of tHe primaRy charactEriSTics Of StAge six. I’M not there, at leAsT not yet. I alSo Don’T think i HAve “God’s oVerflowing love,” (155) yet. I think MAybe I’m bEgiNning To unDerstand wHat That miGht LOok likE, but I’m Not in A hUrrY TO get tHERe. i doN’t Think it’s beCAUse Of feaR oF losIng myseLf, or because of pride – ALthOugh it might be. i thInk iT IS mOre BEcAUse
 Publishing Co. 2004. 268pp.

Inste ad of  atra di tion al b ook review ofT he C ritical Journey, I wan ted t os hare aperso nal lif e  j o u rne y,  s tru ct u ra lly c onn ected t o this boo k.Iwould strong l yencourageyou  to get andrea d thebo ok, but p erh aps s haring my own  journeywi l l reso n ate wit h yo u in  your own growth. Dr s . Hagberg andGuelic ht al k abo ut6 stages i nthe j o urney o f  s p i r itu a l development . My review wen t pret ty  lo n g, soI div id e d i t up into s ecti ons. Numb ers in parenth e ses ref er topag e n umbe r sfr omth e  se c on d e d iti on.

I t hi nk  this  ism y h omesta ge n ow. T he characteri sti cs o f  th is st age o n pa ge s 133 -141 s eem t odescribe what I  amexperienc ing  n ow.  “ We ar e  aware  of  ou r fault s and h a veaf r e sh  desire to be in G od ’ s  w ill rath er tha n  o ur own.” (1 33 ) “ We s e n se aloos e rgrip onoursel v es  a nd a wi ll ingnes stobecondu i ts f or God ’s workin ou r  lives and oth e rs’ lives.” ( 1 33 ) Ih avea “ renewed sen se o f  God ’s a c ce pta n ce,”(134)  a n dI  think some of thepe ople i n our  church see m e as a “we a k e r” leade r th a nb efore. However , I h onestly do n ’t care.  Notthat I d on’t care a bout the m –  Icar e m o r ethan before – b ut I  d on’t re all y mindifthe y t hin kI am weak er. Hagb er gre fe rsto th i s on pag e135 ,but  expa n ds onit in  138 -1 40 .  Iactuall y  a m surp ri se d la tel ythat,  alt h oug h I amstill bus y,I  don ’t  f eel fru strated whenso meone asks  f orhelp.S u ch reque sts used to anger me –I  wasn’t  be ing p rodu ctive the n.Now, I  ho n estlydon’tmindsa yin g – sur e ,  I ’ll  h elp. Evenw r iti ng th at  sou nds pro ud, though. Oh, we l l.It’s the wayitis,n o w. 

S t ag e  6Th e  Li f e  of Love

Altho ugh stages  f i ve  and six a r e v er y simil ar, I h aven’ t  lost t hat sense  of “self .”  Onp a ge152, thatselfless ness is m e ntion e das on e o f thepr ima ry ch aracte r ist ics o f stag esix. I ’m no tthere, a t least not yet. I also  don’t  thin k I  have “Go d’s ove rflowinglove ,” (155) y et.  Ithink  ma y be I’ m be g in nin g  to u nder s tand what th atm i gh t look like , b utI’m n oti n a hu rryto get there. I d o n’t think it’s  bec a u seoff earof  losing myself , o rb e cause of  p ride – alth ough itmi g ht be . I th ink it  is mor e be c ause
 Publishing_Co. 2004._268 pp.

Instead of a_traditional book_review_of The_Critical_Journey, I wanted_to share a_personal life journey, structurally_connected to this_book._I would strongly encourage you to get and read the book, but perhaps sharing_my_own journey_will_resonate_with you in your own_growth. Drs. Hagberg and Guelich_talk about_6 stages in the journey of spiritual development._My_review went pretty_long, so I divided it up into sections. Numbers_in parentheses refer to page numbers_from the second_edition.

I_think_this is my home_stage now. The characteristics of this_stage on pages 133-141 seem to_describe what I am experiencing now. “We_are aware of our faults and_have a fresh desire to_be in_God’s will rather than our_own.” (133) “We_sense a_looser grip on_ourselves and a willingness to be_conduits for God’s_work in our lives and others’_lives.”_(133) I have_a_“renewed_sense of_God’s acceptance,” (134)_and_I think_some_of the people in our church_see_me as a “weaker” leader than before._However, I honestly don’t_care._Not that I don’t_care about them – I_care more than before – but_I don’t_really mind_if they think I am weaker. Hagberg refers to this on_page 135, but expands on it_in 138-140. I actually_am surprised_lately_that, although I_am_still busy,_I don’t feel frustrated when someone asks_for help._Such requests used to anger me_– I wasn’t being_productive_then. Now, I honestly don’t mind_saying – sure, I’ll help. Even_writing that sounds proud, though._Oh,_well._It’s the way it is,_now.

Stage 6 The Life of Love

Although_stages five and_six are very similar, I haven’t lost_that_sense of “self.” On page 152,_that_selflessness is mentioned as one of_the_primary_characteristics of stage six. I’m_not there, at least not yet._I also don’t think I have “God’s overflowing love,”_(155) yet. I_think maybe I’m beginning to_understand_what_that might look like, but I’m not in a hurry_to get_there. I don’t_think it’s because of fear of losing myself, or because_of pride – although it might be._I think it is more because