The Luckiest Man

How do you experience God's intimate, comforting, tangible presence? In The Luckiest Man, John Paine reveals how he found the answer to this most important of all questions--by facing a terminal diagnosis.

At middle age, John Paine thought he knew what it meant to have a relationship with God. He was a successful businessman, a well-respected Christian leader, a Bible teacher, and--outwardly, at least--the spiritual leader of his family. He was satisfied and thought he understood what it meant to know and experience God. But did he?

John's journey into true, mystical intimacy with God began when a neurologist diagnosed him with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, and said, "Go home and get your affairs in order." Seventeen years later, John tells his story, recounting the ways God intervened in his life, freeing him from all that prevented intimacy with God, even as John slipped into pain, paralysis, and further toward death.

In stunning, insightful prose, The Luckiest Man points to the God who lovingly, though occasionally painfully, drew John into the richness of friendship. In this profoundly moving memoir, John Paine reveals the secret to intimacy with God and provides hope to all who are in the middle of their own trials. They, too, will understand why John considers himself the "luckiest man." (less) [Thomas Nelson]

This was a difficult read for me.  Mr. Paine is fighting ALS.  I'm battling Progressive MS.  He's from northeast Texas.  I'm from southwest Arkansas, towns separated by about 2 hours.  His father was a hard man.  Mine was not as hard as his, but somewhat hard.  I grew up working on the farm where work was always hard.  We both played football.  Mr. Paine is only eleven years my senior.  Our diseases are different, but the symptoms at onset and speed of regression seem very similar.

Paine was successful in his career and business dealings.  I was pursuing science while working an engineering job to support my family.  I would say that I was average to mediocre at both.  What is meant is that I found myself jealous of Paine in the beginning because of this.  I thought, at least he got to be successful before he was robbed.  Oh, how much more Paine had to show me.

Reading beside my wife in the evenings, I saw myself more in him.  I saw how much I had to lay down and the truth of where I had placed my value.  How much more I was.  Paine painted for me a clear picture of what he was indeed before ALS and who God was making him into.  Paine's transparency convicted me in my battle with MS.  He had come to the point of intimacy with God.  I was too busy fighting disease to listen to God.  I was busy telling God what I needed rather than looking for God to speak into me what I needed to hear.

There are not words enough to recommend this book.  Mr. Paine's writing is excellent, and his message is important, for everyone, not just those fighting disease.  Read it with an open mind, soul, and a humble spirit.  Allow God to convict you.

Smarter Next Year

Contrary to accepted belief, developing and enhancing cognitive ability can be achieved at any stage in life. Smarter Next Year presents the latest scientific information and best practices for increasing intelligence at any age, whether you're 5, 55, or 105. This self-help book provides the tools to take your mind into your own hands and stave off the effects of time.

For the past three years, retired dental surgeon Dr. David Bardsley has been a full-time professional speaker, helping individuals increase their cognitive ability and perform at their highest intellectual level. His primary audiences have been groups of CEOs who belong to several organizations including Vistage.

As with any good self-help book, Dr. Bardsley makes some significant claims.  Unlike a majority of self-help books, Dr. Bardsley is merely applying accepted science rather than pushing an unproven philosophy.  The "8 secrets" aren't secrets at all.  They are peer-reviewed science understandings that have only recently been discovered.  Dr. Bardsley also encourages readers who desire to see if the argued changes have an effect to measure their results with a freely available tool.

As a physicist, biology is always a little wanky to me.  I was very encouraged by Dr. Bardsley's use of peer-reviewed science.  I was also inspired by his desire for readers to take measurements.  My only issue with Dr. Bardsley is that his doctorate is not in neurology or biology.  He is a DDS.  This is not hidden.  He did the work necessary to receive his DDS, but his doctorate is not vital to this research.