God Does Have a Sense of Humor [Paperback]

Rob Ballister (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2005

Author Rob Ballister delivers a touching and entertaining portrait of his journey through dating, growing up in New Jersey, and surviving cancer. Along the way, he learns that God Does Have a Sense of Humor. Follow him:

Through surgery—My understanding was that the doctor, while hopping up and down on one foot and singing the national anthem, was going to remove my lymph nodes using a butter knife, a hacksaw, and some 10W-30 motor oil.

Into the confessional—There sat Father Riener, who was technically old enough to have been one of the original apostles. As I began reciting my list, Father began falling asleep. Being only in the fourth grade, I did exactly what I did at home when my younger sister fell asleep. I kicked him.

Through family Christmas traditions—That first year, Dad put up a wreath and Mom put up a tree, and things were pretty much low key that season. Then I was born, and as I grew, so did Dad’s commitment to having the house visible from orbiting spacecraft.

With an incredibly wry sense of humor, Ballister offers a hilarious look at life, guaranteed to make you smile!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A Naval Academy graduate and career naval officer, Rob Ballister is currently on active duty in the Washington, DC area where he lives with his wife, Ivy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (September 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595363431
• ISBN-13: 978-0595363438
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #389,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A native of Martinsville, NJ, Rob graduated the United States Naval Academy in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, and served on the Joint Staff for six months before heading for flight school in January 1995. He was redesignated as a Civil Engineer Corps officer in December of that year, and his first CEC duty station was at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA, as deputy head of the planning section. Following that tour, he moved to California for duty with the Navy Seabees. While with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FORTY, he served as Charlie company commander, Air Detachment officer-in-charge (during two separate deployment cycles), and Civic Action Team Pohnpei officer-in-charge. His experience as company commander earned him the Pohnpei OIC billet during his second deployment, where he led a team of Seabees on humanitarian missions in a third world country. He also deployed to operations in support of the US Support Group East Timor. After his battalion tour, LCDR Ballister transferred to Engineering Field Activity Chesapeake, where he worked in the construction office at Andrews Air Force Base. During this tour he was also assigned temporarily to the White House Military Special Programs Office.

Rob has also done extensive work with community youth, beginning well before his military career when he coached little league baseball for three seasons while still in high school. At Quantico, he coached three sports over five MWR seasons, and recently resumed his coaching "career" in San Diego with the local MWR organization as a basketball coach. In addition, he has been a volunteer religious education teacher for four years, and has taught math, english, military drill, religious doctrine, morality, and a variety of sports to children ranging in age from 6 to 17.

In addition to his undergraduate degree, he holds a Masters of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland, and is a registered professional engineer in the state of Maryland. He is also a member of the Society of American Military Engineers.

The publishing of "God Does Have a Sense of Humor" was the culmination of over ten years of writing and re-writing Rob's experiences from his life, including his military experience and his surviving cancer. Rob is married to his beautiful wife, Ivy, and they reside in Maryland with their daughter Kyla and their dog Toby.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Author Has a Wonderful Sense of Humor!, October 6, 2006

By 

W. H. McDonald Jr. "The American Author Assoc... (Elk Grove, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: God Does Have a Sense of Humor (Paperback)

I started off reading "God Does have a sense Of Humor" not expecting too much more than perhaps a nice gentle little book that might make me smile on occasion. I ended up finding myself laughing out loud and almost wetting my pants! Author Rob Ballister, a Naval Academy graduate and current Naval Officer in San Diego, really has a wonderful sense of what is funny even when he is battling life threatening health issues like testicle cancer. I figured if anyone could make fun of that life situation then the rest of his book would be hilariously funny in the male "Erma Bombeck" sort of way. And his book is really all about make energy and humor that women will enjoy just as much.

The book is filled with dozens of short stories; some of which are based on true experiences while some are totally fictional creations of the wild imagination of the author. The key is that I could not tell which were what, when reading them--they all felt like real experiences because of the warm and skillful writing skills of Ballister. His subject matter goes from "Sex Education as Taught by Nuns" to "Christmas in Gingerbread Hell". He deals with the simple things in life that men deal with like laundry protocols (separating colors) and blind date disasters. He handles all of these men's issues like a profession male and makes his gender proud!

There are so many just great moments in his stories. I think most all of us guys can relate to his comments on shopping differences between men and women and the experience of buying something at "Victoria's Secret". This book is full of little pearls of wisdom and humorous gems. The book entertains while filling the reader's heart with a smile. That is saying a lot in these stressful times of terrorists, wars and random street crimes; it is nice to have something that allows the readers to escape, relax, smile and maybe even laugh out loud. This is one of those special books that are a true gift for your soul!

The MWSA gives this book its highest rating of FIVE STARS! The book would be a great gift to all the men in your life--be them fathers, brothers, husbands, significant others, or just male friends. You will find however, that women will be laughing just as hard but at our male traits and behaviors when they read his stories. It is a delightful reading experience and one that is pure entertainment!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, January 25, 2006

By 

IntegrityLee (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: God Does Have a Sense of Humor (Paperback)

This book will have you laughing out loud LOL!!!

With each story, the author proves that every circumstance in life, even serious health challenges, can be viewed with a sense of humor. His brand of comedy is energizing and healing. Bought for me, and then my sister, who is fighting cancer. Perhaps instead of "Laughter is the best medicine" they'll soon say that "Ballister is..."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guaranteed To Make You Laugh, November 20, 2006

By 

Barbara Birchim "author, Is Anybody Listening... (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: God Does Have a Sense of Humor (Paperback)

A day without laughter is like a day without sunshine. All your days can be sunny if you'll just open Rob's book.

Wandering through the table of contents was my first indication that I was in for a chuckle. His candid sharing of awkard moments was enough to put me rolling on the floor with laughter. There is definitely something for everyone to laugh about in his book.

If you're looking for a fun book to read, God Does Have A Sense Of Humor hits the spot!