Customer Reviews

God Does Have a Sense of Humor

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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..."

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!

The author, Rob Ballister, presents a light-hearted and fun look at his own life as told through a collection of short stories that span 20 years of his life.

What I like most about the book is that I could pick it up and within fifteen minutes, I could read four or five humorous stories - each story was typically 2-4 pages long. The challenge for me in reading the book was in putting it down once I had picked it up - it was too easy to convince myself that I should read just one more story rather than turn my light off and go to bed.

As a fellow cancer survivor and Naval Academy graduate, I could place myself in many of the same situations that the author experienced. I marvel at his ability to make such witty humor out of situations like cancer, going to church, dating and family functions as he cleverly folds in current events and pop culture (like the leg with stockings lamp from "A Christmas Story").

All in all, a very good and funny read that I would recommend to anyone - it will really touch home to anyone who has ever had cancer, served in the military, or been a bachelor.

Ballister's book is therapy. Instead of tearing through it, I set it aside for nights where I was tired and cranky and needed to be reminded through humor that someone has always had a worse day. This book lifted my spirits and kept me going on rough nights. I may read it again. To the author - thanks for sharing and mission accomplished

This is a great look at everyday life as it should be - with a little bit of humor. It provides a good laugh just when you're taking yourself too seriously.

I am a 54 year old bag that Mother Nature & Father Time have not been kind to; I live in a rented (over priced)Jerry Springer type mobile home, in a ritzy neighborhood (figure that out), I look like a cross between the Pilsbury dough boy's sister and Popeye's mother( due to Graves' disease) , and everything & practically everyone gets on my last good nerve! I just happen to work for the worlds' best boss. This young man, just happens to have written "God Does Have a Sense of Humor". For someone who is the same age as my own son, he has dealt with some heavy blows at an early age (health issues). Reading this witty, heart warming book shoved my "woe wiz me's" right into the back burners of my shadows; I hardly think about what it is about myself that I don't like any more....
Rob Ballister taught me to look at my flaws as a challenge, instead of a hindrance....(not to say that he himself had flaws).
And whenever I feel a bit "blue" I just pick up this wonderful book, and read my blues away....I whole-heartedly invite America to buy two copies, one for your personal library & one for a gift! It is that good!!

First off, this book is quite hilarious and Ballister does have a wicked sense of humor. Second, and this is a "biggy," the title and description are misleading. And glancing at the first essay one thinks that all, it not most, of the stories will be somewhat religiously based. But the book actually reads more like some frat boy manual. Not that this is a bad thing. I was going to recommend this book to some friends of mine, thinking that it was a nice, but funny, Christian point of view on some everyday life experiences, but cannot. So change the title, or at least add in a statement that this book has a lot of references about getting drunk and picking up babes just for sex. And lastly, and this one bothered me the most, all of the grammatical errors throughout the book were distracting and slowed me down. In my opinion, nothing ruins a book or story faster than a lot of sloppy mistakes. That said, I do look forward to more of Ballister's work and hope that for his next effort he hires someone with editing and proofreading experience to assist.

I don't know if God has a sense of humor or not, but Rob Ballister certainly has one. I knew I was going to like this book when I rifled through the pages and spotted a chapter heading entitled "Sex Education as Taught by Nuns." I got a chuckle out of that, and I haven't stopped laughing since.

Given Ballister's ability to find humor and absurdity in everything from blind dates to cancer surgery, it's probably inevitable that he'll wind up being compared to Dave Barry. But some element of profound sincerity at the core of his writing reminds me more of Erma Bombeck or Lewis Grizzard.

If this book doesn't make you laugh till milk comes out your nose, you may not have a funny bone.

Jeff Edwards, Author of "Torpedo"

It's amazing how Rob Ballister can find humor in situations ranging from the everyday (doing laundry) to the almost tragic (being diagnosed with cancer). His life has been influenced by growing up in New Jersey, the military, less-than-perfect health, his faith, and dating, and through it all a down-to-earth, wholesome humor shines through. The stories are short, quick, and pack plenty of smiles. You can read them again and again and still laugh. A great pick-me-up book for those who might need a smile. Makes a GREAT gift.