John R. Paine - The Luckiest Man: How a Seventeen-Year Battle with ALS Led Me to Intimacy with God

CONTENTS

Praise for The Luckiest Man

This is a beautiful, tender, courageous, and inspiring story. Honestly, I take my shoes off. John is a hero of mine. I know you will love this book!

JOHN ELDREDGE, FOUNDER OF RANSOMED HEART MINISTRIES AND AUTHOR OF WILD AT HEART AND ALL THINGS NEW

The life and testimony of John Paine has been a tool in the hands of God. Johns grace and friendship in the continuing debilitation of ALS has allowed us to watch from the sidelines how and what God has taught him. What God has miraculously shaped in him is a disciples heart stripped of all unproductive distractions from this earthly life. This book will be key to the extended legacy of a man who has learned to walk with God like few others.

DR. MARK L. BAILEY, PRESIDENT OF DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, DALLAS, TX

I cannot remember the last time God met me so deeply and spoke to me so profoundly through the pages of a book. John Paines journey of the heart inspired me, convicted me, and surprised and delighted me with multiple fresh encounters of Gods great love for me. Thank you, John! Read it, then read it again, then pass it on to someone you love.

CHIP INGRAM, SENIOR PASTOR OF VENTURE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN SILICON VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, CEO AND FOUNDER OF LIVING ON THE EDGE, AND AUTHOR OF THE REAL GOD

As John Paine, my friend and mentor since his diagnosis, has traveled a road far more challenging than most, he knows God and the ways of God in amazing depth. Put The Luckiest Man at the top of your must-read list.

DON STEPHENS, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF MERCY SHIPS

Many books say something. Fewer books have something to say. John Paine has captured the essence of life.

MIKE DOWNEY, FOUNDER OF STRATEGIC IMPACT INTERNATIONAL

John Paine has been a friend and mentor to me, graciously inviting me into relationship and sharing his walk with God on many occasions. Every time we met I have felt comforted, encouraged, and challenged. As I read through The Luckiest Man I felt my heart desiring to know God more intimately, to experience his love more deeply and to trust him more fully. Johns story of unexpected joy in his breaking is a fresh invitation into relationship with God our Father.

NEIL TOMBA, SENIOR PASTOR OF NORTHWEST BIBLE CHURCH, DALLAS, TX

In The Luckiest Man you take a journey into Johns life. John oozes with the sweetness of Jesus, not the irritation of the disease, because he has learned the secret of intimacy with God. He shares many truths and nuggets of how we can also practice and enjoy intimacy with the Creator. Anyone who reads this book will be blessed.

GAY LYNN HORN, CODIRECTOR OF YOUTH WITH A MISSION, CIMARRON, CO

Rarely has anyone written a book with the integrity and intensity of feeling found in The Luckiest Man. If you want to learn how to have deep intimacy with God, how to enter into true love with those most precious to you, and how to face your own wrestling with mortality, this is the book for you. Rarely will you read a book written with such insight as this one. You will weep, you will laugh, you will think, you will worship, and you will face yourself as you discover the blessings suffering has brought to John. While none of us wants to suffer, all of us can learn what it means to know God as we never could know him otherwise, an amazing and intimate blessing from the most loving Father we can ever have.

BILL LAWRENCE, PRESIDENT OF LEADER FORMATION INTERNATIONAL

My friend John Paine has grown into an extraordinary man of faith. I did not have full appreciation of his strength and life insights until I read The Luckiest Man. I was moved to see real examples of the love and grace of our God in the face of Johns overwhelming physical and emotional challenges. His story and this book are the real deal!

GARY B. WOOD, PHD, FOUNDER OF CONCORDE COMPANIES, INVESTMENT ADVISOR, PAST CHAIRMAN OF SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FELLOWS, AND CIVIC VOLUNTEER

The Luckiest Man. What an appropriate title for a man who has taken the best shot the devil has to offer and turned it into the most inspiring, transformational story I have ever read. John Paine shows us without question that no matter our circumstances, we can live a life of joy and peace and purpose. If the Hall of Faith chapter in Hebrews 11 were written today, it would include John Paine. When we have intimacy and a true friendship with God, anything is possible!

DON MANNING, ELDER OF VALLEY CREEK CHURCH AND AUTHOR OF CRAZY COOL FAMILY

Reading The Luckiest Man is exactly like meeting John in personlife-changing! In seconds, you feel the peace of God that passes all understanding despite the radical adversity he faces daily with ALS. And then when he starts to share this peace hes found with you, it engulfs you! I am so thankful hes written this to share with others and future generations.

BOB BEAUDINE, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF 2 CHAIRS AND THE POWER OF WHO!

John Paines testimony and connection to God is one that will touch lives for generations to come! I consider myself lucky that I was able to learn from Johns experiences. You will walk away from this book with renewed perspective, a beautiful outlook on life and a desire to share the book with everyone you know.

KATIE NORRIS, FOUNDER OF FOTOLANTHROPY AND PRODUCER OF THE LUCKIEST MAN

2018 by John Paine

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Epub Edition October 2018 9781400210039

ISBN 978-1-4002-1002-2 (HC)

ISBN 978-1-4002-1003-9 (eBook)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Paine, John R., 1952- author.

Title: The luckiest man : how a seventeen-year battle with ALS led me to intimacy with God / John R. Paine, with Seth Haines.

Description: Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 2018.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018015730 | ISBN 9781400210022

Subjects: LCSH: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis--Patients--Religious life.| Paine, John R., 1952- | Spirituality--Christianity.