Eric Ludy - Meet Mr. Smith: Revolutionize the Way You Think About Sex, Purity, and Romance

Praise forMeet Mr. Smith

Awe-inspiring... extraordinary... this book is a gem!
Rachel, 21, Concord, NH

The most wholesome, noble, and God-exalting book on sexuality in the past twenty years... utterly remarkable... this book will change peoples lives.
Ben, 20, Aurora, CO

WOW!!!... Loved it beyond words!... one of the most important books that anyone could read, married or single!... Since I received this manuscript I have read it three times.
Aimee, 30, South Weber, UT

Ludy-esque... incredible!... by far, the best book they have written!
Mary, 26, Fayetteville, AR

I honestly have not read a book quite like it... transparent...deeply touching.
Amy, 28, Tolono, IL

Absolutely phenomenal.
Ryan, 27, Chattanooga, TN

A cant-put-it-down book... so imaginative and visionary .. a radical call.
Michael, 39, Orlando, FL

Eye-opening... engaging... original... keeps you guessing.
Hannah, 23, Beaverton, OR

An incredible twist.
Sarah, 22, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Profound... vulnerable... honest... an incredible journey... It is imperative that you meet Mr. Smith!
Tiffany, 19, Spokane, WA

A treasure trove... unprecedented... poignant... humorous... profound... I could not possibly recommend it highly enough.
Bethany, 22, Selma, OR

Fresh... funny... useful.
Tim, 22, Thonotosassa, FL

This book is brilliant!... unique... imaginative... catchy and fun... strongly gets the point across... Only God could inspire such a book.
Amy, 21, Escondido, CA

Especially for me... everything I want... gave me the same feeling I have whenever I watch Braveheart.
Levi, 23, Rio Lindo, CA

Amazing... a taste of heaven on earth... ingenious... a witty page-turner.
Kendra, 22, Ephrata, PA

More beautiful than a fairy tale... evokes the most honest tears... magnificent... like any great story of adventure, beauty, mystery, and love, you will not be able to put it down.
Courtney, 20, Oxford, MI

Intriguing... a large dose of flair... very refreshing!
Nadine, 26, Adelaide, Australia

Chock-full of truth and practical relationship advice... I could not put this book down... enchanting.
Lindsay, 27, Billings, MT

2007 Eric Ludy and Leslie Ludy

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Published in association with Loyal Arts Literary Agency, www.LoyalArts.com.

Thomas Nelson, Inc. titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.

Unless otherwise marked, Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from The New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Ludy, Eric.

Meet Mr. Smith : revolutionize the way you think about sex, purity, and romance / Eric and Leslie Ludy.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 229).

ISBN 978-0-8499-0543-8 (pbk.)

1. SexReligious aspectsChristianity. 2. ChristiansSexual behavior. 3. Single peopleSexual behavior. I. Ludy, Leslie. II. Title. III. Title: Meet Mister Smith.

BT708.L83 2007

241'.66dc22

2007032729

Printed in the United States of America

07 08 09 10 11 RRD 6 5 4 3 2 1

Contents

A Word Before
from Leslie

This is an unusual book. My husband is to be thanked for that. Sometimes Erics book ideas get shot down in publisher board meetings, but this one surprisingly slipped through. And I am so glad it did.

At first, I was reticent to participate in a book about finding Great Sex. This is a rather awkward topic to even read a book on, let alone write a book on. Leave it to the gregarious, never-to-roll-over-and-play-dead Eric Ludy to convince me we should tackle it.

The story you are about to read in part one of this book is almost completely true. I will admit that Beef (my pet name for Eric) fudged the actual events a little in some instances, but as hard as it will be for you to believe, this bizarre story is based on actual events that unfolded in our lives and marriage during the past twelve weeks. Let me repeat: what you are about to read is true... sort of.

During the next seventeen chapters I will peek in and out of the pages a few times, but all in all, part one is Erics territory. Then, in part two, I offer a female perspective on some tough questions our generation is currently asking.

We hope you enjoy this journey. And, as a result of this story, may you never think a lowly thought about Great Sex ever again!

Just yesterday I sat down at a Starbucks in downtown Manhattan and had a very uncomfortable three-and-a-half minute conversation with Sex.

I realize that sounds a bit odd. And I assure you, odd is not a strong enough word to describe the experience.

As you know, Sex is a rather popular celebrity in our modern world, and it is easier, these days, to book the Dalai Lama for a keynote address on The Beauty and Wonder of War than to book Sex for an interview. His docket is crammed full with everything from nude photo shoots at the Playboy mansion, to steamy love scenes on the silver screen, to guest appearances on Howard Stern.

Let me give you a little background to help you understand what led to my conversation with Sex.

I have certain connections gained through my writing career, and I decided to cash in on one of the favors owed me. Yesterday, I caught wind that Sex would be on a movie set in a Manhattan high-rise. And after pulling a few strings, I was able to get a friend of a friend of a friend to slip a note to his agent.

The note read:

My name is Eric Ludy. Im writing a book that will exposeeverything. I know you are an imposter. If you wish to defendyour name, then give me a call. My cell number is...

The message was short, but it accomplished its errand. Later that day, I received a phone call.

Mr. Ludy? The mans voice was raspy and condescending.

Yes? I answered. I could hear what sounded like a large piece of gum being mercilessly masticated in his mouth.

Sex doesnt have time for your games! the man insisted.

This isnt a game, I said firmly. I have hard evidence proving him a fraud. And Im going public with it.

There was a long pause.

Hell give you two minutes. The Ritz-Carlton, presidential suite, one oclock tomorrow.

No! I insisted. I want five minutes. Have him meet me at the Starbucks at 45th and Broadway, Manhattan, three oclock today.

With that I hung up, feeling adrenaline explode through my veins. Id seen people talk tough like that in the movies, but Id never tried it in real life. It was sort of fun.