Chaplain Jeff Dukes Sr said:
Amazing reading, Cultivating and spirit and soul wrenching. A true testament dealing with loss and love and the power of God's love. Brother Dr Enger I praise and appreciate what you are doing for mankind through Christ, and truth. Thank you Brother Enger, for making a fingerprint in my life. This is a must read, and you will be transformed and blessed, through Love and God. Thank you Brother Dr Enger, I Bow always
Emily said:
I am so glad that I did not read this literary genius in the wave of rush that has become my life. I am so glad that I paused and allowed an impression to be left on my soul that will never be removed. I am so glad that God found me in this moment through you and allowed me to be reshaped and to experience His touch as I once knew without the minced searching to which I've become acustomed. He touched me. Thank you.
Karin Kunnert-Peet said:
This story goes straight to ones heart. Especially when you lost a loved one, like I lost my dear Dad not too long ago and am still going through the grieving process. I found it to be very inspiring and encouraging.Thank you for sharing such a personal experience! May the good Lord continue to bless and comfort you and your family!
David Skelton said:
I was really looking forward to reading this book but I had no idea just how emotional it would be! It was really hard to get through it without crying. Being a father and grandfather myself it was something that touched me deeply. I loved how it was written and how it made me feel like I was right there listening to their conversations. And I liked how Mr. Enger used all that to make me think about what type of print I'm leaving behind. I pray that this book gets into every hand that needs this and that our Living God will get all the glory! Thank you for writing this!
Steve Breakstone said:
What an amazing book. It is true that Madison has left her fingerprint on my heart. Life is meant to be lived and if we can truly realize that in even the things that hurt we can learn to ...Count it all joy and find the fingerprint. God Bless. Steve
Barry Cook said:
Touching and emotional memories thank you for sharing them with us. An outstanding book from a humble and inspirational man.
Rick Greene said:
This true story sent shock waves of sadness and gladness at the same time. It brought memories of my own loss of my wife Vanessa in 2012. As you know, I am still going through my own grieving. I remember my years as a police officer and how hard it was to bring bad news to a family of their young child passing. I could not put your book down. John you are an amazing man, grandfather, husband, father and man of God! It is an honor to call you a friend and brother of God!!! God will bless you when you pass through those gates of joy!!!
Jay Blanton said:
I know John.....and to open his heart about his loss is an amazing thing. It is truly a heart touching book which will undoubtedly help others deal with loss.
Naturallyme01 said:
If you have ever lost someone and was wondering how to get through the pain, this novelette is your first step!!!! Its the story of how one family got through the pain of death and discovered their own "Fingerprints" along the way. The reader gets to view more than the authors perspective, but other family members as well; this enables you to identify with many of the characters. If you have ever found yourself heartbroken and not knowing what to do next, I recommend this novelette. It will help you understand that we are all here for a purpose. No matter how long we may live on Earth, our distinctive "Fingerprints" are symbols that we were here. Great Read!!!
Darrin Cook said: Bigstickcombat.com - BOOK REVIEW ON DARRIN COOK'S WEBSITE!
Reader and fellow martial artist John Enger sent me a copy of his book Fingerprints. It's a slim book that packs a punch. At first it seemed that the book was about grief and coping with tragedy. The opening is very gripping and told well. Tension built as I felt the rising dread of John and his family, as well as the agonizing dilemma they faced.
Bu the book moves beyond tragedy and its aftermath, wrestling with issues such as grief, purpose overcoming tragedy by embracing life, how to console someone dealing with grief, and the paradox of suffering in a world controlled by a loving God.
It's a good read, a thought-provoking book that will inspire you to leave your fingerprint in the world, and a fitting tribute to his granddaughter.
You may be wondering what any of this has to do with Big Stick Combat or the martial arts. If you look at the martial arts salute of the fist in the open palm, the fist is the warrior, representing brute strength, while the open, bladed hand represents the scholar. The warrior is focused on the body and physical strength, whereas the scholar is focused on intellectual and spiritual strength.
The great warriors of any culture have always been trained in intellectual and spiritual strength. Think of West Point and Annapolis, where the leaders of America's military cultivate their minds as well as their high moral standards.
John Enger is a retired law enforcement officer, and from what I know of him, a sincerely religious man. Think for a moment, do you want an officer carrying a gun and making life-or-death decisions, wielding the power to kill, to be a high school dropout? Would you want the men and women carrying guns to be illiterate, with no intellectual curiosity? Would you want the policeman you encounter on a desert road to have no ethics, no moral code, or to believe that a human is just a primate in clothes?
The warrior is a spiritual man, because he faces the reality of his own death. He must also wrestle with killing, and it's important that he grasp the seriousness of killing another human being. When you lose site of all humans as being the children of God, then indiscriminate killing becomes easy. When you have no deeper faith, it is easier to take the suitcase full of cash and look the other way when the van full of drugs goes by, or to lie on the stand during the mobster's trial.
A lot of guys tried to be Bruce Lee by wearing a yellow jumpsuit, the black pajamas, and the double nunchaku, but Bruce Lee was a philosophy major. Bruce was a voracious reader. Jeet Kune Do was not based on Bruce getting certification in eight different martial arts, but on his personal research of boxing and fencing. There was and intellectual depth to Bruce Lee that most of the wannabes lacked.
I'm fortunate that my teachers GM Estalilla, GM Mike Vasquez, and GM Maranga are deeply religious men. GM Maranga told me one day after lessons, "Forget everything I've taught you, but don't forget God."
John Enger can be proud of the book he's written. It is a testament to his intellectual and spiritual strength. He reminds me of my father, who was also a police officer with a rock-solid moral foundation of deep faith in God. John embodies the ideals of the warrior, a man entrusted by society with tremendous discretionary power, ideals of physical skill and valor, coupled with a vibrant mind and spiritual devotion.
This book was an answer to my prayers. It was an encouraging message that left a mark on my life. Days before receiving it, I had been praying that God would ease my heart about the loss of my own child. God was letting me know through this book, I am not alone. Their story will forever be in my heart. The words saying that
this child had fulfilled the life God had made for her and that she had done all she was supposed to do in those three years was amazing. God has a plan...this showed me HE wouldn't give us more than we could handle.
This book has changed my outlook on the loss of my child. Thank you for sharing the unimaginable tragedy you went through and yet hoping to help others with it is amazing. I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL! Madison's fingerprint has been a blessing in my life. Thank you for your inspiring, touching story. I know God will do miraculous things with this story.
Chrystal Tharnish said:
Having lost my son at age 22 from a car accident this book touched me deeply. So many things hit the nail on the head in the grieving process and looking for the positive in your loss. I focus so hard on the precious memories Zach left with me, the stories his friends tell me and what "Fingerprints" he left on the world over the what if(s) or what we are missing out on. Yes, I do occasionally think about the mother, son wedding dance I will never have, the grandchildren with Zach as their dad...but my memories outweigh those times. Zach donated organs and five men are living healthy productive lives because of Zach. What a precious "fingerprint" he left for them. My loss has made me realize we all affect people and need to be the positive force in our society where negative reigns most days. I know Zach left many "fingerprints" as we continue to hear from people we don't know...but Zach did and had touched. Thank you for sharing your "Fingerprints" story and reinforcing how positive can come from our pain and grief. I am so thankful my dear friend Bev shared this book with me. I look forward to sharing it with my fellow grief walk companions. Leave positive "Fingerprints" on the world should be everyone's outreach.
REVIEWS BY READERS OF FINGERPRINTS
By John C. Enger, Ph.D.
Chaplain Jeff Dukes Sr said:
Amazing reading, Cultivating and spirit and soul wrenching. A true testament dealing with loss and love and the power of God's love. Brother Dr Enger I praise and appreciate what you are doing for mankind through Christ, and truth. Thank you Brother Enger, for making a fingerprint in my life. This is a must read, and you will be transformed and blessed, through Love and God. Thank you Brother Dr Enger, I Bow always
Emily said:
I am so glad that I did not read this literary genius in the wave of rush that has become my life. I am so glad that I paused and allowed an impression to be left on my soul that will never be removed. I am so glad that God found me in this moment through you and allowed me to be reshaped and to experience His touch as I once knew without the minced searching to which I've become acustomed. He touched me. Thank you.
Karin Kunnert-Peet said:
This story goes straight to ones heart. Especially when you lost a loved one, like I lost my dear Dad not too long ago and am still going through the grieving process. I found it to be very inspiring and encouraging.Thank you for sharing such a personal experience! May the good Lord continue to bless and comfort you and your family!
David Skelton said:
I was really looking forward to reading this book but I had no idea just how emotional it would be! It was really hard to get through it without crying. Being a father and grandfather myself it was something that touched me deeply. I loved how it was written and how it made me feel like I was right there listening to their conversations. And I liked how Mr. Enger used all that to make me think about what type of print I'm leaving behind. I pray that this book gets into every hand that needs this and that our Living God will get all the glory! Thank you for writing this!
Steve Breakstone said:
What an amazing book. It is true that Madison has left her fingerprint on my heart. Life is meant to be lived and if we can truly realize that in even the things that hurt we can learn to ...Count it all joy and find the fingerprint. God Bless. Steve
Barry Cook said:
Touching and emotional memories thank you for sharing them with us. An outstanding book from a humble and inspirational man.
Rick Greene said:
This true story sent shock waves of sadness and gladness at the same time. It brought memories of my own loss of my wife Vanessa in 2012. As you know, I am still going through my own grieving. I remember my years as a police officer and how hard it was to bring bad news to a family of their young child passing. I could not put your book down. John you are an amazing man, grandfather, husband, father and man of God! It is an honor to call you a friend and brother of God!!! God will bless you when you pass through those gates of joy!!!
Jay Blanton said:
I know John.....and to open his heart about his loss is an amazing thing. It is truly a heart touching book which will undoubtedly help others deal with loss.
Naturallyme01 said:
If you have ever lost someone and was wondering how to get through the pain, this novelette is your first step!!!! Its the story of how one family got through the pain of death and discovered their own "Fingerprints" along the way. The reader gets to view more than the authors perspective, but other family members as well; this enables you to identify with many of the characters. If you have ever found yourself heartbroken and not knowing what to do next, I recommend this novelette. It will help you understand that we are all here for a purpose. No matter how long we may live on Earth, our distinctive "Fingerprints" are symbols that we were here. Great Read!!!
Darrin Cook said: Bigstickcombat.com - BOOK REVIEW ON DARRIN COOK'S WEBSITE!
Reader and fellow martial artist John Enger sent me a copy of his book Fingerprints. It's a slim book that packs a punch. At first it seemed that the book was about grief and coping with tragedy. The opening is very gripping and told well. Tension built as I felt the rising dread of John and his family, as well as the agonizing dilemma they faced.
Bu the book moves beyond tragedy and its aftermath, wrestling with issues such as grief, purpose overcoming tragedy by embracing life, how to console someone dealing with grief, and the paradox of suffering in a world controlled by a loving God.
It's a good read, a thought-provoking book that will inspire you to leave your fingerprint in the world, and a fitting tribute to his granddaughter.
You may be wondering what any of this has to do with Big Stick Combat or the martial arts. If you look at the martial arts salute of the fist in the open palm, the fist is the warrior, representing brute strength, while the open, bladed hand represents the scholar. The warrior is focused on the body and physical strength, whereas the scholar is focused on intellectual and spiritual strength.
The great warriors of any culture have always been trained in intellectual and spiritual strength. Think of West Point and Annapolis, where the leaders of America's military cultivate their minds as well as their high moral standards.
John Enger is a retired law enforcement officer, and from what I know of him, a sincerely religious man. Think for a moment, do you want an officer carrying a gun and making life-or-death decisions, wielding the power to kill, to be a high school dropout? Would you want the men and women carrying guns to be illiterate, with no intellectual curiosity? Would you want the policeman you encounter on a desert road to have no ethics, no moral code, or to believe that a human is just a primate in clothes?
The warrior is a spiritual man, because he faces the reality of his own death. He must also wrestle with killing, and it's important that he grasp the seriousness of killing another human being. When you lose site of all humans as being the children of God, then indiscriminate killing becomes easy. When you have no deeper faith, it is easier to take the suitcase full of cash and look the other way when the van full of drugs goes by, or to lie on the stand during the mobster's trial.
A lot of guys tried to be Bruce Lee by wearing a yellow jumpsuit, the black pajamas, and the double nunchaku, but Bruce Lee was a philosophy major. Bruce was a voracious reader. Jeet Kune Do was not based on Bruce getting certification in eight different martial arts, but on his personal research of boxing and fencing. There was and intellectual depth to Bruce Lee that most of the wannabes lacked.
I'm fortunate that my teachers GM Estalilla, GM Mike Vasquez, and GM Maranga are deeply religious men. GM Maranga told me one day after lessons, "Forget everything I've taught you, but don't forget God."
John Enger can be proud of the book he's written. It is a testament to his intellectual and spiritual strength. He reminds me of my father, who was also a police officer with a rock-solid moral foundation of deep faith in God. John embodies the ideals of the warrior, a man entrusted by society with tremendous discretionary power, ideals of physical skill and valor, coupled with a vibrant mind and spiritual devotion.
This book was an answer to my prayers. It was an encouraging message that left a mark on my life. Days before receiving it, I had been praying that God would ease my heart about the loss of my own child. God was letting me know through this book, I am not alone. Their story will forever be in my heart. The words saying that
this child had fulfilled the life God had made for her and that she had done all she was supposed to do in those three years was amazing. God has a plan...this showed me HE wouldn't give us more than we could handle.
This book has changed my outlook on the loss of my child. Thank you for sharing the unimaginable tragedy you went through and yet hoping to help others with it is amazing. I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL! Madison's fingerprint has been a blessing in my life. Thank you for your inspiring, touching story. I know God will do miraculous things with this story.
Chrystal Tharnish said:
Having lost my son at age 22 from a car accident this book touched me deeply. So many things hit the nail on the head in the grieving process and looking for the positive in your loss. I focus so hard on the precious memories Zach left with me, the stories his friends tell me and what "Fingerprints" he left on the world over the what if(s) or what we are missing out on. Yes, I do occasionally think about the mother, son wedding dance I will never have, the grandchildren with Zach as their dad...but my memories outweigh those times. Zach donated organs and five men are living healthy productive lives because of Zach. What a precious "fingerprint" he left for them. My loss has made me realize we all affect people and need to be the positive force in our society where negative reigns most days. I know Zach left many "fingerprints" as we continue to hear from people we don't know...but Zach did and had touched. Thank you for sharing your "Fingerprints" story and reinforcing how positive can come from our pain and grief. I am so thankful my dear friend Bev shared this book with me. I look forward to sharing it with my fellow grief walk companions. Leave positive "Fingerprints" on the world should be everyone's outreach.