Sixty-three-year-old Joe Goodman thinks nothing much in his background distinguishes him from other guys his age. As the former amateur golfers life continues to unfold in a reasonably satisfying, somewhat predictable pattern, Joe is enjoying a happy marriage, working as a bank executive, and gearing up for retirement. But as he is about to discover, life has a way of throwing a curveball that changes everything.

Following a weekend spent watching the Masters golf tournament on television, Joe is working at his desk when he receives a message from God on his computer screen that tells him he...