This life experience from my life began September 24, 1976. That evening I sat in a Dave Wilkerson crusade listening to Nicky Cruz. I was overcome with the presence of the Holy Spirit, which I didn’t understand, and went forward to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. This began a new chapter in my life and started me on a life journey I have embraced since. My journey has resulted in an ever growing and deepening relationship with God. Now soon to celebrate my 82nd birthday, I am so thankful I took a step of Faith in 1976. You may be wondering where does “Facing It” fit in and what is it all about?

Approximately two months ago I began experiencing chest pressure and some pain when exerting myself. As it became clear the symptoms were not going away I contacted my primary care physician. This began a process of testing including a referral for a nuclear stress test. The test revealed blockage and the hope was I would be a candidate for stents to resolve the issue, a much less invasive solution than open heart surgery. Unfortunately my condition could not be corrected by stents, leaving me with options of open heart surgery or doing nothing. Doing nothing was not really an option as my symptoms were becoming more serious, seemingly with each passing day. On Sunday June 23rd I was in discomfort and had my wife take me to the ER, where they admitted me to the hospital. Now I’m sure you begin to understand what “Facing It” is about. We go about our lives giving little thought to our mortality. Most of us don’t want to talk or even think about it. What happens when we die? I can assure you when you are facing open heart surgery you do think about it! The reality is every one of us is going to die. We don’t know when or how but we will die. A life surrendered to Jesus Christ assures us of Eternal Life with a Heavenly Father who loves us. The Bible clearly declares there is a Heaven and a Hell as well as God and Satan are both real.  The words of Jesus in John 10:10 “The thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill and destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Satan will lie to you and deceive you into believing God doesn’t love you or that you have done too many bad things for God to accept you. Every thought against God Satan brings to your mind is a lie! Satan does not want us to accept the free gift of Salvation God offers each of us through Jesus Christ and he works tirelessly to that end.

As I faced the surgery and while going through the surgery and recovery, I have experienced the Peace the Bible calls Peace beyond human understanding.

There is more to tell that perhaps will be the subject of future posts. For now I encourage you to think about and face your mortality. God loves you and wants a relationship with you. He will never turn away one who comes to him with a sincere heart and desire to be His child.