The Culture of Hope Founded on Faith

So That Happened…

This week I am taking a break from the 1 John series in order to talk about something that happened on Tuesday. We were involved in an auto accident in which a big pickup truck veered into our lane, side-swiped one car, hit another head-on sending it flying to fall to the valley floor some twenty feet beyond and eight feet below the road bed, rolled and slid for 150 feet, hit us head-on, and then bounced off our roof to land behind us with its back fender resting on our back fender. As we sat watching this truck rolling towards us, I experienced incredible inner calm and peace. “Lord, this truck is going to hit us and there is nothing we can do about it.” His response was almost audible, “And I am here with you.”

When all was said and done, the four of us in our car walked away with moderate, though painful, injuries. There were three fatalities in the car that flew off to the side. We were told by several law enforcement personnel at the site that we should be dead considering the condition of our car. But God is not done with our training and service here on earth. We each know that, if we had died in that car this week, we would be in Heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:8). For every human being, there is only an instant of time between life and death when all time ceases and you will either go to Jesus in Heaven, or you will go to Hell to live in torment for all eternity. Our experience on Tuesday was a sobering reminder that we do not know when we will die and the choice to follow Jesus or not ends in the moment of death

Therefore, I am compelled to share the gospel with you again: Jesus died, was buried, and rose again in order to redeem everyone who repents and believes in Him from the sin into which all humans are born. There is nothing we can do – no works, penance, austerity, or abnegation – to save ourselves or anyone else from eternal damnation. Jesus already did it all on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice to end all other sacrifices for sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man comes to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

If you do not know Jesus, I urge you to accept His free gift of salvation today. You do not know if you have a tomorrow or not. Jesus waits with open arms to receive you into His family. If you have questions about salvation please contact me or read the book of John in The Bible.

Update/Prayer Request: Because of our accident, Dan is having even more difficulty with breathing. His nebulizer and Symbicort treatments are loosening his lungs but his bruised chest makes it extremely painful to cough. His shoulders and ribs were also tweaked. Bruised shins and lacerations on his hands from flying glass complete the list of his injuries. My left side, front and back, as well as chest, shoulders and neck keep me from breathing and moving comfortably. Dan’s brother and sister-in-law were with us, as well. Carolyn sustained three broken ribs and Rob was knocked out for a while. All of us have extensive seatbelt bruises and chest pain. Please pray for healing for all of us, as well as safety for Rob and Carolyn as they travel back to Southern California this weekend.

 

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