I then carefully searched through the pages until I was able to find the verse that was crystal clear... It read: "Rejoice always."

Even when it feels as if we are being crushed by earthly troubles, we can remain joyful. If we keep our focus on God, our spirit cannot be trampled.

I then carefully searched through the pages until I was able to find the verse that was crystal clear... It read: "Rejoice always."

By freely choosing to believe God's promises, a person's faith may be more strongly embraced and, therefore, less likely to falter in times of struggle, sadness, or other such difficulties.

What I find more remarkable, however, is how readily many people in our society believe outlandish and unsubstantiated urban myths and conspiracies (Pop Rocks and Coke, JFK assassination, AIDS is man-made, etc.), yet disregard thousands of personal and consistent testimonies of miracles and near-death experiences from people throughout all cultures and religions.

I began to see my life and each breath I am given as a living prayer to God and a way to pray for others for our world.

The heaven I witnessed was so pure, love-filled, and magnificent that I did not want to return to earth.