Encounters in the Word, Volume 6

Due to a heart attack on November 10, 2020, my writing took a detour and for several months stopped completely. During the time I was hospitalized for 112 days, my heart stopped four times, I suffered congestive heart failure a half dozen times and every major bodily function shut down at least once. I was in a coma for nearly three weeks and my family was given no hope for my survival. I would like to say that during my recovery that I never lost hope – I must confess that I lost hope more than once and even prayed on more than one occasion that God would take me home. I would like to say that I have had a great revelation showing me something great God has in store for me since it was by His hand that I have recovered to this point. To that I have no answer. There are others who have had larger ministries than I whom our Savior has called home – but, left me. Having been forced into retirement from my major mission field (sports officiating), my sphere of influence is greatly diminished. So, I seek God’s will and ask for His guidance – continuing to do what I know to do in hopes of being a blessing to others. The writings contained herein are a collection of “Weekly Devotionals” that span a time frame from shortly after my release from about six months following my release from the hospital until now - late August of 2022. These devotionals are intended to be more than a simple “happy thought” time. They are designed to help us think about God and His providential work in our lives. I hope and pray that they will, in some small way, be a blessing and an encouragement to you as you read. My editors have told me that my writing style has changed since my close encounter with death. I trust that it has improved.