I celebrate two birthdays every year. One of them is November 5. The other one is July 23. Ten Years ago today I should have died. I had experienced a week of abdominal pain, but the doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Then on Sunday, July 23, I went to church and actually tried to preach but I walked out doubled over in excruciating pain. It wasn’t until midnight that an MRI revealed ruptured intestines.

I have an intense love for and appreciation of life. I am determined to live life to the fullest, and that determination is the byproduct of the promise that Jesus made in John 10:10. But the desire to live life to the fullest was intensified on July 23, 2000. Near-death experiences will do that. I feel like I’m ten years-old today!