Many of our family members were uncomfortable with this change in Dad; they thought him weird, overzealous. Some of our relatives shunned Dad, and two of them said he was no longer welcome in their home. This was discouraging to my parents, but it didn't slow Dad's willingness to obey the Lord.

   I know the Lord was pleased with the work Dad did. He died 37 years later. My mom, my husband and I, and a former pastor of theirs came to the hospital the night before Dad died. He had been suffering with a cardiac condition for about 21 years and had had at least two heart attacks during that time. But God was merciful and extended Dad's life each of those times. As far as I know, Dad never had another near-death experience. The last thing I remember Dad saying was, "The Lord is coming soon and is already at the door!" He died the next morning while he was singing songs of praise to the Lord. He was a very precious man.

    I share this story because I've just finished John W. Price's book, Revealing Heaven: The Christian Case for Near-Death Experiences. The book reminded me of Dad's trip to heaven and of Jesus' commission to Dad, "Tell everyone about Me. I am coming very soon!" I wanted to share this story with Rev. Price.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   No 

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  No    

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    I was conscious during the whole episode, but my dad was not.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?      More consciousness and alertness than normal   My dad said that it was the most real experience he had ever had.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   Dad's vision was heightened.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   Dad was able to hear everything clearly.

Did you see or hear any earthly events that were occurring during a time that your consciousness / awareness was apart from your physical / earthly body?   Uncertain   I don't know. Dad did not tell me every detail.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?   I was scared. Dad seemed to be more alert, excited.  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   No  

Did you see an unearthly light?   Yes  

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice?   I encountered a definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin
Dad saw Jesus and spoke with Him.

Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.)?   No  

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?   No  

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?   No  

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?   A clearly mystical or unearthly realm
Dad was in heaven, outside the garden wall. He was outside the wall because Jesus was sending Dad back to earth.

Did time seem to speed up or slow down?   Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?   No
I don't know what Dad would say about that.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?   Yes
The garden wall in heaven.

Did you come to a border or point of no return?   I came to a barrier that I was not permitted to cross; or was "sent back" against my will
Dad knew he had to return to life on earth to carry out the Lord's command.

Did scenes from the future come to you?  No 


During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness suggesting that there either is (or is not) continued existence after earthly life (�life after death�)?   Yes   Dad knew where he was without any doubt. He knew he was in heaven. He was not allowed to enter heaven because it was not his time. Jesus gave him instructions and returned him back to his life.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   Yes   Dad was right there in heaven speaking to Jesus.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not) exist?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life�s meaning or purpose?   No   Dad did not mention that.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life�s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?   Uncertain   Dad did not mention that.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding love?   Yes   Although Dad didn't tell me specifically about that, when he returned to his body he became more understanding and loving than he had been before--and he was already a loving person.

During your experience, did you encounter any other specific information / awareness that you have not shared in other questions that is relevant to living our earthly lives?   No   Dad didn't share any other details with me.

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?   Yes   Jesus told Dad that He was sending him back to earth to tell everyone about Him and that He was coming very soon.

What occurred during your experience included:   Content that was entirely consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience  

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience?   I remember the experience more accurately than other life events that occurred around the time of the experience   Dad remembered his experience when he was older just like it was yesterday.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   Dad became more patient and understanding, compassionate and loving.

My experience directly resulted in:   Large changes in my life

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?   Yes   Dad seemed to value people much more than he did before. He understood his purpose for living more.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?   No  

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?     Being there face to face with Jesus was the most meaningful to Dad.

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   Uncertain  I don't know if Dad shared his experience with anyone other than me, but I think he must have shared it with Mom because she looked at him differently after it happened. I don't know if she really believed that it happened or if he dreamed it. I was right there when it happened, so I knew for sure it was real. And Dad never lied to anyone.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?   No  

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:   Experience was definitely real   Dad never spoke about it to me again.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was definitely real   Dad knew it was real. He was there in heaven talking with Jesus.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Yes   Dad was more open after his experience and sought out what people thought about life.

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Yes   Dad was closer to Jesus after the experience he had with Him.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?   Uncertain  Dad didn't share that with me.  

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?   Uncertain   Mostly, but you should add a selection for sharing another person's experience.