Instead of an award, she got cysts throughout her body - some so large they were pushing her organs out of their proper places.

Doctors prepared her for emergency surgery.

But after they had given Susan the anesthetic, they had to bring her back from sedation to have a smoke. Her body was reacting so violently to nicotine withdrawal that surgery was delayed for a cigarette.

And during surgery, she died - for a short time, anyway. Her heart stopped, and for a few minutes she was gone.

She found herself out of her body, looking back at herself. She felt peace, and unspeakable joy. She left the hospital - or at least her spirit did - drawn to a nearby house where some of her students were awaiting word on her surgery. She saw them clearly, and later told them what they were wearing, and what they were doing. Some were crying. Some prayed.

The doctors got her heart started again and Susan came through the surgery a transformed person. The near - death experience had filled her with new life. She awoke every morning in joy.

Combing her hair, she said, was a religious experience.

She was able to kick the habit that was killing her. But more than that, she had now experienced that "joy that passes understanding."

She had simply discovered the reality of all those things Jesus tells us about - God's love, eternal life, the power of prayer.

This is truth - which means that most people live a lie.

Fear, depression, and bitterness - common ailments of the human spirit - are all rooted in a lie about the nature of reality.

Life is a miracle.

Our lives are of eternal value.

We are loved - forgiven - and safe in God's grace.

Why wait until we die to discover what life is all about? Live the truth now. Live the miracle.

Make worship and thanksgiving a part of your life. Get to church somewhere this Sunday.

Experience the joy!