Dr. Kenneth Ring, professor of psychology at the University of Connecticut, has dedicated nearly three decades of his life to the study of near-death experiences (NDEs). His research focused on 102 near-death survivors, and some of the findings are really sobering:

• Religious orientation was not a factor affecting either the likelihood or the depth of the NDE. An atheist was as likely to have one as was a devoutly religious person. 
• Regardless of the many variations in religious beliefs and degrees of skepticism from tolerant disbelief to outspoken atheism, most of these people were convinced that they had been in the presence of some supreme and loving power and had a glimpse of a life yet to come. 
• After going through an NDE, people reported a greater appreciation of life and less interest in material things for their own sake. Many tended to become more spiritual. 

Death is the only certainty life brings. And yet, most people don’t like to think or talk about this one event in their life that they cannot possibly avoid or predict. 

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ Luke 12.20