Living Hope

Book excerpt: On October 26, 2019 I was dead! I suffered a massive cardiac arrest. My heart stopped beating, my breathing ceased, and the medics couldn't revive me. I was clinically dead for more than thirty minutes. And then, miraculously, the paramedics detected a heartbeat. As I lay in my bed in the ICU, I wrestled with a big question that went around and around in my mind: "Why am I still alive?" The answer, I believe, was divinely inspired. God wanted me to share with you the treasures He had given me in the darkness, during a period of unbelievable catastrophic suffering. God brought me back from the dead to tell you about the mystery of His ways through suffering and His purpose for my life. This was my inspiration for Living Hope, and I pray it will inspire you in your life. From what I have experienced over the last sixty years-the highs and the lows- I am going to tell you how God prepared me for my purpose and, as shrouded in mystery as it is, I pray my story will help you in your own life, to discover your purpose. From the depths of my soul, after all I have journeyed through, I pray that you will be inspired and encouraged. May the treasures and insights in Living Hope help awaken faith, peace, and purpose in all you are journeying through. Gerard is a professor of life and death, having experienced a blessed life, followed by the darkest valley of suffering after the suicide of his beloved youngest son, the near break up of his marriage and the unbelievable death of his beautiful daughter. As if this wasn't enough pain, in the same eight-year period, his beloved sister and brother also died, as did a nephew! Rising from the ashes, he faced financial ruin after the betrayal of a 'friend' and exceptional medical bills following his cardiac arrest and his beautiful wife's bladder cancer! Gerard has walked with God through his unbelievable journey and, in Living Hope, he shares the treasures he discovered in the darkness. Gerard lives with his beloved wife Jeannie in Malibu, California.