For each of us, there are a few split seconds in our time on earth where the river bends.  From an aerial viewpoint of our life, as if from a hot air balloon, we could look down and say, “That’s when this happened.” 

From above, it is easy to see where the river bends. 
©iStockphoto.com/fotoVoyager

Perhaps it was meeting your husband or wife for the first time, or when a child was born.  Perhaps it was when the missionaries arrived at your doorstep, or you found out the Book of Mormon was true.  Maybe it was when you found out you were really good at something that could generate a life income. 

Perhaps, like my new friend Milford Walton, it was a visit to the doctor’s office.

Today’ Scripture:  “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed” (Alma 34:32).

And meet Him we will, but with healthy living — not too soon!

Today’s article is a little different.  Last week I was contacted by a gentleman with a story to share.  He didn’t want any money.  He didn’t want me to run an ad or promote a product.  He simply wants to offer his story, hope and an eating plan that literally saved his life.  It centers around simple foods you can buy at a regular grocery store. 

We talked on the phone for quite a while as I confirmed that it was not a fake story with something weird to buy.  It’s not.  He doesn’t even have a website.  Just the outline of a very powerful book (I’m calling it Three Months to Live) that he hopes I will pass on.  The link is at the bottom of this article.  What he has to offer today is much more important and interesting than anything I could share with you.

Though in an early stage with no graphics and a few typos, it may be just the thing we need to remind us that, as Alma says, this life, meaning this life TODAY is the time to prepare to meet God, but (and I repeat for emphasis) with healthy living — not too soon!

Mr. Walton’s river turned in the fall of 2006, when his doctor called both him and his wife into his office and said, “You have three months to live.”  His lifelong obesity had caused severe heart problems, for which he had been hospitalized and treated. 

Now, eight months later, his heart needed extensive surgery, yet the surgery could not be performed.  Why?  The machine that would keep him alive during the surgery would simply not accommodate his size (360 pounds) for the length of time required to perform the delicate operation.

If you’re instantly hooked, like I was, the rest of the story is much more interesting!

Best of all, it’s a success story that includes the diet plan that literally saved his life.  There are even some wonderful recipes.  With his heart condition, he was not allowed to exercise, and some of the heart medications actually inhibited weight loss, yet he was able to lose the weight.