At the Edge of the Jordan: What waits for us after this life and why it matters

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

Sources for Chapter 6:Regarding the strands of love that connect us and being shown parts of the soul’s earthly future to help the soul return:Rynes, Nancy (2015). Awakenings from the Light: 12 Life Lessons from a Near-Death Experience. [Kindle Cloud Reader Version]. Retrieved from amazon.com Location No.671-683Regarding not remembering everything from the NDE experience and plans for souls in this life:Linda G NDE 3649. (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved from https://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1linda_g_nde.htmlRegarding reincarnation:Amy C NDE 4720 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1amy_c_nde_4720.htmlDiane C NDE 321 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved from:https://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1diane_c_nde.html (for NO reincarnation)Regarding spiritual maturity:Deborah L. NDE-Like 7961. (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1deborah_l_ndelike.htmlRegarding the destiny of all souls to return to the Light:Williams, Kevin. (2019, September 18). Juliet Nightingale’s Near-Death Experience. Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife. Retrieved from https://near-death.com/juliet-nightingale/Regarding life on other planets:Sandi T NDEs 9082 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1sandi_t_ndes.htmlRoger C NDE 744. (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1roger_c_nde.html This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

Sources for Chapter 5:Regarding seeing a bright, loving, wise light:Williams, Kevin (Sept 26, 2019) “George Ritchie’s Near-Death Experience” Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife. Retrieved from https://near-death.com/george-ritchie-nde/Melinda G NDE 9029 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1melinda_g_nde.htmlRegarding the point which a soul cannot passBrandelyn W NDE 2238 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1brandelyn_w_nde.htmlRegarding the heavenly city and life thereHeaven and Hell Stories: Randy Gehling (June 18, 2012) Heaven and Hell Stories Retrieved fromhttp://heavenandhellstories.blogspot.com/2012/06/randy-gehlings-near-death-experience.htmlWilliams, Kevin. (Sept 16, 2019) ”David Oakford’s Near-Death Experience” Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife. Retrieved fromhttps://near-death.com/david-oakford/Diane G NDE 175 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1diane_g_nde.htmlRegarding the “River of Life””Shimmering River of Life” (April 25, 2015). International Association for Near-Death Studies, Inc. Retrieved from https://iands.org/ndes/nde-stories/85-shimmering-river-of-life.htmlRegarding the levels of heavenWilliams, Kevin. (2019, September 26). George Ritchie’s Near-Death Experience. Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife. Retrieved from https://near-death.com/george-ritchie-nde/Regarding the options for the soul’s evolutionStorm, Howard (2005). My Descent into Death: A Second Chance at Life. Doubleday. P 56-58. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

Hi everyone! Thanks for subscribing to The Contemplative Christian! I am making this chapter available to all subscribers. It’s hard to pick a favorite chapter of the book, but this is one of them, and I believe what is offered here can change your life if you take it to heart. It certainly changed mine! The rest of the audiobook will be available by early September 2025 (chapters will continue to be posted here for paid subscribers every few days over the next several weeks) on this podcast. If you are interested you can become a one-month paid subscriber at that time to listen, or listen on Audible. If you are impatient, like me, you can read the kindle or paperback copy here right now! At the Edge of the Jordan (Amazon)Sources for Chapter 4:Regarding transitions on the heavenly plane:Roger C NDE 744 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved from:https://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1roger_c_nde.htmlRegarding how challenges aid in our growth:Sylvia W NDE 152 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved from https://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1sylvia_w_nde.htmlRegarding the absence of judgment during a life review:Glauco S NDE 3674 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved from:https://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1glauco_s_nde.htmlJuliet N NDE 10077 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved from:https://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1juliet_n_nde.htmlRegarding the purpose of a life review (soul growth/learning):Storm, Howard (2005). My Descent into Death: A Second Chance at Life. Doubleday. p 30 - 37Regarding the importance of choosing love:Hafur NDE 3558 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved from:https://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1hafur_nde.htmlRegarding what someone who committed heinous acts on earth would experience in their life review:Leonard NDE 4046 (n.d.) NDERF. Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1leonard_nde.htmlRegarding the tiny moments of compassion that most matter:Mohammad Z NDE 16083 (n.d.) NDERF Retreived from:https://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1mohammad_z_nde.htmlRegarding our maturation during our lifetimes:Jean NDE 32 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttp://dream-prophecy.blogspot.com/2014/07/life-is-ripple-effect-near-death.htmlRegarding the impact of the acceptance of how much we are loved:Anita M NDE 2766/11068 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1anita_m_nde.htmlRegarding how much we are loved by the divine:McVea, Crystal and Tresniowski, Alex (2013). Waking Up in Heaven: A True Story of Brokenness, Heaven, and Life Again. Howard Books.Regarding our own magnificence:Shelia S NDE 9025 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1sheila_s_nde.htmlRegarding the importance of self-compassion:Rynes, Nancy (2015). Awakenings from the Light: 12 Life Lessons from a Near-Death Experience. [Kindle Cloud Reader Version]. Retrieved from amazon.com. Location No. 863, 1136-1179 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

For those waiting for the heart of the story, this is where it begins! Footnotes read aloud. Sources I pulled from listed here for ease of independent research:For death via drowning:Sandra H NDE 3578. (n.d.) NDERF. Retrieved from https://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1sandra_h_nde.htmlJennifer W NDE 7516. (n.d.) NDERF. Retrieved fromhttp://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1jennifer_w_nde_7516.htmlMary C Neal, M.D. (2017). 7 Lessons from Heaven: How Dying Taught Me to Live a Joy-Filled Life. Convergent Books.For the details on the “popping” sound and the non-attachment to the body:Juliet N NDE 10077 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved from:https://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1juliet_n_nde.htmlRoger C NDE 744 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved from:https://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1roger_c_nde.htmlFor the different sense of time’s passing:Anelia G NDE 9108 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved from:https://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1anelia_g_nde.htmlFor the vibrancy of consciousness outside of the body:Barbara D. NDE 8419 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1barbara_d_nde.htmlFor the comingling of senses:Bill W. NDE 180 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1bill_w_nde.htmlFor 360 degree vision:Leonard NDE 4046 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1leonard_nde.htmlFor telepathic information transmission and the way the spirit body moves on the heavenly plain:Gary D. NDE 2428 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1gary_d_nde.htmlFor youthful appearance:Penny C. NDE 7234 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1penny_c_nde.htmlSharon M. NDE 7925 (n.d.) NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1sharon_m_nde_7925.htmlFor the heavenly city:John F. NDE 61 (n.d). NDERF Retrieved fromhttps://www.nderf.org/Experiences/1john_f_nde.htmlFor the individualization of each soul’s experience:Storm, Howard. My Descent into Death: A Second Chance at Life This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

Chapter 2 of At the Edge of the JordanNote: Skip if only interested in getting to the “meat” of the book (which starts in Chapter 3).Chapter Spoilers (read if you’d like to skip this chapter but still understand the basic flow of the plot):Aislinn and Dave are on their honeymoon in southern California. Over several days, Dave gives Aislinn some basic surfing lessons. On one of their dinners out, we learn that Pop passed away a few weeks before their wedding. Aislinn and Dave discuss faith. While Aislinn, despite having strong doubts about her faith, lives with a strong sense of purpose, Dave lives with a strong moral compass, but is more of an agnostic philosophy. In the course of their conversation, Dave helps Aislinn to see that being angry with God is still a form of faith. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com

Title, Prologue, Preface This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leahchrest.substack.com