Facing Death, Dr. Bill Bright Penned an Encouraging Word
by Allie Martin and Jody Brown
January 9, 2004
(AgapePress) - The final book by the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ offers his secrets for peace and joy while facing death.Six months before his death last July, Dr. Bill Bright began writing The Journey Home: Finishing with Joy. Bright, who battled pulmonary fibrosis -- a terminal lung disease -- dictated the book, which gives practical instruction on how everyone can prepare for their eventual death.
Bright's widow, Vonette, says the book offers insights for both believers and non-believers. "I think to the non-Christian, he's talking about the real joy it is to know God personally and really trying to help them to see that being a Christian is the most wonderful adventure a person could know," she says.
And for the Christian? "Spiritual growth -- to give attention to growing in Christ, prayer, Bible study," Mrs. Bright says. "And for everybody, it's to deal with relationships, that those are most important."
The Brights spent 54 years of marriage working on their relationship as husband and wife. That earthly relationship came to an end around a hospital bed last summer when, as Vonette puts it, "Bill took his last breath on this earth -- and his first breath in heaven."
"He was so anticipating being face to face with God [and] seeing things from God's perspective," she says. "Of course [the book] is all biblical; it's all so real and so wonderful. He was such an example of everything he professed."
The book, completed three weeks before Dr. Bright's death, is due for release in March 2004. "If you want to know what heaven is like, it's a good book to read," his widow says.
Vonette Bright made her comments recently on the 700 Club.
