The Truth Review James L. Cowles (c) Copyright 2026 by James L. Cowles

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This may very well be a grave issue for us writers, especially those who claim to be writing the truth. Which of the following sounds best? One.) “We scaled the hill to get a better look at the city.” Or: two.) “The hill was very steep, and quite slick from all the torrid rain. Thank God it finally stopped, and so with the light fading, we crawled the last few yards to the top, only to see a foggy, dimly lit city.” Now, to me, it’s obvious which of the two would be more interesting to a reader. So, you speakers of the truth, will your last review, the review of your life, the one that really counts, be truthful, what I mean is, have you been truthful?

The following may give you a better understanding of the final review process, along with questions you may possibly have. This exercise is intended to help prepare you for your final review. No, no! Don’t thank me! No thanks are necessary; I do this for those of you who, like me, sometimes exaggerate the truth. This is not your real personal review, so relax. It is only supposition.

Here we go:

“Hello Jim. My name is Gabriel, and I am appointed by God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to review your life with you. Jim, you are tensing up; relax, please. This review will simply be things you will see in your mind's eye, but I will also be privy of what you are seeing, as will the Holy’s. So, I will ask you questions about your visions now and then, but there is no need for concern. I mean, the truth is the truth, right Jim? Jim, again, there is no need for concern, not yet anyway. I'll tell you when to be concerned, okay? Just relax. The questions I am about to ask you are important, but as your life passes before your eyes, you may hear comments from Those whom you are not yet able to see. If you hear a question directed at you, and you do not know who is asking it, just answer it, please. Do not question the Questioner. Again, I will ask a question about certain things along the way, okay? If you are wondering how long this will take, it depends. I mean, you know, it depends on how colorful your life has been. The average time for this review is 3.4 earth days. Okay, are you ready?”

“Jim? Jim!? I said, okay? Okay then. Now, try to keep up with me because I'll move pretty quickly on some things. I have a lot more interviews scheduled, so I want to get this over as quickly as you. I should tell you, some of the ‘Holy’s' may become visible to you during this process. It does happen from time to time, and sometimes They may even ask you a question. It’s possible that parts of your life might amuse Them, so if you hear laughter, do not comment. At any rate, please do not look directly into the Holy Faces. It also would be a good idea to lie prone if this happens, oh… just forget that part. Believe me, you will know when it’s time for that kind of thing. Now, Jim, this review will determine when and if you will be able to move immediately into Heaven, or perhaps be required to enter our twelve-step program. Oh, you’ll do simply fine. ReIax! I should tell you, looking a Holy in the face without permission is dangerous. Otherwise, there is no need for concern. Not yet anyway. Oh, Hell, I’ve got to rework this presentation one of these centuries. Look, there is no reason to be afraid, Jim. Not a lot, anyway. Are you ready?”

“Okay then, here goes… What? Did you say something? I thought I heard you make a comment. Oh, I see. No, no. No one can hear your voice right now, not even you. What? Oh, I should have told you; I am able to hear you, and when we begin, officially that is, Those listening will be able to hear you as well, and of course, you will be able to hear your own voice too. What? Oh, yeah, I guess it does seem kind of funny to mute you in advance of the truth review, but it’s for your own good. See, folks like you, you know, writers, like to hear their own voice, and if we allowed that, you might begin to make up stories, or excuses. That would probably make things worse for you when we start the real process, so we are really doing you a favor. We have also found this might add a lot more time to the process. Okay, look, I wasn't going to get into this, but since you asked, it’s true, writers do take more time for their life review. The average time for a writer review is 8.3 earth days. What? Well, you guys tend to exaggerate a little, you know, and we are going to have to know why you did, if you do. Huh? Well, yes, we will. For example, you could be asked why you put an exclamation mark at end of a sentence, or maybe why you wrote something as a question, rather than as a statement. Okay, Jim? Are we ready to officially begin?”

“Here we g… What? See now, Jim, this is why a writer review takes so much longer. I was hoping you were different. See, you writers always seem to have a thousand questions. Yes, Jim. In answer to your question, we will take a break now and then, but that depends on how many questions the Holy's ask. See now, you writers tend to like to talk also, so if a question requires a yes or no answer, please do not exaggerate. Just answer, yes or no. That's pretty simple, isn't it? Well now, wha… Yes, I guess you are right, sometimes it's good to explain why you answered a certain way, but you don't want to set a new time record, do you? Well…, yes, this is an especially important review, and you won't be interrupted during any of your responses. Let me warn you, though; guys like you can dig a deep hole to climb out of. We believe the truth, is the truth, don't you? Well, yes, I understand that, and haven't I said that already, maybe about three or four times?

No, I’m not angry, Jim. Now listen up. We haven’t even started your revie….. What, Your Holiness? Yes, Your Holiness. Excuse me Jim, God The Father has been listening, and wishes to speak to me for a moment. Listen, this could be a mistake, but I'm going to let you hear your own voice while I go speak with the Father. Now, don't go crazy, okay? I'll be right back, okay? Okay, then…

Okay, Jim. Jim? Jim? Hey, yeah, I’m back. Oh no, have you been talking to yourself? Well, anyway, I've got some good news and some bad news. All Three Holy’s have agreed. You will not have to do this review, okay? Instead, They have decided to give you a choice, okay? Here it is, and you can do whichever you choose between these two options.

1. You can go straight into Heaven, today. You can just walk right on in, but if you do, you will continue to be muted. That means you'll be able to see all of your loved ones, but you will not be able to talk with them. What? No, you will not be able to talk with yourself, either, but there is a second choice…

2. If you choose option two, you will be given your voice back, so that everyone can hear you, and you will also be able to hear yourse… Wait, wait Jim! Jim! No, you didn't let me finish. Yes, there's more. The bad news is, you can choose number two, but if you do, you will have to go to Hell.

What? Oh, you need time to think about it, huh?... Okay, Jim. Go out there and stand in that line with the other writers, okay?