Have you seen Todd Burpo and his son on television talking about their book, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL? I just finished reading it.
About seven years ago, Todd Burpo, pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan Church, in small-town Imperial, Nebraska, found himself in a terrorizing situation watching his 3 year-old little boy's health deteriorate to the point of death. As a pastor he had seen near-death, and death, experiences up close and personal as he has ministered to young and old alike. He details in his book--the fear he had, the anger he felt, the desparation he went through as he witnessed this ordeal unfold with his very own son.
Colton awoke after surgery to clean up the poisonous explosion of his appendix inside his tiny 40-pound body, to relate stories of seeing angels, Jesus, God, and deceased family members he didn't even know he had. He describes details about leaving his body and seeing his father praying as the doctors operated on him. He tells where his mother was at the time and what she was doing. He relates facts that astound his parents, Todd and Sonja Burpo.
Todd, along with author, Lynn Vincent, share Colton's memories as they unfold in the Burpo's lives after Colton recovers. Little Colton periodically mentions people he saw in heaven while he was there. With child-like innocence and certainty, he relates things Jesus told him. Over and over his parents are amazed at the factual accounts he shares--things he could not possibly know, like his mother's miscarriage before he was born.
Through this poignant account of parents living with the greatest terror of their lives--a child on the verge of death, we find inspiration and hope. In an era when werewolves and wizards dominate booksales and movie screens, this book is a timely and refreshing peek into the mysterious reality of heaven. The reader is left to decide whether he wants to believe or not. For Christians, it may solidify the faith they already have in an eternal home, and give them greater peace about the unknown. To those who doubt, it opens the door to believe in a loving God who sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die so people on earth could see His Father in heaven.
Colton's story is heart-warming, and as others have written: "compelling, convincing, and beautifully written". Colton is absolutely adorable; his confidence coupled with his child-like innocence, makes this book all the more credible and real. Definitely well-worth the read. If you are looking for an uplifting book for someone wondering about heaven and all it might hold, Heaven Is For Real is an endearing book to give for Christmas. As a mother who has lost a baby who only lived a day, and a baby in miscarriage, and a son of 33 years, I can truthfully say this book added to some of the very thoughts I already cradle in my heart about my children being in the arms of Jesus--Heaven is indeed for real.
I want to thank Jeff Loper for the opportunity to review this book for Thomas Nelson Publishers. For more information you can visit HeavenIsForReal.net or Facebook.com/HeavenIsForReal. If you have any thoughts on heaven, Jeff suggests you make a video and upload it to their page located at YouTube.com/users/HeavenIsForReal so others can hear your story, too.
As a Roman Catholic we have learned that we need to name the babies lost by miscarriage or abortion. Perhaps your daughter is waiting to be named.
Sincerely,
Judy Ponchione
Posted by: Judy Ponchione | 02/24/2011 at 09:51 AM
Judy, Thanks for your kind thoughts. My baby who lived a day has a name..Paul William; he's named after his two grandfathers. With my miscarriage, because I do not know whether the child was a boy or a girl, I call it Selah. Some say "selah" means "Pause and calmly think on that". Others say "selah's" meaning is not known. I feel this is appropriate in my case. selahV
Posted by: selahV | 02/24/2011 at 10:03 AM
I love the book, both my husband I read it together after we did our devotions. It made us laugh and cry. We couldn't let it down, but we did for an hour or two and then got right back to reading it. Finished it in two days. Now the book will be circulated to others in our family. The only thing that I thought could have been added is the steps to peace, in the epilogue section. I think it would help explain how to get to Heaven with the salvation message attached. Just a thought for future books. Thanks again for allowing us to see a glimpse of Heaven through this beautifully written book. God Bless
Posted by: Antoinette Nikodemski | 03/04/2011 at 06:25 AM
I named my baby too. And you'll never believe it, but his name was William Paul after my father and mother (Pauline). I greived so for my loss and at one point God gave me a vision, or a glimpse, of my Grandmother, Grandfather and a cousin who died young standing by a river and my grandmother was holding a little red haired boy and they were all just smiling at me and I knew that my baby was in good hands and I would see him one day.
Posted by: Rebekah Cornelison | 03/17/2011 at 03:28 PM
Rebekah, how absolutely wonderful! what a sweet testimony of God's reassurance for your heart. and to have a son with a name so close to my son's. Precious...Thanks for coming by. Please subscribe to my email subscriptions so we can stay in touch. selahV
Posted by: selahV (a.k.a. hariette petersen) | 03/17/2011 at 04:08 PM
Todd Burpo said in his book on page 97 that the Bible was silent about babies going to heaven. Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from sheep, or from the goats: As I was studying this Scripture I asked the Lord why would you use a lamb from a goat since a goat is symbolic of a sinner. The Lord answered me by saying. It did not matter since all the lambs are "innocent" in His sight. Since that moment I had assurance in my spirit that ALL BABIES from conception to accountabilty go to heaven.
Posted by: David Gentry | 03/29/2011 at 03:04 PM
I have 2 questions. Were there any mention of dying in the medical records? Why is the Holy Spirit blue?
Posted by: Theo Anastas | 04/03/2011 at 07:56 PM
Can I found this book in italian?
Posted by: Kathy Rodriguez | 07/11/2011 at 08:13 AM
Kathy, not that I know of. I looked at their website and did not see it. Maybe if you had a Kindle or electronic reader, you could purchase it and it would be translated in Italian. I don't know.
Posted by: selahV (a.k.a. hariette petersen) | 07/12/2011 at 05:45 PM
Theo, I can't recall if there was mention of dying in the medical records. And I have no idea why the Holy Spirit is blue.
Posted by: selahV (a.k.a. hariette petersen) | 07/12/2011 at 05:47 PM
I loved this book! Thank you so much for sharing your story. When my father passed away suddenly at 59 my son was only 18months at the time. At around 2 years old he started having visits from his "imaginary friend" and had stories that were so accurate about my father(too long to go into detail here)that so many of us family members were amazed and still talk about and he is now 14! The one thing that stuck out to me in this book was my son too would describe rainbows and bright colors when he would describe his friend and that he was the colors of the rainbow! We all knew it was my dad and we too know Heaven is for real!
Posted by: LISA | 09/05/2011 at 06:05 PM
Lisa, thanks so much for dropping by and sharing your story about your son. That is so precious. God bless you in your journey here until we meet...
Posted by: selahV (a.k.a. hariette petersen) | 09/05/2011 at 07:18 PM
Thank you Colton for sharing your wonderful experience. I have never doubted heaven exist, but your journey has made me overly excited. I have a little 2 year old boy waiting on his father and I when our time comes. The book reassured me that Tyler will know who we are when that time comes. I do have to admit this was always something I wondered about until reading Coltons story. I can't say thank you enough God bless Colton and his family.
Posted by: kammy | 10/09/2012 at 09:09 PM