Wednesday 14 December 2011

Heaven Is For Real

Colton Burpo is not quite four, when he has an emergency appendectomy.  In the months that follow, he starts to tell his parents about how while he was being operated on he was in Heaven with Jesus, and the Angels sang to him.

If you are a non-believer you could probably say this is a clever book of fiction by a Pastor with Biblical knowledge.

I am a Christian and I believe Heaven is for real, but I don't know why I find it hard to accept that Jesus would let a child visit Him in Heaven and tell us of his experiences.  It's not that I disbelieved Colton's story, I just suppose it's so supernatural it's hard to get your head around - imagine how his parents coped as he casually told them about meeting his mis-carried sister!

The story naturally unravels without coming across as overly sentimental or cheesy.

Colton's Pastor dad backs up his accounts with scripture references, and the end of book poses questions to make you think further beyond what you have read.

Heaven is for real? Yes it is. 

Did Colton Burpo visit Heaven? Why not?

4 comments:

  1. With your post, I am reminded that Jesus said to not hinder the little children to come to Him. We are to have faith in God like a child does their parent. They do not question and have a natural dependance. As innocent as children are, they are very impressionable and believe in what you tell them. They believe the truth as seen in God without question. They don't have any walls and would not compare heaven to anything that they knew of on earth. They would accept it as it is. Pure, good, Holy and a wonderful place where God lives.

    I've had the honor to watch my youngest daughter develop her love for God and she's had to set my faith straight. I can say that I wish I had a faith like my daughter... it's coming but it has to grow and be made ready with lots of study because my mind wants to question and analyze things that I don't know with things that I do know. Kids don't know very much and they can teach us adults a thing or two about God without even trying.

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  2. How wonderful for you to see your daughter's faith and learn from her. I agree our adult logical minds hinder us from accepting so much of God's goodness.

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  3. Love the blog, Naomi!

    I've been thinking about this book a lot. Do I believe in Heaven? Yes, and Hell too. Which is a very scary and life-changing concept: not all our friends are going to Heaven, even those who are "nice" - after all, the rich man in hell was a lovely brother!

    But is this book a good guide to Heaven? Well, I'm not sure. I reckon little Colton had some kind of experience, yes, I don't think the book is a work of fiction. But how much of the account is a good description of Heaven? I find that much harder to gauge. The book may be a work of imagination without being a work of fiction.

    I'm very comforted by the thought: Heaven is for real, and Jonathan is there.

    As for the rest of it? Well, we probably know all we need to know. Sell our possessions and give to the poor, and we will have treasure in heaven. Preach the gospel without ceasing (if necessary use words). We live in end times, and Christ will come again, for each of us. Be on our guard!

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  4. Thanks Melanie,

    you're right, we know all we need to for now, and yes Christ will return and take us to be reunited with our loved ones who have gone on ahead of us. x

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