Heaven is for Real

Got this book while I was browsing for CD instead in Popular Marine Parade branch. It's not the title that attracted me, but the toddler's big smile, and Don Piper's words. If Don Piper's 90mins in Heaven is the adult version of heavenly encounters, this little kid named Colton Burpo's 3 mins stay is certainly the kids no nonsense straight to the point version :)

Cutting the story short, this kid Colton when the ordeal happened (with a ruptured appendices not identified correctly and cured in time, dragged for days, almost caused him to die), the boy was about 4years.

With his miraculous recovery from death bed (it was his earth father's prayer answered - happens to be a pastor too), Colton started to recall his experiences in bits and pieces, very often shocking his parents.

Few points are especially touching:
o. That his not yet born sister was comforting and hugging him when he was first ascended to heaven

o. That his never met great grand father also spent time with him, and supported him (appearance in youth day though)

o. That how Jesus looks like, with white robe, purple sash, sitting at right side of God's throne. God is super big size. Gabriel sitting on God's left side.

o. That there's no darkness in Heaven. Everyone having wings (different sizes though). He even saw Satan, but declined to elaborate or even to mention it.

o. That how Jesus loves children. He repeated it many many times. How he was sitting in Jesus' lap.

o. That he didn't want to come back to Earth, but Jesus had to answer his dad's desperate even accusing prayer

The book is an easy read. My eyes keep welling up when I was reading the reminisce of the author (Colton's dad) about what happened to himself, his son and family as a whole when they went through those crucial days - really a matter of life and death.

There is a website on this too, and you can check out a great video on Colton when he has grown up into big teen now :) after like 7-8 years.

http://www.heavenisforreal.net

One thing I am sure is I will hug my boys at home more often, and pray to Jesus and God more frequent too (not just when in need or emergency) as they do answer every single one of our prayers, 24x7.

If you want to know how Jesus looks like, according to Colton, this prodigy Akiane's portrait is closest, almost perfect. Have a look out too!

http://newconnexion.net/articles/index.cfm/2006/03/Akiane_Kramarik.html

http://www.artakiane.com