Repost from Aug 8, 2010 Cindy's World: "You better get ready, I'm coming home!" Those were the words I heard on the phone a few minutes ago from Kote!!
Next was, "I got money for my birthday, so I'll be buying my own stuff
now!! Wait!! I want to buy a phone, but YOU can keep buying the rest
of my stuff!!" 😎
He is hilarious.
But it did
trigger a few thoughts about my life. How often, when things are going
good, do I want to tell God that I can handle it now? Just as quickly, I
want to put those words right back in my mouth. I can have nothing nor
do nothing without Him!! I learned that lesson the hard way...and, because I am mule-headed, more than once!
While
only God knows when I will be heading toward Heaven, I think of loved
ones already there: my son... parents ... grandparents... a miscarried grandchild. I wonder who else is waiting on me? Most important --- my Savior!! Without Him, there is no way I would get there on my own.
I may not know the
day or the hour, but I want to look toward Heaven and joyfully
shout........................................... "YOU BETTER GET READY, I'M COMING HOME!!!"
Pastor Don Piper died January 18, 1989 when a
semi-tractor truck crushed his car. Declared dead by the first rescue
workers to arrive on the scene, Don's body lay under a tarp for the next
90 minutes. Don's soul, meanwhile, was experiencing
love, joy, and life like he'd never known before. Don was in Heaven.
When another pastor's prayers helped bring Don back to
life, he became a living miracle! Yet this is one miracle Don wished
never happened. Heaven's bliss was replaced by excruciating pain and
emotional turmoil. With the support and prayers
of his beloved Eva, their three kids, and friends near and far, Don
clings to his faith in God and fights to regain a semblance of his
previous life. The Piper family's incredible true story of perseverance
and overcoming the challenges of life - and death
- will bring hope and encouragement to all who see it. (publisher description)
My Review: If you are looking for a book that is completely filled with images and experiences of being in Heaven, this is not the book for you. But, I would also be more skeptical if that had been his focus. The book told enough to share his assurance that Heaven is real and that it is indescribable. Too many details would make me doubt the veracity of his experience.
I did love the story of the power of prayers to make a profound impact. I am sure Mr. Piper was a man of compassion before the accident, but his ability to respond to others facing similar situations sends a tremendous message. He confesses to sometimes wanting to die, especially after leaving a place of great joy and peace. However, instead of being bitter over the constant pain and adjustments he has had to make, Piper turned his suffering into a source of strength and hope to encourage people. To me, the message of the book was that we can endure whatever happens in life---when we have our community who supports us with prayer, God and the promise of Heaven ahead. "Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You." ~ Psalm 39:7
GIVEAWAY: FlyByPromotions has a copy of the movie edition of the book for one of my readers. Leave a comment to enter by end of day September 15th.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book by FlyBy Promotions in order to write a fair and honest review. The book was my only compensation. I also want to mention that there is a film version of the book coming out this month!
About the movie presented by Giving Films:
Releases in theaters everywhere September 11, 2015
Rating: PG-13 (for intense accident and injury images)
Starring Hayden Christensen (Star Wars: Episode II -
Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith),
Kate Bosworth (Remember The Titans, Blue Crush) Michael W. Smith, Fred
Thompson, Dwight Yoakam, and Jason Kennedy, 90
Minutes In Heaven is based on the inspiring New York Times best-selling book that has sold 7 million copies.
About Giving Films:
Giving Films is passionate about sharing hope-filled movies and donating ALL of their profits to charities and ministries who serve those in need. Beginning with their first film, 90 Minutes In Heaven, Giving Films is allowing
all of us to be a part of making a difference. Anytime you go to a Giving Films movie in theaters, visit http://www.givingfilms.com and
select which
charities you want to receive the profits from your ticket. Their
charitable organizations are Christian Alliance for Orphans, Faith
Bridge Foster Care, Hire Heroes USA, Hope International, LifeWater,
Street Grace, and World Vision.
It starts as a story ripped from the headlines of the
war-torn Middle East. An extremist faction of Islam bombs a church
during a service. The one door in the back isn't big enough for five
hundred people trying to escape. Some are killed.
But after the chaos
and fire and smoke, one young woman comes back to life. In this thrilling true tale, death does not have the final word.
From the first time Samaa heard the Lord Jesus calling her out of
Islam into faith in Him, til she met Him face to face in heaven, her
life is marked by God's supernatural love and power. Full of hope and
encouragement, and overflowing with Jesus' love, her riveting account
reveals the power of God to break through any circumstance—and is a
moving reminder that, in a place beyond what we can imagine, we have a
Savior waiting to welcome us face to face. (publisher's description) This is a fascinating, at times nearly unbelievable, story of a young woman's conversion from Islam to Christianity. Raised in a country and culture that is beyond my comprehension, I felt a mixture of doubt, hope, and acceptance...mixed with a tinge of envy, for the closeness she has with Jesus as I read the experiences she survived. Sometimes it is hard to grasp the atrocities faced by others, yet I can not imagine her survival without the supernatural intervention of God.
The story, co-authored by Bodie Thoene, is a gripping story that keeps you wanting to read just one more page before turning out the lights. I did get a little confused sometimes about the time frame of events, but that could be my own fault since I read at bedtime. However, the book gives you a lot to think about and to pray about. Not only is it a call for action to do just a bit more for those who have yet to turn to Jesus, but is also a nudge to examine my own relationship with Jesus. I certainly recommend this book.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Chosen Books, a division of Baker Publishing, in order to write a review. I was not required to write a positive review.
