Bonus Content
Heaven is for Real
“I died. But just for a little bit.”
My heart skipped a beat. If you haven’t heard your pre¬schooler tell you he was dead, I don’t recommend it. But Colton hadn’t died. I knew what the medical record said. Colton had never ceased breathing. His heart had never stopped.
I stood in the doorway and mulled over this new tidbit as Colton returned his attention to his toys. Then I remembered that the Bible talks in several places about people who had seen heaven without dying. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about a Christian he knew personally who was taken to heaven, “Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man . . . was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell." Then, of course, there was John the apostle, who described heaven in great detail in the book of Revelation….
As I stood there and thought through a scriptural basis for experiencing heaven without dying, I realized that Colton, in telling me he had died “for a little bit,” had only been trying to match up his pastor-dad’s assertion with what he knew to be the facts of his own experience. Kind of like walking outside and finding that the street is wet, and concluding, well, okay, it must have rained.
See, I had this tidy little box that said, “People have to die to go to heaven,” and Colton, trusting me, concluded, “Well, I must have died then, because I was there.”
Suddenly, he piped up again. “Daddy, remember when I yelled for you in the hospital when I waked up?”
How could I forget? It was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. “Of course I do,” I said.
“Well, the reason I was yelling was that Jesus came to get me. He said I had to go back because he was answering your prayer. That’s how come I was yelling for you.”
Suddenly, my knees felt weak underneath me. I flashed back to my prayers alone, raging at God, and my prayers in the waiting room, quiet and desperate. I remembered how scared I was, agonizing over whether Colton would hang on through the surgery, whether he’d live long enough for me to see his precious face again. Those were the longest, darkest ninety minutes of my life.
And Jesus answered my prayer? Personally? After I had yelled at God, chastising him, questioning his wisdom and his faithfulness?
Why would God even answer a prayer like that? And how did I deserve his mercy?
Excerpt from HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent. Copyright ©2010 by Todd Burpo. Published in Nashville, Tennessee by Thomas Nelson. Used with Permission. All Rights Reserved.
Heaven Is for Real
Todd Burpo’s Heaven Is for Real is the true story of Colton, a pastor’s 4-year-old son, who slips from consciousness during surgery and enters heaven.
Colton survives and tells about looking down and seeing the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. Soon, it was clear that what he was telling his parents was true. Colton said he met his miscarried sister, about whom no one had told him, his great-grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, how the Holy Spirit “shoots down power” from heaven to help us and more.
This wonderful book offers hope for those grieving the death of a loved one, with a special message for families that suffer miscarriage. Includes photos and a family Q & A.
Hardcover : 192 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc. ( March 18, 2011 )
Item #: 13-366209
ISBN: 9781611294873
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.5inches
Product Weight: 9.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
What a blessing! 
May 07, 2012
This book has been such a blessing to me. I intend to purchase a copy for my parents. I am truly in awe of the Prince of Peace portrait by Akiane Kramarik! I would love to find a copy to frame.
Reviewer: Linda
Amazing
May 03, 2012
This book is a great, easy read that transports you back to your own childhood. It helped me to remember that God wants us to be like little children, all-trusting, all-believing. As a parent, it made me realize that our children's lives are too precious to not enjoy them every second of every day. Thanks for sharing your story!
Reviewer: Jesheren
April 17, 2012
i wish i could give this book more than 5 stars.
Reviewer: jojo
Awesome
April 12, 2012
I always knew Heaven is for real, but knowing more details of Heaven is awesome. And, to see it through the eyes of a child
only makes it even more special. I thank God little Colton and
his father shared this insider's view of Heaven with us.
Reviewer: Rita V
WILL NEVER FORGET THIS BEAUTIFUL STORY
April 02, 2012
what a journey for a young boy. I cried, I laughed a few times. But mostly I cried, but they were tears of engaging joy and tears of renewed faith. Thank you Colton Burpo and kudos to your blessed parents for retelling your uplifting journey.
Reviewer: Nicole
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