"Heaven is for Real -- REALLY!"

Many of you are probably aware of the book, Heaven is for Real:  A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back, written by Todd Burpo (with Lynn Vincent). The book came out in 2010 and details the experience of three-year-old (almost four) Colton Burpo who, during surgery in 2003 for a ruptured appendix, was taken to heaven.  In addition to the book, a movie of the experience was also made and released in 2014.

I (Jerry) don’t typically pay much attention to stories of near-death experiences—not necessarily because I don’t believe their valid—but I know what Scripture includes about heaven and these stories haven’t been of great interest to me.  Reading about Colton’s story was different—especially because he was so young and did not have preconceived ideas about heaven.  In addition, much of what he shared about his experience revealed things that he could not have known but were verified by his parents.  For example, Colton’s mother, Sonja, had a miscarriage about a year or so before Colton was born.  Colton was never told of the miscarriage but during his visit to heaven, this sister that was miscarried ran up to him and hugged him and he instinctively knew that this was his sister.  If you would like to view the clip from the movie regarding this encounter, click on image below.  Colton also shared his experiences of meeting other extended family members that he had never known or seen previously.

Although I had read the original book and watched the movie, I wasn’t aware that Colton’s parents, Todd and Sonja, wrote another book, entitled “Heaven Changes Everything:  Living Every Day with Eternity in Mind” that was released in 2012.  I recently decided to read this book and there was a story in there that I hadn’t remembered from the original book.  In this story, Todd shares an event that occurred when Colton was four-years-old, not too long after he returned from his visit to heaven.  Todd, who was a pastor, was ready to conduct a funeral service for someone he didn’t know but who was a member of the family who attended Todd’s church.  Colton was also at the service and I’ll quote here directly from the original book:

Colton pointed to the casket.  “What’s that, Daddy?”  I tried to keep it simple.  “That’s the casket.  The man who died is inside it.”  Suddenly, Colton’s face gathered into that same knot of intense concern.  He slammed his fists on his thighs, then pointed one finger at the casket and said in a near shout, “Did that man have Jesus?”  Sonja’s eyes popped wide, and we both glanced at the sanctuary doorway, terrified the family inside could hear our son.  “He had to!  Colton went on.  “He can’t get into heaven if he didn’t have Jesus in his heart! (“Heaven is for Real,” 58-59)

 Todd shared in the book that I recently read that he and Sonja could not get Colton to quiet down and that he seemed desperate, almost frantic.  Todd wondered where his little boy got so much conviction and determination.  He found out later that this came from Jesus himself.  During Colton’s time in heaven, Jesus explained to him that he is the doorway to heaven.

This story was not a surprise to me.  If this visit to heaven was valid (which seemed to be the case), Scripture clearly states this truth.  In fact, Jesus stated in John 10:9 that he’s the door to heaven.  In addition, there are other Scriptures that also emphasize the fact that having invited Jesus into your heart, through faith, is the path to heaven (i.e., John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Tim. 2:5, John 3:16-18; 36).  The difference in this story is that a little four-year-old boy spoke loudly what he knew without the filters that he would later have as he matured with age.

 So why am I sharing all of this with you?

I am sharing it primarily as an encouragement to you.  Most of us want to know what heaven is like, and although we should base any reference to heaven from the Scriptures, Colton’s experience can provide comfort to many, including us.  We have always believed that we will see in heaven our only child that we lost in the womb in 1990 after 17 years of infertility, but it was special to read of him meeting his sister that was miscarried.  It is also important to note that the details about heaven that came from Colton did not come from any coaching from his parents.  In addition, Colton’s father, who was a pastor, was able to apply Scriptural references to Colton’s experiences that he shared.  I found myself going back and reading the original book again and I discovered it to be an encouragement.

Another reason I am sharing this is because of the emphasis on the need to “have Jesus in our hearts” in order to experience heaven after our time on earth has been completed.  For some, this might cause fear or anxiety, and that is definitely not my intent.  For others, you might disagree with this conclusion.  What Colton shared regarding his experience—something I didn’t remember when reading the book years ago—is simply a validation of what is already shared in Scripture, at times by Jesus, himself.

So, what do you do if you’re unsure if you “have Jesus in your heart?”  Simply talk to Him about that.  It doesn’t have to be complicated.  Romans 10:9-10 states it quite clearly (taken from the Amplified Version of the Bible):

. . . if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.

I would add that as you “confess with your mouth,” you’re also inviting Him to forgive you of sin and asking for His help to “turn and go another way” (repentance).  And remember, everything is by His grace, through faith in Him. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Finally, know that “Heaven is for Real” and the Father’s heart longs for us to experience it one day and live forever with Him, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit!

 Blessings,

Jerry and Denise

---------------

If you aren't currently receiving these posts in your email inbox and would like to do so, click HERE, and complete the "Subscribe" information that is present at the bottom of the page..

TO SHARE THIS POST: We hope you will share this blog post on your own social media sites and direct those you know to partake in this opportunity. Use the links at the bottom of this page to help us spread this healing message of "loving ourselves the way God does."

BOOKS AND MEDIA: All of our publication resources are available at jerryanddenisebasel.com via Amazon and other sites.