Archives for April 2009

Heaven Is Real: A Book Review

April 12, 2009 by 2 Comments

Did you have a wonderful Easter celebration this weekend? Sure hope so. Since we’ve been thinking about the hope of heaven that Christ’s resurrection gives us, I thought this would be a good time to share a review of a book written by a man who died, spent 90 minutes in heaven before being brought back to life, and then had to once again discover how to experience joy in earthly living.

Book Review: Heaven Is Real by Don Piper and Cecil Murphey

“Heaven is real. I know it because I’ve been there and back…This book isn’t about my journey to heaven; it’s about my journey back toward heaven,” Don Piper states in Heaven Is Real: Lessons on Earthly Joy, a follow-up to the NY Times Bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven. Both are co-authored with Cecil Murphey.

Don’s life forever changed on a bridge in Texas in 1989, and in this book he uses the image of a bridge as a “connecting point between drastic changes in life.” Don says, “The bridges you face in your life may not be the same [as mine], but I can assure you that one thing will be similar: You will experience life-altering change—we all do…You won’t be able to go back to the way things were; you will have to find a ‘new normal.’”

Heaven Is Real reveals the lessons Don learned as he accepted and eventually embraced “the new normal” life thrust upon him. Quotes and stories of lives impacted by the true story he shared in 90 Minutes in Heaven also fill its pages. These lessons and stories of changed lives offer hope and encouragement to all readers who are themselves faced with a new normal. To those who aren’t in the midst of change, it offers a deeper understanding of those who are and also prepares them for the changes the future most certainly holds.

The most vital message of the book, however, can be found in the last few pages. After many assurances given throughout about the reality of heaven, Don tells readers how to prepare for heaven—how to get there. His appeal to everyone? “Please make your reservation.”

In addition to being an author now, Don Piper is a full-time, internationally recognized evangelist as well as a conference and retreat leader. He is known as “The Minister of Hope.” Co-author Cecil Murphey is the author of over 110 books and is also a minister, writing mentor, and conference speaker who recently experienced a life-altering change himself.

I highly recommend this book and encourage you to check out Piper’s and Murphey’s websites. Let these two men help you navigate the challenges life throws at you.

“But [the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'” 2 Corinthians 12:9a

**Have you read 90 Minutes in Heaven or Heaven is Real? What did you think?

Filed Under: advice, book review, change, heaven

The Hope of Heaven

April 8, 2009 by 6 Comments

5778017519_bedafb19ed_zWhat does Easter weekend hold for you this year? Ours will be starting differently than ever before. Sadly, Don’s Aunt Ruth (his dad’s sister) passed away a few days ago, and we’ll be attending a funeral on Good Friday. As we talked about it the other day, we realized that this will be a first for both of us.

We, of course, think about death each year on Good Friday as we remember Christ’s death on the cross, but never before have we said “good-bye” to someone on this special day of remembrance. One might think that sadness would be multiplied, but on the contrary, I think the hope of heaven will shine ever brighter as we remember how Christ paid the penalty for our sins so that we can spend eternity in heaven with Him if we’ll believe in Him and ask Him to be our Savior.

Yes, there will be sadness at saying “good-bye” that day, especially for Aunt Ruth’s children and grandchildren, but O how great is the comfort, the joy, in knowing that she is already at home with the Lord. The comfort in knowing that for all who believe there awaits a great reunion. The comfort of heaven. The comfort of a Father, a Friend.

This Friday, as you remember with sadness the ultimate sacrifice the Lamb of God made on our behalf, may you also rejoice at the hope His perfect sacrifice birthed in our world and in our hearts. May the hope of heaven shine ever brighter for you this Easter weekend!

“‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'” John 3:16

Flickr photo by Sean MacEntee, Creative Commons License

**Update on Don’s mom — amazingly, her kidney function continues to improve! She, of course, is still considered to be in renal failure, but she is doing better! We joke that she is our Energizer Bunny — she just keeps going and going! :)

Filed Under: comfort, family, heaven, holidays

Confessions of a Choir Junkie

April 5, 2009 by 14 Comments

6553031375_cc47471709_zOkay, I admit it. My name is Cheryl, and I’m a choir junkie. I’ve been getting regular fixes for nearly 40 years now. At this point, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to quit.

Yes, I started young. Like so many others, I got hooked as a teen. It didn’t take long for church choir to become addictive. I couldn’t help it. I loved to sing. Still do. And not just the occasional choir special for a Sunday morning service. I go in for the hard stuff — the cantatas. Just this morning, in fact, our choir did our Easter musical for the Palm Sunday service. And by the way, I lost track a long time ago of how many cantatas I have under my belt. Probably close to 80 if you figure two per year — you know, Christmas and Easter both.

We choir junkies stick together. We have to. We need each other to really soar. I’m an alto, even though I’ve always wanted to be a soprano. I’ve always envied the gals in the choir who can get really high. But the rest of us — the altos, the tenors, the basses — sing harmonies that add a completely different dimension to our shared effort, that take us all to new heights. Yes, we need each other to achieve the most satisfaction, the most glorious highs.

Okay, silliness aside, know what gives choir members the deepest satisfaction of all? Giving and bringing glory to God as we lift our voices as one, as we use the talents and abilities He’s given us to honor Him and bless others. Isn’t He good to let us do that?

I’d say if I have to have a habit, choir’s a pretty good one to have, huh? How about you? Anyone else a choir junkie?

If you don’t love to sing, what do you love to do? Are you athletic or artistic? Maybe you love to bake or quilt or any other number of wonderful possibilities. I’d love to hear about some of the things God has given you a knack for — the things you really enjoy doing. Go ahead and brag on God a little. After all, we are His workmanship!

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God planned in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Filed Under: church, creation/creative/creator, fun, praise, team

Giving…to Caesar and to God

April 1, 2009 by 7 Comments

Remember Canyon Man and how he became Paint Man before the summer was over last year? Seems like when Don gets breaks between semesters, he morphs into some sort of new super-charged persona. Well, last week during spring break, out came Tax Man — and thank goodness, I might add. I was beginning to wonder if our taxes were ever going to get done :)

Truth is, since our nest emptied a few years ago and we now always seem to end up owing Uncle Sam, Don tends to drag his feet in getting the ole taxes done. Back in the days when we got refunds, it was a different story. He couldn’t get to it fast enough. Imagine our surprise this year when at the end of his grueling day slaving over tax forms, he discovered a refund would be headed our way. Next year, I have a feeling Tax Man may not wait for spring break. He may morph on a weekend instead :)

Ever notice how taxes have been an unhappy topic of conversation over the ages? Some things are just so common to all generations. Jesus even had to weigh in on the topic when the Pharisees tried to trap him with a question about whether or not it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. His response? He had them look at the coin used to pay the tax and then asked them whose portrait and whose inscription were on it. They, of course, had to admit it was Caesar’s. Jesus then wisely answered, “…’Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.'” (Matthew 11:21)

And now so many years later, law abiding citizens still “give to Caesar” each and every year. The bigger question today deals with the second half of Jesus’ directive. Are we giving to God what is God’s?

Where money is concerned, I believe scripture teaches that we are to give a tithe (a tenth) as well as offerings (see Leviticus 27:30 and Malachi 3:8-12 for a couple of examples). In this arena, are we giving to God what is God’s?

Giving to God what is His, though, goes far beyond our finances. Micah 6:8 (KJV) says, “…And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Sounds like God is interested in far more than money, doesn’t it? And what about Hosea 6:6 when God says, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings?”

These are just a few examples of giving to God what is His. What are some other ways we can do this? Any other scriptures come to mind? May God bless you as you give back to Him from the rich and gracious blessings He has already given you!

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, family, giving
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