I got a copy of this book last 2012. And I remember I was able to finish it in a few days. I saw the copy again inside our bookshelf and read it once more.
I got goosebumps all over my skin once again while reading some entries in the book. I can’t help but shed a few tears as well. The book is a true story of a nearly four-year-old boy’s accounts on his visit to heaven.
Colton is the name of the boy. He lives in a small town in Nebraska. And the author of the book is Colton’s father, Todd, a pastor, with a little help from Lyn Vincent, a professional writer. Colton underwent an emergency appendectomy at nearly age four. During the surgery, he slipped from consciousness and entered heaven.
The people he met in heaven.
In heaven, he met God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He saw Angel Gabriel who sits on a throne on the left side of God the Father. He had a glimpse of Mama Mary as well who kneels before the throne of God and at times, stands beside Jesus. He also met his great-grandfather Pop who died 30 years before the little boy Colton was born. He had a conversation with his miscarried little sister as well. Her little sister doesn’t have a name, though, she said their parents never gave her a name. What’s more, there are many children in heaven and God loves them so much. There are no old people in heaven, too, and everyone has wings and a halo — all except Jesus.
Things he saw in heaven.
The little boy described that in heaven, Jesus has a horse and the horse is rainbow-colored. There are big rainbows as well and their colors are not contained in seven only. In heaven, there is a golden gate with many pearls on it. He also described how big God is and how He fits in his golden chair. He relayed to his parents too that Jesus has a sash and marks on his palms and feet (wounds from the crucifixion).
Three minutes in heaven
Colton stayed in heaven for three minutes which seemed to be longer from a heavenly perspective.
The first time they heard of Colton’s story
Four months later after the emergency surgery on Colton, the Burpo family were traveling when Todd reminded his son that they were very near the hospital where he had been treated. The little boy made an off-the-cuff remark, “Yes, it is where the angels sang to me.” Thus began a long series of “beyond belief” revelations that stretched over a period of several years.
As mentioned earlier, Heaven is For Real is a true story of Colton. Colton had a near-death experience. He disclosed things which indeed rocked his parents to the max. He started his story with an accurate description of what happened during the surgery — he went up out of his body, he looked down and saw the doctor working on his body. He saw his dad in a little room by himself, praying while his mother was in a different room, and she was praying and talking on the phone.
In the years following the little boy’s heavenly encounter, Todd was very interested in having Colton describe Jesus. He showed to Colton many drawings and paintings of Jesus but the little boy would only say no. Nearly three years after the emergency appendectomy, Todd showed to Colton a portrait of Jesus painted by a young Lithuanian girl named Akiane, who likewise claims to have visited heaven at age four. “That one’s right,” was the response of Colton.
Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo and Lyn Vincent is a nice read. I recommend everyone to grab or borrow a copy. The book personally caused me to imagine what heaven might be like. The book inspired me to do good for me to go up to heaven and see for myself God’s beautiful blue eyes.
So do I believe in Colton’s story? More than anything else, the book not just gave me a wonderful glimpse of what lies ahead for BELIEVERS but reassured me that 1) there is a place called heaven, 2) Jesus really loves children, and 3) we should be ready for the coming last battle.
I am big book worm. this book just got added to my bucket list. I loved how beautifully you reviewd it. definitely gonna buy it and read it soon !!!
Once you have your copy, enjoy! And dont forget to have some coffee or drinks beside you. Surely you wouldnt put the book down.
Amen! I believe in Jesus, so I believe there is a place for us with him. 🙂
Touching story! God will always guide you.
May God guide you as well. Thank you.
Amen, Jesus is the only support that we need to keep going! amazing and touching story
Amazing and touching indeed.
What an interesting sounding story – I would definitely be interested in hearing / reading ore about it. x
Hope you could get a copy to experience it as well. It is a nice read.
Amen! Really touching story! I have to read that book soon.
Amen. 🙂
I’m not very religious but the book sounds very interesting.
Not that religious as well but the book helped me somehow to understand faith and heaven.
I had heard of this before, but now I really want to read it. It sounds fascinating!
This sounds like a wonderful story. And I look forward to seeing a rainbow horse.
My sister told me about this book and how it gave her the goosebumps. I really should read this.
It sounds like an interesting story and one that you really won’t be able to put down. I’m curious because it was from a 4 year-old’s experience and that’s not really something that happens a lot.
This sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Even though I know I will probably be sobbing during most of the book, I have to read it.
I often sob too when reading. Ihihi.
Awwww. What a great book. I agree that we should be ready to the coming last battle.
Amen.
Reading your entry gave me goosebumps! I’ll look for this book – hope this has an eBook available!
Reading your post gave me goosebumps! Will surely look for this book – hope they have it in ebook version!
i believe so that they have ebook version 🙂
Aw bless him, he went through such a difficult time that it is great he has found his voice again and used faith to become stronger x
Yes, best way to describe it 🙂
I’ve long wanted to read this book. Thank you for the summary!
You are welcome.
His experience seems to be a realization. I’m very interested to read what he saw and learned.
Interesting indeed. But sadly, just learned through some comments here that the experience was a fraud. Too sad. Nway, I still believe in heaven.
I saw the movie and I’ve wanted to read the book ever since! Thank you for sharing your insights; I hope I can find a copy.
And I hope to see the movie. 🙂 hope you could find a copy of the book, too.
It’s always interesting to know more about experiences like this. I’m sure Colton is one of a kind and his story should serve as a lesson for everyone.
Wow, I like this book. The title itself is intriguing. This opened my curiosity.
Intriguing indeed that is why I grabbed it when I saw it in the bookstore.
I’ve read the digital copy of this before. I remember feeling so happy afterwards. It gave me a more concrete picture of God. I love how he was able to recognize his miscarried little sister in Heaven.
Yes, seems surreal yet too blessed to have experienced that.
I’m very interested to see the movie!
Me, too.
I agree, it is indeed reassuring.
What a beautiful story! Reading your summary gave me goosebumps as well! I have to admit that I thought it was a bit cliche at first until you mentioned that the only one who also knew what Jesus looked like was a little girl who had died like him. Oh my goodness! Kakakilabot! I’m considering going to the bookstore and buying a copy soon. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
You are welcome. But i have just read here from the comments that the book and experience was a fraud. That i have to check now. Its just sad to learn as I really enjoyed the book. And i also felt those kakakilabot moments on the portrait of Jesus.
I am a bookworm,. And I think this book is a must read. Hoping I can get a copy of that book too.
I hope so too you can grab a copy. 🙂
#Madrespect for promoting books and authors. awesome review, religion is a tough topic to get across the board and this sounds like a thought provoking read.
Religion is Indeed a tough topic and something that should be respected. I have just heard that the book and the experience was a fraud. It is just too heartbreaking if indeed true.
I’ll look for this book on my next bookstore run. 🙂
And dont forget to tell us your take on the book. 🙂
Ooo sounds like an interesting read! I will have to check it out. I need new poolside reading material’
You will find the four-year old boy too outspoken. 🙂
This book got me curious. Going to check this out. Thanks for sharing Momi Berlin. 🙂
You are welcome.
This is the one with the movie, right?
I am a believer of the Bible and I believe in heaven and nothing anyone would say to me will ever make me think otherwise. But I think this story was proven to be a make-believe? I read in a report a couple of years ago that the child, who was older by that interview, admitted that he made up a lot of it and was coached on what to say.
So sad to learn about that. But then anyway, I still believe in heaven. Pero, its sad talaga to learn about that. 🙁
As a Christian, this is one of the books that I won’t want to read. I saw the movie before, and it was quite moving. But right after I found out that it was fraud, I was appalled. I do believe in heaven!
Thanks for sharing! http://www.gregdemcydias.com
Havent seen the movie. So sad to read that it was a fraud. How did you discover? I was so touched by the story I didnt entertain thoughts of it being fraud.
It’s always nice to read something that wpuld reassure us of a better life after. Whether this is real pr fraud, I think it served its purpose of instilling hope to those who will read it.
I agree. Nicely put.
I’m gonna have to skip some of the contents of the blog post as this book is in my to-read list for such a long time. But your post reminded me that I should get on and read the book already. Hihi
Hihi. It is a nice read. Surely you will enjoy
Such an interesting read. Minsan gusto ko din yung mga topic na ganyan aside from romance.
Aw. I remember a somewhat similar book. You might wanna try “Mister God, This is Anna”. It’s also based on a true story. 🙂 I’ll get this one for the family.
I haven’t read this book yet but back when I was working with Barnes and Noble, this was one of the best selling books at that time.
I read this book and saw the movie. It was def moving and did reveal God’s love for us.
I consider myself as a bookworm since I really love books. And I find this book interesting. Where I can find this?
I heard of this, sound really interesting…
http://www.annanuttall.com
oh, wow! your intro alone gave me goosebumps already!
Read it and you will have them until youre done with the book.
I read the book then watched the film when I found out they were doing a movie adaptation. This is definitely a heartwarming story that will help you restore your faith 🙂
Indeed. Sadly though, i havent seen the flick. It saddens me as well when ive learned that the story was a made up daw 🙁