Heaven is for Real is a series of real life events told by the father of the Burpo family, Todd, who’s son, Colton, was blessed with a moment in Heaven at the age of 4 years old. The blueprints of the story, without giving too much away, is a middle class, totally normal family, children of God, have a terrible series of events fall upon their life, predominately revolving around their eldest son’s illness. This book is the first book I have read that I did not underline a single thing. Not because the content lacked inspiration, but because the book is told from such a place of love, warmth and honesty, that I truly felt I became a part of this family. Almost as if their emotions and experiences were being downloaded into my life. So much so that I actually read this book in less than a week, over a month ago, but am just now sitting down to knock this out and I still feel that connection. Now I don’t know about you, but a lot goes on in a month and if I am still feeling emotionally connected with a book I only spent 5 days reading, cover to cover, now that is a book worthy of recommendation. I am purposely not going into detail, because the book is a captivating read, one I really hope you dive into.
What I do want to speak about in correlation with this book is how REAL Heaven is and how ALIVE He is. In this book you will hear the intimate details from a small child, details no earthly way he could have made up, and how innocent and matter of fact he delivers these details of Heaven. Yesterday, at my home church Upper Room Dallas, our pastor’s wife Lorisa spoke on a beautiful topic of communion. She highlighted a few bullet points that speak to the living life of our Holy Father. I have always known of God, but it was not until the past year of my life that I have been in relationship with Him. Coming to him in faith, thanksgiving for the past, switching from Wezzy to Worship music. I have had REAL LIFE situations that have brought me to my knees as the Father has spoken to me through others around me. When you dive into intimacy with Him those moments are POWERFUL, and might I add totally addicting. It is like your heart is embraced by the most peaceful strength, that meets you exactly where you need to receive it. What really touched my heart in yesterday’s sermon was when God does show up and we have googles on, filtering what it is He is trying to deliver to us. We filter things to see the things from God exactly how we want to see them. I had been sitting on a prayer for over 8 months! 8 MONTHS!!!! And the Lord has multiple times spoken through others to answer my prayers and bring clarity over this situation. Yet I still could not accept His word with peace. Why? Well because I was filtering it. I put my Ashley spin on it so I could be like, “Oh Yeah THANK YOU JESUS for that answer, but let me add a dash of Ash, so I can still hopefully in the future get what I want”…… And que the emotional confusion, being back at his feet with that same prayer, because if we are not taking off our googles, we will miss His word. Come to Him open. Come to him laying down your right to understand. Come to Him with the peace that His timing is the proper timing. That all things through Him are as they should be. He is all mighty and He is ALIVE.
The thing that has stuck with me the most from Heaven is for Real and has brought peace into many situations in my life, is when Colton is explaining all he got to do and see in Heaven and Todd is confused as to “how long he was there”. The dialog amongst this topic in regards to time Colton was on the operation table, amount of time he could have died to actually go to Heaven and all the in betweens that do not logistically add up simply resulted to : On Heaven Time. Often I want to control things, act NOW NOW NOW, or God will share a vision with me and I attack it full force, rather than take it step by step, allowing Him to finish what He started on His time, Heaven time.
I would love to hear your experiences with this book and what stood out to you! Email me at ashley@artofstyle.com
