Is Heaven for Real?
Last night I saw the new movie Heaven is for Real and I was very touched by it. It’s the story of a four year old boy named Colton Burpo who went to heaven when his body was being operated on and he came back to share his experiences with his family. Sounds sweet and innocent, like a child with a great imagination, but this young boy actually had this experience and it turned quite a few lives upside down.
His father just happens to be the pastor of a local church and to watch his struggles with Colton’s accounts of heaven reminded me of the consciousness of our planet. The reaction of the parishioners compounded the confusion and anger about this little boy’s experience. It was eye opening for me because I’ve become so ingrained in the belief that there is life after death and that Heaven is the most beautiful safe place that we will ever experience. That was one of Colton’s comments: “No one will hurt me here.”
He saw Angels and Jesus. He sat on Jesus’ lap. The angels giggled when he asked if they would sing a different song. He met others in Heaven that I won’t share because that was part of the fun of the movie.
Yesterday in our local Star and Tribune newspaper I read a movie review by Rick Bentley of the Fresno Bee who says “The film based on a true story is strongest when it focuses on real life.” The accounts of Heaven ARE REAL LIFE and it annoys the hell out of me that people who have no consciousness about this do the reviews. He criticizes many of the things in the movie.
If you’ve read any of my books, you know that I had an out of body experience many years ago where I was allowed to go to heaven and see for myself if it’s real or not. I’ve written about it in most of my books because it’s important information to share. Everything that was said in the movie is exactly as I saw it. The best selling book that was written about Colton’s experience had a theological mode to it and I was disappointed in that simply because Heaven is so much bigger than our theological idea’s of what it’s like.
I woke up today wondering if this movie will help to shift the consciousness about Heaven and God. As Bentley says, this movie will undoubtedly spark many debates and I’m sure many people will chalk this whole thing up to a child’s imagination which will be very unfortunate. People have a chance to open their minds and their hearts to the truths that are out there and many people will choose to cling to their old fearful beliefs and die afraid.
My hat is off to Director Randall Wallace for sticking to the story and not adding a bunch of fake computer generated images to make the movie “more spectacular.” He did the book justice and I think created a very beautiful movie.
I would also say the timing is perfect. Holy week. Passover. Easter. I hope you get a chance to see the movie. There is so much sweet innocence and truth in it and we can all use a good dose of that.
I hope you have a blessed week end.
Echo
I had considered writing a blog article about this same movie, since I went to see it Wednesday. But since Echo Bodine (thanks Echo!) just posted her article I thought it was great to share it here with you. I also found it interesting that fear plays into the idea of Heaven — something that really has no hard and fast way of being proved in our world. Sometimes, trusting like a small child is all we need to do. And knowing that the Creator, in all Its Wisdom is able to help us know that our Loved Ones in Spirit are fine, through Extra-Special means.
Echo, thank you so much for this post. I am in seminary right now and I often feel the conflict between the heaven that I know from talking with spirits to the heaven they portray in school. I have to constantly remind myself that school is the dogma and spirit is real. It’s a balancing act for sure.
Hey, Echo… Look at this!
Heaven Is for Real Opens at No. 1 at Box Office
I didn’t know Greg Kinnear was in in it! Thanks for your blog…
xo Susan
There’s a movie now? I’ll have to look it up. I loved the book.
I’m also happy to discover your website. I’m not clairvoyant, but I discovered just a few years ago that I was more telepathic than I could have conceived possible after an encounter with a much stronger psychic with abused their power in ways people would not believe possible. He could have been a great healer, but it’s not his choice. I’m working on a memoir about my experience and know the risk: that there’s a good chance people will think I’m either delusional or the biggest liar since James Frey. But still I have to tell the truth whether they believe me or not. It’s a window into the universe I have a responsibility to share for some many reasons. I was tempted to write it as a fiction instead of a memoir, but would feel like a coward if I didn’t admit the truth. I’ve opted for pen name to protect my family, but Jenny is my real name.
If I’d been clairvoyant I could have avoided this man and lived in blissful ignorance as to the nature of the universe. But it’s hard to turn back when a window open.
I’ll have to add you to my feedly list. ( : I know I could be wrong but I get the sense you are the real deal. I shouldn’t say that, but I’m a just a bit compulsively honest. Maybe that’s why I have to tell my story and I’m taking as long as it takes to do do it right. I can’t even begin to imagine how many genuine psychics stay in the closet while charlatans muddy the water. It’s hard to know who to trust, but I just took a leap or faith in outing myself to you. I won’t talk about my the nature of memoir to many people until I’m ready to publish. This is an exception. ( :
All the best, Jenny.