Heaven Is For Real - Todd Burpo

Dear Jesus,

Help me never to forget that you are always here, always real and always loving me.

Amen!

This book had a profound effect on my prayer life.  I can't say that it changed me forever, because that wouldn't be accurate.  I've known Jesus a very long time and even though I've had seasons of "drought" or thoughtlessness, I've always returned.  This brought me back from a season with leaps and bounds.  This little boy's trip to Heaven is believable and wonderful and made Him more real to me....again.

What I really loved about this book is that it's not just this steady stream of recapping Colton's visit to Heaven, but a woven story with his experience just thrown in - how it truly happened.  He didn't wake up from surgery spoutin' scripture or praisin' Jesus, but slowly opened up with his innocent stories and remarkable insight.....not to mention the statements he made that he could never have known had he not been there.

I always take these stories with a grain of salt.  I'm a bit of a skeptic.  As much as I WANT them to be true, I just always wonder how much of it truly is.  This one had me sold hook, line and sinker.  It just didn't FEEL false.  It felt real and genuine and sweet and simple.  Easy peasy read, not-so-easy heart changer.  :)

The beginning, however, made for a bit of dull reading.  Luckily it didn't take them too many {fairly short} chapters to get into the "meat" of the book, though.  Just enough, maybe, to keep people from truly getting into it FAST enough.  I'm glad I stuck it out. 

No spoilers here - the title says it all.  This little dude goes to Heaven and sits in Jesus' lap, sings with angels and can describe Heaven in a way that only a little 3 year old can.  Pure. 

I'm buying a few more copies of this book to give as gifts - or to make sure I have enough to lend out.  I just think it is a worthwhile read.  Heart-warming, heart-changing and heart-felt.  Read this book.  It won't take you long.  Just read it.  You'll see.

*****(plus)
5+ stars

So many books, so little time!

I love books.  I am obsessed with books.  I think about buying books like lots of women think about buying clothes.....or shoes!  I spend A LOT of my money on books.  YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY BOOKS!

With that said, I thought I would start a little blog (probably not updated a ton) about the books I've read, am reading or will hopefully read someday.  Again - so many books, so little time.

I probably shouldn't admit this right outta the gate, but I write down all the books I've bought (yes, I DO know about libraries) and scratch them off as I read them.  About once a year or so, I revamp my list.  I create a new list with the books I own that I haven't read and add the ones I've read to another list.  I'm not necessarily a list maker for anything else.  Just. My. Books.

My list is up to 154 books.  That doesn't count the ones I've crossed off though.  Nor does it count the ones I've bought, read and added to the "read" list before re-doing my "to-read" list again.  So, I guess not only are books my obsession, but keeping track of my books has become somewhat of one, too.

I am a self-diagnosed "book freak," and I'm not ashamed of it.  And I don't want help with it.  I'm just sayin'.

So, here I will record my own OPINION of the books I've read.  I know everyone has different tastes - especially in literature - and will have entirely different (or sometimes similar) opinions of the books I will write about.  I'm not here to pass judgment on authors or books that aren't necessarily in the genre I prefer, so I hope that you won't pass judgment on ME and my views.  I'll always stay polite (unless a book STINKS).  I will try to avoid spoilers (unless we get a discussion going in the "comments" section).  I will have a vast array of genres ('cause that's what I like - variety).  I will try to post as I finish a book (which could very well be sporadic.)

I hope you join in.  I really, truly do.  I love a good book discussion almost more than I love my own kids. (I'm teasing, really!)  I share my books because I want others to enjoy them as much as I do (just don't dog-ear my pages, please!).  And if you want to SUGGEST any books to me, please be warned.  I WILL go out and buy it - or put it on my wish list at Amazon!

With ALLLLLL of that said, I'm no literary genius.  I don't have a degree in English or Literature or anything special like that.  In fact, I'm probably not the best writer of reviews, either.  But I'm a busy mom who loves to read when she can.

So, "follow" me as I go on this journey (less damaging than dog-earring pages, that's for sure) and add your two cents.  Just don't read the end before you get there. ;-)