Customer Reviews

Heaven: My Father's House

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found comfort with Anne's assurance that our heavenly home is where we will be welcomed into eternal peace and safety.
I lost a loved one and had difficulty adjusting. Knowing that he is in Heaven is a great comfort. I know we will be together again in Glory.
I also must say that I have used a great book for personal healing,Write from Your Heart, A Healing Grief Journal. Both of these books have helped me to move forward in peace and hope.

I'll try to be gracious but truthful. The subject of this book is not the problem, but probably I was looking for a more substantial, rigorous treatment. Perhaps someone who has never considered or studied what the Bible says about heaven might find this more suitable. The second to the last chapter, "A Home You Are Invited to Claim as Your Own," was the best to me, as it was basically the gospel message. It would be good for a person who is new to (not yet a believer in) Christianity. But I was put off by the long lists of items that run throughout the book (if you see a sample of that in the online excerpt, be forewarned that the book is filled with these lists.). So, the book is a bit "poetic," and if you like that style, you may like this book. It also has a lot of exclamation points. If you like the very deep, wrestling thoughts of writers like CS Lewis, you might want to think twice about this book.

If you are looking for a comforting book that assures you of God's love then this book may be of interest to you. I was expecting more vivid descriptions of heaven especially after reading numerous books on near-death experiences. This book mostly focuses on the description of heaven as given in Revelation 21.

Some of the descriptions of how God's glory lights heaven seemed similar to other stories I've read where people have described a brilliant light that doesn't hurt your eyes and makes you feel unconditionally loved.

Anne Graham Lotz also spends a great deal of time describing what heaven won't be like. She compares this earthly life with the heavenly life we can expect when we die. In some way she makes death seem less frightening and also explains how you can be sure you are going to heaven when you die.

While this book is mostly about heaven there is a small segment about hell. This should be enough to convince you that you don't want to go to hell under any circumstances. Imagine being in eternal darkness when you could be enjoying the brilliance of heaven.

This book will be especially appreciated by anyone who is afraid of death or who is concerned about their eternal destiny. I found this book to be very comforting and informative even though it did not describe as much about heaven as I'd hoped.

~The Rebecca Review

I always hesitate to write a review that might be remotely considered scathing, but as a reviewer, I sometimes feel I owe to those who faithfully read my reviews to be as honest with them as I possibly can be. Therefore, sometimes it becomes necessary to be critical to the point that some may see it as callous. I hope that is not what appears here.

As I began the first few pages of HEAVEN: MY FATHER'S HOUSE, by Anne Graham Lotz, I had high hopes. The book started off okay and in the early pages gives a nice rendition to John's life in exile on the island of Patmos. Then, however, I found a hundred or so pages of rather fluffy material that had little or no doctrinal value to it. In what had all the makings of a cheap parlor trick, in order to attempt to fill a few extra pages, we see simple questions that should have taken two or three single spaced lines, displayed in sonnet form diagonally across the page to eat up some that wasted paper. There are also numerous references to September 11th, but little connection to the subject matter, as well as brief historical tidbits such as the sinking of the Titanic.

The final two chapters did contain bits and pieces of Bible Doctrine that I found to be fairly well delivered and appropriate to the subject. Perhaps, being the daughter of Pastor Billy Graham, it was appropriate for him to write (or at least sign) the forward, but seemed merely an attempt to sell a few extra copies.

Certainly the intention here was to bring calmness and peace through the teaching of Word of God to those unfortunate souls who find themselves facing death; either their own or that of a loved one. In that regard, this book falls short. There are countless other sources out there that far exceed what is available here. If you do somehow find yourself in possession of this book, read the first ten pages and the last twenty, skip the rest.

Pastor Monty Rainey

Following a tragedy, I thought a great deal about Heaven. I realized there is so much we don't know. One thing that stuck with me was when the author talked about someone visiting her earthly father's home. She talked about how she would be received there in spite of falling short of what her earthly dad expected of her. He warmly welcomed her home when she had disappointed him and thought he might be angry with her. She told how strangers who didn't know her dad would find the gate to the family home closed because he didn't know them. There was a great deal here that helped me through a very difficult time, knowing that we are God's family and will be welcomed when we get to our Heavenly home, because He knows us and a place has been prepared for us.

There's a time for heavy doctrine (I wasn't able to focus on anything very heavy at that moment) and a time for talking about what it's going to be like when we finally arrive Home with our Heavenly Father there to greet us. This book offered me what I needed when I needed it. It was like a conversation with a dear friend who was there to talk about these things when others didn't know what to do or say and when others had no idea why or what I was longing and aching to know.

Along with Joni Erikson Tada's, this is one of the best Heaven books I've read. I bought both for my mother-in-law, who is dying of cancer. These books have helped her to look even more forward to her time in Heaven.

I saw Anne many years ago promoting this book and since my

Uncle had been very ill I thought this would make for good

reading. I loved the book and to my surprise my DAD had

passed away a month before my Uncle. I believe this book was

meant to help me accept death on a happier note & not so

fearful. Now I give this book when attending funerals rather

than flowers. I always for 3-4 on hand!!

The book received in good condition but was not new as advertized. The book story by Ann Graham Lotts was very well written and very interesting. It tells all Christians about their new home when the Father calls us to come home to be with Him.

The author uses her earthly father's house as a comparison with her Heavenly Father's home in describing how one will feel welcomed on the other side. There isn't any new revelation in this book. She shares her personal insights and largely cites the Scriptures that talk about what is awaiting the dead in Christ.

One of the other reviewers was correct to point out that this small book contains extensive poetic type lists. The plan of salvation is given near the end so people who are unsure how to make heaven their destination can do so.

Her description of heaven is one involving preperation that is personal. She writes..."God...knows the colors I love, the scenery I enjoy, the things that make me happy, all the personal details that will let me know when I walk into My Father's House, I am expected and welcome, because He has prepared it for me! And in the same way, He is preparing a glorious homecoming for you!"

This book is a comforting read if you have lost a loved one or if you are seeking encouragement and reassurance.

This is a great study for old and young alike. Makes your perspective of heaven more personal.