Heaven Is Now: Awakening Your Five Spiritual Senses to the Wonders of Grace [Kindle Edition]

Andrew Farley (Author)

Book Description

What if heaven wasn't just meant to be experienced after we die? What if heaven can be enjoyed here on earth--right now?

Bestselling author Andrew Farley shows us how to take in the beauty of heaven no matter what our circumstances. With insight firmly rooted in the reality of pain and suffering, Andrew assures readers that heaven is not some pie-in-the-sky dream for the future--it is now. He shows us how to awaken our five spiritual senses in order to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel the grace of heaven, even in the midst of trouble here on earth. He says the heaven we can experience in this life lies within us, far beyond the reach of the world--but well within our grasp.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

What if heaven wasn't just meant to be experienced after we die? What if heaven can be enjoyed here on earth--right now?

In this life-changing book, bestselling author Andrew Farley reveals how you can take in the beauty of heaven no matter what your circumstances. With insight firmly rooted in the reality of pain and suffering, Andrew assures you that heaven is not merely some pie-in-the-sky dream for the future--it is now. He shows you how to awaken your five spiritual senses in order to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel the grace of heaven, even in the midst of trouble here on earth.

The heaven we can experience in this life lies within us, far beyond the reach of the world--but well within our grasp.

From the Back Cover

"What a promise: there is another world, and it can start now, in this one. Read Heaven Is Now to discover hidden everyday reflections that can awaken your 'five spiritual senses' so that you can begin eternity now. This book is heaven-sent."--Leonard Sweet, bestselling author, professor, and chief contributor to Sermons.com

"If you've ever wondered what Jesus might say specifically to you, this is your book and you're going to love it! Andrew Farley presents the magnificent truth of the gospel in the form of a conversation--as though Jesus were talking directly to you, and you to Jesus. Your heart will open wide to your Savior as you marvel at his love for you. And there's nothing more life-changing than that!"--Ralph Harris, author of God's Astounding Opinion of You

"Andrew Farley has a unique and special understanding of grace. In Heaven Is Now, he articulates the depths of God's grace in a way that every believer can understand. This is the official grace handbook for Christians everywhere!"--Darin Hufford, bestselling author of The Misunderstood God

"Here is a gentleness that captures not only the content of Jesus's message but his loving heart and warmth as well. Within this invitation to experience heaven in the here and now, Farley offers the encouragement of a Good News that's much better than what Christians are usually taught. God's tenderness leaps from every page."--David Gregory, bestselling author of Dinner with a Perfect Stranger

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 736 KB
• Print Length: 224 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (April 1, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00702M59U
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,589 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Yet Another Grand Slam from Andrew Farley! March 23, 2012

By Jeremy D. White

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

First it was "The Naked Gospel." Then came "God Without Religion." Now, one of the most refreshing Christian voices of our generation offers a third installment in his quest to help us understand and enjoy the matchless grace of God more powerfully than we ever have! If you think you understand the love of God, put that assumption to the test today and read "Heaven is Now." Don't be fooled by the title. This isn't some whacky tale of one man's opinion about the afterlife. This is a deeply Scriptural, extremely practical and immensely enjoyable book that you'll return to over and over again for fresh reminders of God's invitation to enjoy Him NOW!

Andrew has a gift for taking the most profound theological truths of Scripture, placing them on the lower shelf without dumbing them down, and helping us to exchange our less-Biblical notions of God for the truth! Why wait until Heaven to begin really enjoying Jesus when daily glimpses and tastes of eternity are available every day? Whether you are burnt out on the so-called "spiritual disciplines", struggling with conflicting impressions of God, or wondering whether you'll really ever be able to finally rest in His irreversible love and forgiveness, this book will help you experience God's goodness more richly for yourself - and communicate it to others more clearly. Thank you Andrew Farley for being obedient to clear away the clutter and teach the truth! I've been a pastor for 16 years, a Christian for 23 years, and I've seldom experienced an author whose words God has used to impact my life so deeply!

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Springtime For The Heart! March 23, 2012

By Ralph Harris

Format:Hardcover

Here's a book that has been needed for many years. I wish I had written it! I cannot adequately describe what Farley has done to assist people toward the fulfilling relationship they deeply long for with God. Reading this book will help you fathom the security and greatness of God's love for you, and it will assist you to walk with Him in a much more satisfying way because of it. Isn't that what you want most?

If you do, then Farley will help you find that through the pages of this book. For many people "Heaven Is Now" will change their day-to-day life in the way that springtime breaks the grip of a dark winter season. It will be quite an awakening!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read April 10, 2012

By Rebekah Royal

Format:Hardcover

I absolutely loved the simplicity of this book. Andrew took spiritual life changing truths and explained them in a way that anyone can understand the new life we have in Christ. Heaven really is for now! Andrew took the most important things about the NEW Covenant and shared them with real life examples. If you want to know what it means to live by Grace and to be free from the law, yet in love with Jesus and living from HIS life, you must read this book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sensory Journey: Discovering that Heaven is Now April 2, 2012

By Kellie A. Kennedy

Format:Hardcover

Andrew Farley's book, "Heaven is Now" is another must read. Having read and loved "The Naked Gospel" and " God Without Religion," this book does not disappoint. Farley uses personal stories and conversations to draw analogies to incredible truths soundly supported in scripture. No author does this better--I so appreciate Farley's incredible gift of clearly and concisely communicating truth. He has a gift of drawing us from our modern circumstances, showing us the incredible love and grace in the scriptures, and then enabling us to transcend the situation we might be struggling with by applying truth that sets us free. Farley cleverly and appropriately divides his book into our 5 spiritual senses ( feel, hear, see, smell, and taste) and states that we "already possess the senses we need to take in heaven's goodness (Heb. 5:14). We need only have these senses awakened.". And that is exactly what this author does. I have been reading this book aloud to my daughters, age 17 and 12, each night before bed. At the end of each chapter, there is a beautiful message written as if directly from God, Himself, to the reader, and then is followed by a short prayerful response from the reader. The girls and I have had many sweet, before bed conversations as our minds are renewed through our awakened spiritual senses that in the midst of the craziness in our lives on this earth, we can really experience the love, grace, mercy and everlasting stability of Heaven--Right now!

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Encouraging Devotional Book but with some Troubling Teachings May 6, 2012

By C. Stephans TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

In Heaven is Now, Andrew Farley has refined and clarified his teaching on the distinction between the Law that condemns sinners and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ that saves and sets free from sin forever. The first half of the book adeptly leads readers through Scripture to explain the finished work of Jesus on the cross and how it applies to us. The later half of the book focuses more on living into the Christ life. This is much the same message as Mr. Farley's previous book; here, I think it is better articulated and includes a more devotional application. Although the book has plenty of positives, the unorthodox Biblical readings of Jesus' and John's teachings prevent me from recommending it for individual or group use.

Farley does an excellent job showing how Jesus' work forgives all of our sins and wipes them away forever--never to be seen by God again. He leads readers through Scriptures to show that we are new people "in Christ," and that, as Christians, we are never out of Christ. This will prevent the misunderstandings that Christians may have about being able to fall out of God's grace or lose salvation. Short, helpful anecdotes illustrate these points in each chapter. On these topics, I think Mr. Farley may minimize the damage that sin in our lives does to our relationship with God in the present reality of our lives. Any devoted Christian knows that sin becomes a stumbling block and obstacle to experiencing present communion with the Lord. Farley does state the need to stop sinning and remember who we are in Christ.

Mr. Farley makes clear that the Law is used by God to point people to Jesus.... He highlights this "second use" of the law while eschewing anything close to a "third use" of the law that would teach Christians any sort of ethics or ideal for which to strive. A problem here is that he does not define "The Law." It seems that he is referring to any Scripture occuring prior to the cross or that seems to make demands of Christians. This will help free readers from the treadmill of trying to live up to God's standards to avoid his displeasure or punishment but leaves a confusing picture for how the Christian is actually empowered and called to live. Jesus is clearly shown as the way to fulfill all of God's standards, as believers rest in his righteousness by faith; however, Farley rejects Jesus as an exemplar or even a teacher of the Christian life.

It is always refreshing to read authors emphasizing the present reality of God's kingdom and salvation. God's kingdom and new creation is not just off in the heaven; rather, his kingdom has been inaugurated in Jesus Christ and given to us by the Holy Spirit. It is here and now for us to live into, possess, enjoy and share with others. What is missing here is a correct understanding of what life in the Kingdom looks like on earth which many believe is seen in Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount; however, Farley categorizes these and similar teachings as condemning Law. There is no mention of the call to discipleship, to taking up one's cross, denying one's self and following Jesus. Based on the teaching in this book, I am led to assume that the "cost of discipleship" is a condemning command by Jesus to those under law and should not be allowed to encroach on the life of grace, as Farley sees it.

Unfortunately, I believe he misinterprets Jesus' teachings, such as the Sermon on the Mount. I agree with him that this is not a standard we can attain on our own under any circumstance; however, I think it is the image of Christ to which believers are being conformed and that it expresses the way of life in God's kingdom for transformed believers empowered by God's spirit. Mr. Farley teaches that all of Jesus' teaching prior to the cross and resurrection are taught under the old covenant to condemn listeners. This is an understanding at odds with the Biblical witness and the apostolic teaching--the context in which the gospels were written. This gross misinterpretation includes Mr. Farley's teaching that the Lord's Prayer is "an `old [covenant] prayer that condemns." I have found this to be at odds with ALL faithful teaching and practice of the church from the 1st Century to the present--Reformed Protestants, Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Pentecostals all pray this prayer. I consider this a deplorable teaching that can be a stumbling block to readers' individual and corporate prayer lives.

This is a major problem I see in the book, because these teachings are so relevant to Christians' lives throughout the centuries and world. The Lord's Prayer, for example, has been prayed prior to the gospels being written and as part of the apostolic teaching handed down by faithful Christians through the generations. I think this is a blatantly erroneous teaching.

I personally am not comfortable with the author's adopting the voice of Jesus in writing to readers at the conclusion of each chapter. This is a caveat I have in general not just with Mr. Farley. Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling" books are popular and have really ministered to readers, so it is a method that can be effective. Mr. Farley's "dustjacket" fan, Leonard Sweet, concluded his book "Jesus Manifesto" with a letter from Jesus addressed to "insert your name here." I found that off-putting, too. Mr. Farley's writings as Jesus seem prayerfully and carefully done. They are prophetically encouraging and thoroughly Biblical. I just have trouble with them being signed as "Jesus," as if there is no human agency. Each writing is followed by a welcome prayer and a plethora of Scriptural references to show their inspiration to which they seem strongly faithful.

I disagree with Mr. Farley's interpretation of 1 Jn 1:9 as being not written to Christians or applying to Christians. Earlier in the book, Mr. Farley makes a helpful and important differentiation between a person's spirit, soul (consisting of the mind, emotions and will) and body. While our spirits are reborn in Christ's righteousness once and for all, I think sometimes confession and cleansing from God of any "unrighteousness" is for our soul rather than a futile ritual of being "reborn" again, as Mr Farley seems to assert. And Mr. Farley also reminds readers that being "in Christ" is being in eternal communion and fellowship with the Lord; however, our ongoing sins can be a hindrance to our living into this fellowship--despite Mr. Farley's protests to the contrary. Confession and receiving cleansing of our sinfulness (sinful thoughts for example) can serve to remove from our souls what hinders our intimacy with the Lord. I believe he is always deepening our experience of his grace and forgiveness, and I believe 1 Jn 1:9 is a Scripture useful to the Christian for edification. As it is with the Lord's Prayer, Mr. Farley's teaching on this text is at odds with orthodox Christian teaching--historic and present.

What I gather is that Mr. Farley associates confession and asking forgiveness for sins only with the erroneous teaching that unless a Christian continues to confess sins as they occur he or she does not remain forgiven. I think he is right to emphatically reject that belief. What I think most "confessing" Christians practice is to acknowledge (confess) the sin to God, repent of it (stop sinning) and receive or affirm God's forgiveness in his or her life. This does not infer at all any idea that Christ's work on the cross is not complete, full, or satisfying and a once and for all work on behalf of sinners. Confession, according to 1 Jn 1:9, can be a practice of acknowledging sin as we become aware of it, repenting of it and receiving God's forgiveness and cleansing of any negative consequence of the sin to our spirit and soul--not our eternal salvation which is secure in Christ. I don't think this is at odds with the Biblical and apostolic witness.

Overall, this is could be a refreshing teaching that has immediate application for Christians' lives. I believe readers may come away from reading Heaven is Now edified but also severely misinformed on significant Biblical teachings. I encourage you to challenge what I believe are the wrong teachings listed above that undermine the positives in the book. Read more ›

More About the Author

ANDREW FARLEY is quietly helping thousands of people discover the beauty of their new identity in Jesus Christ and how to live from God's grace like never before. Andrew is lead pastor of Ecclesia: Church Without Religion, a non-denominational church that resides on the high plains of west Texas. Andrew is a bestselling author of several Christian books including "The Naked Gospel", "God Without Religion", and "Heaven is Now." Andrew's writings have been featured in national news and media outlets including PBS, CBS, and FOX. You can hear "Andrew Farley LIVE", a nationwide call-in program, every Sunday afternoon at 2pm Eastern on Sirius XM, Channel 131.