Heaven Is Real: Lessons on Earthly Joy--From The Man Who Spent 90 Minutes In Heaven (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Cecil Murphey (Author)
Key Phrases: final bridge, hidden scars, heavenly perspective, Jesus Christ, Don Piper, Lake Livingston (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Piper, well-known for his Christian bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven, with over 1.4 million copies in print, takes his dramatic story one step further by describing the lessons he's learned since he died on a bridge in Texas in 1989. Piper didn't stay dead, but instead returned from the gates of heaven a changed man. I left the bridge different than I had been when I started across, he says. Piper uses the bridge metaphor throughout, describing his salvation as the first bridge he crossed, then the traversal of another bridge to a new normal after accepting that his life was forever altered. Other journeys discussed include the bridge to compassion and the final bridge to heaven (for good this time). Undergirded with e-mails and letters from people who have read his book or heard him speak, Piper also leans heavily on the example of the Apostle Paul and the New Testament book of Philippians. Although the messages can be repetitive and the writing uninspired, Piper's story is astounding and his life lessons are real: focus on the eternal, find the humor, accept help, give thanks and just hold on. (Aug. 7)
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Review

"Piper's story is astounding and his life lessons are real."
-Publishers Weekly

"Piper's story is astounding and his life lessons are real: focus on the eternal, find the humor, accept help, give thanks and just hold on."
-Publishers Weekly

"As you read Heaven Is Real, you will discover that you don't need to go to Heaven to learn these lessons, you simply need to listen to a man who has."
-Dr. Kevin M. Brennan, Senior Pastor, Evangel Church, Scotch Plains, New Jersey

"This book will lift your eyes from the trials and troubles of this life and warm your heart as you realize that everything you do here on Earth can make a difference for eternity."
-Gregg Harris, President, Far East Broadcasting Company

"In this book, Don tells the story-more than life overcoming death, more than stories of faith and fear-but the story of faith and love and hope and grace of Christ...Be prepared to be blessed!"
-Ron Hill, Senior Pastor, The Fellowship of San Antonio --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover; 1 edition (August 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425215555
• ISBN-13: 978-0425215555
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #201,530 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Hope for Christians, September 14, 2007

By	Dr. W. G. Covington, Jr. (Edinboro, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I didn't read the subtitle closely enough. I was expecting this book to expand upon what he saw when he went to heaven, but as I started reading it I noticed that that was not the purpose of this book. This one talks about how his life has changed since his 90 minutes in heaven. The issues he brings up help you to examine your own life.

The bridge is the analogy he uses throughout the book, i.e., in his case his life changed forever once he crossed a bridge that led to his accident. Even small choices affect our lives he points out. One of the themes he keeps coming back to is that touching other people's lives is validating in that God intends for us to serve other people. We need other people and they need us. Piper said it was easier for him to serve than be served, but a hard lesson he accepted in regaining meaning to his life was in learning to let other people serve him.

For people going through difficult times that permanently change who they are, Piper offers well-thought out advice. He encourages them to accept the new realities and not try to go back to a past that will never exist again.

He tells a story about a commencement speaker who asked the graduates "Do you want to be remembered for what you did for yourself--how much money you made, the kind of car you drove, the size of the house you lived in? Or do you want people to remember what you did for others--your kindness and compassion; your generosity of time, money, and spirit; the testimony you freely shared to bring others to Christ?"

This book accomplishes its goal of helping readers to reflect on what their time on this earth is really about. Building a spiritual legacy is the life well-lived.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "A LITTLE HEAVEN, A LOT OF COMMON SENSE, AND A LITTLE DR. PHIL!", August 9, 2007

By	Rick Shaq Goldstein "Rick Shaq Goldstein" (Danville, Ca, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

On February 13, 2003, I almost died, during brain tumor surgery. An operation that was supposed to take four hours, took 8 ½ hours, due to bleeding in my brain. I am blessed, and feel I was saved, for a reason. Any time I have an opportunity, to talk with anyone that is going to be going through brain surgery, I go out of my way, to share my experience, with the patient, and their family. I firmly believe, that no Doctor can get a brain tumor patient, prepared, for what they are going to go through, better than I can. NOTE 1: If you read my prior review on Don's earlier book "90 Minutes In Heaven." I have written the same personal biography as above. The reason I have done this, is to establish my credibility, as a "witness" to my comments regarding this book. Just as important as offering my experience before surgery, my tutelage, as to what to expect after surgery, is even more important. That phase of life on earth; the after, is what the heart of Don's story is about.

After losing a loved one. After losing physical, or mental capabilities, that is where Don's experience is most helpful, and he encourages people who have lived through experiences like mine, to make their time and experience available, to ease the suffering of patients, and their family members. But! Only Don, can give the comfort of what heaven is like for the departed. NOTE 2. I strongly recommend that you read Don's book: "90 Minutes In Heaven." before this book. The impact, of this book, will be greater for the reader, when you see the tremendous growth in Don himself, due to his acceptance, of why he was brought back to earth.

Perhaps the most important statement made in this book, is about accepting the "NEW NORMAL". You can't dwell on the way things used to be. You have to do everything you can to accept, and regroup, to what you're left with. And one last thing: Make sure you let your loved ones help you! They've been traumatized also, and the only way they can feel as if they're heeling is by helping you.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful - touching - great writing, September 28, 2007

By	David S. Rhodes (Scottsdale, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I picked this book up before a long cross-country flight. I could not stop reading it. I actually finished it between Phoenix and Charlotte!

The best description I can give you of this book is that the author puts you there - in the scenes with him. Not many writers can pull that off effectively.

When he describes the accident scene where he is covered in a sheet, and his friend is pleading with the officer to uncover him because he is alive - you feel as though you are right there, wanting to tap the officer on the shoulder and say - "Give him a chance."

When he describes the physical beauty of heaven and the streets literally of translucent gold, you just feel like you are surrounded by the brilliance of the moment.

Christians will be very touched by the "realness" of this perspective. That Heaven does exist, that our loved ones will welcome us, and that the peace and happiness you feel is beyond all human understanding.

Be prepared to be touched, laugh a little, get choked up a couple of times, and generally enjoy this unique and fascinating walk we will all take someday.

Well done.