Heaven is for Real

[Rmac81]

I was under the impression that this movie was along the oprah book club type of celestine prophecy style gibberish. Am I wrong? Is this a strong vocal “christian movie”?
Is the Christian view represented here. I am curious.

No, it’s not that at all. It’s a Christian family, their son had a NDE when he was very young (3 or 4) and then over time they began to find out what he saw exactly.

I don’t know what kind of creative license the film will take… so I’m interested to hear what the family says about that after it’s released.

Like I said, other people’s personal revelations shouldn’t be part of our Christian foundation, but God doesn’t grant people various revelations, graces, etc. all the time. I know what happened at Fatima was a big part of my conversion to Catholicism.

 

[Rmac81]

I read the book and wasn’t to impressed by it. Seems the Father remembered more than the son actually did. Had a very protestant theme to it. He saw Grandpa and a sister but no sign of the Blessed Mother. I won’t go see the movie. I don’t know why their pushing it so much, they never did the book, that I know of anyway. God Bless, Memaw

the family is definitely Protestant, so there’s no reason for the movie to have Catholic themes.

I don’t think not seeing our Blessed Mother in heaven is reason to doubt the child’s story. God reaches people where they’re at, and the young boy & his family wouldn’t have had any context for the Blessed Mother.

God called me to Catholicism, but it took many years. Early on in my faith, he reached me where I was. I am confident that when we moved in the beginning of our marriage, God wanted us to attend the Baptist church that we ended up being at for several years. It was that Baptist pastor that eventually helped us make our decision to become Catholic.

 

[suko]

I don’t think not seeing our Blessed Mother in heaven is reason to doubt the child’s story. God reaches people where they’re at, and the young boy & his family wouldn’t have had any context for the Blessed Mother.

Completely agree.

Now obviously, there are many fake or diabolically influenced NDEs, but the fact of the matter is, there are quite a number of NDEs where people’s lives have changed quite for the better, never saw the blessed mother, but had experiences that cannot be explained, such as being physically and most importantly spiritually healed, seeing things that the doctors were doing and saying while the patient was “brain dead” and explaining it to them later on, much to their surprise, etc… One of my favorite NDEs is actually from a former atheist named Ian McCormack, a truly miraculous story, imo.

God finds ways to bring us to Him, He finds ways to save us from ourselves. Sometimes, we may not completely understand HOW he works, but He works in ways to help build up the Church, and bring others to Christ.

 

[Cricket2]

As many who have read my posts know, I had a near death experience. But this time I would like to briefly describe such an experience from my mother’s side of the family.

Her father was from Holland, and when he was a boy his grandmother was caring for one of his female cousins. The child was just 5 years old, and during the night she went down stairs to the living room to get warm by the fire. Tragically her night gown caught on fire.

Her grandmother heard her screams and tried to reach her in time, but was only able to so so after her whole body was totally charred. They placed the little one in her bed and waited for her parents, a priest and the doctor. Once her parents got there she is described as sitting up in bed and pointing to the ceiling saying: “Don’t cry mommy the pretty lady in blue is coming for me.” She further stated, while pulling the flesh from her arms and legs: “See mommy, it is all better now and I am not in pain anymore. Don’t cry, the lady is here to take me home.”

This episode, as horribly tragic as it was helped build the families Faith. They knew the child was speaking of the Virgin Mary, and they believed their little one went to Heaven with the Virgin Mary.

God gives us many graces, and some are much more apparent than others. I see no reason to reject the idea that near death experiences do happen, and that God allows them for the benefit of the person who experiences them as well as those that person may encounter in life. I fail to see why people get so upset about them myself, as they are testimonies of God’s existence and the existence of Heaven. And believe me please when I say this experience goes way beyond some simply psychological event.

There is no way to adequately explain a NDE within the realm of psychology. Based on my own experience all psychological reasoning concerning these experiences is so inadequate as to be absolutely ignorant.

 

[GEddie]

Completely agree.

Now obviously, there are many fake or diabolically influenced NDEs, but the fact of the matter is, there are quite a number of NDEs where people’s lives have changed quite for the better, never saw the blessed mother, but had experiences that cannot be explained, such as being physically and most importantly spiritually healed, seeing things that the doctors were doing and saying while the patient was “brain dead” and explaining it to them later on, much to their surprise, etc… One of my favorite NDEs is actually from a former atheist named Ian McCormack, a truly miraculous story, imo.

God finds ways to bring us to Him, He finds ways to save us from ourselves. Sometimes, we may not completely understand HOW he works, but He works in ways to help build up the Church, and bring others to Christ.

Thank you for the reference.

I heard Ian MacCormack speak in Austin, Tex some years ago! Great testimony.

ICXC NIKA

 

[GEddie]

As many who have read my posts know, I had a near death experience. But this time I would like to briefly describe such an experience from my mother’s side of the family.

Her father was from Holland, and when he was a boy his grandmother was caring for one of his female cousins. The child was just 5 years old, and during the night she went down stairs to the living room to get warm by the fire. Tragically her night gown caught on fire.

Her grandmother heard her screams and tried to reach her in time, but was only able to so so after her whole body was totally charred. They placed the little one in her bed and waited for her parents, a priest and the doctor. Once her parents got there she is described as sitting up in bed and pointing to the ceiling saying: “Don’t cry mommy the pretty lady in blue is coming for me.” She further stated, while pulling the flesh from her arms and legs: “See mommy, it is all better now and I am not in pain anymore. Don’t cry, the lady is here to take me home.”

This episode, as horribly tragic as it was helped build the families Faith. They knew the child was speaking of the Virgin Mary, and they believed their little one went to Heaven with the Virgin Mary.

God gives us many graces, and some are much more apparent than others. I see no reason to reject the idea that near death experiences do happen, and that God allows them for the benefit of the person who experiences them as well as those that person may encounter in life. I fail to see why people get so upset about them myself, as they are testimonies of God’s existence and the existence of Heaven. And believe me please when I say this experience goes way beyond some simply psychological event.

There is no way to adequately explain a NDE within the realm of psychology. Based on my own experience all psychological reasoning concerning these experiences is so inadequate as to be absolutely ignorant.

Thank you C2 for sharing this testimony.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Trebor135]

As many who have read my posts know, I had a near death experience. But this time I would like to briefly describe such an experience from my mother’s side of the family.

Her father was from Holland, and when he was a boy his grandmother was caring for one of his female cousins. The child was just 5 years old, and during the night she went down stairs to the living room to get warm by the fire. Tragically her night gown caught on fire.

Her grandmother heard her screams and tried to reach her in time, but was only able to so so after her whole body was totally charred. They placed the little one in her bed and waited for her parents, a priest and the doctor. Once her parents got there she is described as sitting up in bed and pointing to the ceiling saying: “Don’t cry mommy the pretty lady in blue is coming for me.” She further stated, while pulling the flesh from her arms and legs: “See mommy, it is all better now and I am not in pain anymore. Don’t cry, the lady is here to take me home.”

This episode, as horribly tragic as it was helped build the families Faith. They knew the child was speaking of the Virgin Mary, and they believed their little one went to Heaven with the Virgin Mary.

Wow. That’s a heart-rending story.

God gives us many graces, and some are much more apparent than others. I see no reason to reject the idea that near death experiences do happen, and that God allows them for the benefit of the person who experiences them as well as those that person may encounter in life. I fail to see why people get so upset about them myself, as they are testimonies of God’s existence and the existence of Heaven. And believe me please when I say this experience goes way beyond some simply psychological event.

There is no way to adequately explain a NDE within the realm of psychology. Based on my own experience all psychological reasoning concerning these experiences is so inadequate as to be absolutely ignorant.

Why do you find it so improbable that NDE’s can be explained psychologically? (And not even in a few centuries, I presume–when specialists have made advances in the field that we couldn’t dream of…)

 

[GEddie]

Wow. That’s a heart-rending story.

Why do you find it so improbable that NDE’s can be explained psychologically? (And not even in a few centuries, I presume–when specialists have made advances in the field that we couldn’t dream of…)

If the body is non functional, no psychology would be going on in the body’s head.

If it is still partially functional, the processing would be physiological, not paychological in nature.

And I imagine NDEs could be proven physiological any day now, which is my second reason for not putting faith in them. (The first is that such accounts play no part in the Gospel.)

ICXC NIKA

 

[Memaw]

the family is definitely Protestant, so there’s no reason for the movie to have Catholic themes.

I don’t think not seeing our Blessed Mother in heaven is reason to doubt the child’s story. God reaches people where they’re at, and the young boy & his family wouldn’t have had any context for the Blessed Mother.

God called me to Catholicism, but it took many years. Early on in my faith, he reached me where I was. I am confident that when we moved in the beginning of our marriage, God wanted us to attend the Baptist church that we ended up being at for several years. It was that Baptist pastor that eventually helped us make our decision to become Catholic.

The protestant family may not have had any ‘context’ for the Blessed Mother but She certainly would have had ‘context’ for the child. I doubt Jesus would say, You hide behind that cloud Mother, this child doesn’t know your here!, A conversion is entirely different than a so called NDE that lasts only for minutes. God Bless, Memaw

 

[Cricket2]

Wow. That’s a heart-rending story.

Why do you find it so improbable that NDE’s can be explained psychologically? (And not even in a few centuries, I presume–when specialists have made advances in the field that we couldn’t dream of…)

I think that any efforts that psychologist make to explain NDE are limited. Sure there can be explanations that include environmental influence, societal influence, chemical changes in the brain and so on. But what I am saying is these are not adequate. For anyone who has had these experiences the events are so intense and profound that we really can’t explain them adequately. No matter how elaborate, or how superior the language or description it all falls flat and is missing some element of what is experienced.

The completeness, understanding, peace and sudden awareness and knowledge that I experienced simply can’t be explained away as a psychological experience via human terms. Prior to the experience one could say I was totally empty, without understanding or awareness of any kind. Afterwards I was a totally different person, had understanding and knowledge I did not have prior to this, and everything about my life was different, how I thought, how I looked at things, experienced things etc. It is just too hard to explain.

 

[Memaw]

I think that any efforts that psychologist make to explain NDE are limited. Sure there can be explanations that include environmental influence, societal influence, chemical changes in the brain and so on. But what I am saying is these are not adequate. For anyone who has had these experiences the events are so intense and profound that we really can’t explain them adequately. No matter how elaborate, or how superior the language or description it all falls flat and is missing some element of what is experienced.

The completeness, understanding, peace and sudden awareness and knowledge that I experienced simply can’t be explained away as a psychological experience via human terms. Prior to the experience one could say I was totally empty, without understanding or awareness of any kind. Afterwards I was a totally different person, had understanding and knowledge I did not have prior to this, and everything about my life was different, how I thought, how I looked at things, experienced things etc. It is just too hard to explain.

The mind is a very complicate thing. Many people that have serious mental problems think all kinds of religious things. They “see” things and “Hear” voices telling them many unusual things. Who knows what the mind can do when a person is sooo close to death and yet survives. God Bless, Memaw

 

[marytk]

In a postscript of the book, he answers the question that many Catholics had about Mary. Mary was there but didn’t seem to interact with the child. I was trying to bring it up on my kindle but am having trouble (new kindle so sometimes hard to brng up the older stuff) When I get it I will telll more exactly

I liked the book. I saw the Communion of Saints in it since those in Heaven were concerned with us down here. It has been a while since I read it I will see the movie.

 

[marytk]

“All of of our Catholic friends have asked whether Colton saw Mary, the Mother of Jesus, The answer to that is also"yes”, He saw Mary kneeling before the throne of God and at other times standing besides Jesus. “She still loves him like a mom”

This is what it said about Mary.

 

[adawgj]

I am not going to go see it. The entire story seems more like the father made up most of it.
Things like the angels sang my favorite songs, but wouldn’t sing Queen, has very protestant elements. Also their seems to have been no investigation on whether or not the 1 round trip ticket to heaven is true.

If individuals NDES helped bring them to faith or strengthened then good for you.

 

[Memaw]

In a postscript of the book, he answers the question that many Catholics had about Mary. Mary was there but didn’t seem to interact with the child. I was trying to bring it up on my kindle but am having trouble (new kindle so sometimes hard to brng up the older stuff) When I get it I will telll more exactly

I liked the book. I saw the Communion of Saints in it since those in Heaven were concerned with us down here. It has been a while since I read it I will see the movie.

Mary was an afterthought of the fathers. The son never mentioned her. I believe the dad was trying to pacify the questioner. God Bless. Memaw

 

[Rmac81]

This is what it said about Mary.

Thanks for sharing that information.

On another note, I’m always surprised when people assume other people are liars. Must be a hard life walking around with that kind of negativity. When I start to make assumptions like that, I can feel the hardness of my heart. With God’s help I’m hoping those habits, making rash judgments, go away.

 

[Memaw]

Thanks for sharing that information.

On another note, I’m always surprised when people assume other people are liars. Must be a hard life walking around with that kind of negativity. When I start to make assumptions like that, I can feel the hardness of my heart. With God’s help I’m hoping those habits, making rash judgments, go away.

My Mom always cautioned us to not to believe all we hear or read. Common sense goes a long way and it it NOT being negative to be cautious. I think it would be harder to always be gullible. I didn’t make a rash judgment, I just don’t fall for everything. God Bless, Memaw

 

[marytk]

My Mom always cautioned us to not to believe all we hear or read. Common sense goes a long way and it it NOT being negative to be cautious. I think it would be harder to always be gullible. I didn’t make a rash judgment, I just don’t fall for everything. God Bless, Memaw

There is a difference between being cautious and calling someone a liar (or saying he made it all up) You don’t have to believe it but unless you KNOW someone has lied you really shouldnt’ call them liars. Now I certainly don’t believe everything I read on the internet. Even some of the 'quotes: on Catholic forums I suspect that that Saint really didn’t say but unless I have some proof I just doubt and stay quiet. (I am not saying that you said he made it up but I have read that on posts

 

[Memaw]

There is a difference between being cautious and calling someone a liar (or saying he made it all up) You don’t have to believe it but unless you KNOW someone has lied you really shouldnt’ call them liars. Now I certainly don’t believe everything I read on the internet. Even some of the 'quotes: on Catholic forums I suspect that that Saint really didn’t say but unless I have some proof I just doubt and stay quiet. (I am not saying that you said he made it up but I have read that on posts

Please show me on here where I ever called anyone a liar!!! There’s no law saying one has to believe everything. If you watched Hannity last evening , he interviewed the boy and his dad and the boy couldn’t answer most of the questions he was asked. He kept saying it’s to difficult to explain. Well if he couldn’t find words to explain it to Hannity, then where did he find words to fill a book, or a movie. One kinda wonders!!! God Bless, Memaw

 

[aicirt]

Please show me on here where I ever called anyone a liar!!! There’s no law saying one has to believe everything. If you watched Hannity last evening , he interviewed the boy and his dad and the boy couldn’t answer most of the questions he was asked. He kept saying it’s to difficult to explain. Well if he couldn’t find words to explain it to Hannity, then where did he find words to fill a book, or a movie. One kinda wonders!!! God Bless, Memaw

I think you are kinda of like St. Thomas who doubted it all until he put his hand into Christ’s wound. I know you believe but maybe you can’t absorb these NDE unless it should happen to you.

Not finding the words to explain something in a NDE isn’t unusual. I know of a school mate’s father who had an NDE. He couldn’t explain the colors because he never saw those hues before and, although the music was beautiful, it was beyond his ability to describe it. He was a man and the above was a child. So it doesn’t seem to make any difference because what is there is beyond our ability to fully describe because we have no reference point on this earth for what is expereinced there. Isn’t that how it is suppose to be?

A friend and I just finished PROOF OF HEAVEN. I found it a little too New Age and she was skeptical too mainly because we’d like to have had him meet Christ etc. HOWEVER, whatever he experienced changed his attitude, his belief system and his life. He went from an atheist to a believer after his experience. How does that happen?