Here are two books about heaven that will give you new perspectives
about what living and dying is all about. These books will grow your faith,
help you live with purpose and guide you through grief.
Letters to Heaven by Calvin
Miller
Letters to Heaven is a fascinating book. Calvin Miller writes to people who have preceded
him in reaching eternity. Each person impacted his life. A number of the people
he writes to are well known including C.S. Lewis, Todd Beamer, and Madeleine
L’Engle. Many are unknown. The girl in the iron lung brings memories of polio,
the most dreaded childhood disease in the 20th Century. Another
letter is written to a man who died beside him on a flight. He includes a
letter to his mother and one to a brother who died in childhood. Miller's own experiences and wisdom weave throughout the book.
Calvin Miller was a pastor,
a professor and a writer. I previously read his books Life is Mostly Edges (a memoir) and Letters to Young Pastors (both excellent). I wanted to read this
book because he replied kindly when I sent him a copy of my book, Changing Churches. Also, I knew he
recently went on to heaven himself. He impacted my life in a small but
meaningful way.
HEAVEN: A World of Joy by Jonathan Edwards
I discovered this
sixty-three page booklet in my church library and was intrigued to read what
the famous preacher Jonathan Edwards had to say about heaven. Many have heard
of his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”
His thoughts on heaven are
both simple and complex and all very beautiful. Citing 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
Edwards says “The doctrine I would desire to draw from this text is, that
HEAVEN IS A WORLD OF DIVINE LOVE.”
Edwards covers
1. The great cause and
fountain of love in heaven.
2. The objects of love in
heaven.
3. The subjects of love in
heaven.
4. The principle or essence
of love in heaven.
5. The excellent
circumstances in which love is exercised, expressed and enjoyed in heaven.
6. The happy effects and
fruit of all this.
The circumstances he lists
in chapter 5 inspired me.
1. Love in heaven is always
mutual.
2. The joy of heavenly love
shall never be interrupted or stifled by jealousy.
3. There shall be nothing
within themselves to block or hinder the saints in heaven in the exercises and
expressions of love.
4. In heaven love will be
expressed with perfect decency and wisdom.
5. There shall be nothing
external in heaven to keep its inhabitants at a distance from each other, or to
hinder their most perfect enjoyment of each other’s love.
6. In heaven all shall be united together in
very near and dear relations.
7. In heaven all shall have
property and ownership in each other.
8. In heaven they shall
enjoy each other’s love in perfect and uninterrupted prosperity.
9. In heaven all things
shall combine to promote their love, and give advantage for mutual enjoyment.
10. The inhabitants of
heaven shall all know that they will continue in the perfect enjoyment of each
other’s love forever.
No more tears, no more night
– the fullness of love given and received eternally. What a vision and promise
for those who know Christ and have accepted him as Lord and Savior.
Readers can Google the title
and find Jonathan Edwards book on line in its entirety.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff
they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Blessings, Dottie
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