Heaven is for real - A struggle of faith

Catching a glimpse of Heaven is for real turned out to be a blessing. I invited a friend over to watch the movie with me and scenes on the screen got me teary eyed. 

It's a story of a simple family of four (eventually turned five). A mom, who maintains the music ministry in a church, a dad who works as a volunteer firefighter and at the same time a minister at their local church with two beautiful kids.
As a family, they also have their share of trials and that's where adorable Colton comes to the picture.

This time, I won't be doing a review about this movie since I don't want such to turn into a debate of what readers believe in rather, I will point out the most important phrases I've noted while inside the cinema. 

At the hospital

During the time that Colton was admitted to the hospital, his father Todd, went to the chapel shouting: 

"You made me suffer and I took that. You made my family suffer and I took that. Now you want to take my SON?"

In a scenario such as this, I thought of maybe the father; though he is a minister in the story should know better. He should know the response in certain situation like this. 

On the other hand, he may be acting human after all.
At the same time as he was yelling to God, his wife called friends and asked for prayers. 

In times of crisis, to whom do you turn to?

With the psychologist

With prayers answered, Colton got well and started talking about heaven. This bought uneasiness to his father Todd and started consulting a psychologist.

Here are three questions we usually need in our daily life.

1. Is it unusual (for your wife) to call friends and ask for prayer in times of crisis?
2. Is it unusual for you to pray?
3. Did you come here today because you were wondering about my faith, or about your own?

The Persecution

I remember a pastor saying: 

"When you follow God, prepare to be persecuted.." 

This is true. In one scene, after the story has been published in a local newspaper, Todd was coming out of the restaurant and a group of men shouted: 

"Next time that there is a fire, can you tell Jesus that instead of walking on water, He could just dump it on the fire?"

A perfect example of walking the Christian faith is telling everybody about Jesus and sharing the word of God. Taking up your cross won't be an easy task but as we go through sharing the Gospel, may we be reminded that God will take care of their hearts.

The Saviour

At the graveyard, Nancy and Todd talks about life, love and death. In this chapter, a phrase catched my attention with Nancy saying: 

"You don’t have to save the world, Todd. I believe that’s already been done." 

A phrase of belief. A phrase uttered claiming Jesus saved you and me...

Colton's message

I have been watching a recent interview with Colton before they released the movie and he said: 

“The problem is we’re too attached to things in this world and they can’t go into heaven. “So when you love Jesus and you decide to follow him, it’s easier to let those things go so you can be in heaven for an eternity.”

A Must-Read before Casting The Vote on May 13, 2013

Couple of my friends stumbled on Oliver Gutierrez' Facebook Page and it turned out that this guy has something interesting to say. Let me share it with you. 

While walking down the street one day a Corrupt Philippine Senator was

tragically hit by a car and died.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there
is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so
we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the Senator.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we'll do is
have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where
to spend eternity."

"Really?, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the Senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down,
down to hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In
the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends
and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake
his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at
the expense of the Filipino people.

They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the
finest champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a
good time dancing and telling jokes.

They are all having such a good time that before the Senator realizes it, it
is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter
is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a group of contented souls
moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good
time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter
returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose
your eternity."

The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never
have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would
be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to
hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land
covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags,
picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from
above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.

"I don't understand," stammers the Senator. "Yesterday I was here and there
was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank
champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland
full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil smiles at him and says,*
"Yesterday we were campaigning ...Today, you voted."

"REMEMBER TO VOTE WISELY!"*