Letters From Heaven

Consisting of ironic questions and biblical answers, "If There Is No God" cleverly presents concrete examples of the living God's involvement in our universe and everyday lives. Proofs include such happenings as caterpillars turning into butterflies, childbirth, and answers to prayers.

This is not one of those books about heaven that will make you question whether you will get there. The next life is no mystery-there are people in heaven, some of the same people that were here on earth. While physical forms change, personalities and characters remain for eternity. Soon after his mother died, Gerry Klassen found himself writing a letter from her perspective... and the letters just kept coming. She shares all about the hilarious episodes and different scenarios that make her able to connect with every kind of person imaginable, from Roman soldiers to famous leaders of the Bible to Jesus Himself. She gives her son a heavenly perspective that makes him realize... there's nothing going on down here that God's love cannot bring to a perfect and peaceful conclusion up there.

In these masterfully written letters to heaven, Calvin Miller thanks, lovingly reflects on—and sometimes confesses his regrets to —the departed influences in his life. Some are names familiar to us all (C. S. Lewis, Todd Beamer, Oscar Wilde); others he knew well; and some he only admired from a distance. But all brought a brightness to his life or challenged him to live more fully in some way. Aware that eternity for any of us is only a step away, Miller has sought to complete the unfinished business of life by writing letters to the great beyond. This moving work will not only elicit a desire in readers to reconcile all things unfinished, but teach the living about the importance of people and the treasure of faith while holding out for us all the hope that awaits..

A mother's journey through the devastating loss of her son and the surprising reconnection with him as he communicated healing messages that gave her comfort. This heart-broken mother conducted extensive research to help her understand what had gone wrong in her son's life that created the experiences that led to his short-lived life. Her research and his messages shed light on what is actually happening in our world today such as the shockingly corrupt education, religious and criminal justice systems. These messages are not just for her as they are healing and informative for everyone. They describe what happens after we die; the beauty and love that surrounds us in Heaven and the battle that is currently being waged by the forces of light to tear down the old corrupt systems and bring about a new world--one based in love and compassion. These messages give comfort to those who have lost love ones--they are not gone; they are in a beautiful new home and you will be reunited again.

Letters from Heaven features an international group of scholars investigating the place and function of 'popular' religion in Eastern Slavic cultures. The contributors examine popular religious practices in Russia and Ukraine from the middle ages to the present, considering the cultural contexts of death rituals, miracles, sin and virtue, cults of the saints, and icons. The collection not only fills a void in religious scholarship, but also responds to current theoretical challenges. Reflecting critically on the heuristic value of popular religion and on the concept of popular culture in general, Letters from Heaven is characterized by a shift of focus from churches, institutions, and theological discourse to the religious practices themselves and their interconnections with the culture, mentality, and social structures of the societies in question. An important contribution to the fields of religion and Eastern Slavic studies, this volume challenges readers to rethink old pieties and to reconsider the function of religion.

When we lose our loved ones, we often think that our communication with them needs to stop. And while that may be true to some degree, there are ways we can feel their presence with us every single day.The Letters to Heaven journal was created with the idea to open up communication between those grieving and their loved ones who have passed away. Creator Staci Speece-Rider has experienced the loss of over a dozen family members and has seen first hand how comforting this letter writing process can be. Sparked by the inspiration of writing letters in her mother's personal journal, Staci wants to give those grieving the space to do this for themselves. When you open up the lines of communication, you may even be surprised to see the signs that begin to appear for you that your loved ones are always with you. Share ALL of your moments with them within these pages, and you'll slowly begin to feel their presence in your life. While your grief will always likely remain, you will feel yourself begin to move forward with their memory tucked safely in your heart. Life will get brighter and you may find yourself excited to live not only for you, but for your loved ones as well. Letters to Heaven is your sacred space of communication to those you have lost along the way.

The Creator sat upon the throne, thinking. Behind him stretched the illimitable continent of heaven, steeped in a glory of light and color; before him rose the black night of Space, like a wall. His mighty bulk towered rugged and mountain-like into the zenith, and His divine head blazed there like a distant sun. At His feet stood three colossal figures, diminished to extinction, almost, by contrast -- archangels -- their heads level with His ankle-bone. When the Creator had finished thinking, He said, "I have thought. Behold!" He lifted His hand, and from it burst a fountain-spray of fire, a million stupendous suns, which clove the blackness and soared, away and away and away, diminishing in magnitude and intensity as they pierced the far frontiers of Space, until at last they were but as diamond nailheads sparkling under the domed vast roof of the universe. At the end of an hour the Grand Council was dismissed. They left the Presence impressed and thoughtful, and retired to a private place, where they might talk with freedom. None of the three seemed to want to begin, though all wanted somebody to do it.