The cover say this is, "A remarkable account of miracles, angels and life beyond this world". It is remarkable indeed but there is more than just a glimpse of the heavenly realm. People in general are hungry for proof and this book offers an un-provable proof for the disciple's journey. Scripture meets life in this book's message. In "The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven", God is speaking to us through the victoriously tragic journey of a little boy and his family. Kevin and his then six year-old son Alex were involved in a Central Ohio car crash in November of 2003. Alex was basically decapitated, with his head held onto his neck by muscle and tissue. Medical logic could give no hope for his survival. Alex recalls his heavenly journey with Christ, and the adversary while in a coma. His father Kevin chronicles the storms of life going on around him during those same moments. Each chapter gives a word from Alex on Heaven. However, if you stop there you miss the total message that God has for you.
This is a story of miraculous healing, encounters with Christ and with heavenly angels. It is reassuring and a witness to God's overwhelming faithfulness. I can't "prove" or "dis-prove" what he saw. However, looking at the fruits of his story I cannot deny the glimpse of heaven shown in the supernatural response of human angels at work around the Malarkey family. A trauma nurse's certain prayer of reassurance, a marriage that survives tragedy, the church that overwhelms with their prayers, a relative stranger paying their bills, no health insurance and yet providence, a tree crushes their home and helps to make sense of the accident, a movie star makes treatment possible, plus the many nurses, doctors, and "random" people that enter and exit his story, all of them transformed by the unmistakable fingerprints of Christ.
Alex and his foundation are dove tailed into Christopher Reeves foundation also. See: http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.4451921/k.2951/Paralysis_Resource_Center_Home.htm for good information. Reeve's surgery paved the way for Alex to make it possible for children with spinal cord injuries to lead more independent lives. You can catch up with Alex's ministry on his website at http://www.theboywhocamebackfromheaven.com/ or on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Boy-Who-Came-Back-From-Heaven/132184650140021
"The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven" has been widely read in our church. Believe me, I don't believe every story and am not very trusting with authors who claim direct revelations. I suppose this shows that I am "supernaturally challenged" (p.185). Understand clearly, I simply cannot mislead people and don't recommend things lightly. Read this book.
In this book, Alex does not get his humanity polished out and the family struggled and struggles yet. As in scripture, these miracles have made opportunities for Alex to introduce people to Christ. This family still has to rely on God for everything and do not enjoy a happy movie ending. This and not the ability to see angels is where I find the message. I identified with his dad a lot during my reading.
His father Kevin writes this after a direct encounter with God, "You don't need to see or talk with angels to live a life that glorifies God. Don't be derailed in your quest for meaning by seeking a supernatural experience. Seek God through His Son, Jesus Christ." (p. 189) I would humbly add that seeking God through Jesus is a supernatural experience.
I was moved to take action. This book convicted and inspired me to stretch in prayer, shake off the prison of self pity, and challenge my church to believe that God can. I was humbled to think of my prayer life and that of my congregation when reading of the Christian ministers written of here. The Malarkey's give us the grit and struggle that is a part of life here along with the comfort and perfection of what is to come. I believe what it says on his licence plates. Alex "WIL WALK".
( I was asked about the rating bar being absent here! This is not being reviewed for the publisher. I wrote this review to encourage YOU! No rating is needed. Please rate the ones for Tyndale and Multnomah. Thanks.)
I found this book very interesting and it also gives a person who has lost their faith a sense of faith again! I would like to also add how some individuals do not believe this chold because of how he expresses himself. My daughter at a very young age had an extensive vocabulary and spoke very sophisticated for her age! So if a child is surrounded by articulate individuals and is engrossed in a relgious community chances are the child is able to express what he or she has seen because they have the knowledge to express themselves in that manner. People need to have some kind of faith and stop snuffing the childs experience.
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