Heaven's Lessons: Ten Things I Learned About God When I Died

by Steve Sjogren

“If you’d asked me who God is on December 9, the year of my accident, I would have been able to give you a fairly cohesive but theoretical answer. A day later all of that changed.” A simple surgery went horribly wrong. Steve Sjogren died on the operating table. He encountered a heavenly world where he felt infinite peace. And then he had to come back―back to a physical reality filled with pain and disability and an endless line of tests. The drama of dying suddenly paled in comparison to the trauma of living. Sjogren could not face this new existence with his same old comfortable understanding of God. “I had minimized God,” Sjogren says. “Somehow, over time, he had become fairly predictable―like he could be outlined, fully grasped, and contained in a neat set of mere ideas. Now I saw that he apparently wasn’t all that impressed with my cool little notebooks.” One day in heaven followed by hundreds in agony forged a deeper and stronger faith than Sjogren could have crafted on his own. In Heaven’s Lessons , Sjogren shares his experiences and the life-changing ways they have affected his perspective on success, suffering, and the mysteries of God. Watch the trailer

Genres: Inspirational, Biography, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christian

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2013

Reviews

[Maria Carmo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book as an experience of a spiritual nature that its Author is sharing in order to inspire his readers - but it did not touch me as profoundly as some other books of this kind. Still, it has beautiful perceptions of God's power to transform us and of the Grace that sometimes touches us through the means of a serious health condition or some other limitation.

Maria Carmo,

Lisbon 8 October 2014.

[Vera Godley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I typically don't read "theological" books unless I am fairly certain the author's beliefs are at least somewhat close to mine. I don't mean Christian vs Buddhism or something else so diametrically different. I mean Christian as in rather conservative Baptist. I'm still a KJV preferred translation Bible reader myself. So being given the opportunity to read Steve Sjogren's Heaven's Lessons I almost said, "No. Not this lady!" But then, I thought, "I've never read anyone's perspective on a near-death-experience. Let's give it a try."

Steve Sjogren doesn't go into a lot on his NDE in Heaven's Lessons as I presumed he would. Rather he addresses that in a previous book. In Heaven's Lessons he is sharing 10 lessons he believes he has learned from God (or what he believes God has shown him as a result of the NDE). I see these as his way of realizing that he came so close to "permanently" dying that he is going to live his life according to revelation from God for the remainder of life he has left to live. And he seems to be doing this in his personal, family, and church ministry life.

Sjogren is sharing each of these 10 lessons and how they have impacted his life and his personal and church ministry for God. Steve is pastor of a large non-conventional church that focuses on servanthood as a means of reaching the lost, unloved, unwanted humanity and bringing them to God.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with this focus on servanthood and kindness to mankind. However, I also believe that Christians are to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not a gospel of kindness or gospel of servanthood. When the two are combined with the Biblical preaching of the Word of God holding the prevalent position and servanthood and kindness an off-shoot of the saved reaching the unsaved, then it can work.

In Sjogrens book he does share how his "accident" occurred during routine gallbladder surgery when things went very wrong and very much damage was done. He ended up dead for around 6 or 7 minutes and during that time was floating above the operating table and recalled later the episode even to conversation being carried on during that period. The accident and experience left his body damaged and in need of repeated surgeries to repair the damage. It also required years of recuperation and therapy.

The lessons in Heavens Lessons are good for anyone to learn and they are not new for Christians. They are, though, often overlooked in importance.

God is BIG
God Especially Enjoys Irregular People
Don't Fear Death (really good reading)
Quit Quitting
Face Your Fear (another good read)
Be Thankful

DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of Heavens Lessons from BookSneeze on behalf of the publisher and author in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Liz Terek · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Heaven’s Lessons’ by Steve Sjogren Book Review

Near death experiences, whether or not you believe in them, are fascinating. Every person wonders what they’ll be greeted with when this life ends. Maybe you’ll read other accounts or viewed movies on this topic.
Steve Sjogren knows what awaits him when he permanently passes away. After a surgery goes horribly wrong, he literally died. What he learned through this, he passes to us.
Realizing that he erred in minimizing God & His power, he absorbed as much of the experience as he possibly could. In ‘Heaven’s Lessons’, he shares his pastoral experiences as well as Heavenly ones. Readers will be called on to explore their own assumptions & see how this journey altered Sjogren’s views.
Perhaps as a reader, one is considering his or her earthly assignment from God? Receive renewed excitement in God’s plans for you! Is death a topic that scares you? Take heart & read away!
Open honesty & an open heart make this a fantastic read. He isn’t afraid to say when he made mistakes or when he was right on. Sjogren writes with intensity & a deep love for God that shines clearly through. Validating his experience will take a back burner once the reader delves into all the character-building content. Even if the reader opens the book with the mindset to disprove Sjogren’s story, they will discover a man of sincerity writing about true life events.
Our author has also penned ‘The Day I Died’ which may assist readers in obtaining a more complete picture of the events that occurred when Steve died in the operating room.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one from start to finish & happily declare it a 5 of 5 star book.
Please visit TheDayIDied.com & the publisher, Thomas Nelson, for further info. I was blessed with 1 eBook copy to write the review from Booksneeze.com without further compensation. All opinions are my own.

[Loredelcarmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro con una gran enseñanza, nos enseña cómo servir al prójimo, caminar con humildad, sobre el perdón, el rencor, nuestros miedos, sobre la gratitud, entre otras cosas. Un libro ameno, me gustó mucho.

[Sam Oliveira]

Sam Oliveira

The book I selected for summer reading was Heavens Lessons by Steve Sjorgen is was published on February 18, 2013, and the genre is Christian literature. the setting of this book varies. It ’s more of a timeline of events that the author has gone through in his life that he touches on. the main characters are steve a pastor in Ohio and his wife Janie. a summary of the book is essentially about a man that was raised in church and grew to have religious parents. to many people, he would have already been “saved”. growing up in church and raised by good parents there could be no wrong. and for a while, he thought of himself in that way as well. I guess now's a good time to mention that I'm a Christian as well. but furthermore, the man thought of himself as “saved” when in reality he was far from. not to get too off track but much times as a Christian and regular human being I think I’m doing enough and that I have a free pass to heaven. I go to church and my parents are both Christians which raised me religiously. what the man in the book AND I myself realize is that salvation is individual and that it’s not just that act of going to the church saying that you believe in Jesus and write it off. you have to practice what you preach. the man in the books life does a whole 360 and he finds himself praying for people in BestBuy opening churches in some impoverished neighborhoods and living the preachings of the bible. this is all of course after passing through an enormous “test” in his life which really tested his faith and made him question his belief. without giving too much away you can his tribulation an out of body experience. the theme of the book is definitely self-review, I believe that although the author being the man in the book and being a pastor he is not trying to convert anyone to Christianity or sell his beliefs to anyone reading throughout the book. what he is trying to do is enlighten people to the valuable skill of self-review. sometimes in life, you do lose sight of who you are and how you are acting and learning to properly take a step back and for a lack of better words, check yourself. it can reap many benefits in your life. My response to the book is a bit unordinary. I digested the book a bit differently. although the book did teach me some valuable life lessons which I believe is another emphasis the author is trying to enlighten the readers about it not the focal point of what really hit home with me. my biggest take away from the book was how much I could relate to the author and how I could almost feel his experiences. in the book he talks about how he was in BestBuy once and he felt an urging feeling that he should go talk to some random man in BestBuy, he thought to himself what am I crazy? but he finally shook the feeling and said what do I have to lose. he went up to the man and said he I know this is a bit strange but do you mind if I Pray for you and so he did and he began saying things that the man in BestBuy could relate to in his personal life, not just some broad fabricated palm reader bs. the man is best to buy was shocked and began attending church while steve felt a weight lifted off his shoulder. this is an example of where I Can really relate to the author because I’ve had an experience like this where I felt a deep urge to go up to someone not knowing anything about them but just want to pray for them. unfortunately, I Was scared and couldn’t get the guts to go up and do it and that still sticks with me till this day but I Believe I’ll get another chance and when I Do I'll be ready. to be completely honest I don't really have any weaknesses of the book, I really enjoyed it and I Was really invested in it, this all coming from someone who really rathers doing just about anything else besides reading. some strengths, however, is that the book isn’t too long. it didn’t feel like a hassle where when you open a book and see a bunch of pages and instantly regret ever considering reading it. the book was straight to the point and really wasn’t a drag. furthermore, I Really enjoyed Heavens Lessons by Steve Sjorgen and really recommend to anyone whole feels that they are at a bit of a plateau and want to get moving on up again.

[Donna Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Sjogren suffered a Near Death Experience (NDE) when a simple surgery went bad and nearly cost him his life. While in a state of “death” (by medical standards) he was surrounded by other spiritual beings from the same hospital who had gone before him to the ever after. However, God was not finished with Steve yet and had much more to teach him during a long and arduous recovery period. In retrospect, Steve offers ten chapters, each covering one lesson learned from his NDE. One chapter I really liked was “God Especially Enjoys Irregular People.” Irregular people come in all forms: drug addicts, those with relationship failures, people who are economically challenged, folks who are socially unaccepted. As Steve points out, those were the people to whom Jesus paid particular attention, and so should we. As Steve points out, “Every last one of us is in need of healing in our souls. We are all broken.”

[Ryan Scheel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, when starting this book I had my walls up in not receiving what was written. I’m a person that never quits a book when started so managed to push through and BEYOND GRATEFUL I did. Once I was able to open up my mind & heart to the words it has effected me tremendously. I have come away from this book reassessing my own situations and values which I need. It was a true slap in the face of realizing what is causing discourse, negativity, heaviness in my life and has been accumulating. Definitely made me have the “AH HA” moments like Oprah would say. So grateful that the universe drew me to this book out of numerous selections at this point in time when needed. Definitely taking these words and letting them resonate and hopefully repair the pieces.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Partially interesting, short read, left me feeling, that if a pastor feels this way about himself and his faith, what about the average guy?

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got redundant & off topic in the 2nd 1/2.

But wonderful pointed in the first 1/2. I.E. Ppl who are most "lost" have the most openness for God to enter and change them. I..E jail ppl.

[Effie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, comparing notes to my husbands NDE.

[Keith Haan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, quick read. I like the end the most, where he suggests his 90 day plan to put God to the test.

[Sarah F · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was good, but it seemed a bit repetitive after a while. I’m still glad I picked it up as it has a lot of good lessons to move further along in my faith!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Heaven's Lesson, Steve Sjogren has written about a personal encounter with nearly dying and the experiences he learned about Heaven. He was having pain in his midsection and the doctor stated it was his gallbladder giving him problems. He went into the hospital to get his gallbladder removed a procedure that many people have done each day. He had numerous tests ran including a CT scan, an MRI, and an ultrasound. The results didn't show any gallstones and the doctor firmly insisted that it must have shrunk and it was diseased. They performed the operation to find out that Steve didn't have a gallbladder.

A massive mistake happened and the cutting instrument went an inch too far and it cut the front of his aorta and went all the way through to the back side of the aorta. During this time his blood pressure went down to 30 over 10 and that means brain damage can occur. To add more trouble to the situation the doctors couldn't see that he was bleeding because it was behind the central organs. He almost bled out before they notice the big problem. During all of this he had an encounter with God and he saw angels praying without creasing over him. He also heard the words, "Don't worry; you'll live" (Page 17). He ended up living but he had to endure a long process of letting his body heal. The book also covered ten things Steven Sjogren learned about Heaven and the power the creator of the universe has.

I would recommend this astonishing book to anyone who enjoys reading about what Heaven is like. The book will significantly impact you to believe that there is truly a God and He cares for you. I immensely loved the intimate details Steve Sjogren shared about forgiving some of his church that decided to temporary replace him with another pastor. Eventually he was instructed that it will be best if he resigned and recovered from this traumatic injuries. I really loved and connected with the chapter entitled, "Face Your Fear". He presented three common fears people have the fear of the unknown, fear of abandonment, and fear of not having enough. This showed me that one of my biggest fears is being abandoned, being alone, never getting married, and never having any children. A gigantic point he made was describing Job and how what he feared actually happen and this is also called a self-fulfilling prophecy. He also explained that you have to give away whatever you're afraid of losing. For me, this is giving away more love to people, actually caring about others, and what they're going through. I also loved the suggestion Steve Sjogren gave on putting God to the test for 90 days. He said to pray this prayer, "God please reveal yourself to me" (Page 150). And God would move in your life and display in many difficult ways that He loves you and who he truly is. This book is an easy read that contains helpful lessons that God is seeking to teach you!

"I received this book free from the publisher through the Book Sneeze book review bloggers program."

[Linda Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

In what was to be a "simple surgery", the removal of a gall bladder turned into a life changing event for Steve Sjogren. He died. For 7 minutes he coded until they could bring him back to life. He watched over his body as the surgeons and team desperately tried to bring him back. An error with a scalpel cut into his aorta and he was bleeding internally. By the time the surgeons had discovered it, Steve saw himself hovering over his body. He felt God's presence and the angels never-stopping prayers. He heard the words in unison of many voices, "Don't worry, you'll live"

Coming back to live was one event, but the most difficult for Steve would be a lifetime of recovery and pain. And the great lessons he learned and shares in this book are so intimate, simple, realistic, and profound.

As a minister, he had to learn what forgiveness really is. He faced the fears of his life. He began to serve as Jesus had told us to serve. Giving all without one thought of receiving anything back. Look at those around you, the irregulars, as Steve puts it. The ones no one seems to want. These are the kinds of people that when Jesus lived on this earth surrounded Himself. They were in true need.

The NDE (near death experience) not only changed him physically forever, but more importantly changed Steve spiritually.

He gives us step by step messages and inspiration to find that true closeness that God wants from each of us.

His NDE set him free. He was free to become the Christian leader, friend, man, husband, and father that he would never have found without that profound NDE moment.

Using scripture, he shows us how this gift from God made the words of the Bible more real than he had ever known before. He tells us to overcome fear, don't quit no matter how hard it may seem, look for the invitations that God gives us to help and serve others.

This book is so honest and forthright. Steve writes from his spiritual heart in a way that all of us can relate. Each of us face times of crisis, loss and pain. This book will help you in understanding that these times of pain are gifts if we follow God's intent and love for all of us to one day be with him in paradise. Steve even gives special tips for the journey. And this book teaches us to walk in thankfulness.

Even though I have just finished reading this ebook version, I plan to go back and read it again, take notes, and absorb the wonderful lessons and promises that God gives us and Steve shares with us.

Finally, it invites you to take your Bible after reading this book, and you will begin to see the true meaning of living like Jesus. As Steve puts it, it is like a great spiritual adventure and the best is yet to come.

[Orbs n Rings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stimulating, clear, concise, easy to read, and overall interesting.

In Heaven's Lessons the author Sjogren shares his experiences, struggles and the emotional changes that came about after his NDE experience. Sjogren brings forth insight for the reader to absorb and mull over in regards to the questions he faced. In this book Sjogren is open and sincere and engaging with the reader. Although I did not read his original NDE experience, I really get the sense that Sjogren was totally changed physically, mentally and spiritually by his experience.

Sjogren talks about how he placed God on the back burner for a couple of decades. Something many of use could relate to, either because we seem to have gotten to busy with our lives, lost faith or for some other reason. Throughout the book this seems to be the main theme, with Sjogren sharing advice on how to regain and strengthen that relationship, whether it be lacking, inadequate, defective or just plain missing.

I found all 10 chapters clear, concise, easy to read, and overall interesting. Sjogren has a lot to share with the reader and all of it is well written and makes sense without being preachy or discerning. A few of the chapters that were my favorite included chapter 8, "Get Over It," which deals with forgiveness, and chapter 9 where you get a lesson on how to "Face Your Fear," whatever those fears may be. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for some very stimulating conversation. I also feel this book would make a pleasing and favorable study guide for a book group.

[Yari · Rating 3 out of 5]

"There are a lot of great things in life we will never gain until we reach a place of humility." There are great insights in the book but it just wasn't what I expected. I wanted to hear more about what he saw - as insinuated in the book cover. His spirit didn't get beyond the hospital ceiling! I have experienced deaths of very close family members and it seems that just feeling the impact of death's consequences is enough to evaluate one's one life priorities. I've only drawn closer to God- where else would I go? This is what the book is really about.. a reevaluation of all you've ever believed about God and your walk with Him. Steve just needed a huge push to see truth.
I must comment on a few uncomfortable parts of the book:
1. to "minister" to the AA group he dropped off matches because they sure do smoke! wait... what? and by the way Steve's father died of lung cancer due to smoking
2. grandmom gave money to a drug addict because well you know "drugs are expensive!"
3. Steve, why did you write the forbidden apple was in the garden? it was simply a fruit. (small detail but still)
4. Steve mentions a visit to a "professional dream interpreter" - is this a new spiritual gift?
There are still redeemable portions.. "oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe within a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take them and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with a breathe of kindness, blow the rest away." George Eliot

[Denise DiFalco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Steve Sjogren's HEAVEN'S LESSONS- Ten Lessons I Learnt About God When I Died is a fascinating read. Rarely do I read a book twice, let alone twice in a row but Sjogren's journey was so exciting I just had to reread to ensure not missing one thing. I thank Booksneeze for the ability to read his story in exchange for my thoughts. This book will convince the reader that miracles were not done away with years ago and that God still speaks to his people today. He is a real God wanting to get closer to his children. Imagine going into the hospital for a very simple procedure like having your gall bladder removed only to find out you don't have a gall bladder. The surgeons accidently cut into a main artery which leaks blood into the back of Steve's body and it's nearly an hour later before they discover their error. By now Sjogren is flat-lining. Having coded for close to seven minutes can cause enormous damage to the body. Although Steve suffers with some necrosis he is protected by major difficulties because of the Grace of God. The Book describes in depth the glory of Heaven that he witnessed and the meeting with Angels. Not to take from the author's testimony, it is up to you to read. There is shocking revelations about Bob Dylan and Robert (Bob) Kardashian who was an Elder in the church at one time. Yes, Kim's dad. I found great comfort and joy in this book and hope that everyone gets a chance to read it. Don't shortchange yourself!

[Emily (Heinlen) Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Generally, this isn't my type of book. I'm not one to pick up a religious or spiritual book when I go to a bookstore, but I was asked to review this book and chose to accept the assignment. I am so glad that I did. I found this book simply fascinating. Not only does the writer have an excellent grasp of the English language (minus a few comma issues) and storytelling, but the subject itself was simply fascinating. I loved it and cannot say enough about it. If you have ever been curious about how things are when we die, what we see and what happens after life, I encourage you to read this book. If you have ever wondered what God really wants for us in our lives, I also encourage you to read this book.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would be more like other NDE books I've read, but it really didn't have much of that. it was more like an inspirational/preachy book. good, quick read.

[Beth Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book but not what I expected. Good thoughts for living.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started to read this book it wasn't very soon before I realized that it was one of those books that you don't want to put down and when you are done reading it you wish you weren't.

[Musings of the Moonchild · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://littlemisstrainwreck.com/2013/...

[Paula Schumm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Near Death Experience book, Heaven's Lessons is a real life story that is engaging and easy to read.

[Rod Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but not sure about the truth of it.

[Steve Beilharz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a couple of great chapters the rest was ok / good. Most of the book's material is common sense and things learned long ago. I would give this book a 3 1/2 stars.

[Anna Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good content but not especially well written or well edited.