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Searching for Heaven on Earth: How to Find What Really Matters in Life
Don't you deserve a little happiness? They are the questions that plague us: Or to put another way, "Where can I find a little heaven on earth?" History's most successful man, Solomon, wondered just that. As Dr. David Jeremiah shows us, he was a man who tested life's haunting questions head-on. And tasted life's riches full-on. And who found his answers in the last place he thought to look. Listen, then, to his voice. A voice that, if you pay attention, will speak directly to your flesh and bones and heart. A voice that admits: Maybe happiness is an empty hope. Or maybe we've simply been looking in all the wrong places. . .
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First published September 7, 2004
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About the author
David Jeremiah
820 books890 followersDr. David Jeremiah, founder of Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, felt God’s calling on his life at a very early age. Born February 13, 1941 in Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Jeremiah was raised in a family deeply committed to ministry. At the age of eleven, Dr. Jeremiah and his family moved to Dayton, Ohio where his father, Dr. James T. Jeremiah, was the Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, and in 1953 became the President of Cedarville College in Cedarville, Ohio.
As Dr. Jeremiah was sensitive to God’s leading in his life, he followed in his father’s footsteps. In 1963, Dr. Jeremiah received a Bachelor of Arts from Cedarville College. In that same year, Dr. Jeremiah married his college sweetheart, Donna Thompson who also was attending Cedarville College as a business major. He went on to earn a Masters degree in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1967. He completed additional graduate work at Grace University and was granted the Doctor of Divinity degree from Cedarville College in 1981.
In 1969, Dr. Jeremiah began Blackhawk Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and developed a Christian school grades K through 12. In the 12 years he served as pastor, Blackhawk Baptist Church grew from 7 families to 1300 members. He also launched The Bible Hour television program.
Dr. Jeremiah heeded God’s call, and in 1981 he and his family moved to California where he became the senior pastor of Scott Memorial Baptist Church, now Shadow Mountain Community Church.
Shadow Mountain Community Church is one of the largest churches in San Diego County. It is also the home of Southern California Seminary and Christian Unified Schools.
As Dr. Jeremiah began his ministry at Shadow Mountain, he felt God’s calling to continue the broadcast ministry he started in Fort Wayne. In 1982, Turning Point Ministries became a reality.
Today, Turning Point's 30-minute radio program is heard nationally and internationally on over 1800 stations and translator/satellators. In recognition of Dr. Jeremiah’s commitment to teaching the Word of God, he received the Broadcaster of the Year Award in 1999 from the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), in August 2002, received the Award of Merit from the Western Chapter of National Religious Broadcasters for Excellence in Broadcasting and Faithfulness in Service, and in 2006 Turning Point received the Best Radio Teaching Program Award. Dr. Jeremiah has served on the Board of Directors for the NRB since 1996.
Turning Point launched a television program in 1982 in San Diego and went nationwide in 2000. Now seen around the world through cable and satellite technology, as well as on terrestrial stations all across the United States, conservative estimates suggest that close to 200 million homes around the world have access to Dr. Jeremiah's Bible teaching each week. Turning Point Television offers a half-hour Bible study message and a full hour worship service with the same great preaching. Carried on several national and international networks such as TBN, ION, and INSP, Turning Point Television has most recently been added to Middle East TV Network and BET, the Black Entertainment Network.
Dr. Jeremiah is a sought-after conference speaker for organizations around the country. He frequently speaks at Cedarville College, Dallas Theological Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, Billy Graham Training Center, Phil Waldrep’s Senior Adult Celebrations and numerous NFL, NBA and Baseball chapels.
Along with his speaking schedule around the country, Dr. Jeremiah also finds time to fulfill another passion in his life, writing. His books are always gripping and right to the point. Some of his books include Escape the Coming Night, The Power of Encouragement, What the Bible Says About Angels, Prayer The Great Adventure, which brought him The Gold Medallion Award in 1998, God In You, Gifts from God
As Dr. Jeremiah was sensitive to God’s leading in his life, he followed in his father’s footsteps. In 1963, Dr. Jeremiah received a Bachelor of Arts from Cedarville College. In that same year, Dr. Jeremiah married his college sweetheart, Donna Thompson who also was attending Cedarville College as a business major. He went on to earn a Masters degree in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1967. He completed additional graduate work at Grace University and was granted the Doctor of Divinity degree from Cedarville College in 1981.
In 1969, Dr. Jeremiah began Blackhawk Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and developed a Christian school grades K through 12. In the 12 years he served as pastor, Blackhawk Baptist Church grew from 7 families to 1300 members. He also launched The Bible Hour television program.
Dr. Jeremiah heeded God’s call, and in 1981 he and his family moved to California where he became the senior pastor of Scott Memorial Baptist Church, now Shadow Mountain Community Church.
Shadow Mountain Community Church is one of the largest churches in San Diego County. It is also the home of Southern California Seminary and Christian Unified Schools.
As Dr. Jeremiah began his ministry at Shadow Mountain, he felt God’s calling to continue the broadcast ministry he started in Fort Wayne. In 1982, Turning Point Ministries became a reality.
Today, Turning Point's 30-minute radio program is heard nationally and internationally on over 1800 stations and translator/satellators. In recognition of Dr. Jeremiah’s commitment to teaching the Word of God, he received the Broadcaster of the Year Award in 1999 from the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), in August 2002, received the Award of Merit from the Western Chapter of National Religious Broadcasters for Excellence in Broadcasting and Faithfulness in Service, and in 2006 Turning Point received the Best Radio Teaching Program Award. Dr. Jeremiah has served on the Board of Directors for the NRB since 1996.
Turning Point launched a television program in 1982 in San Diego and went nationwide in 2000. Now seen around the world through cable and satellite technology, as well as on terrestrial stations all across the United States, conservative estimates suggest that close to 200 million homes around the world have access to Dr. Jeremiah's Bible teaching each week. Turning Point Television offers a half-hour Bible study message and a full hour worship service with the same great preaching. Carried on several national and international networks such as TBN, ION, and INSP, Turning Point Television has most recently been added to Middle East TV Network and BET, the Black Entertainment Network.
Dr. Jeremiah is a sought-after conference speaker for organizations around the country. He frequently speaks at Cedarville College, Dallas Theological Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, Billy Graham Training Center, Phil Waldrep’s Senior Adult Celebrations and numerous NFL, NBA and Baseball chapels.
Along with his speaking schedule around the country, Dr. Jeremiah also finds time to fulfill another passion in his life, writing. His books are always gripping and right to the point. Some of his books include Escape the Coming Night, The Power of Encouragement, What the Bible Says About Angels, Prayer The Great Adventure, which brought him The Gold Medallion Award in 1998, God In You, Gifts from God
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 27, 2014
David Jeremiah wrote this study of Ecclesiastes as a 31 day devotional. It follows the wisest man, Solomon, on his quest for meaning in life. He tries everything 'under the sun', and finds it all vanity. The final chapter looks at Solomon's conclusion found in the final verses of this book of the Bible:
"Fear God and keep his commandments,
For this is man's all.
For God will bring every work into judgement,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil."
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
This was a wonderful study! I'll just highlight one point - that we should set our sights on God and heaven and the things of eternity, and not focus as much on things of this earth. Here's a quote from the book:
"When we see only what is under the sun and never what is behind it, we are left with that empty, churning, cosmic machine, a great production line running to eternity and producing exactly nothing."
One more quote:
"The truth can't be found under the sun, but in the One who set it in motion and presides over it."
"Fear God and keep his commandments,
For this is man's all.
For God will bring every work into judgement,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil."
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
This was a wonderful study! I'll just highlight one point - that we should set our sights on God and heaven and the things of eternity, and not focus as much on things of this earth. Here's a quote from the book:
"When we see only what is under the sun and never what is behind it, we are left with that empty, churning, cosmic machine, a great production line running to eternity and producing exactly nothing."
One more quote:
"The truth can't be found under the sun, but in the One who set it in motion and presides over it."
February 15, 2012
David Jeremiah opens the readers eyes to the reality of life. Through the writing of King Solomon, you learn of what really matter in life and how trying to find fulfillment out of tangible things is vanity. I would truly recommend this book to anyone who is trying to figure out their purpose in life.
August 4, 2012
Through this book, I get a profound and deeper understanding of the biblical book, Ecclesiastes. As I've never known him before, I get a clearer picture of King Solomon-- a king, philosopher, philanderer. This book is really full of wisdom. I finally grasp the meaning of life.
July 30, 2012
read, interrsting perspective on c comparing what we value as important in life vs what the bible says
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2015
Pastor David Jeremiah's take on the book of Eclesiastes is captivating. A Good Read. :)
October 31, 2019
Wonderful reading
Dr.Jeremiah never disappoints. We used it as a bible study. Loved it. Proves you can have everythimg you ever wanted but unless you know God those things will not fullfill you.
Dr.Jeremiah never disappoints. We used it as a bible study. Loved it. Proves you can have everythimg you ever wanted but unless you know God those things will not fullfill you.
May 4, 2020
Es un estudio de eclesiastes, este es un de mis libros favoritos sobre libros de la Biblia , la claridad al escribir de Jeremiah es impresionante.
February 18, 2021
Another great book. Good for understanding God's psychology on how to reach long lasting happiness. The book spreads and details the book of ecclesiates of the Bible in simple words.
March 13, 2024
God is Good
I love this book and I'm glad I read it. Life is beautiful with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in it. I pray to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit all in one.
I love this book and I'm glad I read it. Life is beautiful with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in it. I pray to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit all in one.
May 16, 2015
Imagine a mediocre sermon series on the book of Ecclesiastes, the kind where the pastor repeats what the text already says in a variety of different ways to help you "get it." It is a sermon series that comes complete with a variety of illustrations (some excellent, some historical, some anecdotal from the pastor's own life) and a lot of validation of existing evangelical beliefs (some of which strain the original Biblical text to its limits). Now imagine that, rather than delivering this sermon series from the pulpit in a folksy way (which might be at least entertaining) it is instead methodically written down over 300 pages . . . and you have this book.
I hate to give a bad or even a mixed review to something like this. It seems unkind to pan a well-meaning author who is just trying to open up the Bible to the lay reader. And I am pretty sure that this book was given to me as a gift and perhaps the giver is one of my Goodreads friends and they're now deeply offended that I didn't like it.
But I have to be honest, I don't think this book knows who its audience is and it's not particularly well written. On the first point, Jeremiah seems to waver between using Ecclesiastes as a text for an apologetic on the Christian faith and using the text as a chance to help those who are already believers re-focus their lives on what's really important. The former approach is problematic in large part due to the texts' pre-Christian origins and while the latter approach has more merit, Jeremiah does not commit to it exclusively and the message becomes muddled. As for the writing quality, reading this book does feel like reading a homespun sermon and the translation from the one medium to the other is not smooth in this case.
There are many great books of Biblical commentary, theological exploration and even apologetics. Given the volume of high quality spiritual writing out there, this one can probably be passed over.
I hate to give a bad or even a mixed review to something like this. It seems unkind to pan a well-meaning author who is just trying to open up the Bible to the lay reader. And I am pretty sure that this book was given to me as a gift and perhaps the giver is one of my Goodreads friends and they're now deeply offended that I didn't like it.
But I have to be honest, I don't think this book knows who its audience is and it's not particularly well written. On the first point, Jeremiah seems to waver between using Ecclesiastes as a text for an apologetic on the Christian faith and using the text as a chance to help those who are already believers re-focus their lives on what's really important. The former approach is problematic in large part due to the texts' pre-Christian origins and while the latter approach has more merit, Jeremiah does not commit to it exclusively and the message becomes muddled. As for the writing quality, reading this book does feel like reading a homespun sermon and the translation from the one medium to the other is not smooth in this case.
There are many great books of Biblical commentary, theological exploration and even apologetics. Given the volume of high quality spiritual writing out there, this one can probably be passed over.
February 18, 2019
I have read Ecclesiastes many times, thinking that it was the result of an old man’s cynicism with life in contrast to Proverbs and Song of Solomon. However, I’ve found myself “searching for heaven on earth,” yearning for the ideal, always looking, restless—and had already come to the conclusion that God “had planted eternity in our hearts,” thus our fight with time (C.S. Lewis says the reason we struggle with time is that we were created for eternity.). In addition, I’ve struggled with finding meaning in the midst of work, achievement, money, etc. How often have I heard “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you may die” as the hedonist’s mantra? However, repeatedly Solomon says, “Enjoy life” because God has given it to you, given you your wealth, given you your interests, your stuff, etc. He has “given us all things to enjoy”; He is the giver of every perfect gift.
The writer of Ecclesiastes comes to the conclusion (as have I) that life apart from God is indeed meaningless, but with God, it is full of meaning and purpose. Thus, live it fully!
Searching for Heaven on Earth is Jeremiah’s expository sermon series--outstanding. An excellent communicator, the author uses practical illustrations that carry truth from the head to the heart, thus giving insight into the "old" book of Ecclesiastes. I so enjoyed it.
The writer of Ecclesiastes comes to the conclusion (as have I) that life apart from God is indeed meaningless, but with God, it is full of meaning and purpose. Thus, live it fully!
Searching for Heaven on Earth is Jeremiah’s expository sermon series--outstanding. An excellent communicator, the author uses practical illustrations that carry truth from the head to the heart, thus giving insight into the "old" book of Ecclesiastes. I so enjoyed it.
June 20, 2015
If you are one who searches for heaven on Earth, you might just grab this book after reading its cover. But for me, I saw my pastor holding it.
However, YES, I, too, have been searching for heaven on earth. This book did not give me the answer to that. There's not a one-million-dollar answer to where is heaven on earth. But it proved that there is one God who can give us not just a life--a life of abundance as John 10:10 proves--a life of heaven on earth.
However, YES, I, too, have been searching for heaven on earth. This book did not give me the answer to that. There's not a one-million-dollar answer to where is heaven on earth. But it proved that there is one God who can give us not just a life--a life of abundance as John 10:10 proves--a life of heaven on earth.
Currently reading
July 28, 2008This is a great book to read on chapter at a time. Lots to digest.
July 10, 2015
Excellent devotional! Sound wisdom and godly counsel from the one who lived it - and an Author who has a good grasp of how to interpret it! Great read!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews