What I Saw in Heaven: The Incredible True Story of the Day I Died, Met Jesus, and Returned to Life a New Person

by Heidi Barr, John Burke (Foreword)

Heidi Barr didn't believe in Jesus. No one in her Jewish family did, nor did they want to--especially not her father, who told her that Jesus Christ was the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on humankind. So when Heidi was in a terrible horseback riding accident and died at age 16, Jesus was the last person she expected to see. Yet she did. And then she returned to life.

This is the incredible true story of Heidi's difficult family life, her sudden death, her unexpectedly loving encounter with Jesus, and her return to life on earth as a person completely and irrevocably changed. This is also the story of Heidi loving her father and mother despite their disbelief of and disagreement with her faith. And this is the gripping, beautiful story of her parents' eventual reconciliation both with Heidi and with God, through the redeeming grace and all-encompassing love of Jesus Christ.

Genres: Memoir, Religion

208 pages, Paperback

Published July 16, 2024

About the author

Also see:
Heidi Telpner

Reviews

[Karen Shilvock-Cinefro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an advance copy of this book.
This is the story of the author’s journey through life. At the age of 16, Heidi had a near-death experience (NDE) that would change her life forever.
Heidi was raised in a small Jewish community in Iowa and was raised in a very dysfunctional family, suffering many acts of abuse in trauma, mentally and physically.
This is the account of her life before her NDE and how it changed her life. Professionally, she became a hospice nurse and is now retired.
Whether you believe in near-death experiences or not, in this book, you will marvel at the resilience of the young girl, the experience that changed her life, and the path that led her to forgiveness and Jesus.

[Allie Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

My October NF read was the positive, uplifting quick read I needed this week. This woman’s struggles with horrid abuse and how she approaches life were humbling and inspiring.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heidi did a good job in telling about her life….most of it being traumatic and sad. I honestly was thinking and hoping I would be reading more about her NDE and time in Heaven. Was there actually more to tell? Maybe. Is what she really needed was to reveal what her life had been like? Maybe. With that said, the book was a short read and for the most part I enjoyed it. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a abused child from a strict Jewish household where her Father continually insulted and disbelieved in Jesus. She was a strong child living through impossible circumstances. She found joy in her horse riding free of her family and constrictions. At 16 she had a intense NDE after a near fatal horseback riding accident. Her accounting of her visit with Jesus is very vivid and realistic. The details recalled here are stunning and compelling to read. She is brought back to life to a long recovery after a encounter with the trinity that changed her forever.
She recovered and became a believer and more compassionate person. She was a skilled hospice nurse later in life compassionatly helping others through their end of life. Her descriptions match many with NDE's of a compassionate forgiving Jesus and a experience that changed her life and who she was forever.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth Nixon Ruhl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a tricky one. There are many aspects of the author’s past that suggest she may not have been strongly connected to her Jewish identity at the time she describes seeing Jesus, due to neglect and abuse. It’s possible that the experience served as a form of escape.

I would never discount someone’s personal experience; however, I also wouldn’t necessarily take it as evidence of seeing Jesus in the afterlife in the way she describes. She attributes the experience to a near-death event, yet it’s unclear how she would have been clinically near death given that she did not receive medical treatment. That aspect feels a bit odd to me.

Overall, I would say I remain somewhat skeptical about fully embracing her experience as a clinical near-death event.

[Ashley Ziegler · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I was intrigued with the premise of this book, this book fell really flat for me! The title is indeed deceptive as the author spent very little time on her NDE and how that changed her as a person. The majority of the book was about her terrible upbringing and horrible parents and very little on her supposed encounter with Jesus. I had to force myself to pick this one up and finish it and I have to admit I skimmed through a lot because it was quite repetitive.

[Marjorie Klindt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

This book was an inspiration and intriguing to read. It is hard to comprehend some of the things Heidi endured as a child. Her relationship with God and Jesus helped her sort out her life and make the most of it. Her experiences Wil be a guide for others as they search for love in their lives.

[Sarah Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read and well written about Heidi. I was fascinated by her NDE. The middle of the book took a surprising turn which went back to her childhood trauma all the way to where she is today. I really enjoyed this book and could feel the goodness of God throughout. Even through life’s toughest circumstances and different beliefs. Highly recommend for anyone and all to read ❤️

[Joy Visser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Story Rings Authentic And So True

I love hearing about and love testimonies that help me develop my knowledge of the beautiful character of God. This story certainly did that!

[Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the author's near death experience brought me joy. All who read it will see the importance of believing beyond the death of our body.

[Darcy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and I thought it was a fascinating story. I highly recommend to people who are interested in near death experiences.

[Teena Brizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Book

I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. I laughed and cried and loved the telling of her beautiful encounters with Jesus and God the Father!

[Karen T · Rating 3 out of 5]

“What I Saw in Heaven: The Incredible True Story of the Day I Died, Met Jesus, and Returned to Life a New Person” is Heidi Barr’s account of her difficult family life, the tragic horseback riding accident that led to her sudden death at 16, her unexpected encounter with Jesus, and her return to life on Earth. Raised in a Jewish household, Heidi had never believed in Jesus—her father even went so far as to call Him “the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on humankind.”

While the title suggests a strong focus on her near-death experience, much of the book is actually centered on Heidi’s painful and abusive upbringing. It reads more like a biography than a detailed account of what she saw in Heaven, likely because her encounter wasn’t long enough to fill an entire book. Her descriptions of abuse are deeply disturbing, and for readers who have experienced trauma, this may be a difficult read.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so fascinating. The trauma she went through is devastating, and I want that Doctor to rot in prison. I am so impressed at her forgiveness toward her parents.

Near death experiences are so interesting, but this is the first one I have read about. It was beautiful and uplifting, and I am so grateful she had that to turn her rather difficult life around!