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Touched by Heaven: Inspiring True Stories of One Woman's Lifelong Encounters with Jesus
Let Heaven Touch Your Everyday Life
Nancy Ravenhill was just five years old, hiding in her bedroom after being beaten by her father, when she first saw Jesus. He was wearing white; His eyes were filled with love.
In Nancy's earliest traumatic moment, Jesus showed up. Literally. It was the first of a lifetime of encounters that have shaped Nancy's life and faith.
Here, Nancy shares the remarkable stories of her experiences with the living Christ. Her stories will leave you astounded--and inspired--by the God who still reaches out to comfort His children today.
If you've ever wondered if Jesus is really there--or if He cares about you and knows what you're going through--this book is for you.
The living Lord who has appeared and spoken to Nancy again and again is alive and well. He wants to speak to you, too.
"What a delight to hold in your hands a book from a woman of God who loves and lives the Word of God. Want to be touched by heaven? Then read this book!"--James W. Goll, president, Encounters Network; international director, Prayer Storm; bestselling author
"This is a truly remarkable book. God will become more alive and real to you as you follow Nancy on her fascinating, enlightening journey."--Joy Dawson, international Bible teacher and bestselling author
"I highly recommend Touched by Heaven because, no matter where you are in life, there is always hope that God and all He has created are there to help you."--John Paul Jackson, Streams Ministries International
" Touched by Heaven was captivating and kept my attention from the moment I began to read it. This book will bring life and raise a renewed expectation in the Lord and His providential plans for each of us."--Doug Stringer, founder and president, Turning Point Ministries International, Somebody Cares International
Nancy Ravenhill was just five years old, hiding in her bedroom after being beaten by her father, when she first saw Jesus. He was wearing white; His eyes were filled with love.
In Nancy's earliest traumatic moment, Jesus showed up. Literally. It was the first of a lifetime of encounters that have shaped Nancy's life and faith.
Here, Nancy shares the remarkable stories of her experiences with the living Christ. Her stories will leave you astounded--and inspired--by the God who still reaches out to comfort His children today.
If you've ever wondered if Jesus is really there--or if He cares about you and knows what you're going through--this book is for you.
The living Lord who has appeared and spoken to Nancy again and again is alive and well. He wants to speak to you, too.
"What a delight to hold in your hands a book from a woman of God who loves and lives the Word of God. Want to be touched by heaven? Then read this book!"--James W. Goll, president, Encounters Network; international director, Prayer Storm; bestselling author
"This is a truly remarkable book. God will become more alive and real to you as you follow Nancy on her fascinating, enlightening journey."--Joy Dawson, international Bible teacher and bestselling author
"I highly recommend Touched by Heaven because, no matter where you are in life, there is always hope that God and all He has created are there to help you."--John Paul Jackson, Streams Ministries International
" Touched by Heaven was captivating and kept my attention from the moment I began to read it. This book will bring life and raise a renewed expectation in the Lord and His providential plans for each of us."--Doug Stringer, founder and president, Turning Point Ministries International, Somebody Cares International
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2015
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267 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 7, 2024
I loved the spiritual and miraculous aspects of this book, it is rare to read about anyone's more profound and visual experiences with God and done in such a humble and engaging way. However I found much of the book very boring with details that are not interesting to the reader. It seemed to make out that the author and their family were veritable saints and lived a life of perfection that lets be honest, most of us are inspiring towards but don't always achieve. It is readable but a bit bland.
March 29, 2015
While I hate to discredit someone's life personal story, so much of Touched by Heaven just did not jive with me. This is a touchy review, as spiritual encounters are touchy themselves. The fact is, several things I have witness or experienced in life could be explained away, or laughed away, or totally unbelievable to someone else.
I felt like things didn't add up. The book starts with Nancy Ravenhill's memory of being five years old and the first time her dad beat her. Her recollections seem too much, right down to exactly what she was wearing and what she was thinking. Her thoughts that day seem too advanced, as though she is portraying her adult thoughts now onto that day.
To me, it didn't make sense that she lived her life for five years and then suddenly one day her dad turns on her saying it is her fault that her mother spends all her money on her. And then her mother goes on to buy her more things each times she is beaten in order to make that up to Nancy. It may be a vicious circle of an unstable family but it seemed odd. Especially when Nancy recounts how her mother used to lie in bed with her each night while they read Bible stories together. Except for the nights following the beatings, then her mother wouldn't show at all. Portraying her mother in such a loving way, but then to go on to say that her mother never tried to intervene with the beatings or come to her afterwards to soothe her seems out of character.
Nancy paints her father in a very unflattering light. I believe he could have been an angry man, and also an abusive one. But when she states that her dad paid for her college tuition to "get her out of his care and away from him" I don't understand how she could view it that way. Could he have just been caring for his daughter and paying for her college tuition?!
Nancy also recounts when she lost so much blood during childbirth that she died and went to Heaven. Yet, she asks God to send her back to Earth. Never have I read a near-death or death experence where someone wants to come back to Earth. It is always the opposite. After seeing the beauty of Heaven no one wants to return.
Even after having several personal experiences with seeing Jesus, even after seeing Heaven, Nancy still has a fear of death. I can't imagine fearing death after seeing Jesus himself.
Or the fact that Jesus apparently showed her the spiritual world of the demons when she was six years old. That seems unfathomable to me.
Basically, I got a weird feeling from this book. I've read several spiritual near-death books and like and believe about a quarter of the ones I've read. This book goes with the other 75% for me.
It was a quick read though. So you may just want to read it to see what you think of it.
This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. You can see my whole review at http://www.trenchesofmommyhood.blogsp...
I felt like things didn't add up. The book starts with Nancy Ravenhill's memory of being five years old and the first time her dad beat her. Her recollections seem too much, right down to exactly what she was wearing and what she was thinking. Her thoughts that day seem too advanced, as though she is portraying her adult thoughts now onto that day.
To me, it didn't make sense that she lived her life for five years and then suddenly one day her dad turns on her saying it is her fault that her mother spends all her money on her. And then her mother goes on to buy her more things each times she is beaten in order to make that up to Nancy. It may be a vicious circle of an unstable family but it seemed odd. Especially when Nancy recounts how her mother used to lie in bed with her each night while they read Bible stories together. Except for the nights following the beatings, then her mother wouldn't show at all. Portraying her mother in such a loving way, but then to go on to say that her mother never tried to intervene with the beatings or come to her afterwards to soothe her seems out of character.
Nancy paints her father in a very unflattering light. I believe he could have been an angry man, and also an abusive one. But when she states that her dad paid for her college tuition to "get her out of his care and away from him" I don't understand how she could view it that way. Could he have just been caring for his daughter and paying for her college tuition?!
Nancy also recounts when she lost so much blood during childbirth that she died and went to Heaven. Yet, she asks God to send her back to Earth. Never have I read a near-death or death experence where someone wants to come back to Earth. It is always the opposite. After seeing the beauty of Heaven no one wants to return.
Even after having several personal experiences with seeing Jesus, even after seeing Heaven, Nancy still has a fear of death. I can't imagine fearing death after seeing Jesus himself.
Or the fact that Jesus apparently showed her the spiritual world of the demons when she was six years old. That seems unfathomable to me.
Basically, I got a weird feeling from this book. I've read several spiritual near-death books and like and believe about a quarter of the ones I've read. This book goes with the other 75% for me.
It was a quick read though. So you may just want to read it to see what you think of it.
This book was sent to me by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. You can see my whole review at http://www.trenchesofmommyhood.blogsp...
April 10, 2015
I received this book as part of a goodreads first reads giveaway. As a standalone, there isn't a lot to take from this book. It's a good story about a girl who grew up in unfortunate surroundings and sought solace in God. However, paired with Tom Brown's Spiritual Gifts for Spiritual Warfare, there is more depth added to it. With Spiritual Gifts in mind, this book becomes a part of the Baptism by Fire movement, a call for Christians to reach out and receive the Holy Spirit as well as Jesus into their hearts. It underscores how important it is to acknowledge the entire trinity, and that just because you are converted to Christianity doesn't necessarily mean you've received the Spirit as well as Jesus. It is something you need to pray towards. That in mind, to anyone looking into the Baptism by Fire movement, this is a great book to read.
May 14, 2016
This book is about a woman's life-long encounters with JESUS, beginning at age five. It talks of her abuse by her father, a church going man, a Christian accordionist, the divine encounters with JESUS, futuristic visions, a healing GOD, and ways that angels minister to us. Follow her through her trials and tribulations, her ups and her downs, share her grief and her joy, see how she finds peace at last. I was crying and angry with her father to take his anger and frustration out on a five year old child. But a five year old child saw Jesus at a time in her life when she needed someone to feel safe and loved. She had prayed to the only one who was was the answer to her broken heart. Pick up a copy, get in your favorite chair and share being TOUCHED BY HEAVEN. Each chapter has a scripture.
August 10, 2015
I won this book through GoodReads First Read program.
Ravenhill covers her life and her many times of experiencing Jesus throughout it. On one hand I wish I had experienced what she had but on the other I would not want to have gone through what she went through in her childhood. I really enjoyed the epilogue which was written by her husband.
I have had one similar experience. I had a very vivid dream of Jesus holding me in His arms like a baby. I than had a near fatal car accident in which I lost my right leg above the knee and suffered a head injury. I am convinced that it was God telling me that Jesus was going to be with me and would help me through the months that were to come.
Ravenhill covers her life and her many times of experiencing Jesus throughout it. On one hand I wish I had experienced what she had but on the other I would not want to have gone through what she went through in her childhood. I really enjoyed the epilogue which was written by her husband.
I have had one similar experience. I had a very vivid dream of Jesus holding me in His arms like a baby. I than had a near fatal car accident in which I lost my right leg above the knee and suffered a head injury. I am convinced that it was God telling me that Jesus was going to be with me and would help me through the months that were to come.
September 13, 2015
This is a nice, inspirational little book about a Christian woman who states that she has seen Jesus in the flesh on several occassions. It's a stretch that she saw many appearances of angels, also, but I find that more plausible. But since God told Moses that no one can see His face and live, I don't understand how this woman could have seen God. I did enjoy reading about the more general aspects of her faith and that she and her family are strong Christians and trust in God in all situations. I guess I really don't know what to make of the book overall.
April 27, 2016
Started and couldn't stop. Easy read and really encouraging in the spirit realm. I loved this book; I'm thankful for the encouragement to press in to Gods' presence.
October 21, 2019
This is a great Memoir book about trusting, being patience and having faith in God. I quite enjoyed reading this book. The story itself is inspiring, however I felt the impact of the story is not as strong as I thought it should be or how I read it and imagining while reading the book. Anything about God to me should be a real deal of inspiring and motivating to believe more of His Goodness (not that I don't believe in God, I'm a proud Born-Again Christian so to speak and believer of Christ). However this book did not give that much of chills within my soul, but all in all it's a great read. Still would recommend it especially for readers that are missionaries who travels for God's purposes.
October 7, 2018
What a wonderful book on the supernatural ways of our wonderful God
The Bible says God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The Bible also says ‘the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’ (Rev. 19:10).
This book is filled with accounts of how God showed up in supernatural ways in Nancy Raven Hill’s life.
What a wonderful read!
The Bible says God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The Bible also says ‘the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’ (Rev. 19:10).
This book is filled with accounts of how God showed up in supernatural ways in Nancy Raven Hill’s life.
What a wonderful read!
October 26, 2018
Powerful and beautiful testimony
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account of Nancy Ravenhill’s life. It was amazing to me how even as a child she chose prayer instead of self pity. Her perspectives and experiences in her life story are powerful and beautiful. I’m thankful for the opportunity to hear them.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account of Nancy Ravenhill’s life. It was amazing to me how even as a child she chose prayer instead of self pity. Her perspectives and experiences in her life story are powerful and beautiful. I’m thankful for the opportunity to hear them.
December 31, 2024
Let me preface this review with the fact that I do not align with any religious organizations and or claim one. With that said, I loved reading this book. I loved reading about Nancy’s journey and her encounters with Jesus. Her husband, children and their parents exemplify what is to have faith and embody their beliefs and values and that is admirable to say the least!
February 18, 2018
Encouraging and Uplifting Testimony
Nancy related her story in a open and honest manner relating the ups and downs of her life in a clear and simple manner. Nancies spiritual experiences and insights form a central part of her story.
Nancy related her story in a open and honest manner relating the ups and downs of her life in a clear and simple manner. Nancies spiritual experiences and insights form a central part of her story.
August 24, 2020
Blessings
I know that my Redeemer lives. Though he communicates with me less dramatically than he does with people like Nancy an encounter with him is always dramatic on some level. I feed off her encounters even as they reenforce mine
I know that my Redeemer lives. Though he communicates with me less dramatically than he does with people like Nancy an encounter with him is always dramatic on some level. I feed off her encounters even as they reenforce mine
September 11, 2020
Faith
Reading through my first thought was why does
a child received so much pain from one parent without any acknowledgement of what was the un-resulted reason. None Christian would find this book difficulty to understand.
Reading through my first thought was why does
a child received so much pain from one parent without any acknowledgement of what was the un-resulted reason. None Christian would find this book difficulty to understand.
July 7, 2017
Great book
This book kept my attention the whole way through the book. Nancy Ravenhill is a Great author. Wonderfully written. I believe every word. Jesus Christ is the answer.
This book kept my attention the whole way through the book. Nancy Ravenhill is a Great author. Wonderfully written. I believe every word. Jesus Christ is the answer.
July 15, 2017
A truly wonderful book
February 3, 2019
This was a great reminder that God is still the supernatural and always present in lives today. Very easy read!
February 14, 2020
Excellent and challenging
March 15, 2021
Great book
Inspirational and no words to describe this true story. Recommend this book -have been touched by this testimony and been blessed by it
Inspirational and no words to describe this true story. Recommend this book -have been touched by this testimony and been blessed by it
August 14, 2022
Awesome!!
March 24, 2015
“Heaven exists-and it can touch your life.” This is the theme of Nancy Ravenhill’s book which shares the powerful story of her life long encounters with God. It begins at a young age and recounts various experiences at different times in her life, when God showed up in very real ways to her.
She talks about how God showed up during the trauma of childhood parental abuse, the future healing that would take place between her and her parents, how God led her every step as a young adult from what school and education she should pursue to what man God had for her. She even talks about long periods of loneliness and how Jesus had not forgotten her during those times. She recounts visitations from Jesus, angelic encounters, and how God physically healed those around her.
Ravenhill’s life experiences contain at least one that we can all relate to. She simply tells her experiences in such a powerful way that it feels like you really know her at the end of the book. One of the messages her book sends is that God is always around us. He is always speaking to us, and moving in our lives, we just need ears to hear and eyes to see what He is doing. Her story gives permission for the reader to acknowledge some of the otherwise “strange” or “unexplainable” events that may happen in their own lives, as what they truly are: messages from God.
Each chapter is very manageable in length, and covers at least one of Ravenhill’s encounters with God. She does not leave you hanging onto only her words though, but at the end of each chapter she invites you in to experience and expect the same types of things in your own life!
I received a complementary copy of this book from Chosen Books for review, and although I don’t usually read books from this genre, I would highly recommend it to anyone longing to see what the power of God looks like in real life today. This book is definitely a faith builder!
She talks about how God showed up during the trauma of childhood parental abuse, the future healing that would take place between her and her parents, how God led her every step as a young adult from what school and education she should pursue to what man God had for her. She even talks about long periods of loneliness and how Jesus had not forgotten her during those times. She recounts visitations from Jesus, angelic encounters, and how God physically healed those around her.
Ravenhill’s life experiences contain at least one that we can all relate to. She simply tells her experiences in such a powerful way that it feels like you really know her at the end of the book. One of the messages her book sends is that God is always around us. He is always speaking to us, and moving in our lives, we just need ears to hear and eyes to see what He is doing. Her story gives permission for the reader to acknowledge some of the otherwise “strange” or “unexplainable” events that may happen in their own lives, as what they truly are: messages from God.
Each chapter is very manageable in length, and covers at least one of Ravenhill’s encounters with God. She does not leave you hanging onto only her words though, but at the end of each chapter she invites you in to experience and expect the same types of things in your own life!
I received a complementary copy of this book from Chosen Books for review, and although I don’t usually read books from this genre, I would highly recommend it to anyone longing to see what the power of God looks like in real life today. This book is definitely a faith builder!
November 6, 2016
This was a very inspirational read. My wife and I are devout Catholics so Nancy's book really interested me. From her sad upbringing in Michigan with a father who was cruel to her and a mother who was hesitant to help through prayer and her deep faith in the Lord Nancy went on to see the world, confirm what faith in Christ will bring/with good and bad in life/met her husband and soulmate David. Her story of encounters with the Lord reveal and confirm that he is a living God that hears our prayers and in HIS way and time all will be ok if we trust in him. As with Nancy he always has our best interests at heart and will never leave us. I enjoyed Nancy's experience. All glory and praise to Jesus.
David
David
November 7, 2016
My favorite part of this book is the mention of Nancy's father-in-law, Leonard Ravenhill. Her description of him as a "lion when he preached, but a lamb in the home" has left a mark on me. It makes me want to pick up and read the biography of his life, entitled "In Light of Eternity." It makes me want to grow in meekness! I also enjoyed Nancy's story of angelic intervention in the midst of two fires while living in La Crescenta, California.
It is fun to follow David and Nancy Ravenhill's journey as they minister with Teen Challenge in New York, Youth with a Mission in New Zealand, Brownsville Assembly of God in Florida and a Vineyard Church in Washington. What an amazing life they have lived!
It is fun to follow David and Nancy Ravenhill's journey as they minister with Teen Challenge in New York, Youth with a Mission in New Zealand, Brownsville Assembly of God in Florida and a Vineyard Church in Washington. What an amazing life they have lived!
December 7, 2016
This book book is very significant to me because it gets me through tough times. My grandma passed away a couple of years ago and she had this book. My dad let me keep it and every once in a while I read a story from it. In a way i guess it helps restore my faith. I, many times catch myself in a bad place and it really helps me think of all the blessings god has given me. I truly love this book and would totally recommend it for anyone who is struggling and needs a little faith that everything is gonna be alright. :)
April 16, 2015
This is a DNF for me. I couldn't get into the story and found too many things beyond belief or sounding completely made up. I've had my own experiences with God so it's not that I don't believe people can have unique encounters. I've read other stories that were well told and believable, by people I know personally and people I don't know. I'd pass on this one. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
September 23, 2016
Very interesting
Nancy began seeing the Lord when she was five years old and receiving beating abuse from her father. She continues to have heavenly experiences throughout the life she is still living. Her words are inspiring and make all of us long for similar closeness to Jesus. Very well written.
Nancy began seeing the Lord when she was five years old and receiving beating abuse from her father. She continues to have heavenly experiences throughout the life she is still living. Her words are inspiring and make all of us long for similar closeness to Jesus. Very well written.
May 16, 2015
I received this book as a first read. Ravenhill is a good storyteller and she tells a whopper of a tale. It comes off as nutty and a bit farcical. The book failed to enlighten or inspire. It was just hard to take seriously.
August 25, 2016
Couldn't put this book down once I started it. What an interesting read. While all of it is hard for me to believe, I loved the scripture verses she used throughout. Many of them have been real to me in my own life.
February 10, 2017
An excellent book. Thoughtful and inspiring.
September 22, 2016
Interesting and easy reading. Reccomended if you want to see howvjesus met with one woman throughout her life and how she was able to lead a life filled with adventure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews