Chasing Heaven: What Dying Taught Me About Living

by Crystal McVea, Alex Tresniowski

From the author of the New York Times bestseller, Waking Up in Heaven , comes an extraordinary story about Crystal McVea’s personal transformation after visiting heaven and how readers can experience heaven themselves—and live a more meaningful life.

On December 10, 2009, Crystal McVea was being treated in a hospital for pancreatitis. Her heart stopped pumping for nine minutes before doctors managed to revive her. In those nine minutes, she went to heaven, stood with God, and was forever changed.

Ever since Crystal’s incredible experience, her life has been profoundly different. She has become a brand new person in every conceivable way—heart, mind, soul, and spirit. By dying, Crystal learned how to live. Crystal realized that heaven is real and our true home, but we are still meant to have meaningful lives full of passion and purpose right here on earth. She believes we have to chase heaven while we are still alive and allow God to turn our lukewarm love into a firestorm of faith. Chasing Heaven is the story of how God called to Crystal, what He told her, and how she found a way to get closer to Him again here on earth.

Crystal assures us that we don’t have to die and go to heaven in order to ignite our faith. We also don’t have to abandon the lives we have in order to experience God and heaven. Chasing Heaven is about following the path to the Lord, and discovering your spiritual destiny.

The journey that followed Crystal’s time in heaven has been difficult, complicated, and surprising—full of twists and turns, setbacks and triumphs, drama and comedy, and everything that makes life so messy and beautiful.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Spirituality, Inspirational

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2016

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In December 2009, Crystal McVea was being treated for pancreatitis when she suddenly went into respiratory arrest. Her heart stopped beating for a full nine minutes. During that time, Crystal said she left this earthly plain and stood at the gates of heaven, where she met not only her guardian angels, but also God. That experience transformed her life, and so began her quest to chase heaven here on earth. There are some really inspiring stories here, and I know it's all about trying to emanate heaven right here, but I guess I was hoping for more on her experience of heaven itself, which left me a little disappointed.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Howard books for my ARC*

[Debbie W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whether or not you believe Crystal actually went to heaven, a profound change did come over her to "put her faith in action", which is admirable in itself. I liked how she recounted ways that she and others have helped the "sick and downtrodden", thereby perhaps inspiring her readers to do the same. I thought I would need to read Crystal McVea's first book WAKING UP IN HEAVEN, but I got the gist of it in this book (also, the reviews for that book weren't the greatest). I was annoyed with all the senseless bargaining she was doing with God = 1 less star.

[Renu Ruggiero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Heaven is definitely a must read, especially for those who are wondering about self purpose and whether this is all there is to life and does God and Heaven really exist.
This is a true life experience of dying while being treated for pancreatitis on December 10th, 2009. Crystal McVea’s heart stopped pumping for 9 minutes before Doctors managed to revive her. In those 9 minutes,
She went to heaven, met God and was forever changed.
This incredible experience, which I must add not many would believe, has left Crystal a different person in every way. In those 9 minutes in heaven , Crystal learned how to live and realised heaven and God is real. “Heaven is our true home” she says, but, we are still meant to have meaningful lives full of purpose right here on earth.
Crystal assured us we don’t have to abandon the lives we have in order to experience God and heaven.
She had seen some dark times in her life which
Led her to all the wrong places full of twists and turns that made her feel like a terrible sinner.
But, upon meeting God She was shown how much love he had for her and told her that her thoughts were not his and he loves us all unconditionally no matter what.
She believes we have to chase heaven while we are still alive by becoming better versions of ourselves, loving one another and making time for people.

[Amy Forsee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book about how God can and does change your life. I love the idea of finding heaven on earth by loving. I also like how she points out that everyone has a gift from God they can use in his glory. I highly recommend this book.

[Donna Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this story had a near-death experience that took her into the presence of God for nine minutes while doctors worked to revive her from a medical crisis. Those nine minutes brought about a seismic change in the author’s life, one that gave her assurances of heaven, God, and her own self-worth. One that gave her purpose, mission, and the overwhelming desire to share God’s love with the unlovely.

Journey with Crystal through the years of her second chance at life. Agonize with her at the pain of almost losing her mother following an auto accident. Stand with her before an audience of hundreds of women waiting to hear about her dying experience and hearing instead of the plight of a pregnant prostitute about to abort an unwanted pregnancy. Walk with her into strip clubs to leave gifts for the working girls who perform on their stages. Weep with her as she consoles a best friend during a miscarriage. And laugh with her as she tells tales on herself about the talkative, inquisitive student she was who gave her teachers fits.

Despite the dirty, messy moments she reveals about her walk with God, this book is nothing less than a thoroughly uplifting, reassuring, encouraging story that will linger in your mind and heart. It might even inspire you to find new ways for YOU to step out and love God’s children

[mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opened my eyes to the miracles of Heaven again. Since reading, I have opened my heart up more to Jesus and to those who live a different lifestyle to me. Crystal shows how to show compassion to everyone and how to spread love productively. She tells the readers how hate and negativity doesn't help us develop and grow as souls. This is such an inspiring book and I think everyone should read it, even if you do not believe in God. This is such a good opener to seeing the true ever loving God.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because of my own personal experiences, i could relate to Crystals experience going to heaven. It was all so remarkably and beautifully familiar. But aside from that, her vision and desire to be a true follower of God following her experience and to put into action the desires of her heart was what really struck me. Truly inspiring. I marked this book up so i could go back to thoughts shared! I would say it has changed me but real change comes with action and i Hope that becomes the case 🙏🏼 ❤️

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, I kept it by my bedside and read it every night when I went to bed. My Aunt Dora passed it on to me to read and I'm so glad that she did, now that I'm done with it, I will be passing it on to someone else. The more you read of this book, the better it gets, I really enjoyed reading it.

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an inspiring read. The minutes she spent in heaven changed the way she viewed God and others. It launched her into ministry completely serving others, sharing the Gospel, and loving people as Jesus does. An incredibly powerful read.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. There were some great gems on how to look at life and how to bring the Savior to the center of our lives. We can "chase" heaven now in this life. This is a book written after her near-death experience and how that experience and sharing it in her first book changed her life.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful book!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with wonderful examples of living out God's word!

[Ayesha Mateer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has multiple perspectives about the love of God and how one woman who has seen the shame, guilt, and pain in her life finally sees the beauty in everyone and mostly, in herself.

[Merf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crystal does a great job of describing how her near death experience changed her life. A very uplifting and encouraging read.

[Alicia Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crystal McVea has an incredible testimony! She is also a fabulous writer. This is a must read book!

[Lizz Christed ♔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what being a Christian is all about. Great writing too.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

All about God's great love for us, and examples of how people share that love with others in the action of chasing heaven. Very joyful, positive, beautiful and inspirational.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it, would read more of her books

[Susan Simms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. Interesting.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what happened to people after they died, experienced heaven, and returned? Did the event really change their life?

McVea told her story of what she experienced on December 10, 2009, when her heart stopped for nine minutes, in Waking Up in Heaven. Now she shares how her life has been different from that time. Having realized how much God loves her, she loves others.

We learn how she has come to be ministering to homeless and to women working in strip clubs. She, along with others, show them love. They don't judge. They just love. They move toward people in the time of their greatest darkness, not away from them.

She emphasizes that God's love calls us to action. That's why she named her book the way she did. She is not sitting around waiting for heaven. She is actively chasing heaven. She is learning how to extend the love she experiences from God to others.

After her heaven experience, McVea wanted to be closer to God, to experience Him more here on earth. She got active in church, read her Bible and prayed. She did all those things she thought she was supposed to do. While those things are good, they left her frustrated. It was not until she asked God what He wanted her to do and actively began showing God's love to others that she felt she was on the journey God wanted.

McVea's book is a good challenge to each of us to find how God wants us to put our faith into action. It is also a reminder that we experience God's grace every moment. We are meant to have meaningful lives, she writes. Lives with purpose and passion for Christ. She reminds us we can have that right now, in our own circumstances. She also reminds us that we don't have to do it all ourselves. She shares great stories of just getting the ball rolling, so to speak.

I am impressed with this book. McVea has included inspiring stories from her own life and the lives of others. I have seen how her life has changed and am encouraged by her boldness in showing God's love to others. This book is an inspiration and I recommend it.

McVea retells in this book much of her life story that is contained in her first book. Even if you have not read that first book, you can easily read this one, know her whole story, and have your godly passions stirred.

Food for thought: “By dying, I learned how to live.”

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

[Victor Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crystal McVea and Alex Tresniowski in their new book, “Chasing Heaven” published by Howard Books gives us What Dying Taught Me About Living.

From the Back Cover: “Tell them what you remember.”

On December 10, 2009, Crystal McVea was being treated in a hospital for pancreatitis. Her heart stopped pumping for nine minutes before doctors managed to revive her. In those nine minutes, she went to heaven, stood with God, and was forever changed. Before she left Heaven, God told her to share her experience.

Ever since Crystal’s incredible experience occurred, her life has been profoundly different. She has been completely transformed and has become a brand new person in every conceivable way—heart, mind, soul, and spirit. By dying, Crystal learned how to live.

After visiting Heaven, Crystal realized that Heaven is real and our true home, but we are still meant to have meaningful lives full of passion and purpose right here on Earth. She believes we have to chase Heaven while we are still alive and allow God to turn our lukewarm love into a firestorm of faith. Chasing Heaven is the story of how God called to Crystal, what He told her, and how she found a way to get closer to Him again here on Earth.

There really is a Heaven. When we die the next thing is we are standing at the Gates of Heaven and it is there that God looks in the Lamb’s Book of Life and if our names are there we get in, if not we are sent down below. Crystal McVea not only met God when she died she also got into Heaven. After nine minutes the doctors revitalized her but before she left God told her, “Tell them what you remember.” This book is how that event changed her life. Not only is it about what she remembers it is about what other people mean to her now and how she and her friends reach out to them. This is a book that will help you see God, see Heaven and have what we see change our lives as well. This is also a book that will make a great gift to friends and family so that they can have a mind-change about God and Heaven as well..

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Howard Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[S. Spelbring · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again, I'm not much of a Christian, but I found this book to be a good motivator.

So after Crystal McVea died, how did her life change? Well, she found herself Chasing Heaven here on Earth. She basically goes on to explain how she is bringing God's love to those who it seems He's forgotten: the homeless, and women in the adult entertainment industry. She tells how her children have been affected, for the better, and how her new beliefs have rubbed off on them.

She writes to tell us how her love of God has brought her to help other's find His love and bring joy to other's lives. How she's reached out to others.

Crystal references her first book heavily, but she starts by giving us the TL:DR version.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this uplifting book about Crystal McVea’s experiences gained after dying, going to heaven and then coming back to earth. She definitely lives the Following scripture, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I was entertained with how she treated missionaries serving in her area before and then after her life changing experience. It’s always comical to me that people don’t think my religion believes in Jesus even when it’s part of our name.
Definitely a good read. If more people followed Crystal’s example of love and acting upon the whispering of the spirit, the world would be a better place.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.

It is about Crystal's life in the 6 years since she died and went to Heaven for 9 minutes. Since then she feels like she was sent back to Earth to show God's love through loving other people on Earth. She gets nudges to do things she really doesn't want to do sometimes, but she knows God wants her to do them.

I do think the purpose of us here on Earth is to show love and kindness towards each other so I really liked the message of this book. No matter how unworthy you think you are, you can change lives.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 star. Random pickup at the library cause I love stories about seeing heaven. This book only spent a little time on her experience. Most of it was about how it has changed her and how to have heaven on earth we need to share God's love with everyone. Each of us can make a difference. I love her point that God Loves us no matter what...truly he does. God's non-judgmental love has been on my mind lately. Let's love others as God does and try to reach out and share his love to those around us. Should add: this is a non-denominational Christian book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Heaven: What Dying Taught Me About Living is an interesting true story of inspiration. It tells about the author's journey back from Heaven and how her life had changed after that event. I liked the story and did find it inspiring but I think I was expecting a little more. It is still a must read.
4 stars.
I received this book from Howard Books in exchange for my honest opinion, which was given.

[Christine Marie Hershey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read both waking up in heaven and chasing heaven and absolutely loved them both! The biggest take away out of chasing heaven is finding heaven on earth through spreading Christ's love. In a world full of hatred and senseless acts of violence, we are in desperate need of change. McVea steps out into the darkest of places to show that heaven can be found right on earth.❤

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to explore what a true relationship with God means read this book. I started reading this at about 4pm Saturday and with a few interruptions finished the book at 12:30am Sunday. I cried. I reflected. I want to be more Christ-like. What I learned in this book will help me along that path.

[Navi Chohan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A transitional story of Crystal's journey leading to spreading the word of God, message of love, compassion and kindness for/to the fellow human. It has a Christian bent but the message is just as beautiful for all. The audio book is read by the author and thus brings a personal touch to every passage.

[Connie Backus-yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigh!! We can't all have her experience...we don't all have her experience.