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The Day I Died
It was a beautiful winter’s day, showing no signs of what was to come. Steve Sjogren, a successful pastor of a growing church, went into the hospital for routine surgery and died twice. What began as a tragic medical accident led to Steve’s near death experience, an encounter of unimaginable peace and some surprises, with comforting words from God, a meeting with an angel, and seeing those who had died before him. Readers of The Day I Died will hear Steve’s unforgettable story and catch a glimpse of heaven, discover how he learned a number of lessons about hearing God’s voice in times of crisis, how he learned to trust God in a new way during the recovery process and how his life has changed as a result of this experience.
166 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 2, 2015
I really enjoyed this book even though the title is somewhat misleading.
A more apt title would have been, When Doctors Fail, God Prevails or Lessons On Life From Someone Who Died.
Loved reading about his Random Act of Kindness movement and dancing at the Waffle House.
This small little book packs a wallop and gives much food for thought.
Highly recommended.
A more apt title would have been, When Doctors Fail, God Prevails or Lessons On Life From Someone Who Died.
Loved reading about his Random Act of Kindness movement and dancing at the Waffle House.
This small little book packs a wallop and gives much food for thought.
Highly recommended.
October 19, 2017
The title of this book is a bit of a misnomer. The author spends little time discussing his near death experience. Instead, the focus of the book is on the changes he made in his life following his near death experience. I found some of what he wrote to be uplifting, but there isn't anything here that is groundbreaking or inspirational to the point of guiding the reader toward major life changes.
February 10, 2017
I gave this book a 3 because I did not feel that the title reflected the contents. I purchased the book so that I could read about his encounter in Heaven. He wrote a brief description of his out-of-body experience with some dialogue with God (which we are capable of receiving without having an out-of-body experience).
But there was no description of Heaven or Hell. His book is valid, his experience is valid; I simply was disappointed in the content of the book. I have read many other books with much more description of Heaven and encounters with God. He had supernatural encounters but he did not arrive in Heaven.
Very little content describes the day he died; most content deals with his life after he died.
But there are 3 very strong reasons for reading this book.
1) This is about a man who died during gall bladder surgery. He had an almost impossible recovery, with limited use of his legs, virtually no muscles in his thighs, no strength to lift himself from a chair or handle stairs, a limp, constant pain and digestive difficulties, constant dependence on medication and counselling, limited energy, restricted lifestyle and ability to work, and a colostomy for 6 months, resulting in a reduced intestinal system.
So why read about this? It is worth reading simply for the sake of learning how gall bladder surgery is not routine and simple. It can have complications; even Aristotle Onassis died from complications after this surgery. The doctor made one slip with his instrument, cutting at an incorrect angle, making a cut 4 times as large as necessary, piercing his stomach, intestines and both sides of his aorta. The author's life was saved after being transferred from a small suburban hospital to a large teaching hospital.
The author now warns everyone to check out the record and experience of every doctor he deals with, to go only to a large hospital, and to study the side effects and possible complications of any surgical procedure or medical treatment.
2) This is a story of a man who was in a coma, fully conscious and aware of what was going on, listening to medical personnel, family and visitors discuss in his presence the brain damage that likely occurred and the recommendation to cut off all life support. He had a stubborn wife who refused to give up. Without her, he probably would have been, as he says, a "statistic". A death.
The author makes it clear that people in comas who appear brain-dead can actually be as totally aware as any other person. If given the choice and the opportunity to speak, they would make clear their refusal to be cut off life support.
He makes a strong case for a detailed living will, and lists every bit of information that he has put in his living will, most of which people would not think to include.
3) During a very critical time, he was not given any water in his mouth for several days. He says that the horror and pain of that situation are something that he never wants to go through again. He tried communicating with his eyes the desire for water. He says that the pain of thirst was the most intense pain that he has ever experienced. He was not allowed liquids because of the excess fluids in his body. He does not even want to consider the pain of dying from dehydration that Terri Shiavo went through.
This book is a warning to people of the pain that they can cause to a living person as they withdraw life support and have them die, not of starvation, but of dehydration. It is a wakeup call to people who give up too early on people who show no signs of brain activity, and then do not extend mercy... as the author says, if you allowed a dog to die of dehydration, you would be in serious trouble in America... but we can let people die of dehydration, thinking that they feel nothing.
This book was worth reading for these 3 above reasons.
However, I caution people about the religious content. I realize that people's religious beliefs differ but, if you read the entire Bible, then you realize that Jesus said He came to earth not to warn people that everyone would go to Heaven, but to warn them about Hell. This author, because of his relationship with God, experienced God. But he did not experience Heaven. Nor was he aware of Hell.
He gives the impression that everyone who dies goes to Heaven. He is a pastor and quotes the Bible in other parts of the book, but does not quote any references to back up his belief that everyone should be comfortable in dying... I am not asking you to believe anything that I say. But if a person says that an experience from God is true, he should back it up with references or quotes from the person who said it, just as any other scientific fact needs to be authenticated from the original source.
So I feel that that this book can be dangerous if read by somebody facing death who does not have a relationship with God. If Jesus warned people about death and Hell, surely the role of a pastor who believes in Jesus should include similar warnings.
But there was no description of Heaven or Hell. His book is valid, his experience is valid; I simply was disappointed in the content of the book. I have read many other books with much more description of Heaven and encounters with God. He had supernatural encounters but he did not arrive in Heaven.
Very little content describes the day he died; most content deals with his life after he died.
But there are 3 very strong reasons for reading this book.
1) This is about a man who died during gall bladder surgery. He had an almost impossible recovery, with limited use of his legs, virtually no muscles in his thighs, no strength to lift himself from a chair or handle stairs, a limp, constant pain and digestive difficulties, constant dependence on medication and counselling, limited energy, restricted lifestyle and ability to work, and a colostomy for 6 months, resulting in a reduced intestinal system.
So why read about this? It is worth reading simply for the sake of learning how gall bladder surgery is not routine and simple. It can have complications; even Aristotle Onassis died from complications after this surgery. The doctor made one slip with his instrument, cutting at an incorrect angle, making a cut 4 times as large as necessary, piercing his stomach, intestines and both sides of his aorta. The author's life was saved after being transferred from a small suburban hospital to a large teaching hospital.
The author now warns everyone to check out the record and experience of every doctor he deals with, to go only to a large hospital, and to study the side effects and possible complications of any surgical procedure or medical treatment.
2) This is a story of a man who was in a coma, fully conscious and aware of what was going on, listening to medical personnel, family and visitors discuss in his presence the brain damage that likely occurred and the recommendation to cut off all life support. He had a stubborn wife who refused to give up. Without her, he probably would have been, as he says, a "statistic". A death.
The author makes it clear that people in comas who appear brain-dead can actually be as totally aware as any other person. If given the choice and the opportunity to speak, they would make clear their refusal to be cut off life support.
He makes a strong case for a detailed living will, and lists every bit of information that he has put in his living will, most of which people would not think to include.
3) During a very critical time, he was not given any water in his mouth for several days. He says that the horror and pain of that situation are something that he never wants to go through again. He tried communicating with his eyes the desire for water. He says that the pain of thirst was the most intense pain that he has ever experienced. He was not allowed liquids because of the excess fluids in his body. He does not even want to consider the pain of dying from dehydration that Terri Shiavo went through.
This book is a warning to people of the pain that they can cause to a living person as they withdraw life support and have them die, not of starvation, but of dehydration. It is a wakeup call to people who give up too early on people who show no signs of brain activity, and then do not extend mercy... as the author says, if you allowed a dog to die of dehydration, you would be in serious trouble in America... but we can let people die of dehydration, thinking that they feel nothing.
This book was worth reading for these 3 above reasons.
However, I caution people about the religious content. I realize that people's religious beliefs differ but, if you read the entire Bible, then you realize that Jesus said He came to earth not to warn people that everyone would go to Heaven, but to warn them about Hell. This author, because of his relationship with God, experienced God. But he did not experience Heaven. Nor was he aware of Hell.
He gives the impression that everyone who dies goes to Heaven. He is a pastor and quotes the Bible in other parts of the book, but does not quote any references to back up his belief that everyone should be comfortable in dying... I am not asking you to believe anything that I say. But if a person says that an experience from God is true, he should back it up with references or quotes from the person who said it, just as any other scientific fact needs to be authenticated from the original source.
So I feel that that this book can be dangerous if read by somebody facing death who does not have a relationship with God. If Jesus warned people about death and Hell, surely the role of a pastor who believes in Jesus should include similar warnings.
May 25, 2013
I reread The Day I Died after telling a friend about this book. She asked me if we had a Living Will and specifically wondered about water being withheld – an item on the usual Living Will. In the book Sjogren says that Terry Schiavo “died a slow and painful death due to dehydration.” He also tells of his own medical trials and says “of all the pain I experienced in life nothing comes close to the pain of being dry in the mouth for 7 to 10 days.” Sjogren describes his near death experiences of God’s reassurance and offers valuable thoughts about medical care and especially end of life care – and much more.
Steve Sjogren, former pastor of the Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati tells a gripping true story of a simple surgery gone awry. He “died” twice during this and lives today because his wife didn’t listen to the claims that he had lost brain capacity while in a coma. She refused to pull the plug. His church and thousands of people across the country prayed for him and the prayers plus a new doctor and hospital pulled him back from the brink of death.
Much of the book describes the lessons Sjogren learned as a result of having to slow down. These are valuable lessons for all of us. His positive suggestions for what to say when visiting a dying friend are valuable. His life long daily practice of journaling and setting goals fascinated me also. This is an intriguing and valuable book.
Steve Sjogren, former pastor of the Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati tells a gripping true story of a simple surgery gone awry. He “died” twice during this and lives today because his wife didn’t listen to the claims that he had lost brain capacity while in a coma. She refused to pull the plug. His church and thousands of people across the country prayed for him and the prayers plus a new doctor and hospital pulled him back from the brink of death.
Much of the book describes the lessons Sjogren learned as a result of having to slow down. These are valuable lessons for all of us. His positive suggestions for what to say when visiting a dying friend are valuable. His life long daily practice of journaling and setting goals fascinated me also. This is an intriguing and valuable book.
August 20, 2010
My Dad died almost 2 years ago and I know what I think about the hereafter, but I guess I needed the reassurance that someone else felt the same way.
I bought a few books about death at the same time; I started reading one, Caught Up Into Heaven, by Marietta Davis. She makes a lot of flowery descriptions of every situation, but I am a "just the facts ma'am" kind of reader. I found Steve Sjogren's writing very easy to read, and finished it in short time.
Sjogren had been a pastor for a long time before he was sick/injured and he talked quite a bit about his having to reduce his work load because of his illness/injury. My Dad faced that some too. He had had a couple of strokes which had slowed him down, but he was reluctant to let go of all he had going on. Toward the end he even had to preach from a chair, but he kept on until God called him home.
I bought a few books about death at the same time; I started reading one, Caught Up Into Heaven, by Marietta Davis. She makes a lot of flowery descriptions of every situation, but I am a "just the facts ma'am" kind of reader. I found Steve Sjogren's writing very easy to read, and finished it in short time.
Sjogren had been a pastor for a long time before he was sick/injured and he talked quite a bit about his having to reduce his work load because of his illness/injury. My Dad faced that some too. He had had a couple of strokes which had slowed him down, but he was reluctant to let go of all he had going on. Toward the end he even had to preach from a chair, but he kept on until God called him home.
March 22, 2009
I highly recommend this book for anyone who fears dying. I know this man to be incredibly credible, as I have met him and have many friends who know him well, and I'm sure everything he says is true. Pretty amazing story.
August 10, 2015
A true story of a Vineyard pastor who died for a few minutes and his experience and results of the experience on the rest of his life. Worth reading.
May 6, 2017
When I read this book I was pretty disappointed because this isn't so much about his actual medical experience but more his life lessons for us on what kind of person to be. He's saying he died so he could come back and be the better husband, father, friend, person, etc. Which... I suppose that's all lovely, but tell me about your experience. What did you see? What did you experience in your medical coma, do you have memories of it? Did you have any odd feelings going into surgery? He actually shared so little of the actual event that by the time I got to the end of the book I didn't even remember what the medical event was. I actually wasn't even going to finish the book but then the last chapter is about Terri Schiavo and that... that hits home for me. I had an uncle who was in an almost identical situation at almost the same time not far from where Terri was and I can tell you right now, that is a diminished quality of life. Nobody, absolutely nobody can tell you that anyone would want to live out their last days immobile and unable to communicate, or do anything for themselves. Just shy of a vegetable. That's not life. If you wouldn't leave your family pet to live like that, you shouldn't leave your loved one like that. And I could go on for days about this, I really could. I could also go for days about the authors almost.. anger at his doctors for wanting to declare him brain dead at one point. He makes it clear from the start of the book that he was clearly at a not great hospital and that every box you can check off under the "It's going to go all wrong" list was checked off for him, and honestly? That's on him. We all put our trust that the hospitals and doctors we trust our bodies and health to know what they are doing. When you think of ALL of the information that these simple human beings are required to know at any given second, at the drop of a dime, at the turn of any catastrophic event, look around every corner and predict any number of things that can possibly go wrong and you know what?
Shit happens. It does. It happens, and it's unfortunate. Mistakes happen to good people. Doctors can make mistakes but all they can do is give us the options based on the information they have on hand at that very second.
Overall? I pretty much hated the book. I felt like the author was angry, a little arrogant, and I can imagine he would be that nightmare asshole patient a doctor would dread having, to be honest. For as much as he claims to be a man of faith, and as full of compassion and love, and how he tries to live life as God intends, this book doesn't come off like he's doing that well.
Shit happens. It does. It happens, and it's unfortunate. Mistakes happen to good people. Doctors can make mistakes but all they can do is give us the options based on the information they have on hand at that very second.
Overall? I pretty much hated the book. I felt like the author was angry, a little arrogant, and I can imagine he would be that nightmare asshole patient a doctor would dread having, to be honest. For as much as he claims to be a man of faith, and as full of compassion and love, and how he tries to live life as God intends, this book doesn't come off like he's doing that well.
February 20, 2022
©2006
This book is so incredibly misrepresented that I will either mail it back to the publisher or burn it and watch every ash dissipate.
This author died (twice?) and God spoke to him (but it's too personal to reveal) - if you are thinking an NDE read is in store, it is not so. The subtitle is "An Unforgettable Story of Life After Death" - well, it is definitely unforgettable in that it only tells what happened in his recovery after surgery and is full of "I" statements. This is an incredibly narcissistic book yielding nothing for the reader. Fortunately the reader is only engaged for 162 pages....even if skimming to find something of worth somewhere!
This book is so incredibly misrepresented that I will either mail it back to the publisher or burn it and watch every ash dissipate.
This author died (twice?) and God spoke to him (but it's too personal to reveal) - if you are thinking an NDE read is in store, it is not so. The subtitle is "An Unforgettable Story of Life After Death" - well, it is definitely unforgettable in that it only tells what happened in his recovery after surgery and is full of "I" statements. This is an incredibly narcissistic book yielding nothing for the reader. Fortunately the reader is only engaged for 162 pages....even if skimming to find something of worth somewhere!
March 31, 2018
It's an ok book, he talks about his experience very little and more about his life and changes after his botched surgery. I don't recall at any point that he actually said the doctors said he died or that he flat lined. It's an ok book but not what I expected from the title.
August 9, 2018
Life Changing
This book is Life Changing...literally!
If you aren't ready for REAL don't bother reading it. Your buttons will be pushed to the limit and you will be better for it.
This book is Life Changing...literally!
If you aren't ready for REAL don't bother reading it. Your buttons will be pushed to the limit and you will be better for it.
September 23, 2020
The book was good, but it wasn’t what I expected it to be.
August 17, 2024
This is a real page turner. Finished in a day. Paints an incredible view of one man's encounter with God, and the Devil. 5 stars for sure!
May 7, 2026
Interesting read. There was a lot you can learn about how to live your life after a near death experience. Medically though I completely disagree with his view a spouting that miracles happen. It’s okay to have hope, but ultimately in the medical world I don’t believe in miracles.
November 20, 2022
Meh— it was ok. It was more like a journal/self reflection than a description of a powerful spiritual experience. It was more about the author than the event of almost dying.
June 22, 2016
The author, Steve Sjogren, spent more time discussing how the event changed him than he talked about the event itself. I guess he had to as "I floated above my body. I heard what was going on and being said in the hospital room. I talked to God. I came back into my body, etc." isn't enough to create an entire book. In fact, he didn't really get a whole chapter out of it. It was, basically, the same thing everyone else who has "died," come back, and written a book about it has said. The more informative book is Heaven is Real by a little boy who died and came back although his questions and "cues" came from his minister father; consequently, he may have been "guided" by his dad.
August 29, 2016
I liked the book but it wasn't what I expected. The author uses his experience to create a motivational and inspirational book rather than focusing on his experience being close to death. He uses his near death experience as a way to highlight the area God introduced to him as needing change. I can imagine that God also said many positive things to him as well but these were missing from the book. It was eye opening and humbling to think that God judged him, a pastor, and church builder as much as He did. It makes me wonder what my feedback would be. What should I be doing differently? Great thought provoking book.
September 8, 2016
I was expecting a typical NDE experience instead I mostly received how the author's life changed because of the experience. He did describe how he heard a voice both physical and mentally that he ascribed to God. Except for generalities nothing was conveyed to the reader what was said. And he described a jean wearing angel with dreadlocks told him to get on board with getting better. Other than that the vast majority of the book was how things changed for him and how he was able to connect better and in different ways with people. I suppose for someone that has had a near brush with death this might be a very good book but for as for me I didn't like it.
September 15, 2012
Engaging but lacks insight or real info about what exactly happened after he (the author) died. I was also very concerned that he failed to realize the Holy Spirit was warning him not to get the operation. He simply did not see this or that the entire tragedy could have been avoided had he understood that God wad warning him. The man was oblivious.
September 22, 2012
If you have read "The Shack" or "Heaven is for Real" you will be GREATLY disappointed in this book. I was and wished I had skipped over most of it instead of wasting my time to read it. It relates in NO WAY about his death, it only talks about what he changed about himself AFTER the fact. Personally, I wouldn't recommend.
August 25, 2015
Pro-life for Coma and disabled Patients
Not everyone is allowed to live, many are killed. Doctors and others have itchy fingers to remove patients from care. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, not to be killed. The section on Terri Schivoa is especially important. As a stroke victim, I am not ready to be killed while I am still alive.
Not everyone is allowed to live, many are killed. Doctors and others have itchy fingers to remove patients from care. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, not to be killed. The section on Terri Schivoa is especially important. As a stroke victim, I am not ready to be killed while I am still alive.
December 29, 2008
I was really wanting to know the passage of this man's soul to the spirit world. It really was just a story of his life. It is a good book in the spiritual existence within the mortal man...good work among others. But, I was yearning for more of his pass through the veil.
August 29, 2010
Starts as a story of a pastor who dies for a few minutes and ends up having a conversation with God and then ends with lessons of life he has learned through that conversation and how he has changed his for the better. Has some great ideas of how we should go through life to enrich it.
July 11, 2015
Not what I thought
Though this book was very good it is not what I thought it would be about. I was looking for a book about the afterlife but this was about how to change your life after a life altering experience.
Though this book was very good it is not what I thought it would be about. I was looking for a book about the afterlife but this was about how to change your life after a life altering experience.
February 23, 2016
A very touching read. This book took away the fear of death. It makes one realise that God is with us throughout our lives.
We should make time for prayer each day. I am sure this would uplift us all and make for a more peaceful life.
We should make time for prayer each day. I am sure this would uplift us all and make for a more peaceful life.
March 30, 2016
Prepare To Be Challenged
I highly recommend reading "The Day I Died" to gain a dynamic perspective on the things that truly matter in life. This book contains a no-nonsense reality check about the quality of LIFE and I concur with the author in saying, "Choose life!"
I highly recommend reading "The Day I Died" to gain a dynamic perspective on the things that truly matter in life. This book contains a no-nonsense reality check about the quality of LIFE and I concur with the author in saying, "Choose life!"
April 15, 2016
Not
Not the best book I have read .. it is a book and felt I had to finish reading it just because... the kind of book that I had to finish to find out if it really was bad.. and it was.
Not the best book I have read .. it is a book and felt I had to finish reading it just because... the kind of book that I had to finish to find out if it really was bad.. and it was.
January 6, 2017
If your looking for book about near death experiences this is not it. This is about one mans experience and how it changed him. Not a bad book and it was interesting enough for me to read the whole book.
April 11, 2021
I read this because my neighbor asked me to. This is not typically my type of book. There were some good snippets of advice he gave, but his attitude kind of bugged me throughout the book. The title is misleading, like a lot of other reviewers commented.
October 22, 2008
This was the pastor of my old church in Cincinati. I was very moved by his experience. It was touching and encouraging to see how God communicated with Him in so many different ways.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews