Inspiring and humorous: My review of "My Journey to Heaven: What I Saw and How It Changed My Life" by Marvin J. Besteman with Lorilee Craker

about the book....

An unforgettable trip to the gates of heaven and back

As Marv Besteman lay in a hospital bed, visions of celestial beauty were the last thing on his mind. He had just had surgery to remove a rare pancreatic tumor. Alone after visiting hours ended, Marv tossed and turned, wanting more than anything else to simply sleep and escape the excruciating pain and misery for a while.

He was about to have an experience he never could have imagined--and could never forget.

In My Journey to Heaven, Marv Besteman shares the true story of his experience of heaven with astounding detail. You'll meet the angels who accompanied him to the gate, overhear his conversation with St. Peter, and feel the joy as he recognizes friends and family members who touched his life.

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, or even if you just wonder about what happens after we die, you'll find peace, comfort, and encouragement in Marv's story.

my review...

Inspiring, humorous, and thought-provoking, My Journey to Heaven should definitely be on your "must read" list this year! Marvin's trip to heaven is recounted in wonderful detail, and I greatly enjoyed the style in which this book is written. Besteman is not a man who takes himself too seriously, and the result is a lighthearted book that deals with a deep subject matter - the reality of heaven, and the fantastic experience that awaits us at the end of our lives. I loved how he incorporated so much scripture into his story, and the fact that God chose a more conservative type of individual to have the experience Marvin had seems to lend even greater credibility to what happened. I also loved how he pointed people back to Jesus, offering the assurance of salvation through faith in Christ, an assurance that we too can enjoy heaven and the wonder that it holds.

This book is one that I will be recommending to family, friends, and anyone searching for answers to what happens when we die. Marvin's story would be an especially important one to share with people grieving the loss of a loved one, a reminder that this world is not the end of our journey, but that it is continued in Heaven, a place of peace and healing and a reunification with those we love! I highly recommend this book and award it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

about the authors...

Marvin J. Besteman (1934-2012) was a graduate of Calvin College, a veteran of the US Army, and a retired bank president. He spoke frequently during his last few years of life about his experience of heaven. He and his wife, Ruth, are the parents of three children and the grandparents of four. Marv passed away in January of 2012, joyfully anticipating his return to heaven.


Lorilee Craker is the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Through the Storm by Lynne Spears, and the author of several books on parenting and relationships. A frequent speaker, Craker is also an entertainment writer who has been interviewing celebrities and music artists for many years for the Grand Rapids Press. She lives in Michigan.