It isn’t very often that I find a book that impacts me so deeply that I walk away changed. Nor do I find a book in which my journey with CFIDS and FMS is shared (not from the perspective of the illnesses but from the perspective of the difficult journey to healing one travels). But today I did.
The minute I started reading, Flight to Heaven, I was drawn into Captain Dale Black’s story. Many parts of his story spoke to me, while many parts of his journey rang true to my own. This is the review I wrote about this incredible book..
If you read one book this year, let it be this one! As someone who has lived with a chronic illness for over 20+ years, and have had my own visit to heaven, this book spoke to me in a powerful and impacting way. Black says, “I didn’t have strength for the whole journey, just enough for the next step.”
That one statement summed up what I have learned after walking out my journey with a chronic illness all these years.
Black open’s his testimony in the middle of a major plane crisis in which the potential for crashing is overwhelmingly real. From there he shares the journey he walks out during his life, his God encounter, his visit to heaven, the impacting change of that moment, and end’s with the opening plane crisis the reader originally started with.
At no point, does the reader feel like they are being dragged along in this story. Quite the opposite. This reader felt as if she was part of this story every step of the way.
The message of God’s incredible love and provision is one that helped lift me out of my own ‘crisis’ and placed me back under the protective wing of the Lord.
This story is amazing, it is impacting, it is emotional, it is life changing, it is uplifting and it is empowering. More than that, this story is redemptive.
Hands down this story earned a 5 out 5 star rating.
*I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogging 4 Books program. 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.
This book spoke to me so powerfully, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the incredible journey of Mr. Black, nor, of the God he met face to face. It is well worth the time to read. Your heart and soul will be lifted and your spirit will be empowered and renewed.
Determined to continue forward,
Dominique,
Your review sold me. I just went over to Amazon.com and ordered the Kindle edition.
Lillie Ammann´s last blog ..Message in a Word
Lillie – I think you will like it! I’m still thinking about it!
This looks like an excellent book, Dominique! I will be reading it.
Renee´s last blog ..Saturdays Scribbles
Renee – I’d love to hear what you think of it!
That was a beautifully written review Dominique. I’m going to see if I can find an audio version because it’s hard for me to read books.
Toni – I hope you can find an audio version to listen to!
Hi Dominique!
Thanks for the emails! You’re the best. I have been busy for a while and time has gotten away from me. I was having trouble viewing your site on Internet Explorer, and after a few days of trying, I downloaded Google Chrome and now have no problem. I wonder if it’s just me? I pray you are doing well and it’s so good to see you.
Lots of love,
April
April – It does my heart good to see you my friend. I have missed you! No, it’s not just you. Anyone using IE is having problems and my guess is that IE has been updated to include beta and I’m guessing Google Chrome and Firefox (or even Linux) are the browsers people will have to use until IE catches up!
Don’t stay away so long this time, okay!
Hugs!
Dear Dominique, I hope you are doing better day by day. I hope the not
posting for a while is just because you are getting a lot of rest STRESSFUL
EVENTS BE GONE!! Since you asked me often about Sammy I thought
it only right to let you know that last night July 26 at 9:25 pm Sammy
passed away laying on my chest (my heart) and in my arms. His breathing
had seemed different Mon eve so I checked on him and prayed that the
Dear Lord would not let him suffer through the night. The prayer was
answered. Thank you Jesus. The burden of stress is gone and now my
heart can begin to mend as I continue to miss him.
Patricia – I was praying for you this weekend. I was hoping you and Sammy were doing okay. Oh no! My heart is breaking for you and for Sammy. I’m so sorry. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and I’m here if you need me. I’m glad that Sammy’s suffering is over but I am so heartbroken that he is gone.
I pray that the balm of Gilead will heal your heart quickly my friend…. May God’s grace, love and compassion abound in the days ahead….
A lot of peace has come because I was able to be with Sammy when he died.
I think I made the right decision – that he wasn’t in pain – but dieing
of old age. I’m trying to focus on the great blessing that I had him for
15 years and with no serious illness. I grieved so much watching him
decline that that painful burden has been lifted and my prayer was
answered and I was with him to the end. I will grieve but really what
is most happening and will continue for quite awhile is the missing.
It is happening almost too fast that I might be adopting a 9 month old
red, shorthaired female from the rescue group. I’m told when I
meet her tomorrow night there is no pressure to decide because there
are always loving dogs coming up soon that need to be adopted. But
also by looking at the website a dog I was interested in was only on
the site one day and already gone. I will know tomorrow when I meet
her if I should move ahead so fast or not. The first dog I chose was two and one
half years old and I felt I should get an older dog because of my age.
By adopting a 9 month old I’m concerned I could leave an oprhan -
but they don’t seem to be concerned about that. I should probably
not have been looking but I gave into the temptation. I do have mixed
feelings about moving so fast. I’ll keep you posted. Thank you for praying for
Sammy and me. You are in my prayers also.
Patricia – The missing is the most difficult part of this transition. I still miss Bronte whenever I think of her. This has to be such a hard decision. I have heard that getting a new dog does help with the grief. When I lost my first pug, I waited years before I got Bronte. However, when I had to give up Bronte, Dekker saved my life. He really helped me through my grief so I can see how either route works.
I will be praying that God gives you discernment on which path is right for you. Again, please accept my heartfelt condolences. I am even crying over the passing of Sammy. I felt like I knew him as well as I know Dekker.