Colton Burpo

Who is God?✨

I watched a great podcast yesterday. Lex Fridman interviewed Bishop Barron. It’s nice to hear about physics from a religious perspective. I really got a lot out of it. Bishop Barron says “God is the substitent act of ‘to be’ itself.” That makes perfect sense to me. God says, “I am who I am.” He is God. He doesn’t need to prove himself.

“God IS the reason there is a more contingent being at all!”

“God is not an entity; people think of God as a big being,” Bishop Barron continues to say. God is beyond being. However, I do believe he is a “being” in heaven. I believe his size spans the earth and is probably even much bigger than that. Colton Burpo, in the book, “Heaven Is For Real” says that God looks like a much bigger version of the angel, Gabrielle. I believe that Colton said he wears a yellow/golden sash. If I remember correctly.

For me, I am a believer in God and always have been. I have believed in Jesus for as long as I can remember, from a very young age, I didn’t need “proof or evidence.” I didn’t need to see him or experience him with my five senses. I feel God. I feel him there with me every day.

And he speaks to me in the silence and in nature, in love through others, in friendships, and much more. God speaks to me when I’m listening to the Bible, for example, after I’ve just put it down or listened by audio, I get the clearest messages ever.

God’s very nature is to be, again. He is holding us together. Gravity is what keeps your feet to the ground. God made gravity, which keeps our feet to the ground and also keeps planets in their orbits! The universe(s), planets, galaxies, and billions upon billions and billions of stars are all held together by God.

Real faith is believing even when it’s dark, even when you can’t see, and even when you’re taught not to believe. It’s like an author to a book. The author may not seem to be in the book, but he is the writer. HE IS THE AUTHOR AND THE FINISHER. HE IS GOD.

Furthermore, God becomes one of us. God becomes a human (Jesus). Jesus makes humanity radiant and beautiful. He is the redeemer of all reality, Bishop Barron continues. “Jesus came to pay a debt that he didn’t owe because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay,” is another way to put it. The Bible tells us: “For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all” (Romans 11:32).

The greatest physicts in the world talk about free will (some of them think it is non existent) and that everything is in a cosmic or what I like to call a “divine” order. But we have choices. The world renowned pastor and NY Times bestselling author, Greg Boyd, says that God sees every choice we can make, every route we can go. Even when we make the wrong ones he is there to pick us up.

God foresaw that we would all need him. God knew we would all fall short. God is love; God is light. God is omnipresent, and he can be everywhere at once. God is all knowing and all kind.♥️

Here is the podcast link to Bishop Barron’s interview with the popular host, Lex Fridman.

And here is the other podcast I mentioned, with Todd and Colton Burpo, from the NY Times bestselling book (and movie): Heaven Is For Real.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Heaven Is For Real Podcast Interview🔊

This is an incredible interview with Colton Burpo of Heaven Is For Real. Colton is grown up now and loves to tell his story of his trip to heaven and back when he was a child! I won’t say anymore because it’s all right in the video. I hope you enjoy it. This book/movie has played a huge role in strengthening my faith and learning about the after life!✨🙏❤️‍🩹😇

Oops…I almost forgot to give you the link: https://youtu.be/0WEFLX-2UJE 😃💭

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the Best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s been featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written hundreds of articles and has taught thousands of students. Additionally she’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She is also a major foodie and loves to help others. You can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In, or Twitter.

Heaven Is For Real!✨🙏☦️

This painting was done by the famous artist, Akiane Kramarik, and has gone for millions. it’s called ‘Prince of Peace.’ It’s also known as ‘the Carpenter.’ She painted it when she was only eight years old through visions. Her image is also depicted in the movie, Heaven Is for Real, when Colton’s dad, Todd Burpo, continually shows little Colton photos asking him to identify Jesus after Colton makes a short trip to heaven! None of Todd’s photos got a confirmation from Colton, but when Colton was presented with this image he said, ‘That’s it! That’s him, dad!’ It doesn’t get any better than this.

About Zina

Heaven Is For Real!

“Life has a myriad of opportunities that await us!”

As I read this line, I almost can’t believe I wrote it. All of the positive things I’ve written, make so much sense, but none of them feel as powerful as they once did—since I lost my father a month ago. Dad departed this earth and went to heaven on November 23, 2019, and my life will never be the same again. My dad and I were close. While I know he is in a better place, and I don’t mean that to sound cliché, I still miss him so very much!

My mind swirls with things I could’ve done different, more time I could’ve spent, I am filled with sadness, and the pain of knowing I won’t get to see him on a daily basis anymore really hurts. I visited him every chance I got and was his caregiver for many years. I really watched over him as best I could! Apparently, that wasn’t enough. The disease still got him in the end. It’s hard for me to even write this post.

I don’t want to work anymore. I wonder why I aspired to do so much before this, my dad was more important to me than anyone. If only I hadn’t traveled, if only I hadn’t extended myself and been so busy, if only I would’ve stayed at home more.

While I know it was REALLY hard for him here, I am still sad that he is not with me anymore. I keep thinking, if only I had more time… At the same time I know there is hope, I feel a peace and warmth of love that I have never quite felt before. It is coming from my dad and Jesus. With that said, I’d like to leave you with this video—this miraculous story that I believe to be true!

It was a book that became a New York Times bestseller that sold over 13,000,000 copies and even became a movie! This is a one-of-a-kind interview with Pastor Todd and Colton Burpo! I have had some correspondence with them by email and they are genuine people. I am sure you will be able to spot that from watching the video.

Heaven is for real, yes, and we will be there. Heaven is a journey, also, not only a destination. Our journey to heaven has already begun. With that said, one piece of scripture I want to leave you with is this one: “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything (John 16:22-23).” ~Jesus

And I hope you enjoy the video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmNrQ7Smung

With much love & respect,

-Zina

XoXo

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About Zina

Zina Hermez authored Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and 200+ of her very own blog posts. As a long-time educator, she’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s taught at automotive corporations like General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Bosch, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and she’s worked with students of all ages, K-adult. She began her own teaching services incorporating math and other subjects. Her writing endeavors have earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity. Socializing with friends, taking trips, listening to music, and networking are among her hobbies. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.

A Tribute and A Prayer

It’s been quite a few weeks. I’ve been busy with work and the holidays are approaching. I’m looking forward to them. Sometimes it seems the closer we get to our dreams, the more challenges we face. I’ve been dealing with a lot lately. I found out I lost a good friend, Father Robert Dressman.

Has anyone ever touched your life? Have they helped you see things in a different way? There have been a few people who have done that for me. I like to think of them as my angels on earth that God sent. Father Dressman is one of them. Some others include nurses, teachers, and friends. I want to thank all of them.

Although I know Father Dressman is in heaven now and in a better place. It is hard to know I can’t have periodic visits with him at the large retreat house and conference center where he lived, http://colombiere.com. To go to church or simply sit and talk with him.

The last five or six times I saw him were rough. He kept having falls, he needed hip surgery, he couldn’t even remember my name. He was 91 and suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

My friend Shaun gave me a book, “Heaven is for Real” http://heavenisforreal.net as a gift earlier this year. I had already heard of the story before that, but I have been revisiting it. I’ve watched interviews of the family on the internet.

It’s a best-selling book about a boy, Colton Burpo, who made a trip to heaven and back at only four years old. An amazing story, it has brought me comfort and peace. I highly recommend you read the book or at least watch an interview, if you haven’t already.

The good news is…

I’m starting to feel better. I’ve been back to my normal routine of cardio workouts at the gym. Even though I’ve been able to read a book while using the treadmill and elliptical machines for a while now, it is still surprising for me. I could not do that for so long. I would have gotten too fatigued. These little signs of improvement encourage me.

When I stay focused on exercise and prayer, it really helps. With a teaching career and other projects, it is not always easy. Here is some of a morning prayer that Father Dressman designed that I want to share. Especially with those of you facing spinal-cord injury or any other health challenge.

Good morning, Lord. I give You worship and praise. You are my God and I love You. I thank You for all that I am and all that You give me. I thank You for the night and its moments of rest. I thank You for the gifts of this day and for the promise it has. Help me, Lord, to make the most of it.

I have a body that doesn’t always work right. I know it is your gift to me. So many others have so much less. Help me to use your gifts well, to care for them properly, not just for myself, but for You. Help me to remember that whatever I accomplish with them is Your doing.

And when I experience pain or disappointment or frustration or lack of what I think is success, I am being given opportunity to share more intimately with You and Your cross, and that accepting pain and frustration and discontent is the way I am being offered of walking with You.

Father Dressman asked me to “see this as a gift, if I can offer it for the needs of others.” The greatest lesson I learned from him, was his humility.