The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven

Before reading this book, I had yet to read a book that documented someone’s account of coming back from a near-death experience, so when I saw this book was being offered by the Tyndale House publishing company, I decided that I wanted to read it. The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven is about the Malarkey’s experiences as a family after a Sunday drive to the park turns into a near fatal car accident that sends Kevin Malarkey and his son both to the hospital in critical condition (actually at one point, they both were dead). Between the two, Alex is the more severely injured in the accident, leaving him in a coma for 2 months. After miraculously coming back to consciousness 2 months after the accident, Alex begins to communicate to his parents that a lot had happened within the two month time period that he was in a coma and that God had allowed him to visit Heaven and see things that very few other people this side of Heaven have been given the opportunity to see. Alex’s accounts of meeting God and being in Heaven are amazing and although at times vague for someone desiring to know what life in Heaven is really like, they do offer some insight for how things are.

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven is a fantastic book. The format that the book is written in gives the reader a glimpse into what every person included in the story is feeling and I really enjoyed this. The book is written by Kevin Malarkey but offers clear accounts from Alex as well as other pastors, friends, doctors, and family members that were experiencing life as Alex was in his coma and also as he was recovering. I do not want to include too many specific details in my review because this book is a must-read and I want you to experience the story as it unfolds in this book. If you are going through a difficult time or know of anyone who needs some encouragement in the midst of what seems like unanswered prayers, please give this book to them. One important thing to remember while reading this book is it is a completely true story giving examples of real life miracles.

I received a complimentary copy of this book  from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I love free stuff… especially free books!

Through a fellow blogger (Jesse Giglio) I was introduced to a Christian book review site that gives free books to bloggers who are willing to read each book and give a thoughtful review of it. The review does not need to be positive or negative it just needs to express the true feelings of the reader. If you blog and you like to read, you should check out this great resource for bloggers. The website is booksneeze.com. Definitely a funny name for a website but it has good stuff on it. Check out my first book review of The Hole in Our Gospel by WorldVision’s current president Richard Stearns.

Say Yes To The Dress, But Do You Really Need The Wedding Favors?

My wife and I just got back from our friends’ wedding and I had to post on here because while I was at the wedding, I was inspired. I am still a newlywed and not too long ago my wife and I went through the wedding planning process, all of the many questions: where are we going to get married? What type of food will we serve at our reception? What colors will we wear? And finally what parts of our ceremony/ reception are the most important to us? So many things to figure out, you would think you were the sole planner of an event like the super bowl.

Doing What We Were Created To Do: Mexico City May Update

About a month ago I wrote a post about our possible relocation to Mexico City to work at a human trafficking safe house (Original post: Doing What We Were Created To Do: Journey To Mexico City).

Though we are still praying and trying to figure out when we will be heading down there, Our friends DK, Sadie, and their son Micah, are making the move to Mexico City from Irvine, CA within the next couple of weeks.

Unable to walk a mile in another person’s shoes…my experience using a wheelchair

For those who are following my blog and have read my last post entitled “A Belated Mother’s Day Reflection,” this post is related to it.

I just recently had the chance to experience something quite interesting. My in-laws were here in California for a week and we decided to go to Disneyland while they were here. I have been injured for the last 5 weeks with a rotational injury to my knee so I have not been able to walk very long distances. I didn’t realize I lived such an active life until I was faced with this injury, now everything has become a chore. One doesn’t realize how much walking is required to do menial tasks like go to the grocery store and walk the aisles.

A Belated Mother’s Day Reflection

During the easier times and the harder times in life, God is still present. We ought to worship him at all times.

The buzzing of a phone… The answer of the call… The news that led me to want to cry,  reach for my Bible or another C.S. Lewis text (The Problem of Pain), and question whether God is really in control all at the same time. After answering the call, my mom spoke to me from the other line. She had just recently been taken to the E.R. because of some painful back spasms and the doctors were running some tests to see what was going on.

Doing What We Were Created To Do: Journey To Mexico City

The beginning of 2010 has led Shawna and I on an interesting journey. In the beginning of March we were given the chance to go visit a ministry in Mexico City that is focused on ministering through artistic expression, connecting to a community of artists, and also just recently through running a safe house for human trafficking victims. Because we are both extremely passionate about those facing modern day slavery and bringing an end to trafficking worldwide,  we were both ecstatic when we were given the opportunity to go visit this ministry with the intention of partnering with them in the future. We weren’t quite sure what to expect while visiting and this was also the first time we had been to an actual safe house for human trafficking victims.

The trip was incredible and left us both eager to join the team down in Mexico City. (or anywhere for that matter)

Now it is nearing May and we are still not quite sure when we will be packing up to head down there. We are finding it difficult to prepare for the future of living in another country while we also are still in Southern California trying to make rent every month and waiting for the school loan repayment to start. We both felt connected to the team when we were down in Mexico but we are still waiting to hear clear direction from God as far as timing goes. Even today I was so overcome by the desire just to pack up and go. Currently my knee injury is keeping me from doing just that : ) (but as soon as it heals…)

• We have wrestled with questions regarding safety, finances, and qualifications.

Not sure how the finances will come together but we know that they will if we are supposed to go. As far as safety goes, we are trying not be naive about the safety issues associated with moving to Mexico.  We also are not sure that we are qualified to work at a trafficking safe house and work with emotionally/physically abused children, but to this I have to think about all of the people all over the world (both now and in the past) that are doing crazy things for God and to benefit people that they aren’t technically “qualified” to do.

I am reminded of the place I find myself in the Scriptures right now and that is in Exodus. A weak man (Moses) being used by a powerful God to demonstrate to all who God is. Moses wasn’t a great man; he just served a great and powerful God. I find myself in a similar place. Please pray for us as we continue to figure out the next steps and I will update my blog as we continue on this journey.

If you wish to partner with us for the future please email me at stmyatt@gmail.com

Another couple is headed down to Mexico City in June follow them here: http://mexcity.wordpress.com/

messy life and leadership questions

I love going to conferences and recently I have been to a few. What I hate about attending conferences is when the inspired feelings I get from hearing someone speak or talking about their latest project turn into hits against myself or worse, feelings of envy and jealousy. The feelings of not being the chosen one and being passed over. Though I am only 23 and most people I read about or hear speak are typically older than I am, I still have to fight feelings of wondering when it is my turn to be a key part of something revolutionary. Anyone young or old have these same feelings or is this only something I struggle with? Be honest : )

I can look to the Bible for answers, I can read the Scriptures that talk about God looking at the heart, and God raising up those he chooses and humbling others. I can even point out people in the Bible whose hearts to serve God were the only thing that qualified them (David, Moses). How much do you push to get noticed and how much do you focus on God and trust that he will guide your steps? If you follow God, how much does following God and working hard to get noticed factor into getting a job or a break? On the other side, how much focus should be on promoting oneself and one’s own ideas?

As I wrestle through these questions I am just curious what others have to say. I would prefer not to receive cookie cutter Christian responses and instead would like to hear more about the personal experiences of those reading this blog who have struggled with these same questions.

Glimmer of Hope in Cambodia

I wasn’t able to insert this video into to my blog but please take a few minutes and go watch this video on ABC News. It is about what some followers of Christ are doing in Cambodia to rescue children from human trafficking situations. As a believer and a person in the fight to bring human trafficking to an end, these are the hopeful stories that must be told. God is working through people giving up their lives to free slaves all over the world. Watch the video and then share it with others. Thank you

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/sex-trade-cambodian-children-10164798

Global Freeze Project: Creative ideas to combat human trafficking

Something huge is happening tomorrow April 17th all around the world. Though there have been a handful of freeze project events, tomorrow is the first Global Freeze Project. According to the Freeze Project website there are over 25 different freeze projects events occurring tomorrow. I am so inspired and encouraged to see so many people getting behind this idea.

There are an estimated 27 million people around the world facing slave conditions today and the only way anything good will happen now and in years to come is if people join together and bring everything they have to the table to collaborate efforts and bring an end to this worldwide atrocity. Thank you to everyone who has come out to a Freeze Project event in the past and thank you also to everyone who is doing anything to make others aware that they can be the answer to the 27 million slaves worldwide.

Please visit: thefreezeproject.com to see where an event near your community is taking place. Global Freeze Project Saturday April 17th (Tomorrow)