Submitted by Bethanne on Sun, 05/02/2010 - 12:09pm
This week, we've got three fascinating books about religion, spirituality, and the human sides of both, and we'll be giving away 10 three-book bundles to random respondents who answer our question below in the Comments section. The books are "Fingerprints of God" by Barbara Bradley Hagerty, "Heaven" by Lisa Miller, and "In the Land of Believers" by Gina Welch.
So, tell us:
What's your idea of heaven? (It doesn't have to have anything to do with religion OR spirituality; feel free to tell us about your most heavenly vacation!)
This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winners:
Natasha F.
Luther A.
Dina G.
Shelbie J.
Caroline S.
Jen K.
Jim S.
Barbara Z.
Stu H.
Lisa Miller
Lisa Miller discusses her book, Heaven: Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife with Bethanne Patrick.
Authors mentioned in this post:
Heaven for me is a quiet
Heaven for me is a quiet moment snuggling with my toddler son. It's so rare for him to be quiet and snuggly at the same time.
Heaven is
A quiet beach, where I am sitting in the shade and my family is catching the waves. No cell phones, blackberry, just the family, some sunscreen, and a good book.
heaven
heaven will be a place of fulfillment
Heaven
I think for me heaven is a more peaceful Earth where people know the difference between needs and desires. I would love it if heaven had a ton of bookstores and libraries!
Heaven
To paraphrase Mark Twain: Heaven for the weather, Hell for the company...
Heaven is a peaceful
Heaven is a peaceful somewhere, where all those you have loved are together.
heaven
until I am spending timeless eternity at the feet of my Creator, heaven on earth is any patch of dirt where I may sit for as long as I desire, communing with and being rejuvenated by fellow Creation.
My idea of heaven ...
... those times when a feeling of peace, contentment, and serenity wash over you, sometimes at unexpected moments. My most heavenly vacation was when our incredible kids sent us on a 3-week trip to Europe - our first passports! We planned every detail and it was so much more than we had hoped for.
Heaven is seeing your baby
Heaven is seeing your baby smiling back at you every morning =)
Heaven...
...according to Talking Heads is a bar where nothing ever happens and when the party is over, it will start again exactly the same.
Heaven
Heaven is when everyone in my family is laughing so hard we are all crying!
Heaven
Heaven is a place where we will be in constant communion with God--a place of unimaginable bliss.
Heaven
Being at peace, being surrounded by loved ones including all the pets I have loved.
Heaven
Heaven is knowing you are at peace with yourself and your surroundings.
Heaven....
Better be a whole lot better than what I'm experiencing here. A place where a woman's contribution is given as much weight as a man's. Cuz this place ain't woman friendly.
Heaven
. . .is that state of bliss when you feel at sync with the whole of humanity - singing in a group, smelling a freshly bathed child, holding the hand of anyone you love. . .
Heaven is pure bliss.
Heaven is pure bliss.
Hope
Heaven is hope. Pure and simple.
Heaven in this life
I am not sure whether there is a heaven in the after-life. In this life, heaven for me is a feeling of being content with the way my life is and being grateful to the people who are in it.
Heaven
Heaven is a state of being. A state where there is no worry, no hate, no anger, no fear. Heaven is peace and contentedness.
Heaven
Heaven is: exactly what you need and not usually what you wish it to be. That works in both this world and any other you might believe in. Me - I'm a believer in both.
Heaven is
Monument Valley at sunset.
ESCAPE
A tranquil and peaceful atmosphere which is always on a beach in a remote location. An escape from the everyday stress which is life in a mountaintop retreat.
Joy & Serenity
I think those brief moments of pure joy followed by a feeling of total serenity is what "heaven" must feel like. When your heart is wide open and you feel at peace usually I have that feeling when I am alone and caught unaware.
Heaven
A beach, a beach umbrella, a beach chair, a smoothie cocktail with a frilly little umbrella, an engaging summer novel and no bugs whatsoever.
Heaven is...
A sleepy baby who will cuddle with me while I read for hours on end.
Heaven is...
A big, comfy bed with clean sheets, an iPod filled with my favorite music, a pile of books, and no where to be for a long while.
Heaven
So many different notions -- but all involve peace in some way! Some days, my idea of heaven is just to have my family all get along for more than 5 minutes at a time. Other days, I'm more ambitious and hope for world peace. At other times, I pray for everyone to find their own peaceful and happy moment, whether alone, with friends/family, or with God.
Love, peace, and quiet
Love, peace, and quiet contentment is my idea of heaven. The rest is just particulars.
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