We'd like to know what you think about our Travel Guide to Heaven web site. Please leave your comments in this public guest book so we can share your thoughts with other visitors.
In the few short months that have passed since A Travel Guide to Heaven was published, I have received thousands of letters, emails and faxes from people who have read the book. The overwhelming majority of these have been extremely positive. Some have been beautiful and heartbreaking and have spoken about the pain of losing loved ones. Some have been respectful yet critical of my theology. A couple have been downright nasty! (But these were usually from folks who are repelled by the whole notion of God and Heaven to begin with.) No matter what the letters have said, though, ALL of them have been deeply appreciated. Whenever someone takes the time to write to me, I feel it is a great compliment, and I want to take the opportunity now to thank you.
Unfortunately, because of my heavy travel schedule, and because of the large volume of correspondence I am getting, it is literally impossible for me to personally respond to everyone. I want you to know, however, that I read every single comment that is posted on this contact page, every morning, no matter where in the world I happen to be. I read all of them with respect, interest, and gratitude. Some of them encourage me greatly, and give me a much-needed lift, as I make my way through these busy, exciting, but sometimes hectic days. Thank you all, again, very much.
Message:
I recieved your book in my Catholic Social Teaching Theology class at St.John's University. This book was unlike some others I've read about heaven; this one seemed to be applicable to anyone who read it. All you had to do was imagine yourself in a time or place when you were/are happy on Earth, and imagine Heaven to be a more extreme degree of that feeling. The only issue I noted was how the ideas of how Heaven is like were supported by examples from the Bible that were taken too literally. I was taught and believe that a lot of the stories in the Bible, such as that of Adam and Eve, are actually somewhat fictitious in the sense that they are merely representations of what really happened to help people undestand. For example, in the story of creation Adam represents all the men and Eve, all the women. Therefore, sometimes in the book, it seemed to me as if the description of Heaven might be somewhat wrong due to taking the literal meaning of certain things said in the Bible. Besides that, I enjoyed the book very much. Thank you so much for providing my class with free copies.
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As a student who read this book for a Theology class, I was truly impressed. As I read the title “A Travel Guide to Heaven,” I knew that I would experience an adventurous trip that would take me beyond my imaginations. I was completely satisfied with my expectations. It was very comforting to realize that we would finally reunite with many of our loved ones and that our true identity will be preserved in heaven. Consequently, we realize that heaven is a place of happiness. As I was reading the book, I also faced some doubts about the extension of our pleasures in heaven. Since everyone has their own opinion about pleasures, I think we should make it clear that the pleasures that we find in heaven are incomparable to the worldly pleasures. We will truly be satisfied with God’s unconditional love. Overall, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to spark some thoughts that really expanded my spiritual belief. Not only was it an encouragement, but it definitely brought out the meaning of HOPE into our daily lives!
Message:
I am a student at St. John's and I would like to thank you for the book. It was very interesting and enjoyable. It gave a good picture of what Heaven could look like. It was very easy to read and went by quick. i would like ot thank you for taking the time to write it and make it easy to understand.
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Thank you for the book! At first I was not too excited about reading the book about heaven but once I started I could not put it down and when I did my father picked up and he loved it as well. The book gives us answer to question that we once thought a bit foolish or childish. Thank you once again for such a wonderful gift and all the best in you ventures!
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I liked the book because it gave me an look at heaven that I never thought about before. The perspective that it gives is perfect for people who have always thought heaven was all about a infinite time that may be boring to most. I feel now that heaven is about this big meeting with everyone and everything that you've missed for a long time when they leave while you're still on earth. It's also about the end of suffering and despair when you get there. Thank you for writing this book and I'll always remember this book all the way to my final days on earth.
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I just read your book in my christian social teaching class at st. john's university. I must admit i really enjoyed the book A Travel Guide to Heaven. Even though we really don't kow what heaven is like and will not know until we reach it, the book really made you wonder and think about what it will be like. As well as it was a kind of reassurance that one would think of about heaven and dying. it is definitely a book i would recommend to everyone whether they believe in God and heaven or not.
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I was introduced to your book in my christian social teaching class at st. john's university. i found your book to be interesting and scary at the same time. before reading you book, i must admit, that i still pictured heaven as a bright "state of mind" with angels flying around - the way an elementary school student may picture heaven to be. reading this book changed my idea of heaven. it was exciting to read the book and realize that heaven is an actual place, yet scary to read a whole book concentrated only on what will happen after we die. i cannot lie, i could only read your book in short spirts at a time for it was so overwhelming with questions that i began to think about. i should thank you for opening up a whole bunch of questions that i had never thought about before. your book gave me comfort about what will happen when we die. thank you for sharring your book with us!
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Dear Mr. DeStefano: I am taking a Christian Social Teaching course at St. John’s University, as well, and was able to read your book. I found it utterly enjoyable and it provided a great perspective of what heaven will bear a resemblance to. It gives one hope that the heaven we were taught about at a young age, really does exist. By developing a visual setting through your book, you allowed for the amazing qualities and enormous rewards to be thought about further. Your book answered many of the questions I have always wondered about. Thank you.
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I came across your book while in a Christian Theology Course at St John University. I found the book to have a very creative outlook on heaven and its scenary and atmosphere. At times your book made me succumb to heavy thoughts about how the world is today and how no way it is a reflection of how heaven will be when my time on earth will end. The book also made me come to the conclusion that even though I may go through a struggle here on earth; I know that these days of struggles will not last forvever once I reach my final resting place.
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Hi Anthony, just want to tell that this is the first time i read a christian book and i really enjoy it. I like the way you cover each kind of topic about Heaven. I didn't expect to learn more about people, angels, God, and paradise. I really like when you mention that "(...)reaching for outstanding levels in everything we do can we hope to discover God's unique and special plan for our life." I think the examples you give in each chapter help me a lot to understand more my religion. Thanks for letting me understand why God does what it does. Thank you and God bless you.
