My Journey to Heaven: What I Saw and How It Changed My Life Paperback – September 1, 2012

This was a great book with great descriptions of what Mr. Besteman believes he saw and felt upon briefly leaving his body during a stay in the hospital. If you're not Pentecostal and you don't believe in what gets touted as the operation of the gifts of the Spirit, you may be pleased to know this book is written by someone who didn't believe in all that stuff either. He was Christian Reformed or Dutch Reformed or the like. I'm super skeptical when I read about people's claims of supernatural experiences. There are a lot of clouds without rain and wells without water running around bragging about false gifts. Proverbs calls out the foolishness of such simpletons who swallow it all hook, line and sinker. You have to be able to discern. I didn't see any red flags or exaggeration in this book. I found it to be sincere.Most memorable to me was actually how the author impressed me as what a Christian should look like among his friends and family. Marvin Besteman was an amazing example for the way he loved and esteemed the people in his orbit. I found the Heaven stuff edifying. None of it felt like a rehash of other people's stories, but it was his unintentional message that was my strongest takeaway. Looking back on the book, seeing the ideal Christian character one ought to have here on Earth is what I found most impactful.

Words cannot fully capture the depth of this book. Marv’s journey home is more than just a story—it’s an emotional experience that pulls the reader in from beginning to end. I felt as if I were traveling alongside him, experiencing every moment firsthand. And the postscript? It beautifully ties everything together. Thank you, Marv, for sharing your incredible journey!

Our pal Marv - a retired banker - was blessed by the fact that he got to take a peek behind the curtain, and we are blessed by the fact the he shared his experience with us. This work is a metaphor for a fireside chat complete with a good glass of single malt scotch or a fine cognac, while a self-proclaimed "hard-headed Dutchman" regales his company with a frank but light-hearted travelogue. Mr. Besteman is a dear man, very intelligent and a straight shooter who tells his story with an impish grin, penetrating eyes yet mixed with a wee bit of irreverence. I mean seriously, you have to be a bit eccentric, or Dutch, to argue with Saint Peter.........No there were no grandiose pearls of wisdom, messages, nor prophesies that the author brought back from his excursion into the empyrean realms, save the single best gospel of all: Our Father Who Art in Heaven waits with open arms to greet us after our "work" here is complete. Marv, I have no doubt whatsoever that you're not reading my review, you don't even know it exists; as I'm sure you are far too busy playing a round of golf with those that got to the club house before you. Yes folks, bankers get to go to heaven, the very first attorney is expected to clear the pearly gates any moment! :') Thanks Marv! 4 solid stars. BTW as Mr. Bestemen discovered, it's OK to dance!!

Easy to read and I loved Marv`s story! Inspiring! Couldn't put it down! Can't wait to meet him on the otherside!

This book spoke to me in many ways. Three years ago today, .my daughter was in a fatal accident. She passed away 16 days later from her injuries. Just nine months prior I lost my husband of 60+ years and four months before his passing, I lost my best friend of 70 years. My last words to them was I will meet you at the gate.

Wow, I lost my amazing parents a few years ago and have been living with an unimaginable grief ever since. Im a Christian, a sinner who loves Jesus deeply but has felt like I’ve been walking in a dark cloud of depression since my beautiful parents transitioned to Heaven. I’ve always known they were in heaven and one day we’d be reunited and I would also stand face to face with God, my savior but that known fact has not erased the heaviness of grief. This book and most importantly God has helped, I will see you at the gate Marv! You too mama and daddy, oh what a reunion it will be!

He doesn't hit you over the head with the religious stuff right away so it's easy to get sucked into Marv Bestemann's story. But then Jesus shows up, seated next to God, and it all becomes clear. Marv's whole experience reinforced his religious beliefs. Since I'm not a Christian, I felt a little left out, though I'm sure that was not his intention. But I still enjoyed his journey.I've read a lot of books on near death experiences and reincarnation. When it's your time, I think you see what you expect to see. I recall reading a book where a man was torn between Islam and Christianity. When he died, he expected Muhammad and Jesus to fight over his soul. And that is exactly what he experienced. I cannot remember who won, but I think the beauty of God's Love is that we are each given a personal experience depending upon our own belief systems.Mr. Bestemann, who by the way appears to be a kind, good man, was given the experience he wanted, which was to meet St. Peter, his most favorite figure from the Bible.Those others in line, however, the African in tribal garb, or the Arab in a djellaba, will they also see what they "epect?" I believe so, if what I've read in other books is true.Although I've never had a near death experience, like what occurs in this book, I believe every word of it. It is heartwarming to know Heaven is real and, since he has recently passed away, that Mr. Bestemann is happily ensconced behind the Pearly Gates now, which is where he longed to be.

I’ve read a lot of religious stories but this one is one of my favorites. I couldn’t put it down I wanted to know more of what he saw and what was next! I’m glad Marvin is back in heaven where he wanted to stay. I could almost picture what he was seeing as he told about heaven. One Great book that I’ll share with my family.