Steve Berger - Between Heaven and Earth: Finding Hope, Courage, and Passion Through a Fresh Vision of Heaven

2014 by Steve Berger

Published by Bethany House Publishers

11400 Hampshire Avenue South

Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

www.bethanyhouse.com

Bethany House Publishers is a division of

Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan

www . bakerpublishinggroup . com

Ebook edition created 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-6363-6

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified AMP are from the Amplified Bible, copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations identified NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Levan Fisher Design

Author is represented by Wolgemuth & Associates.

When my friend Steve Berger talks about heaven, I sit up and listen. Ive walked with Steve as hes faced the trials of this life, and Ive observed how he has emerged with a deeper faith and love for the Father and the people around him. What he has taught me makes me long for heaven. It also makes me want to spend my time on earth making a difference... and finishing well.

Michael W. Smith

Sometimes we feel stuckstuck between the hope of heaven and the pain of this world. In Between Heaven and Earth , my friend Steve Berger shows us how to not only live in that tension, but howand whywe should embrace it.

Dave Ramsey, New York Times bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio show host

A beloved pastor and teacher, Steve Berger taught for years on the reality of heaven even as we serve Christ on earth, never knowing that one tragic event would bring both realities irrevocably into sharp focus in a moment. Steve discovered that some of Gods most precious gifts come in boxes that make our hands bleed when we open them. Few know that at the depth he has experienced. Some of Gods greatest mysteries are wrapped up in tragedy, but the tear-stained wisdom mined in that darkness is a gift to us all. In this marvelous book, heaven will become a greater reality even as we are invited to live our lives on earth with greater passion.

Sheila Walsh, author of The Storm Inside

I grew up hearing people say, Some Christians are so heavenly minded they are of no earthly good. Nowadays it seems like the church has become so earthly minded were of no heavenly good. In Between Heaven and Earth , my friend Pastor Steve Berger shows us the absolute necessity of having a heavenly mind-set (Colossians 3:12) in order to make a real difference in peoples lives while we remain on earth. Embrace the truths of this booklearn how to have your heart in heaven and your hand in the harvest. Its one decision youll never regret!

Jeremy Camp

Im very grateful to be one of Steves sheep at Grace Chapel in Tennessee; his teaching consistently gives me a clearer picture of our Creator Redeemer and how were called to live as Christ-followers. And much like the way his sermons keep me leaning forward on Sunday mornings, this new book, Between Heaven and Earth , captured my attention from the start. The bottom line is Steve has a rich, compelling perspective on Glory that will give you fresh grace to lean in to the perfect love of Jesus today. Therefore, I encourage readers not to stop at just oneinstead buy a whole case of these puppies and pass them out to all your friends and family!

Lisa Harper, author, Bible teacher, and Women of Faith speaker

In stark contrast to the Bibleand the whole of Christian historytodays believers think little about heaven and much about the comforts, challenges, and distractions of this life. In this much-needed corrective, Pastor Steve Berger challenges and equips us to be more heavenly minded, so we can, in fact, be more earthly good.

Michael Hyatt, New York Times bestselling author

Sarah Berger is one remarkable woman. She is beautiful inside and out. She is as courageous a person as Ive ever met. She is the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman of God. I married beyond myselfby a long shot. I am eternally grateful for the unspeakable privilege of being her husband. I dedicate this book to you, my beloved Sarah.

My children, all four of themHeather, Josiah, Cody, and Destinyare the apples of my eye. When a young parent hopes and prays and then hopes and prays some more that his children will grow up to love Jesus and be faithful to Him, and then that prayer gets answered, it is the greatest joy a parent can have. I have that joy! Thank you, precious ones, for the honor of being your dad. I dedicate this book to all of you.

Finally, to all who know the tension between being a faithful servant while remaining here on earth, and the ache of anxiously waiting for the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ and the revealing of His glorious heavenly Kingdom, this book is dedicated to you. Keep your heart in heaven and your hand in the harvest.