Glimpses of Heaven: Lessons on Faith and Hope, Love and Joy - Volume One: An Inspiring Story Written by a Legally Blind Woman Who Saw Heaven, Featuring Her Original Creative Artworks

Copyright © 2013 by Roela Victoria Rivera

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Layout Design: Paul John V. Rivera and WestBow Press Design Team

Cover Design: Norman V. Rivera

Technical Consultant: Paul Christian V. Rivera

Original Creative Artworks: Roela Victoria Rivera

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Excerpts from hymns and praise songs are used by permission of the composers and publishers.

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8175-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8177-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8176-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013900579

WestBow Press rev. date: 05/07/2013

Table Of Contents

Dedication

Epigraph

GraceNotes Prayer by Roela®

List of Creative Images

Foreword

Prologue

Introduction

Part One Glimpses Of Heaven From Divine Power

Chapter 1   Reaching the Heaven’s Golden Gate

Chapter 2   The Blessing of Love Made in Heaven

Chapter 3   God’s Heavenly Grace: My Near-Death Experience

Chapter 4   Walking in the Light: Seeing the Glory of Heaven

Chapter 5   My Daily Glimpses of Heaven

Part One Fulfilling A Covenant With God

Chapter 6   Mission for the Church in the Philippines

Chapter 7   Revisiting the Holy Land: Suffering with Jesus Christ

Chapter 8   The Agony of Suffering from a Stroke and Losing my Clear Eyesight

Chapter 9   Series of Challenging Eye Surgeries

Chapter 10   Wrestling Creatively with my Faith and With Myself

Chapter 11   Actualizing my Faith and Fulfilling my Covenant with God

Part One Lessons Of Life From Glimpses Of Heaven

Chapter 12   Faith and Virtues in Life

Chapter 13   Challenges and Hope in Life

Chapter 14   Love and Grace in Life

Epilogue

New Vision, New Mission

The Art Of Roela Is God’s Gift And Grace

Bibliography

Acknowledgments

About The Editor And Contributors

Author’s Family Photos

About The Author

Dedication

With Praise and Thanksgiving,

I humbly offer this book to God’s honor and glory

and lovingly dedicate this book to

My beloved Parents, Pablo J. and Mercedes C.Victoria, and

Parents-in-law, Maximiano, C. Sr. and Rosita M. Rivera;

My loving husband Jun and partner in life and ministry,

our fine sons, our pride and blessings,

Paul Christian, Paul John, and NormanVincent Paul;

our lovely daughters-in-law,

Melissa Lyn and Bridgett Evonne; and

our lovable grandchildren, our sources of joy and inspiration,

Elijah Christian, Lucy Evonne, Jaymier Lyle, and Jayred Lloyd.

Epigraph

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, and whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

Watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Deuteronomy 4:9

GraceNotesLogo.pdf PRAYER by Roela®

Lord, I thank You for the gifts of new day and new life,

for new strength and new hope for the day.

I humbly offer my new life as my gift to You today,

Grant me Your grace with love and wisdom, courage and creative power;

Lead my mind and my heart,

Guide my eyes, my ears, and my hands.

Let everything I think, I say, and I do today,

Let every word I write, Let every design I create;

and the meditations of my heart be blessed,

and be acceptable to Your will and in Your sight.

This I pray and do to honor You, O Lord,

in the name of Christ Jesus our Savior;

through the eyes and faith of my heart,

and through the heart and soul of my eyes.

In praise and thanksgiving to You, O God,

and in loving service to others;

I do believe that all things are possible with You, Lord God.

Amen.

—Roela Victoria Rivera

List of Creative Images

F eaturing selected original water color paintings in Oriental free-style done by the author-artist, Roela Victoria Rivera, before her vision challenge. Other paintings indicated by asterisk (*) were done when she became legally blind. An oil painting by Pablo J. Victoria and some photos are also included.

Figure 1.   Awesome God, How Great You Are, © 1979, Quezon City, Philippines

Figure 2.   Portrait of Jesus Christ by Pablo J. Victoria, © 1974, Paranaque, Philippines

Figure 3.   *With God All Things are Possible, © 2006, Hendersonville, Tennessee

Figure 4.   Keep Your Eyes Upon Jesus, © 1980, Quezon City, Philippines

Figure 5.   Jesus Loves You, I love You too, © 1987, Iloilo, Philippines

Figure 6.   Perfect Love and Faith: Peace in Your Heart, © 1999, Hendersonville, Tennessee

Figure 7.   Roela Sharing God’s Message in the Upper Room Chapel in Nashville, Tennessee

Figure 8.   Amazing Beauty and Grace, © 1995, Rodeo, California

Figure 9.   Strength, Resilience and Wisdom from God, © 1995, Pinole, California

Figure 10.   The Essence of Truth and Faith is Grace, © 1995, Rodeo, California

Figure 11.   Be Still and Know I am God, © 1999, Hendersonville, Tennessee

Figure 12.   Triumph Over Trials, © 1992, Rodeo, California

Figure 13.   *Pray Unceasingly for One Another, © 2010, Hendersonville, Tennessee

Figure 14.   *Live fully with Faith, Hope and Love, © 2006, Carson, California

Figure 15.   Symphony of Love: Music of the Heart, © 1991, Rodeo, California

Figure 16.   Music Score for A Blessed Life and Buhay na Pinagpala Music by Ben R. Legaspi and Lyrics by Roela V. Rivera, © 2008, Carson, California

Figure 17.   *God Always Answers Prayers, © 2010, Hendersonville, Tennessee

Figure 18.   Our Lovable Grandchildren: Elijah Christian, Lucy Evonne, Jaymier Lyle, and Jayred Lloyd Our Great Joy and Pride

Figure 19.   Jun and Roela: Journeying together with God as partners in life and ministry

Figure 20.   Display of GraceNotes Creative Inspirational items designed by Roela

Figure 21.   Prayer Chapel Altar at Hendersonville First United Methodist Church in Tennessee

Figure 22.   Dedication of Sanctuary Altar at Torrance First United Methodist Church in California

Figure 23.   Roela, the artist in creative moment: painting using Oriental free-style techniques

Figure 24.   For Roela, the Art of painting is a sacred prayer and a Divine Glimpse of Heaven

Figure 25.   Love is Heaven and Eternity, © 1995, Rodeo, California Author’s Family Photos

Foreword

I t was Helen Keller who said that The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. She was also the one who said that she had seen many people whose eyes were full of light but who saw nothing, nothing in the world of music or art or sports. Their soul’s voyage through this enchanted land was a barren waste. Through her book, Roela Victoria Rivera has shared with us the fact that she has seen and touched the greatness of God through the eyes of her heart. She speaks out of her personal experience of gradually losing her eyesight and being able to see a world that is so magnificent and wonderful through the eyes of faith. She feels compelled to tell her story because, as Maya Angelou indicated, there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

One of our most ingenious forms of revenge against the impossibilities and limitations of our life such as the loss of our sight is our joyful and creative use of our imagination, the reaching out of our vision beyond the here and now to the far reaches of the horizons of our faith. When our vision and imagination are taken away from us, we are condemned to live our lives in the prison cell of dark despair. We lose our meaning in life, our purpose for living. We grope in the dark, we dangle in midair, and we are down in the dumps.

Through creative imagination, Roela has used images and metaphors to share her personal reflection on her journey of faith. In some significant way the use of metaphors is our most effective way to touch the heart of profound mystery. Albert Schweitzer once said that the only certainty we have in life is that we are surrounded by mystery. Paul Tillich, one of the great theologians of our time, suggests that our search for knowledge is our attempt to grasp that mystery, to comprehend it and then to manipulate or control it as what scientists tend to do. However, faith is being grasped by a mystery far greater than our minds can comprehend and our appropriate response to this mystery is awe and wonder and worship. Roela invites us to that attitude of worship.

The question that we are invited to face is: are our lives determined by what happens to us, by the circumstances and events that life brings to us or can the eyes of faith empower us to look beyond reality to the great possibility? Might it be possible for us to trace the grand calligraphy of the Almighty in the canvass of our trials and tribulations and see the brush strokes of grace and goodness, of love and compassion?

Rare, indeed, are the occasions when some defining moments and transforming events in our life enable us to peek through the keyhole of time and see a glimpse of eternity. The book describes at least three of those events in the life of Roela—experiences that have become turning points in her spiritual journey. Those experiences were profoundly real for her and she seems compelled to tell her story and share her reflections on her journey through this book, Glimpses of Heaven.

I am inclined to accept Roela’s invitation to see the world through the eyes of our hearts, through the vision of our faith.

Rev.Dr. Benoni R. Silva-Netto

Hercules, California, U.S.A.

Prologue

L ife is full of mysteries and miracles. Each event and segment of life that happens each day to each person everywhere has a purpose perhaps beyond human understanding. Everything is clearly known and made possible by the infinite love, power, and grace from the Creator God.

As prophesied, the birth, death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ are the greatest mysteries and miracles in the history of humankind. God, our Father Almighty, loved us so much that He gave His only Son Jesus Christ who lived among men on earth. Jesus sacrificed His own life to redeem our sins and forgive our transgressions. By believing in Him as the only true way to the Kingdom of God, we can attain and enjoy eternal life. In Jesus’ dying, we are all living.

Life on earth is temporal and we are just passing through. Death is not the end but the beginning of everlasting life with Jesus and our Almighty God. Our ultimate goal is to lead a righteous life following the divine will and way of God. When we leave this world, we will be blessed with grace to be with our Creator God in heaven.

Throughout the centuries, all advances and innovations in science and technology, business, communications and in other arenas in life have happened for a reason and purpose within the power and plan of God. In spite of the progress, convenience and comfort these developments brought to us, we are still beset with innumerable and staggering problems, challenges and struggles in life.

Recent catastrophes and tragedies, natural and man-made disasters severely affected many people and properties in many parts of the world. Filled with grief but inspired by their faith, victims and survivors have turned to the saving grace of God. They have some questions and they have turned their thinking to know more about the existence and reality of heaven.

The first question is, How do we get to heaven? The simple and clear answer to this is what I personally believe in —that the true and only way to heaven is through our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. We need to walk with Jesus every day of our lives and believe that He is preparing a special place for each of us in heaven.

The second question is, What does heaven look like? Many people who have had near-death experiences claim that they had visions of heaven. Some people said that they had seen or had been to heaven. Each of them described heaven differently and with great fascination and mixed emotions.

Personally in my lifetime, I had a glimpse of heaven not only once but three times. The first instance was when I was ten years old where I saw the heaven’s golden gate and heard the voice of God with meaningful message. In my second vision, I met and walked with my future partner in the beautiful garden in heaven. In real life, I met Jun in person three years after. The third vision happened in my mid-life when I had a near-death experience where I saw the celestial beauty, light and glory of heaven. These were awesome and meaningful glimpses of heaven that I will always cherish and treasure in my heart forever. These visions are fully described in the first five Chapters of this book.

This book has a special meaning to me because this is a symbol of my personal resurrection. It mysteriously allows me now to enjoy God’s gift of new life. It is also a symbol of my victory and will power to overcome some challenges and struggles related to my vision problem that has given me some physical limitations but never a broken spirit. Despite my being legally blind, I consider this condition more as a blessing rather than a barrier. I may not see things quite as clearly as before, but my faith allows me to see miracles happening each day in mysterious ways and in unexpected times and places. Yes indeed, miracles still happen in this present day and time. I am blessed that in spite of my physical imperfection, I have an opportunity to share my special gifts and graces that come only from God.

I fervently hope and pray that you will be blessed by my glimpses of heaven and the lessons of faith and hope, love and joy I have learned from them. I also hope that by reading all or any part of this book, you will affirm your faith and raise your consciousness of the purity and integrity of life. It includes all the truths, mysteries and miracles surrounding life, and the beauty and blessing of the awesome grace of God, the great Source and Giver of Life!

To God be the glory and honor with praise and thanksgiving!

Roela Victoria Rivera

Hendersonville, Tennessee

Introduction

T hroughout the ages and places around the world, many people including myself, have believed that life is a continuous journey from ephemeral life on earth toward spiritual and eternal life in heaven. Life is indeed full of miracles and mysteries with our belief and enduring fascination with life after life.

My own personal journey gave me mysterious experiences with glimpses of heaven that transformed me spiritually into a new person. I believe God allowed me to live again and to have some visions of heaven. Those heavenly experiences have inspired and compelled me to write this book. Through this, I hope to share the lessons of life filled with faith and hope, peace and joy, and with the abiding love and grace from God.

This inspirational book is a gift of miracle and message from God through me. As a legally blind woman, I never thought I would be able to write this. With blessing and direction from God, holy light and guidance from Jesus Christ, and inspiration from the Holy Spirit, I was able to write and complete this book in more than ten years.

This book is a collection of my short stories and essays, prayers and poems based on biblical passages and inspirational messages. It also features some creative images that have been selected from my own original Oriental free-style paintings, created over the last thirty-three years. These creative works of art enhance my writings and show the beauty, mystery and grandeur of God’s love and creation.

I wrote every word and every line of each page of this book with my heart and hands and with my spiritual eye through my physical eyes. I worked without aid from high-powered lenses or a magnifier or the Braille system. I used only writing guides with faith, discipline, and diligent training that helped me regain my confidence and belief in myself.

Each time I sit down to write the pages of this book or any writing, I always recite my GraceNotes Prayer. Through this prayer, I ask the Lord to lead my mind and my heart; and to guide my eyes, my ears, and my hands. The full copy of this GraceNotes Prayer is found at the beginning off this book.

Next to the loving assistance from my husband Jun, perhaps the most helpful and dependable tool that I used was the JAWS computer program that our son Paul John installed for me in our desktop and laptop computers. It is an incredible technological tool that helped me greatly overcome and ease my vision problem. This JAWS program (Job Access With Speech) is a screen reader program that allows blind and visually impaired users to read the screen either with a text-to-speech output or by a Refreshable Braille display (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JAWS).

Through a female voice (one can choose either a male or female voice), JAWS reads every word and every line I wrote on each