On My Way to Heaven: Facing Death with Christ

by Mark Ashton

Is it really possible to face the final stages of our earthly lives with confidence and without fear? Mark Ashton describes his own experience of imminent death from inoperable cancer. Real confidence, he explains, is found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ an event which, even though it happened 2,000 years ago, has profound implications for us today. This booklet is designed to be given away in vast numbers. Please consider buying this in large numbers.

Genres: Christian

26 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Mark Ashton (1948-2010) was the Pastor of the Round Church in Cambridge. He was one of the most influential evangelical pastor-teachers of his generation.

Reviews

[Amy]

I feel the sadness and devastation at the thought of death and losing loved ones - who doesn’t? Mark’s own experience of his life, knowing that his earthly death is near, moves me to pray for my brothers and sisters to truly live differently and be set apart from the rest of the world: feel and act upon an urgency for the lost, appreciate life’s joys while you are still here and how great a gift from God they are, and keep your eyes on eternity with him (the ultimate gift through Jesus).

[Nitoy Gonzales]

On My Way To Heaven is a semi autobiographic/ meditation on death. In this book, Ashton draws on what he was experiencing (having a terminal cancer) and from Scriptures. You might expect their are lots of sad moments in this book but as you read it, you’ll find encouragement and hope not as Mark Ashton fights cancer but laying down his sword and bowing to his Lord and Savior as the only hope he had in this life and to the next.

Let’s be honest. Death is an uncomfortable topic and a taboo in some culture. But the problem is that its a reality we have to face. Mark Ashton opens up in this book (or booklet) with all honesty of the struggles he endure during his final months on this world.

I like the end part of the book which is a sort of letter to his loved ones. Let me quote it here:

In dying, I want to say to those I have loved and to those who have loved me: “Don’t magnify me — remember the reality: I was someone who sometimes got you cross, and irritated you, and let you down, and disappointed you, and hurt you.

This letter was extended to the prayer which is in the end of the book.

On My Way To Heaven is powerful memento mori that dying is certain and so as the hope we have in Christ. This booklet maybe short but the impact to the reader won’t be exhausted. Will I recommend it for someone who is grieving over someone who recently died? Yes. How about someone who is dying? Yes. If you want someone to turn their eyes to Christ in the midst of this crisis, get this book. Short, biblical, honest but gentle, this book is truly something.

My verdict:

4.5 out of 5

[Joshua Ortiz]

A book doesn't have to be long to be good. This super-short book provides a sobering reminder of the inevitable reality of death, but also the undefeatable hope that Christian has in the resurrected Christ.

[Hayley]

It was good. It definitely had some challenges to live in light of the cross and our future in heaven. Definitely read the blurb if you are worried about content as it can be a bit emotional or close to home for some.

[Beverley]

A great little book. Very insightful & moving. Telling it like it is!

[Sheila]

Rec by Steve Midgley on speaking about death. Why it's hard, when should we speak of these things, how and what.


2024

[KatieK]

An easy-to-read, large print booklet to encourage anyone at any time in life, especially when facing death of a loved one or of themselves. A brilliant gift book.

[Susan]

A refreshing short read. Informally written, but with deep confidence.

[Paul]

Only a very short book but incredibly honest and helpful.

[Chris Wray]

“My death forces me to face the resurrection of Jesus. No longer is it a bald fact of history for me. It is of crucial significance for every person who faces their own death honestly. Until I am dead, I cannot know what will happen to me after my death. But Jesus has already risen. If I know him now, I will know him then. He is my assurance in dying, and his resurrection is central to Christianity.”

When you don’t have much time, you tend to focus on what is important. That is what Mark Ashton articulates beautifully in this deeply moving little book. Written as he was dying from inoperable cancer, Ashton reflects on the centrality of the resurrection to the Christian hope. He faces up to his imminent death with a refreshing honesty, clarity and biblical faithfulness - not without fear but rather with a confident hope that transcends fear.

“For the believer, the end of the world is more of a person than it is an event. That is certainly true of the end of life. My death may be the event with which my physical life on earth ends, but it will also be the moment at which my relationship with Jesus becomes complete. That relationship is the only thing that has made sense of my physical life, and at my death it will be everything.”

[James Bunyan]

Great booklet to give away to a Christian facing death.
Because it is autobiographical, with Ashton dying from cancer in 2010, it gets away with saying more- it does so from experience, not an ivory tower.

It discusses what is really important in life, how we view the dead through a rose-tinted eulogy, how the pain has been debilitating for him, our failure to keep the resurrection central, the effect his death will have on his family and the assurance people can have of an eternity with Jesus. For such a short book, I'm sure it'll really help someone to think clearly regarding death and see it as an opportunity to make the most of the last weeks.

I was encouraged!

[Matt Chapman]

Sobering and honest. Christ-exalting and hope-inspiring as the author describes his own experience of imminent death from inoperable cancer.

A powerful reminder of the rock-solid confidence Christ's resurrection imparts to the Christian facing death.