Comments for Phil Stoddart

Comment on Parallel Worlds by Phil

Phil — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:47:52 +0000

Thank you Viv. Very truthful, painful yet still very inspiring to read. Words of Jesus come to mind … “You will have trouble in this world, but take heart … for I have overcome the world”.

I guess we both have realised by now that the world has no answers to its troubles. No medical provisions can deal with grief but time in Jesus’ presence works wonders.

Comment on Talks by Phil

Phil — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:35:32 +0000

That’s really exciting to read Linda. I know it should be no surprise when believers find that their experiences match up as it is the same Spirit who reveals. But it’s pretty thrilling when it happens.

Comment on Talks by Phil

Phil — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:32:57 +0000

Hello Ria. Thank you for your kind words. Encouragement and inspiration really sum it all up. What continues to astonish is all that’s been required of me through these years is trust and faith that he is who he says he is. Everything else just follows.

Comment on Talks by Linda Merryweather

Linda Merryweather — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:00:48 +0000

Hi Phil,
I have not heard you speak but am reading A12 to Heaven at the moment and wanted to say how inspirational your walk with Jesus is! My love goes out to you, Heather, Amy and Tom especially today, the fourth anniversary of Claire and Jenny’s passing. I was seriously ill over twenty years ago and was unconscious but God spoke through the darkness and gave me a glimpse of heaven which matches your description! How blessed are we that we know where we are going!
May God continue to lead and guide you in all you do,
Linda

Comment on Parallel Worlds by Viv Sellers

Viv Sellers — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 20:54:39 +0000

I have just been told about your book. Our son, Matt (30) and our Pastoral Minister, Chris Rankin, were killed on the M6 by a lorry driver who had fallen asleep. Two others were also killed.
The date is forever etched in our minds. Sunday 10th September 2006.
We began the same journey that you are on, and which will continue until we meet them face to face.Matt loved his Lord.
Matt was married and we got the phone call at 2.30am from the Police at our daughter in law’s home.Our lives changed that day. We were walking in a parallel universe of grief and pain.Matt’s younger brother bereft.
But just that same evening in church, I had had an overwhelming sense of God running towards me, to envelop me in a bone crushing hug. It remains with me to this day. I prayed it out loud.
The time was around that of the accident.
People remarked on it later.
We both began to write blogs, telling it as it was, and is.
There was never a time in all the horror that we felt He wasn’t there.Spending time with Jesus is now more special.

It is now almost 4 years, and only yesterday I flew back from France, remembering how he came to pick me up at the airport in June 2006, after a similar trip.I couldn’t stop the tears, as my husband drove me home.
I know Matt is safe and well,and I love to worship in church, but his physicalness is not here with us.
I have had dreams about him, wonderful personal times of joy.
But time does not heal.
We bear the scars.
But we are called to get along side those who also suffer and thankyou for sharing your pain and joy.

Comment on Talks by Maria Landon

Maria Landon — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:35:56 +0000

Dear Phil
It was such a delight to meet you at the forum a few weeks ago. (I gave you my card.) Thank you so much for writing this book, it has been heartbreaking yet incredibly inspiring. I have only been a Christian for 18 months and have had many personal battles to overcome not least of all learning to trust my Lord. Your vulnerability in this book is such a powerful inspiration. Just makes me realise that God wants to be there for us, we don’t have to go it alone. I have read many books since becoming a Christian but not one that shows us Jesus personality as well as this. I am so sorry for the pain you and your family have been through since Claire and Jenny died but I am so encouraged and inspired by your words. Thank you so much for writing this book. Abundant blessings to you and your family. From Ria

Comment on How to play RISK by Greg

Greg — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:00:29 +0000

This is so true. I’m glad there are others who know the true wisdom of RISK.

Comment on Blogging by William Wilson

William Wilson — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:10:51 +0000

Dear Phil and Heather i hope that the Lord has bless you both and the family with people buying A12 to Heaven and reading it and that you have sold lots of copy all over the world. One day we shall see him face to face and you will see your two Daughter up in heaven soon. May god give you the strength and peace each day to keep trusting in him and he will get you through. William.

Comment on The other side of Life. Part 2. by Colin Jacobs

Colin Jacobs — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:01:18 +0000

Please accept my prayers for your courage in these times you have been brave enough to publish, as a lifelong christian myself I have been very moved by your book which I purchased and read today in one sitting.
Best Wishes
Colin

Comment on The other side of Life by Sarah Deriaz

Sarah Deriaz — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:54:30 +0000

Dear Phil
Firstly, I am so very sorry to read about the tragic loss of your beautiful daughters, Claire and Jenny. What an unbelievably tough path you and the family travel with so much dignity. I feel like I know them a little through reading your book; they would be so proud of you. I remember hearing the news on our car radio two years ago and praying for you and the family, through our tears, with my husband, Paul. Our 8 year old son, Josh, died seven years ago, 21 days after being diagnosed with a brain tumour and we have been befriending bereaved families ever since.

I volunteered to read and review your book for a Care for the Family, Bereaved Parents Network event to be held this weekend in Daventry. I am going to be recommending it to the guests as one of the most profoundly uplifting books I have read. Some of the bereaved parents will have no faith and some will be clinging on to God with their fingernails. Your book will be a huge help to both. Your faith and relationship with Jesus is so real and life-giving set alongside the complex reality and life-long challenge of learning to live with your loss. It comes through so strongly that the Stoddarts are overcomers. It’s a beautiful book about your daughters, a tragically sad book about death and yet it is full of life.
With so much love and respect
Sarah Deriaz
p.s. Just read on your website that you visited our church, River, in Maidenhead this year.