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About the Book
"A Journey to Hell, Heaven, and Back" is a thought-provoking account of Ivan Tuttle's near-death experience, in which he describes his harrowing journey to both hell and heaven before ultimately returning to life. Tuttle shares profound insights about spirituality, the afterlife, and the power of faith, making this book a compelling read for anyone interested in near-death experiences and the mysteries of the beyond.
Nick Vujicic
Nick Vujicic, famous for his inspirational speeches, was born without limbs in his body. However, instead of letting his disability deter his everyday life, he took it as a challenge, using it to change millions of lives with the same faith that kept him going. As a child of ten, he always wondered why he was different from others, and decided to drown himself since he saw no purpose to his living. However, he stopped himself in time, thinking of his loving parents and how much it would hurt them to see him dead. From then on, there was no looking back for this young man, who now has founded his own organization, called āLife Without Limbsā. He has released motivational films, like 'Life's Greater Purpose' and 'Biography of a Determined Man of Faith'. He has also written a book titled 'Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life'. This speaker has even acted in a short film, āThe Butterfly Circusā, earning the film three awards, and bagging one himself, for his brilliant portrayal of a man very much like himself, who is given a second chance to love himself. He is a devout Christian, believing that God loves everyone equally, and has taken it upon himself to spread the message to everyone around the world.
Childhood & Early Life
Nicholas James Vujicic the eldest son of Dushka and Boris was born in Melbourne, Australia, on December 4, 1982. The infant, though healthy in all other aspects, was born with autosomal recessive tetra-amelia, a rare condition where the child has no limbs at all, except feet with just two toes.
Initially, it was quite difficult for the child and his family to cope up with the troubles that accompany the absence of hands and legs. He wasn't even allowed to study in a normal school, even though there was nothing wrong with his IQ.
He gradually learnt to use his feet to write, type, play, and shave. He pursued his secondary education from the 'Runcorn State High School', Queensland, Australia, where he was also the head boy. He was also on the student council that carried out humanitarian work.
Career
When Nick, as he is known, turned seventeen, he started delivering speeches in his church group. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Commerce, specializing in financial planning and accountancy, from the 'Griffith University' in Queensland.
As a speaker, he mainly addresses school children, young adults, and working professionals. He has also spoken at various churches, all across the globe, because he believes that Christ loves him as He loves all his children.
In his career, Nick has travelled to more than sixty countries around the world, and has touched the lives of millions of people. In 2005, he established an NGO named 'Life Without Limbs', which has its headquarters in Agoura Hills, California.
In the same year, Vujicic released the DVD of a documentary movie, titled 'Life's Greater Purpose'. The film talks about the motivational speaker's childhood, how he learned to use whatever was there of his limbs, and his married life.
In March 2008, Nick appeared in the '20/20' television series aired in the United States, for an interview, taken by presenter Bob Cummings.
In 2009, Vujicic featured in a short film titled 'The Butterfly Circus', directed by Joshua Weigel. It also starred Mexican actor, Eduardo VerƔstegui, and American Doug Jones.
The movie won a lot of accolades, including the first prize awarded by the 'Doorpost Film Project', and the 'Best Short Film' at the 'Method Fest Independent Film Festival', as well as the 'The Feel Good Film Festival'.
In 2010, Nick wrote a book, 'Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life', under the banner of publishing company, 'Random House'. He also released a DVD titled 'Biography of a Determined Man of Faith'.
Vujicic gave a heart-rending speech in Switzerland, at the 'World Economic Forum', for their Annual Meeting's special session, 'Inspired for a Lifetime', in 2011.
Major Works
Nick is an evangelist who is known for his organization, āLife Without Limbsā, that hosts events and presents talks on courage and faith in God to overcome any adversity faced in life.
Awards & Achievements
In 1990, Vujicic's determination and courage impressed the world, and he was felicitated with the 'Australian Young Citizen Award'.
He was one of the contenders for the 'Young Australian of the Year Award' in the year 2005.
In 2010, he won the 'Best Actor in Short Film' award at the 'Method Fest Independent Film Festival' for his performance in the role of Will, from the movie 'The Butterfly Circus'.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 2012, Vujicic got married to the love of his life, Kanae Miyahara, and the couple have been blessed with a son, Kiyoshi James.
a safe place for sinners to change
Hidden sins destroy Christians because theyāre hidden. Far too often, Christians wallow in the darkness, smothered by the guilt of sins that they are too ashamed to name. Itās impossible to put to death a sin you wonāt confess. Which means cultivating the right environment for honesty and confession is essential in a Christian community. No issue reveals this better than the struggle against pornography and lust. In my experience, one fundamental factor in creating the right environment for intentional action, real accountability, and healthy habits of confession is the presence and demeanor of a wise pastor or mentor. The gospel presence of a leader is a powerful means of grace that helps Christians resist the hopelessness that often marks this struggle. So, what exactly isĀ gospel presence ? āCultivating the right environment for honesty and confession is essential in a Christian community.ā ByĀ gospel , I simply mean the good news that, as sinners, we are embraced and accepted by God because of what Jesus has done for us. He lived the life that we couldnāt live. He died the death we should have died. And God raised him from the dead, triumphing over sin and death. Outside of Jesus, there is no hope. In Jesus, we have a living hope. ByĀ presence , I mean that thereās a way of being, an orientation to life and reality and others, a fundamental attitude that emanates from the core of who you are, and shapes and colors everything you do. The way you carry yourself. The impression you give. Thatās what I mean byĀ presence . And gospel presence is crucial for creating the right environment for dealing with any sin, and especially sexual sin. Six Aspects of Gospel Presence Because gospel presence is more about the way that someone carries himself than following a specific set of actions, itās difficult to define. However, Iāve foundĀ Colossians 3:1ā17Ā to be a fruitful place to get the feel of it. Here are six aspects of gospel presence in the passage. First, gospel presence begins withĀ setting oneās mind on Christ Ā (Colossians 3:1). Set your mind. Set your affection. Orient your life by Christ, who is your life. Heās the sun; everything in your life orbits around him. Second, gospel presence meansĀ putting on the new self , or the new man (Colossians 3:9ā10). The fundamental contrast is between the old man (Adam), who rebelled against God, and the new Man (Jesus), who fully trusted, obeyed, and imaged God. Gospel presence means that you āput onā the new Man ā that you āclotheā yourself with Jesus. And thatās a good image for it: You must wear Jesus, like a cloak. There are practices that flow out of this presence. There is an old man with his practices, and a new man with his practices. There are practices that come from and accord with sinful Adam, and practices that come from and accord with Christ. And you canāt do the practices if you donāt put on the presence. Third, gospel presence means that you areĀ fundamentally defined by Godās love Ā in the gospel. āPut on then, as Godās chosen ones,Ā holy and beloved Ā . . .ā (Colossians 3:12). There are characteristics and qualities that you put on and practice because you are holy and beloved by God. He defines you. āBy the grace of God I am what I amā (1 Corinthians 15:10). His grace is what makes you who and what you are. Gospel presence means that his love and grace define you, and you know it deep in your bones. Fourth, gospel presence means you areĀ ruled by the peace of Christ Ā (Colossians 3:15). You are firm, stable, steadfast, unshaken. Youāre not tossed to and fro. When storms come, youāre planted on a rock. When chaos erupts, Godās peace still reigns in your heart. Thereās a kind of stability and security that comes from knowing youāre loved by God, defined by grace, oriented by Christ, clothed with the new Man. Fifth, gospel presence means thatĀ the word of Christ dwells in you richly Ā in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16) ā not just that you read your Bible, but that there is a richness and fullness and potency to the word in your life. The Spirit of God hangs on you, and thereās a felt sense that āhereās a person who has been with God.ā Gospel presence means you have the wisdom to connect the word of God to life in a way that bears fruit. Last, gospel presence means all of your practices are doneĀ in the name of the Lord Jesus Ā (Colossians 3:17). Your actions bear his name. They testify to him and point to him and draw attention to him. āGospel presence aims to create that graciously paradoxical environment that is safe for sinners, but not for sin.ā How then does gospel presence serve honest confession and the fight against sin, and especially sexual sin? The gospel presence of a pastor or mentor is designed to create an environment that invites people to confess their sins, to be honest about their struggles, to overcome the natural aversion they have to exposing their shame. In other words, gospel presence aims to create that graciously paradoxical environment that is safe for sinners, but not for sin. They are welcome; their sin is not. And thus there are two key elements of gospel presence that help to create such an environment:Ā compassionate stability Ā andĀ focused hostility . Compassionate Stability Compassionate stability means that a mentor aims to de-escalate the situation by leaning into the mess. Often people who are wrecked by sexual sin are filled with shame, fear of exposure, anxiety about future failure, and hopelessness about the possibility of change. They think, āIf I admit out loud what Iāve done or seen or thought, then everyone will be so disgusted by me that theyāll reject me.ā Such passions overwhelm a Christianās desire to be honest about his struggle. The compassionate stability of gospel presence is meant to calm the broken, anxious, and fearful sinner. Compassionate stability leans into the mess. The aim is to communicate that God isĀ for Ā them andĀ with Ā them through the fact that you as the mentor areĀ for Ā them andĀ with Ā them. This stability and calmness is not stoic; you should feel deeply for the people to whom you minister. But your passions and emotions are, by Godās grace, under your control and direction so that you can willingly and compassionately lean into their sin. Broken sinners need to know that youāre not recoiling in horror at them, no matter what they confess. They need toĀ feel Ā that you (and therefore God) areĀ with Ā them and passionately committed to their good. Compassionate stability communicates that we are not afraid of a personās sin. No matter how dark the darkness, the grace of Jesus can reach deeper. There may still be consequences for certain sins (especially any sins that are also crimes). But compassionate stability communicates that, no matter the consequences, Jesus is real, and he will be with you as you bring your darkness into the light. IF GOD IS FOR US Compassionate stability seeks to embody the deep truths of the gospel reflected in passages likeĀ Romans 8:31ā39. This passage captures the spirit of compassionate stability as well as any in the Bible. If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? God didnāt spare his own Son but gave him up for us, and will therefore freely and graciously give us everything (8:32). No one can bring a charge against us, because God himself has justified and approved of us (8:33). No one can condemn us, because Christ was crucifiedĀ for us Ā and raisedĀ for us Ā and is now intercedingĀ for us Ā (8:34). Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ ā not tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword (8:35). Godās all-conquering love means that every possible obstacle to our ultimate good makes us more than conquerors (8:37). Death, life, angels, rulers, present things, future things, powers, height, depth, anything else in all creation ā none of these can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (8:38ā39). Thatās how committed God is to our good, and thatās what faithful pastors and mentors communicate to their people. When nerves are on edge, when passions and fears are raging, compassionate stability plants itself in Romans 8Ā and brings a deep and settled sense of Spirit-wrought peace and calm. Romans 8Ā empowers us to be stable and compassionate, and compassionate stability makes an environment that is safe for sinners. Focused Hostility But thereās another aspect to the right environment. Embracing broken sinners entails a violent hostility toward their sin. If weāre really committed to someoneās good, then we will hate and resist those things that are harmful to them. And so itās necessary to combine compassionate stability withĀ focused hostility . Focused hostility is still under control, but it includes a relentlessness and patience in exposing and killing sin. Without this focused hostility toward sin, we may find ourselves reluctant to challenge people to pursue holiness. Comforting may turn into coddling. But part of being a wise and faithful counselor to others means communicating the gravity of sin. The Bible minces no words about the consequences of making peace with ongoing sin. āIf you live according to the flesh you will die [eternally]ā (Romans 8:13). Those who practice the works of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19ā21;Ā 1 Corinthians 6:9ā10). And the Bible uses intense and violent language to describe how we ought to resist sin: put it to death (Colossians 3:5ā6;Ā Romans 8:13); tear it out (Matthew 5:29); cut it off (Matthew 5:30); flee sexual immorality and youthful passions (1 Corinthians 6:18;Ā 2 Timothy 2:22). These words of violence and intensity remind us that we canāt make peace with our sin, because the Holy Spirit will never make peace with our sin. āGospel presence aims to communicate both that God is for you, and that your sin is not welcome.ā Gospel presence aims to communicate both that God is for you, and that your sin is not welcome. A person doesnāt need to clean himself up to come to us or to God; he can come as he is. But we are committed to not letting him stay as he is. And so, with our demeanor and our words, we say, āI am for you; Iām leaning in; Iām not recoiling because of what you just confessed. I love you and Iām with you and Iām for you because God loves you and is with you and is for you. And I am soĀ for Ā you that I will never make peace with your sin. I will call you to put it to death, to cut it off, to flee from it.ā Gospel presence says to a sinner, sexual or otherwise, āI love you, Iām for you, Iām with you. Now letās kill it.ā