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About the Book
"Forgotten God" by Francis Chan explores the often-overlooked role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Chan challenges readers to reexamine their relationship with the Spirit and invites them to experience the power and presence of God in a deeper, more intimate way. The book encourages readers to be open to the leading of the Spirit and to live boldly and courageously in obedience to God's will.
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.
Why Not Giving Can Hurt You
I have this one friend, everywhere she goes, she gives gifts. Roses to teachers, journals to me, and flowers to so many. She is gifted in gifts. Is she trying to make me look bad? She is so impressive! I am normally the one loaded with 2 kids, a purse loaded with the rock of baby wipes and a to-do list times one thousand. Getting out to buy gifts feels as impossible as moving a herd of animals through the eye of a needle. Giving is something I always want to do, but it takes a back seat to my life. It's something that I love to get, but have a hard time extending. I know it blesses, but it also heightens my stresses. Yet, research has proven that giving: - increases the health of those with chronic illnesses (Stephen Post, Why Good Things Happen to Good People) - decreases the risk of dying in the elderly after volunteering (Doug Oman, University of California, Berkeley) - lowers stress and blood pressure. Clearly giving is a great thing. The more we outpour the more that inpours to us. A woman came with a special sealed jar. It contained very expensive perfume made out of pure nard. She broke the jar open and poured the perfume on Jesusā head. Mk. 14:3 This woman outpoured a ton - a year's worth of salary. Her deep sacrifice was a true outpouring of her heart. There is no mention of the kids screaming at home, the wipes in her bag or the lists of things she had to do, she just poured out. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, suddenly our excuses grow small and our causes grow big. This woman poured out great love through this great gift, a great sacrifice for a great God and a great example for the great, great, great...grandchildren of Jesus today. What would happen if we poured out like she did? Might Jesus say to us: She has done a beautiful thing to me... Mark 14:6 Might our name be more greatly etched into the world and eternity? What she has done will be told anywhere the good news is preached all over the world. It will be told in memory of her.ā Mk 14:9 As she stood...weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Lu. 7:38 When we pour, like this woman and then our hearts melt like wax. The wick of our pride, selfishness and complacency melt down to the ground, leaving us on our knees, where we receive and give our very best. We take our hair and we wipe the feet of others. We get into the nitty gritty of grime, into the places where it feels uncomfortable, into the places where we prepare others for a new life. It's in the offering of our greatest - in the wiping of the dirty - that we get to kiss the feet of the one who walked into desolate dry hearts to make abundant new life. When we touch these needy, unseen and untouchable places with our greatest gift, love, we find our hearts are restored. We find it's so much less about the other and so much more about Jesus reconfiguring our vision. We find deeper connection with the recipient and with the one who is all sufficient. Giving is the only gift that hands back more than we could ever hand out. It's one of the only ways to get more than you ever asked for. Kelly Balarie