The story of "Amazing Grace"

John Newton

Who was John Newton? He was the composer of a hymn which many people consider to be the most popular hymn in the world today -- Amazing Grace. Almost everyone knows the first verse from memory:

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
was blind but now I see.

Very few people know the real life story of John Newton, who was born in 1725 and died in 1807. He could best be described as a Naval deserter from "Her Majesty's Navy", an atheist, a slave trader, stubborn, very disobedient, with a vicious temper. His mother, who was a deeply religious woman, died when he was seven years old and he was sent to a private boarding school. (He was kicked out of this school.)



John's father was a sea captain. He joined his father on his ship at a very young age, learning navigation, sails, and winds. He spent five years on this ship. He later served on many boats, including the Royal Navy (which kicked him out), trade ships and slave trade ships.

John Newton was 'saved' on the ship. Have you found It?

John had many harrowing escapes while at sea. He also had many positive signs and at the last minute his life was spared. However, it was on the slave ship "Greyhound" that he had his greatest awakening. Heading back to England, it ran into a vicious storm that really battered the ship and the weary crew. They fought hard to keep the ship together. The supplies were very low and they wondered if they could survive another day. Finally, they thought they spotted land, only to realize that it was a mirage. John asked God to have mercy on them as they were nearly out of all food and water.

The Greyhound ship

Finally, they saw land and it was Northern Ireland. They got a great reception from the people. After examining the boat, the carpenters and shipbuilders stated the boat would not have survived another day. The "Greyhound" had not been heard from for 18 months and was assumed lost at sea. Try to imagine being on a small boat, no radio, no one to help you but God.

John fell in love with a young lady who was only 14 when they met. After seven years they were married. She was 21 and he was 25. The year was 1750.

John finally became captain of his own slave ship. A plot was uncovered to overthrow the ship's captain by the crew. The ringleaders both became sick and one died. The mutiny failed. In the verse in "Amazing Grace" where he writes "Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come", he was speaking not only of his previous trials but of this danger as well.

Because of the grace that changed John's life, he made six attempts to be ordained a minister. Finally, at the age of 39, he became a parson. He wrote a number of hymns, and his real life experiences are reflected in "Amazing Grace."

John Newton grave

"Amazing Grace" is a song of hope and it binds people together.

Last verse

"When we've been here 10,000 years
bright shining as the sun
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we first begun."




Chris Tomlin's version

Nick Vujicic - From No Limbs To No Limits

Imagine being born without arms. No arms to wrap around a friend, no hands to hold the ones you love, no fingers to experience touch, no way to lift or carry things... How much more difficult would life be if you were living without arms and hands? Or what about legs? Imagine if instead of no arms, you had no legs. No ability to dance, walk, run, or even stand. Now put both of those scenarios together… no arms and no legs. What would you do? How would that affect your everyday life?

Nick Vujicic

“If just one more person finds eternal life in Jesus Christ….it is all worth it”.  - Nick Vujicic

(scroll down to view Nick Vujicic motivation talk)

Meet Nick Vujicic, pronounced ‘Vooy-cheech’. Born in 1982 in Brisbane, Australia, without any medical explanation or warning, Nicholas Vujicic came into the world with neither arms nor legs (Tetra-amelia syndrome). Imagine the shock his parents felt when they saw their first-born brand new baby boy for the first time, only to find he was what the world would consider imperfect and abnormal.
A limbless son was not what nurse Dushka Vujicic, and her husband Pastor Boris Vujicic had been expecting. How would their son live a normal happy life? What could he ever do or become when living with such a massive disability? Little did they or anyone else know that this beautiful limbless baby would one day be someone who would inspire and motivate people from all walks of life. God uses Nick to touch lives and bring the hope of Jesus Christ to people across the globe.

Throughout his childhood, Nick dealt not only with the typical challenges of school and adolescence such as bullying and self-esteem issues; but also struggled with depression and loneliness.  He constantly questioned why he was different than all the other kids surrounding him; why he was the one born without arms and legs. He wondered what the purpose behind his life was, or if he even had a purpose. According to Nick, the victory over his struggles throughout his journey, as well as the strength and passion he has for life can be credited to his faith in God. His family, friends and the many people he has encountered along the way have also encouraged him.

After school, Nick went on with further study and obtained a double Bachelor’s degree, majoring in Accounting and Financial Planning from Griffith University in Logan, Australia. By the age of 19, Nick started to fulfill his dream of being able to encourage other people and bring them the gospel of Jesus through motivational speaking and sharing his testimony about how God changed his life and gave him a future and a hope. “I found the purpose of my existence, and also the purpose of my circumstance. "There’s a purpose for why you’re in the fire." Nick wholeheartedly believes that there is a purpose in each of the struggles we each encounter in our lives, and that our attitude towards those struggles, along with our faith and trust in the Lord can be the keys to overcoming the challenges we face.

Now at 28 years old, this limbless young man has accomplished more than most people accomplish in a lifetime. Nick recently made the massive move from Brisbane, Australia to California, USA, where he is the President of an international 501c3 non-profit organization; Life Without Limbs. Since his first speaking engagement back when he was 19, Nick has traveled around the world, sharing his story with millions of people, speaking to a range of different groups such as students, teachers, youth, businessmen and women, entrepreneurs, and church congregations of all sizes.  He has also told his story and been interviewed on various televised programs worldwide. “If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart!” 

Below is a Christian song from a CD single project by PMA Music Foundation of Hong Kong.
There are three original songs in the CD, namely “Dear Lord”, “I can Get thru Anything” and “I am Thankful”. The music, melodic and lively, is composed and arranged by John Laudon. The lyrics, written by Nick, is themed around positive thinking values like faith, hope and thankfulness.



Motivational Talk by Nick Vujicic