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Getting to Heaven By Going through Hell
Award Winner - First Place - eLit Award 2016 Inspirational/Spiritual Category, Reader's Favorite 5 star Award, Finalist for Chanticleer Award - Narrative Non-Fiction 2018. Will be re-released by KiCam Publishing Jan 2019 with Study Questions after each chapter. "If you want to hear God laugh, just tell him your plan." Dr. Scot Hodkiewicz was happily living the American Dream, having followed his own Great Plan to the letter. But as he would discover, as he drove down the interstate one October day with his wife and three young children, God had an even greater plan for his life. Left with a mangled body and a broken spirit in the aftermath of a head-on collision with a drunk driver, Dr. Scot entered his own personal hell of pain, addiction, and potential tragedy. Initially filled with anger, hatred and self-pity, he would come to understand the power of forgiveness and that his struggles were ultimately the path to his salvation. God’s plan for him was so much more than he could ever imagine. By going through his hell, he found angels to guide him everywhere, and he discovered that heaven is not something we find after death. It can be found right here on Earth; we only have to recognize it. Join Dr. Scot on this miraculous true journey of Getting to Heaven by Going through Hell.
328 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 1, 2016
Most of us gain knowledge through our own experiences. The wisest among us learn from the experiences of others. Dr. Scot's remarkable and difficult journey provides a vivid account of how this family's unfailing faith in God helped them overcome a devastating event and foster a powerful spiritual awakening. Unfortunately for most of us, we don't really appreciate what we have in our life until it is taken away. Following a cyclical pattern of blessed happiness followed by simple apathy, complacence and sometimes pride, most of us often take for granted the truly amazing blessings and privileges in our lives. That is, until disaster strikes and we lose those things. What often follows is a painful and humbling realization and awareness of the external, and often unrecognized and unappreciated, forces in our lives. Be it God, family, friendships, etc., it is only by humbly recognizing and re-evaluating our true priorities that we find ourselves once again in a position of happiness. This is Dr Scot's story. Fast paced and often humorous, you will have a hard time putting this book down. This book is a true inspiration and a clarion call for all of us to re-examine our priorities and make the important things important. Highly recommended!
July 27, 2016
Fascinating read about a terrible tragedy turned into a blessing!
Thankful for my own son who went through his own hell on New Years Day.
Thankful for my own son who went through his own hell on New Years Day.
June 8, 2020
Going Through Hell To Get To Heaven by Dr Scott Hodkiewicz is a powerful true life account of not just a family who survived but who actually thrived. This is a wow read about the recovery from a horrendous accident and the lessons learnt from God as the family pressed into Him.
Before the crash the author was a vet. He had built a successful life and had a nice house. In worldly terms he was a success. The author admits that before the crash the gifts God had given him, he used for himself. Whereas after the crash, God’s gifts were used for God and others. His outlook completely changed as his mind focussed on the true treasures in life.
We all have moments in life that define us – for Dr Scott Hodkiewisz and his family it was when a drunk, disqualified driver crashed into their family car. But God is a faithful God and at just the right time, He sent His angels in human form, to minister just where they were needed.
God is a God who cares – not just for us but for all His creatures. We see this clearly illustrated by the care taken over the family’s two dogs who were also in the car crash. People, with the right skill sets and kind hearts ministered to the dogs knowing their importance to the three children. Time, money and skills were given.
Whilst in recovery the author learnt to ‘hear’ God’s voice and to surrender his life to God’s plans. He also had a choice to make – “I was no longer a victim; I was a survivor.” Once we choose to see the world through the eyes of a survivor, our outlook will change.
There was another huge choice to make – to forgive the drunk driver or not. Forgiveness is as much for our benefit, forgiving someone will free us from the prison of bitterness and hatred. The drunk driver “didn’t deserve forgiveness, but I would forgive him anyway.” And that is grace in action.
I found Going Through Hell an incredibly powerful and inspiring read. God taught the family many lessons in that dark time. God’s love is vast and His angels walk amongst us in human form. If you want to expand your faith muscle, I can really recommend reading this book.
I want to leave you with this powerful quote:
“God is always with us through the pain, but He never promised a life without pain.”
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Before the crash the author was a vet. He had built a successful life and had a nice house. In worldly terms he was a success. The author admits that before the crash the gifts God had given him, he used for himself. Whereas after the crash, God’s gifts were used for God and others. His outlook completely changed as his mind focussed on the true treasures in life.
We all have moments in life that define us – for Dr Scott Hodkiewisz and his family it was when a drunk, disqualified driver crashed into their family car. But God is a faithful God and at just the right time, He sent His angels in human form, to minister just where they were needed.
God is a God who cares – not just for us but for all His creatures. We see this clearly illustrated by the care taken over the family’s two dogs who were also in the car crash. People, with the right skill sets and kind hearts ministered to the dogs knowing their importance to the three children. Time, money and skills were given.
Whilst in recovery the author learnt to ‘hear’ God’s voice and to surrender his life to God’s plans. He also had a choice to make – “I was no longer a victim; I was a survivor.” Once we choose to see the world through the eyes of a survivor, our outlook will change.
There was another huge choice to make – to forgive the drunk driver or not. Forgiveness is as much for our benefit, forgiving someone will free us from the prison of bitterness and hatred. The drunk driver “didn’t deserve forgiveness, but I would forgive him anyway.” And that is grace in action.
I found Going Through Hell an incredibly powerful and inspiring read. God taught the family many lessons in that dark time. God’s love is vast and His angels walk amongst us in human form. If you want to expand your faith muscle, I can really recommend reading this book.
I want to leave you with this powerful quote:
“God is always with us through the pain, but He never promised a life without pain.”
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
November 18, 2019
This book was so inspiring! I read it rather quickly and couldn't put it down. I was inspired by how the author is able to more forward after a tragic event to find meaning and re-focus his life in a more positive way. (He used the tragedy as a catalyst to learn and grow) Their car accident was devastating and horrific. He also worked to change the current laws that put people's lives at risk and to expand awareness about repeat drunk drivers. He was able to find blessings after something monumental and horrific. It inspires us to seek meaning in our lives under devastating circumstances. The recovery of this family is nothing short of a miracle. It was a shame the perpetrator never apologized to the family for their pain & suffering. But this book is about forgiveness.
January 26, 2018
Wow... Definitely one of the best non-fiction reads I have come across in recent times.
The narrator of this book was the kind of person we all aim to be when we grow up, and yet despite coasting on the epitome of success, his priorities were somewhat skewed. The major car accident walloped him back into perspective, and it was fascinating to read both the medical and emotional toils that affected him and his family. I amazed on how much of the accident the author is able to retell, and how specific his detailed his recovery!
The narrator of this book was the kind of person we all aim to be when we grow up, and yet despite coasting on the epitome of success, his priorities were somewhat skewed. The major car accident walloped him back into perspective, and it was fascinating to read both the medical and emotional toils that affected him and his family. I amazed on how much of the accident the author is able to retell, and how specific his detailed his recovery!
July 21, 2018
I was fortunate enough to get an advance copy of this, autographed,
with study questions, from Dr. Hodkiewicz, at the ALA conference! Marvelous book! So very insightful on many levels. I usually wouldn't say this about a non-fiction book, but I just didn't want to put it down.
with study questions, from Dr. Hodkiewicz, at the ALA conference! Marvelous book! So very insightful on many levels. I usually wouldn't say this about a non-fiction book, but I just didn't want to put it down.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews