[Jassy]

I hope this won't be too long. I wasn't sure where to post this - Prayer request? General Chitchat? I think it fits best here in Prayer Request. This is MY Testimony. It's what all of you have never heard about me as yet, except for maybe a couple of you.

Please pray for my friend Marlene. She gave me the OK to request prayers for her online. She's a wonderful Christian that I have known for probably 20 years. She has Neurofibromatosis - Type II (NF2). It's hereditary. That condition causes tumors to grow on the nerves, anywhere in the body. It's common for them to have tumors on the auditory nerves, and surgery cause instant deafness. Their father and all of the siblings became deaf. Their father had NF2 and died from it. Marlene and all of the 3 others siblings have it also. One sister died of a brain tumor that she refused to have surgery for. It was horrible for her husband and their son (who is 17) to watch her just waste away and die. They've all had brain tumors operated on (craniotomies). Marlene calls that "simple" surgery!

Now she has been having problems with balance, her right leg dragging and decreasing leg strength and loss of feeling. It started in her toes and now is up to her chest. She was sent to a doctor who told her it was not a neurological problem but an ear problem, and sent her back to the ENT. All of this took several months, during which her condition worsened rapidly.

The ENT doctor was angry and asked if the doctor had done any verification with a neurosurgeon. He had NOT! So the ENT doctor told her that it was NOT an ENT problem and he sent her to a spinal specialist, telling her that it was most likely a spinal tumor. Yesterday, she found out that it is indeed a spinal tumor. She has a immense 4 x 4 cm tumor IN the spinal cord.

She had told me that she had decided that, if it was a high-risk surgery - and that she would likely end-up paralyzed, she didn't want the surgery. I told her that I would have the surgery. The alternative is that she would gradually lose functioning. The tumor is also into her left lung, and is causing her a lot of back pain. If that tumor is left, she will end up unable to breathe and paralyzed anyway - it will just be gradually taking over her ability to function.

I told her that if there was any chance that the tumor could be removed, I'd go for that chance, with prayer. She agrees with me and so she will allow an exploratory surgery, where he will carefully check her functioning as he goes along. This is really difficult because, not only would it cause paralysis, but she would lose functioning of bladder and bowels.

Marlene said that this surgeon is very, very skilled and that he told her he has never had even ONE case of causing paralysis from surgery on the spine. He is the top spinal surgeon. He does many different types of spinal surgeries, including tumors, accidents, and rebuilding of the spine.

Please keep her Marlene in your prayers. Please remember her everyday. She and I are very close. She lives right near me and we email each other almost daily. She is really precious to me and I trust in the Lord that he will watch over her and guide the surgeon's hands.

Marlene knows that I'm very concerned about the outcome of her surgery because the same surgeon will be doing surgery on me at some point in the future. I have had 3 surgeries on my upper spine with a halo device (screwed into the skull) and I have lower spine problems also. The doctor will have to rebuild my spine.

I've never told people here about my "testimony." I have rare proportional dwarfism. I'm 3'9" tall and weigh about 74 lbs. My condition is a degenerative one involving all of the connective tissue in my body. My spine has never been "normal." Instead of being a hollow round tube, mine is flattened and twisted. I have a dual types of scholiosis of the spine. It's really not noticeable though. My spine is twisted as well as curved.

So I would also appreciate your prayers for me. I deal with a lot of pain everyday. I've had probably 40 surgeries in my life. I'm not telling you this to elicit your sympathy - but simply because it plays an important role in my testimony. I believe in and love the Lord with all of my heart. No matter what I have been through, He has always been there for me. I haven't always had the best attitude - but there have been times when I've been told that the entire hospital had heard about me and my JOY. It is good to be able to show that, no matter what I go through. Unfortunately, I do have pain and can't always be bubbly and smiling. I'm human.

Please pray for Marlene. I love her dearly. She is one person that really understands. And also pray for me.

I've been reluctant to talk about my physical problems here because I've been really hurt in the past by Christians who have said that my faith is FAULTY because if I had TRUE faith, I would be HEALED. That hurts! Sometimes the LORD can be shown in more profound ways in the life of someone who is dealing with tremendous obstacles. The apostle Paul is my HERO!! I can't believe what that man went through and his testimony remained rock solid. That is such a humbling example for me.

Please pray for me also. I am twice-divorced. My first husband was there for me in 3 spinal surgeries (in my late 20's/early 30's), but he divorced me. My 2nd husband just simply couldn't deal with all of the medical issues, even though he knew about them before we married. He had an affair on me and got a girl pregnant (while we were still married). He had been in a drunk driving accident and would be coming home drunk every night. He moved in with the woman that he got pregnant and left me stuck with the entire rent on our home, alone. So, right or wrong - I divorced him. My second husband feels so much regret. He cried at our divorce (this is a man I had only seen shed tears ONCE). He recently told me that I was one of the most amazing women he's ever met. And that he has never seen a human being like me. He said that he learned what real faith is, from me. Oh boy, now I sound like I am bragging. I don't mean that. I'm glad that he has woken up and made changes in his life. This comes about 3 years later. His son is now 2 years old.

Please pray for me also - and please don't judge me. We shall let the LORD do that. I know I'm not perfect - but I have STRONG faith. I know that God had a reason for allowing me to be born this way and to have my entire life become a testament of faith to him. If you're going to tell me that I'm weak in faith and that I should be healed, go ahead - but I can tell you that I've heard it all, many times over. The Lord HAS heard many prayers for me - mine and that of others. There were 3 separate times when doctors expected that I would die - and I didn't. They don't know what "saved" me - but I do - and I tell them!

One of my spinal surgeries was done as an emergency to correct the halo device that had been moved when a nurses aide pulled me up by grabbing the 2 bars of the halo, going down to the brace. The halo is attached with a spring mechanism to keep the device in place. That had been for the upper 2 vertebra - C1 and C2. With a spinal injury at that level, it would cause death - because that controls life functions of breathing and heartbeat. So they had to remove and replace the halo with me AWAKE. It's SURREAL when they're drilling into your skull!! I have been through a lot! I was joking with them during this. I told them that, if they put a piece of glass on top of the halo, I could be a coffee table! One nurse later told me that I had NO IDEA of the kind of effect I had had upon the entire staff in that operating room - and that it had spread all over the hospital. Everyone knew about me! She knew that it was my FAITH that kept me positive and joyful, no matter what I went through. I hope that the entire hospital knew of the REASON for the JOY that is in me.

I also became DEAF at the age of 22. I became deaf in one ear gradually, by age 18, from so many ear-related infections and problems. Then I became totally deaf in the other ear, following surgery. So I've been deaf for over half my life. I don't know why - but God wanted me to be a very VISIBLE proof of His glory and faith. Becoming deaf is the point at which I truly started to HEAR the Lord's VOICE!! I finally started listening to Him, through His Word. You know what? I wouldn't go back and change a thing. I know that all is to the GLORY of our LORD and HIS purpose will be IN us. It will be MANIFEST. You know: FRUIT! I'm nowhere near perfect and I still deal with a LOT, everyday, but I definitely have JOY!! And I love the Lord with all my heart - and I put Him FIRST in my life.

Please pray that I always am able to share the JOY that is in me, whenever I must go through medical things. I don't ask to be GIVEN the opportunities - for I know that they will come!! But I do ask that I maintain my JOY! Please pray for that!

Thank you for listening and for your prayers.

In His Love with JOY!
Jassy

[peopleoftheway]

Sister thanks for that testimony!

Its not that often these days sadly that I feel like replying to anything thats been posted on the forums, but personal testimony as honest and sincere as yours warrants a reply.
Dont ever let insincere Christians (If I can even call them that from their behaviour) tell you that your lack of healing is from lack of faith, that's just pure rubbish. The Lord has clearly used you and your trials as an example to others, to show his strength through your infirmities, remember the Lords strength is perfected in weakness, give them that Scripture next time they scorn with that self righteous nonsense.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I shall pray for your friend and for you Sister, your post has been a humbling one for me, just as I have heard that small still voice reminding me to humble myself at every turn and exalt the Lord.
I am sure that many have testified they have seen the Lord in you, and Only The Lord will know the impact your courage has left on OTHERS, it really is all about others, something we (myself included) can be blinkered to by our own selfish pride.
Remember and draw strength from the fact that soon, real soon we will hear that Blessed call, to be in the presence of the Lord and to be "Ever with the Lord" no more pain, no more sufferings, no more hardships and no more tears
In Glory with glorified bodies and most importantly AT HIS FEET!

Stay strong in the Lord Sister and God Bless you and yours.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

[Diligent]

Originally Posted by Jassy

I've been reluctant to talk about my physical problems here because I've been really hurt in the past by Christians who have said that my faith is FAULTY because if I had TRUE faith, I would be HEALED. That hurts!

Thank you for your post. I just wanted to comment on the above. It's a lie from Satan that every Christian would be healed of their physical ills if they were "good" Christians with "enough" faith. Paul wasn't healed by his faith, neither was Timothy. There are myriad reasons for the trials we go through, even the lifelong ones, and we don't always know them (often we don't) -- and nobody should be judging someone's faith based on how straight their spine is!

Jassy, that is a tremendous testimony and in my opinion the power of your faith puts that of many Christians to shame. I knew you had lost your hearing but I didn't know the rest of the story... thanks for the blessing.

[greenbear]

John 9:1-3 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Jassy,

As was mentioned above, the power of Christ does rest upon you as I can readily attest to. I'm thankful the Lord has repeatedly saved your life against all odds. I'm glad I have the privilege to know you and to call you my sister and my friend. Both your friend Marlene and you will be in my prayers.

Your sister in Christ,
Jennifer

[johnlf]

Thank you for your testimony,

We know that the Lord has chosen the weak things of this world to confound the mighty:

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1
King James Bible

One day my beloved sister we will meet in glory, and the Lord hath promised that all things will be made anew and there will be no more pain or death:

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 21
King James Bible

Try to remember that all these things we are going through are nothing when we think about the glory to be revealed in us:

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4
King James Bible

But the trying of your faith is more precious than gold:

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory

1 Peter 1
King James Bible

Therefore if it be possible, I ask that the Lord might put upon me some of the weight of the things you bear:

2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself

Galatians 6

And I know that we will rejoice together when we meet together in the air.

God bless,

John
King James Bible

[Jassy]

Bro POTW, Bro Brandon, Bro P., Sis Jen, and Bro John,

Thank you so much for your support and the uplifting Scriptures and the caring things that you said. I appreciate your kindness so much. I know that I have TRUE brothers and sisters here - and I look forward to meeting all of you in Heaven, where we shall gather around His throne, to sing His praises in glory and great JOY! And yes, there will be no more pain or suffering or tears. Truly, you all made me cry tears of joy. I have felt enveloped in our Lord's arms - and that came through all of you.

Marlene told me tonight that she will have her spine surgery 2 to 3 weeks after the 4th. I know I am going to need my spinal surgery SOON because I have numbness that's travelling upward and, through Marlene, I finally found a dr that does this type of surgery. All the other spinal doctors have refused to attempt it, because my spine is so abnormal.

This will be up to the Lord - so I leave it to Him to know when it should be done. I know what I'll do with my big box of Chick tracts now - I'll pass them out at the hospital! And I'll get a pack of the other ones ("The Disappearing Bible") also to include.

Thank you for your prayers. Please keep remembering both Marlene and I in your prayers. It is a wonderful blessing to be a sister here at this Forum.

Jassy

[George]

Originally Posted by Jassy

Bro POTW, Bro Brandon, Bro P., Sis Jen, and Bro John,

Thank you so much for your support and the uplifting Scriptures and the caring things that you said. I appreciate your kindness so much. I know that I have TRUE brothers and sisters here - and I look forward to meeting all of you in Heaven, where we shall gather around His throne, to sing His praises in glory and great JOY! And yes, there will be no more pain or suffering or tears. Truly, you all made me cry tears of joy. I have felt enveloped in our Lord's arms - and that came through all of you.

Marlene told me tonight that she will have her spine surgery 2 to 3 weeks after the 4th. I know I am going to need my spinal surgery SOON because I have numbness that's travelling upward and, through Marlene, I finally found a dr that does this type of surgery. All the other spinal doctors have refused to attempt it, because my spine is so abnormal.

This will be up to the Lord - so I leave it to Him to know when it should be done. I know what I'll do with my big box of Chick tracts now - I'll pass them out at the hospital! And I'll get a pack of the other ones ("The Disappearing Bible") also to include.

Thank you for your prayers. Please keep remembering both Marlene and I in your prayers. It is a wonderful blessing to be a sister here at this Forum.

Jassy

Aloha sister Jassy,

I want to add my thankyou and appreciation for your sharing your personal testimony. It was a genuine blessing to me and a humbling reminder to me that I have absolutely NOTHING to complain about.

Our third son (39 years old) has Fibromyalgia, which emulates some of the symptoms you have described, but not nearly as severe; so I have just a tiny inkling of what you must have experienced in your life.

Don't ever let some self-righteous "Christian" put that "not having enough faith" burden on you -ever! Some "Christians" can be so cruel and heartless, it really makes me wonder!

I don't do this very often, but I am going to recommend that you read some of brother Forrest Wychopen's (our "Forrest" on the AV1611 Bible Forums) Threads & Posts on the Forum (the Thread - Doctrines of Christian of Christian Living would be a good start ) and check out his web site at: http://www.christdirected.com/

Brother Forrest has Multiple Sclerosis and has been more of a blessing to me personally (since we met on the Forum about 10 months ago), than all of the "commentators" that I have ever read! I believe that he will be a real blessing to you also.

If it weren't for all of the "fightin" and bickering that goes on here, I believe that his Threads & Posts would be far more appreciated than they are (they certainly are far more edifying than many). The Lord has used brother Forrest in my life to "REFOCUS" on the PERSON of our Lord and Saviour - Jesus Christ.

Sometimes I have been so focused on the Holy "written word" of God that I have "lost sight" of just "WHO" it is all about - the HOLY "WORD" of God (The Son of God), and brother Forrest's emphasis on the Lord Jesus Christ has made me realize that I need to balance the "written word" with "THE WORD".

If you know me - then you'll know that I'm not so much into men's books (not anymore); but brother Forrest has been working on a book for some time now, called "The Christ Directed Life"; and when he is finished, I hope to be one of the first people to purchase that book, because if there ever has been anything that has been lacking in my Christian life - it has been a failure to have the Lord Jesus Christ DIRECT my life!

Renee and I will pray for you and for your friend Marlene. Friends ("Real Friends") are precious and hard to find, and quite often "real friends" can be closer than family. Marlene is fortunate to have you as her "Friend".

I am usually full of "words" to say, but I'll just say: May God bless both you and Marlene and keep you in the "hollow of His hand". [John 10:27-29]

Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

[peopleoftheway]

I will second what Brother George advised Sister Jassy about Brother Forrest, wholeheartedly!
He has also been a great blessing to me since joining this forum and I truly Love him in the Lord, I would also purchase the Book when it is finished for I am positive that it will encourage me to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and on him alone, Brother George is correct in the midst of all the arguments and bickering there lies a body of posts by Brother Forrest that have passed by with little comment and let me tell you all here and now, if they were gleaned over once more, many would be humbled and abased and the Lord magnified.
For they truly cut through the nonsense and get straight to the heart of the matter, The LORD JESUS CHRIST!


God Bless you Brother Forrest
You are in my prayers daily

Jassy George is also so right in the fact that we, who are relatively healthy have NOTHING to complain about when we hear encouraging and humbling testimony's like yours.

God Bless Sister

1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

[magicref]

Jassy,

When I first met my wife (she was around 22 years old), she was walking with a cane and had pain issues much like arthritis. However, all the tests came back negative, and a few doctors began to wonder if it was psychosomatic. However, her mother discovered a nutrition book that cautioned about grapes, and it said that if you are allergic to aspirin, you may also be affected by grapes, because they both contain a natural substance called salicylates. To make a long story short, she cut out all foods that contain high levels of salicylates, and her pains have become very manageable and she no longer needs a cane.

At 40, it is getting a bit worse again for her, and there is now some evidence of arthritis (some doctors feel the constant salicylate reactions may be bringing on the arthritis, but no one knows for sure), so we don't know what the future holds.

I only bring this up because she, too, had had to deal with pain on almost a constant basis, though it sounds like at a much lower level than you have had to deal with.

We know that this world is temporary for us, and one day you will have a new body in Glory, so that is certainly something to look forward to.

The issue of surgery is a difficult one, and one I think has to be decided between you and the Lord. For the one sister of Marlene that you mentioned who refused surgery, that might have been exactly the right decision for her, even though it is always difficult for loved ones to witness. For the others who elected surgery, there too, it may have been right for them to choose what they chose. I think we each need to take our prayers to the Lord, and let Him direct our paths. We go through questions like: am I electing surgery because I don't trust the Lord? or the opposite: did the Lord bring this possibility of surgery to my attention because He wants me to use it? It sounds like you have found a good surgeon, so that is certainly a plus! <grin>

Also, it is good that your friend has you to come to for advice, as getting good Spiritual advice is harder and harder these days.

My family will add you and Marlene to our prayer list.

Because of Him,

Doug A.