TES:Praise the Mighty name of Jesus!!!  Testimony of Tim Watts

   Let me take this opportunity to share a little of my joy and peace
with you through my testimony. My name is Tim Watts, I am a 40 year old
retired Computer Scientist whose hobbies include model railroading and
being a concert pianist.

   I came to Jesus about 5 years ago just after I turned 35, and after
the most devastating occurrence in my life happened. The reason that I
am retired is I have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, I am a brittle
insulin dependent diabetic, a paraplegic (limited use of my legs), have
a hearing impairment and speech discrimination loss, plus a few other
things.

   I was diagnosed in Northern California, where I lived and operated
my own business at the time. The doctors recommended that I slow down
significantly, which I promptly ignored, continuing on in my greed for
money and power.

   My only experiences with God prior to this time was, I was raised a
Roman Catholic, and only ran to God when I was in VietNam, scared to
death. I came out of the service with 7 purple hearts, a Silver Star, a
Bronze Star, and promptly forgot all about God. Sometimes I made it to
Mass most of the time I didn't. I did not have any need for God then,
my business was successful, I made lots of money, enjoyed prestige,
belonged to the "right clubs" etc.

   About a year after I was diagnosed with having Lupus, I really
started to feel the symptoms of the disease; constantly tired,
polyarthritis in the knees. I started going into the hospital more and
more frequently. I "lost" my hearing about 7/8 years ago. My thoughts
at the time were "if I lose my hearing, then I won't be able t play
piano very well. I might as well take my life." I "found" God real
quickly then! Somehow, He gave me the strength to go on. To be able to
still play, maybe not as a Concert Pianist, but well enough. After I
discovered that I could still play, I promptly forgot God again, and
forgot the talent that He allowed me to keep. Shortly after, I
discovered that I had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both hands, which
required surgery. Hey, time to get scared and find God again-I could
lose the ability to properly play piano. When God led me through that
one, I promptly forgot Him and the talent He let me keep again.

   Finally about 5 years ago, I sat down and realized that my health
was rapidly deteriorating, many more things had gone wrong, I now have
lung problems, vision problems, diabetes from the medication I am
taking. It got to the point in 1985 that I had to quit working. Granted
I had a fairly substantial amount of money saved to live on while I
waited for Social Security....problem was, the money ran out before
Social Security came in. I didn't receive my first check until December
1986.

   At that point, with no money, no hope and no earthly place to turn,
I finally got it through my head to turn to God. Hadn't he gotten me
through the scary parts before? Sure enough, there He was waiting for
me to welcome Him into my heart, accept Him as my Lord and Saviour.
Even though I had turned my back on Him so many times before, He was
willing to come into my life again. I wondered how anyone could put up
with the kind of nonsense I had given Him. The minute I gave my heart
to Jesus, a great peace settled over me, and I knew that as long as I
had Jesus, there was NOTHING on the face of the earth that could get me
down and keep me down. Since that time, I have had 2 major heart
attacks, lung problems, I have to have chemotherapy IV every week and
by mouth every day, I have to take Prednisolone which made me an
insulin dependent diabetic, I have to wear a pump that pumps insulin
(480 units a day) into my veins 24 hours a day. I have to use a
synthetic morphine so that the pain doesn't get too bad, even though it
is bad, sometimes so bad that I cry. When I cry, I pray to Jesus to
comfort me...and there He is. He is better than any medication that I
have ever taken. His promises of strength is the only thing that keeps
me going on. I don't know why this pain and suffering happened to me,
but I know that there is a reason for it and as long as I have Jesus, I
can face anything.

   He has been with me through many trials and tribulations which I
could never have made without him. I am sure that there are more down
the road. But as long as I have Jesus I can face them.

   Pray for me.

   In Jesus' perfect love Tim Watts 
   2418 Hudson St. Baltimore, MD 21224-3637
