Hi, Im Tony Rimmer and I was born in March 1956 to a housewife and a hospital driver. Being premature by six weeks, I had problems healthwise. By the time I was seven we had discovered I was partially deaf and also shortsighted. The kids at school used to tease me because I couldn't hear (an echo of later life to come), and because I wore glasses. So schooling wasn't too good.

During my early working years, I drank hard, played hard and for a time had no time for God. I smoked from the age of sixteen and by the age of 24 I had a heart attack and was rushed to Lancaster Royal Infirmary where I died and actually saw my body from the corner of the room, by the door. I felt for the first time in my life, total peace. I was a Christian by then, but a very young one still learning, still smoking. The nursing staff brought me back from death and I recounted every word she had said to me. It was a weird experience.

My conversion to Christianity came about in 1978 when I had more problems with my health. I had a mental breakdown. I was out of work and just made a stupid mistake and a cry for help. I broke the law which I am not proud of, but I can see the events looking back as the only way forward for God to reach me. After my arrest, my arresting officer said to me in the cells, "Do you want to be Free?" to which I replied "Unlock the door and I will be free." Way wrong answer. His answer to me was "Read John 3 verses 1 to 17 then act on it." Of course I ignored this and went out on bail. I was re-arrested two days later and sent to a cell to await trial three days later. In those three days I went from 9st 9lbs to 6st 2lbs. I was a wreck. I was asked if I wanted to go voluntarily into a hospital. I agreed. It was better than being committed.

In the hospital, I met a young lady in Occupational Therapy. She sat beside me and we said a quick hello. Then she started humming a lively tune, it sounded hymn-like so I asked her why she was happy. "I've got Jesus in me," she smiled. Yep. I thought well, we're all a bit nuts in here but give it a go. "Tell me more about this Jesus bloke then." When she finished I was in tears, just wanting what she had. She handed me her New Testament bible and said "Find a quiet spot and read John 3 verses 1 to 17 then act on it." I got to thinking God was telling me something. Right there in my dorm, I gave my life to Christ. My weight ballooned from that moment from a pathetic 6st to a massive 17st 10lb. I have slimmed somewhat since then to 14st but can't get past the 13st 10lb barrier.

As you heard earlier, I still had problems with my health because of smoking and my pastor tried everything to stop me. Anyway, after the heart attack in 1980 I came home one night and threw my ciggies and lighter and ashtray out of the back door screaming to God to help me. I have not had a cigarette since. And I was smoking 70-80 a day.

I praise God for my Salvation. I am so excited about the future. I have so much to live for now that Christ is in my life.

With God on my side, who can be against me? Every ignoramous who does not understand a disability that's who!

I started work in the Civil Service, in November 1987. Every day since the start of my employment there was some kind of constant reminder of my schooldays. I was laughed at because I couldn't hear properly. I was laughed at because I was a bit slow. I was laughed at because I believed in Jesus Christ and didn't smoke, nor drink, nor swear etc. I was the odd one out. The bullying got worse over the years, and I admit I let myself and the Lord down by swearing and losing my temper. I even hit one person who was six foot six (I am five eight) because he was bullying me. He then used threatening phone calls. Work was tough. I hated it. Although I loved the weekends when I could retreat to church or to the countryside for peace and tranquility.

The Lord saw me through those thirteen years, but with a cost to my health. In 1990, I met a lovely girl at church called Lynn. She was to become my beautiful wife. I was lonely, and had stopped looking for a girlfriend resigning myself to a single life (I was 34). I decided I was going to devote my energy to God. That's when God found me a wife! We had been going out about 11 months when I discovered I had Diabetes. I gave her the opportunity to walk away then. She chose to stay (awwwwww). We married in 1995 on January 7th.

Having diabetes changed my life. It was a new style of life I had never encountered before. I was also diagnosed as having Hypertension. Later, I developed Asthma, but coming through that I was still smiling and still trusting God. To cap everything, due to the pressure at work, I had a Stroke. So, I walk now with a stick, but have my speech back and grip. Having poor health has not put me off making the most of my life. I have Diabetic Neuropathy which attacks the nerve endings and gives me pain in my legs and feet thus hampering walking. I have been given a Mobility Car praise God! I can still get out and visit old people doing safety checks on their homes for a charity. I also witness to them about God's Grace. GOD IS GOOD!

In October 1980 I didn't think I would make it to now. I had a motorcycle accident in which I broke my neck at #1 vertabrae, dislocated between #5 & #6, broke three ribs, punctured my liver, damaged my right kidney, damaged my right wrist, damaged my right thumb. I was bleeding badly from the liver. The doctors patched me up as good as they could but told mum to go home and make funeral arrangements. She phoned my local pastor. He came and laid hands on me. I felt no pain, just felt complete peace. I actually managed to sleep. The next morning, the doctor came round and because I am deaf I can lipread. Reading the doctor's lips I was shocked and stunned. "He should be dead. He's still alive. Get onto X-Ray i want some more done today."

They X-rays where done and three weeks later I was playing snooker in a wheelchair. The doctor asked me to go for X-rays. I had to do this three times because of "errors". On the third time there where seven doctors stood round watching my X-rays being done. I could move my legs, and could feel from the waist down. They said I would never walk again. The consultant (a devout muslim) called me in.

"You have healed yourself!" was his exclaimation. I replied, "Sorry, I didn't but Jesus did". His face dropped. "Whatever", he muttered. The X-rays they did on the second day showed that the ribs had moved to their "normal" position and were knitting. There was no sign of any puncture wound on the liver, no sign of any bleeding, or any previous bleed. My neck vertabrae #1 had healed, as had #5&#6. "You can go home when you have built up your leg muscles and can walk. I was discharged just six days later. GOD IS GOOD! HALLELUJAH!

Twelve months later, I saw the consultant who still carries round my X-rays to this day, and said hello to him. He said "Hello. How's your Jesus?" I said "fine, how's yours?". The man looked at me and dropped his bottle of wine. "My Jesus is fine too. He my best friend." GOD IS GOOD!

I am still at the church where I met my wife. God is really moving there, people are being moved and empowered by God. I have been challenged recently (May/June 2003) to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All I can do is praise His Name. If Jesus Christ laid down His life on Calvary for me, a pathetic broken little creature, then the least I can give Him is my life. But that's not all, HE DID IT FOR YOU. It wasn't the nails that held him to that Cross, it was His divine love for YOU!

If you don't know Jesus Christ as your saviour, ask Him into your life right now. Tell Him you are sorry for leaving Him out of your life and ask Him to come into your life right now. May God bless you. Amen.