Just wanted to thank all of those who prayed for Renee' and myself during this surgery of mine, a double lung transplant at the University of Virginia Medical Center. I can't express how much the prayers and thoughts have meant to us. I have tried to do a brief summation of my experience. The main point of this message can be found in 2 Corinthians 12:9,10, where the Apostle Paul comes to an understanding that his weakness is really a time of strength, because that's when he has to rely on Christ's strength, and in those times he begins to realize that God's Grace is made perfect in weakness.

For those who aren’t aware of my illness, I’ll give a brief description. I was born with a lung disease called Cystic Fibrosis. I was diagnosed at the age of three, and my parents were given the “exciting news” that my life expectancy at that time was only about ten years old. In the early seventies, given the lack of knowledge of the disease and primitive treatments at the time, that life expectancy was certainly no surprise. Well, that’s been thirty-three years ago now. Growing up over the years CF wasn’t that much of a deficiency in my life. It’s only been in the last few years that I haven’t been able to work, and the last year that my health took a dramatic downhill turn for the worse.

It's been a seemingly long but short journey all at the same time. Hard to believe all of this has taken place in a little nine months now. Going from an oxygen saturation rate, without Oxygen of around 80% average, to 100% average rate constant is mind blowing to me. From barely being able to walk up a few steps with continuous oxygen on, to now walking for miles, bicycling, and continuing to Bow-Flex without getting out of breath is truly a blessing from God. There is still a lot of healing to do, and I'm not out of the woods yet as far as rejection goes, but things are looking extremely hopeful for the first time in many years of this illness. I have a great deal of side effects from the immuno-suppressants that I take. Such as insulin dependent Diabetes and Lymphedema in my feet and lower legs, and ....oh yeah, I still have CF which affects my digestive system still, just not the lungs. I am currently taking over 30 pills daily,and the cost of my medications are over 4 thousand dollars a month.

I accepted Jesus as my Savior at an early age, probably around the age of twelve. I have always known God’s presence and love in my life. But it’s really been over the last few years, when my illness worsened that I have truly relied on Christ, and have come to the knowledge that I am accepted by Him, not because what I can do for Him, but what He has done for me. I am beginning to learn that He hasn’t only saved me to rescue me from the Hell I deserved as a lost man, but He saved me to love and show me He can be counted on not only for this life, but for Eternity.

It's amazing what you can learn while going through illness and suffering. For the first time in my life I believe that the Lord is possibly leading me to share my testimony and experiences with not only my illness and weakness, but also of how God has been faithful to me through all of these trials and tribulations. I'd like to share with others that weaknesses don't have to be despairing times! You're not necessarily in a bad place when trials come. From losing my Dad Christmas Eve 2003, to this operation, these trials can actually be the most comforting and reassuring times of our lives. All you have in those crucial times is your reliance on Christ. Because when we are weak, we are really strong, because it's not our strength, but His. His grace is sufficient to make us realize that in "all things," they will work together for our good if we know and rest in Him. (Romans 8:28) People seem to be amazed at my recovery so far and the experiences and operation that I have went through. I kind of think God is preparing this avenue of opportunity for me, to tell of His awesome provision and peace, that only He offers in this life of ours. Already some doors are opening for me to share this message.

You know, driving to the hospital I had almost two hours to think about my life, and how this life of ours is really a brief amount of time. I thought about how we could live to be 70, 80, or 90 years old, but in comparison to Eternity it's not even a flicker. Life goes by so fast. It's not a matter of "if" we're going to die but "when." Physical death is gonna claim us all. As I was getting closer to the hospital I discussed with Renee' that this "Jesus" of ours is either imaginary or He's real. If He's imaginary then this life and hope of ours is essentially useless, void, and without meaning. But if He is real then He's worthy of our trust, reliance, and worship. (John 14:6) Once again before getting to the hospital, we put our trust, reliance, worship, and our everything into His loving hands, And you know what? He didn't disappoint. He was faithful! Jesus carried me to that operating table that day. He gave the surgeons the wisdom and stamina to perform a 10 hour operation on me. He filled me with His Peace. Did I still have some anxious and nervous thoughts? Yeah, sure I did. But they were replaced quickly by my Eternal Dad's strong and loving hands. He is right here in me today, helping me recover and grow stronger. (Colossians 1:27) He will carry me through today, tomorrow, and through Eternity as well. Yes, physical death will claim each and every one of us, but Spiritual Death has no claim on us if we have put our faith in the One who is, Eternal Life. As Believers we can "know," not "think so," but "know" that we have Eternal Life in Him. (1 John 5:9-13) (Hebrews 13:5)

I am learning that God isn't necessarily as concerned with changing our circumstances, as He is with changing how we respond to those circumstances. (Philippians 4:11-13) In this fallen world we will have troubles. It's just a matter of, are we going to trust and rest in Christ in the midst of those circumstances, or aren't we? I am still learning and will continue to learn this lesson as long as I wear this Earth suit of mine. (2 Corinthians 5:1-7) He'll complete the work that He's begun in me, not me thank God! (Philippians 1:6) (1 Thessalonians 5:24) There are "so many areas" in my life that it doesn't seem I have even begun to trust Him. So many areas where I let my flesh rule every single day. (Romans 7:15-20) Yeah, I am thankful that He will complete what He's begun in me and in my insufficiency I don't have to. I am thankful that I stand in His Righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Totally accepted. (Romans 15:7) Totally forgiven of all my sins and remembered no more by God. (Colossians 2:13,14) (Hebrews 10:17,18) (Ephesians 4:32) (Colossians 3:12,13) (1 Peter 3:18) (Acts 10:43) (1 John 2:12) Freed from the Law and able to serve in the "New way of the Spirit." (Romans 7:4-6) (Titus 2:11) (Galatians 3:19-25) (Romans 10:3,4)(Galatians 5:18) (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) (Romans 6:14,15) I have been made a "Saint." (Ephesians 1:1) (Romans 1:7) (1 Corinthians 1:2) Made Holy. (Hebrews 10:10) (Colossians 1:22) Sanctified. (1 Corinthians 6:11) (1 Corinthians 1:2) (Romans 15:16) I have direct access to the throne of Grace through Christ. (Hebrews 4:14-16) I can call Him Dad! (Galatians 4:6) (Romans 8:15) I am free from any condemnation or judgment from God. (Romans 8:1,2) I am a minister of a New Covenant of Grace, and not of the Law that brings Death. ( 2 Corinthians 3:6-11) (Hebrews 7:18,19) (Hebrews 8:13) I have been given everything I will ever need for life and Godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) I am just beginning to understand the Sabbath Rest that is available to us as Believers, where we can rest from our works and rest in Him. (Hebrews 4:9-11) Letting Christ animate our lives. (Philippians 2:13) I am again, just realizing these truths in how God sees us as Believers, not because we have done anything to deserve this, but simply because we have believed on the One God has sent and now God sees the righteousness of Christ when He sees us. (John 16:8,9)(John 6:28,29)(2 Corinthians 5:21) This surgery is just solidifying these and many more truths of my "Identity in Christ" to me.

My hope and prayer is that these truths of how God sees us, the Body of Christ, will lift you up as well. The Scripture says that as we begin to understand the height, depth, and length of the Love that God has for us, we will be filled or controlled by the Love and Fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-19) And I hope that this story will help you to "rest" in Him and not look at our insufficiency or circumstances, but in His sufficiency. We all go through difficult circumstances, what peace to know that we can be carried through. Again, thank you guys for praying, thinking, and lifting us up. It means more than you can know. I keep getting “weaker” everyday.

Keep "boasting in your weakness!" (2 Corinthians 12:9,10)

Sincerely,
Tony '04