Post by Les Brewer on Jul 19, 2014 15:31:47 GMT
The other day we had a lovely, unexpected visit of two wonderful Christians who were going around sharing the Gospel of Jesus and they gave me a tract that shared a wonderful, touching story that I felt that needed to be shared.... Here it is.
I have a friend........
Born on 4th August 1996, David Johnstone was a healthy, active, outgoing boy who loved sport, especially football, playing for the local football team, Clevedon Town, for five years. Football was his great passion in life; his favourite team was Arsenal. He loved being with people, was a friend to many; very popular, sociable and eager to please. He was always active, both in and out of school. He loved going to Church with his parents, and sister Hannah.
A special birthday
2005 found the Johnstone family in St. Ives, Cornwall, supporting United Beach Missions!. For 25 years, as well as organising games and fun activities, Beach Teams have told Bible stories, sung songs, helped children and families learn about Jesus and understand how He can become their Friend and Saviour. David had heard people say they didn't remember when they actually became a Christian, so his young mind thought that he would his trust in Christ on his eighth birthday, then he wouldn't forget! He asked Jesus to forgive him, and live in his life as his Lord and Saviour.
A headache
In September 2006 David complained of a headache. His parents thought it was probably due to lack of sleep but it continued to trouble him. He felt unwell and later started vomiting.
His condition continued to deteriorate. Everything pointed to a typical viral infection but he became increasingly confused, drifting in and out of consciousness. Further test at a Neurological Hospital in Bristol followed and a tumour in the brain was diagnosed, necessitating emergency surgery. Intensive chemotherapy reduced the size of the tumour but he needed 7 hours of surgery to remove it. His parents, Andrew and Jane, thought his life was in danger. David him self was very frightened, thinking it was the last time he'd ever see his home and friends. The surgery was successful and after the operation he could not stop talking, telling everyone how God had brought him through.
However during radiotherapy to his head and just after surgery, further cancerous cells were detected on his spine. In the months that followed David experienced traumatic radio and chemotherapy which helped to control the disease, but stray cells still remained. In August 2007 the consultants decided on a course of very high dose chemotherapy involving stem cell replacement and a months stay in isolation unit, taking him to the brink of death and back.
It was thought that the treatment had been successful and the disease appeared in remission; David was regaining his health and strength. Sadly, within three days of being given the 'all clear' it became evident that stray cells were again apparent and by Christmas, tumours had returned in his brain and spine.
In need of a friend.......
During this time. David had been thinking very deeply. Everything that had seemed important to him had been taken away. Even football had lost its significance. He knew that God had helped him but began to wonder why God had allowed him to become ill in the first place. He needed to make sure he was in a right relationship with God and asked lots of questions trying to think things through. Hours of discussions took place with friends and family. He went through three months of turmoil until he came to have absolute assurance that he was God's child, and had been forgiven all the wrong in his young life. He wanted to know he was going to heaven when he died. His mother wrote out a verse from the Bible for him, “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” David reminded himself of that promise many times. A moment came when he realised he could do nothing to make him self right with God and trusted Jesus to forgive him and live in his live. He was sure he was definitely a Christian, knowing he would never go to hell, but to heaven. Jesus had paid for his sins on the cross and welcomed David as a friend. He understood the Bible teaching that heaven is not a reward but a gift to all who ask the Lord Jesus for forgiveness and want to follow Him.
David said that even though he loved his family, friends and football, it was more important to him that everything was settled between him and God than that he was healed of cancer.
Through his illness David realised he had definitely become a real Christian. The simple trust that began as a child had matured to become deep and confident faith, though he was only eleven.
“Am I going to die?”
On Friday 28th December 2007, after an MRI scan the family met with a consultant who said they were loosing the battle as the cancer was becoming increasingly aggressive. His body had taken a battering over 15 months.
“Am I going to die?” David asked.
The consultant replied, “Yes, I think you are”
David looking at him, said, “Do you know I have a Friend and His name is Jesus and he died for my sin. I know I am going to Heaven.”
The consultant put his hand on David's head saying “You know David, you are a very brave boy. I'm a Christian too. God will help you, Jesus has died and come back to life. He will take you to heaven and will also help your Dad.” The nurse sitting there just cried/
David wanted his friends to know about Jesus. At church on the last Sunday of 2007, after a special time of testimonies to God's goodness throughout the year, David stood up to say “I want to thank you all for your support and prayers for me and my family”
Friends Re-united
Early in 2008 a 'Dream Ticket Treat' was arranged for David by the Starlight Trust which fulfils dreams for seriously & terminally ill children. He went to London with his family (Andrew, Jane and sister Hannah) to complete His Starlight wish and see Joseph at the Adelphi Theatre as well as going on a two-hour tour of the city in a stretched limo. In his last few weeks he managed to pack in much else besides, including going with his cousins to see Arsenal play, various friend re-unions, a visit to the BBC Casualty film set in Bristol and a church holiday in Wales for five days during half term. For David, friends and family were always the most important part of his life.
The children's charity CLICK Sargent was extremely caring to David and his family. At the end of February, he was admitted to the Children's Hospice South West, Charlton Farm where he died peacefully early on the 7th March. Now he's with his greatest Friend and free from suffering for ever. The Bible says of heaven, “God Himself will be with them.... and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.”
Jesus can be your friend too and if you would like to become a Christian today please follow this LINK which will help you make the best choice you will ever make...........
I have a friend........
Born on 4th August 1996, David Johnstone was a healthy, active, outgoing boy who loved sport, especially football, playing for the local football team, Clevedon Town, for five years. Football was his great passion in life; his favourite team was Arsenal. He loved being with people, was a friend to many; very popular, sociable and eager to please. He was always active, both in and out of school. He loved going to Church with his parents, and sister Hannah.
A special birthday
2005 found the Johnstone family in St. Ives, Cornwall, supporting United Beach Missions!. For 25 years, as well as organising games and fun activities, Beach Teams have told Bible stories, sung songs, helped children and families learn about Jesus and understand how He can become their Friend and Saviour. David had heard people say they didn't remember when they actually became a Christian, so his young mind thought that he would his trust in Christ on his eighth birthday, then he wouldn't forget! He asked Jesus to forgive him, and live in his life as his Lord and Saviour.
A headache
In September 2006 David complained of a headache. His parents thought it was probably due to lack of sleep but it continued to trouble him. He felt unwell and later started vomiting.
His condition continued to deteriorate. Everything pointed to a typical viral infection but he became increasingly confused, drifting in and out of consciousness. Further test at a Neurological Hospital in Bristol followed and a tumour in the brain was diagnosed, necessitating emergency surgery. Intensive chemotherapy reduced the size of the tumour but he needed 7 hours of surgery to remove it. His parents, Andrew and Jane, thought his life was in danger. David him self was very frightened, thinking it was the last time he'd ever see his home and friends. The surgery was successful and after the operation he could not stop talking, telling everyone how God had brought him through.
However during radiotherapy to his head and just after surgery, further cancerous cells were detected on his spine. In the months that followed David experienced traumatic radio and chemotherapy which helped to control the disease, but stray cells still remained. In August 2007 the consultants decided on a course of very high dose chemotherapy involving stem cell replacement and a months stay in isolation unit, taking him to the brink of death and back.
It was thought that the treatment had been successful and the disease appeared in remission; David was regaining his health and strength. Sadly, within three days of being given the 'all clear' it became evident that stray cells were again apparent and by Christmas, tumours had returned in his brain and spine.
In need of a friend.......
During this time. David had been thinking very deeply. Everything that had seemed important to him had been taken away. Even football had lost its significance. He knew that God had helped him but began to wonder why God had allowed him to become ill in the first place. He needed to make sure he was in a right relationship with God and asked lots of questions trying to think things through. Hours of discussions took place with friends and family. He went through three months of turmoil until he came to have absolute assurance that he was God's child, and had been forgiven all the wrong in his young life. He wanted to know he was going to heaven when he died. His mother wrote out a verse from the Bible for him, “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” David reminded himself of that promise many times. A moment came when he realised he could do nothing to make him self right with God and trusted Jesus to forgive him and live in his live. He was sure he was definitely a Christian, knowing he would never go to hell, but to heaven. Jesus had paid for his sins on the cross and welcomed David as a friend. He understood the Bible teaching that heaven is not a reward but a gift to all who ask the Lord Jesus for forgiveness and want to follow Him.
David said that even though he loved his family, friends and football, it was more important to him that everything was settled between him and God than that he was healed of cancer.
Through his illness David realised he had definitely become a real Christian. The simple trust that began as a child had matured to become deep and confident faith, though he was only eleven.
“Am I going to die?”
On Friday 28th December 2007, after an MRI scan the family met with a consultant who said they were loosing the battle as the cancer was becoming increasingly aggressive. His body had taken a battering over 15 months.
“Am I going to die?” David asked.
The consultant replied, “Yes, I think you are”
David looking at him, said, “Do you know I have a Friend and His name is Jesus and he died for my sin. I know I am going to Heaven.”
The consultant put his hand on David's head saying “You know David, you are a very brave boy. I'm a Christian too. God will help you, Jesus has died and come back to life. He will take you to heaven and will also help your Dad.” The nurse sitting there just cried/
David wanted his friends to know about Jesus. At church on the last Sunday of 2007, after a special time of testimonies to God's goodness throughout the year, David stood up to say “I want to thank you all for your support and prayers for me and my family”
Friends Re-united
Early in 2008 a 'Dream Ticket Treat' was arranged for David by the Starlight Trust which fulfils dreams for seriously & terminally ill children. He went to London with his family (Andrew, Jane and sister Hannah) to complete His Starlight wish and see Joseph at the Adelphi Theatre as well as going on a two-hour tour of the city in a stretched limo. In his last few weeks he managed to pack in much else besides, including going with his cousins to see Arsenal play, various friend re-unions, a visit to the BBC Casualty film set in Bristol and a church holiday in Wales for five days during half term. For David, friends and family were always the most important part of his life.
The children's charity CLICK Sargent was extremely caring to David and his family. At the end of February, he was admitted to the Children's Hospice South West, Charlton Farm where he died peacefully early on the 7th March. Now he's with his greatest Friend and free from suffering for ever. The Bible says of heaven, “God Himself will be with them.... and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.”
Jesus can be your friend too and if you would like to become a Christian today please follow this LINK which will help you make the best choice you will ever make...........
