I Choose Everything: Embracing life in the face of terminal illness

by Jozanne Moss, Michael Wenham

Overview

Jozanne Moss and Michael Wenham have only met by email. Both are dying of Motor Neurone Disease. Both are married to remarkable people who support and care for them. Through Jozanne's story they address the myth that pain and suffering are sent by dark powers, and that God is only responsible for the good bits. Michael explains: 'We receive from God everything, both light and shade, praising Him in every circumstance, seeing all of life as His gift from beginning to end.' Michael bases the book around Jozanne's story, telling it in her words and with his commentary. This allows him to address big questions such as 'Why does a good God, if there is one, allow all this pain in his world?' Michael comments: 'God has brought us together with the same illness and the same goal: to encourage and inspire others with the life God has purposed for us.' Their story is sombre yet wonderfully uplifting, made radiant by the faith of the two authors.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857210128
Publisher:	Lion Hudson
Publication date:	07/23/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.12(w) x 7.75(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jozanne Moss is the wife of Dave and mother of Luke and Nicole. They live near Cape Town. Michael Wenham is married to Jane, and they have four adult children. They live near Oxford.

Michael Wenham trained as a teacher before hearing a call to full-time Christian ministry. For some years he was vicar of three village churches in the Vale of the White Horse, near Oxford. He suffers from Motor Neurone Disease and has now retired.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 7

Foreword 9

Chapter

1 Unanswered questions 11

2 I wish… (Jozanne's story) 16

3 Jozanne's diary 18

4 Healing (Jozanne's story) 57

5 The Kingdom, healing and faith 64

6 Surrender (Jozanne's story) 74

7 So where does sickness come from? 79

8 When it doesn't make sense 88

9 Communication (Jozanne's story) 94

10 Praying truthfully 99

11 Love at Jabbok 105

12 A mother's love (Jozanne's story 116

13 In the mirror (Jozanne's story) 121

14 Worship in the Wilderness 126

15 Just for laughs! (Jozanne's story) 133

16 Family and friends (Jozanne's story) 140

17 The power in weakness (Jozanne's story) 145

18 Give me Joy (Jozanne's story) 150

19 To him who overcomes (Jozanne's story) 155

20 Is there a shortcut? 159

21 Compassion costs 163

22 My life… my choice 168

23 The climb (Jozanne's story) 174

24 Henceforth 179

Epilogue: Pity me not 188

Appendix: Useful information 189

What People are Saying About This

Desmond Tutu

A story of two ordinary Christians in extraordinary circumstances. I am sure that you will be moved and inspired by their testimony. This book was written in order to encourage other people who are in the shadow of death and in the desert of loneliness. It says, 'You are not alone, whatever it feels like—because Christ has been there already, and he is there now.' Amen!

Editorial Reviews

Before they die, Moss and Wenham have something to say about living. Moss, a teacher in South Africa, and Wenham (My Donkey Body), an Anglican priest in England, suffer from motor neuron disease (known in the U.S. as ALS)—not a diagnosis but a death sentence, declares Moss. The authors met through the Internet, and some of Moss's blog posts about her degeneration are reprinted here. She concentrates on her family as well as her spiritual maturing, whereas Wenham focuses on biblical studies related to sickness-unto-death and/or healing. Some arguments are more focused than others; his exegesis of Job is his soundest. Her weakest essay is on humor; her strongest, on a mother's love. Her concern for her children's welfare exceeds worry about her death, for she knows she is going to heaven. The twain meet in unified messages about living with terminal illness and faith. Both stand firmly against suicide and for pain management. The dominant word is "choice," from "choose" in the title to their thesis: " embrace the whole of life whether we like it or not." (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"A story of two ordinary Christians in extraordinary circumstances. I am sure that you will be moved and inspired by their testimony. This book was written in order to encourage other people who are in the shadow of death and in the desert of loneliness. It says, ‘You are not alone, whatever it feels like—because Christ has been there already, and he is there now.’ Amen!"

Desmond Tutu

Two terminally ill Christians - one in England, one in South Africa - explore their experience of God's love

From the Publisher