@$:[AT]bylinerg:By René Hill[AT]bodyindent:Discovering that she had breast cancer after a routine mammogram inspired Sheila Ming Burgess to write her new book."Fashioned for Reigning Healing and Encouraging Scriptures" is a book that is not gender based, she explained."This book is not for women only, but for men as well," she said."Sickness has no gender."She received her devastating news just over three years ago. "I was told I had breast cancer after a mammogram in July, 2004," she explained."An abnormality was found during that mammogram indicating that I was in the very early stages of the disease."After hearing that her mammogram was abnormal, and that she would have to have a biopsy, she decided to still attend her church's first-ever Believers Conference Cruise."My husband Bernard (Burgess) and I went on the cruise, determined to enjoy ourselves, while trusting in the Lord, though the thought of the biopsy was in our minds more often than not,"she remembered. "Prior to leaving on the cruise, we went through the Bible and found several healing scriptures, I typed them out and made copies, and these we tucked into our Bibles, which we took with us."She added that during the entire cruise they read scriptures, which reminded them of God's word and promises.During this process, she was very frightened and concerned about her health and her future prospects."Being told you have cancer is quite unnerving," said Mrs. Ming Burgess."I also knew that in order to get through this I had to stay positive and focused, which isn't always an easy task. "But by drawing on my faith in God, relying on his promises to us in his word and with the support of my family and friends, it gave me the strength I needed to persevere."On September 26, 2004, she had a mastectomy of her right breast."This was my second bout with cancer."But she and her husband Bernie looked to the Bible for the keys to survival."By reading the scriptures, it gave us reassurance, comfort and peace, knowing that the lord was the only one who would bring us through this," she recalled."Having experienced cancer before, I knew this was another major challenge I had to conquer."But facing chemotherapy is no walk in the park, and as she put it "chemo is never pleasant for anyone"."You do what you have to do!" she said, "and be determined that you will survive."Losing my hair was another hurdle to get over, you adjust and deal with it along with the other changes taking place in your body due to the affects of the chemo."She and her husband visit the hospital on a regular basis to bring cheer and joy to those who are afflicted. "We often chat and pray with some of the patients," she says."But during these visits I realised that some were unaware of the comfort to be found in the Bible and this was the inspiration for writing the book."I have now donated several copies of the book to the Hospital and Agape House."Mrs. Ming Burgess said that when people are facing hardships, whether it is their health, financial, emotional or otherwise, they often ask or feel disappointed in God. "So what do you do when you feel disappointed in God?" she throws the question out."Or when you have prayed and you feel that your prayers haven't been answered?" Answering her own questions, she said: "Know that .... he is the only one who will save you, the only one who will heal you."In the book, which was launched on September 16 at the Radnor Road Christian Fellowship, by Bishop Neville and Pastor Loretta Smith, you will find all sorts of healing verses."The Book contains a vast variety of scriptures to suit many situations," she explained."When you don't know how to pray or where to find a scripture to meet your needs, you will find it in this book. "This book is an excellent resource, but in no way does it replace the use of the Bible."Since its publication, she has Since its publication, she has been approached by many who have said how they were encouraged and that they need another for a family member or friend who is facing a difficult time."The book has already touched and encouraged many in a positive way, in such a short space of time," she said of the past month."This inspires me, and lets me know that it is needed for such a time as this."The book, $15, is available for purchase at the following stores: Radnor Road Church Book Store, Shelly Bay, The Christian Bookstore, Washington Mall, Upper level, Brown & Co., Reid Street, Hamilton, Peoples Pharmacy, Victoria Street, Hamilton, Robertson's Drug Store, St. Georges and Caesar's Pharmacy, Somerset.