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The Final Days of Tammy Faye

posted by Kris Rasmussen | 1:19pm Tuesday May 15, 2007

The ex-wife of televangelist Jim Bakker, Tammy Faye Messner, has made a name for herself over the years since the scandal collapse of Bakker’s PTL Club for her over-the-top make-up and personality that appealed, for inexplicable reasons, to both certain branches of Southern fundamentalists as well as portions of the gay community. But in the last few years, it has been her ongoing battle with cancer that has lead to numerous appearances on “Larry King Live” and other talk shows. Her deteriorating condition was even documented on her son Jay’s reality TV show “One Punk Under God.”

This week, Tammy Faye announced on her website that she weighs a mere 60 pounds and can hardly swallow. Because of these and other factors, she and her doctors have decided to stop treatment and let the inevitable happen naturally. The tone of her fan letter is almost unnaturally cheery and optimistic, and, unfortunately, whatever final inspiration she tries to impart these days will still be marred–at least in some people’s eyes–by scandals of the past.

However, as someone who remembers the Bakker’s heyday all too well and still cringes over the enormous damage that was done, I have to say, Messner’s brave battle reminds that the gift of grace should be extended to those we might judge to deserve it the least.



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Comments read comments(3)
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Sherri MacMurray

posted May 16, 2007 at 7:29 pm


I think you are 100% correct. It brings to mind that everyone on earth maybe needs to read MATTHEW 7 verse 1.



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Jackie Tulli

posted May 17, 2007 at 7:19 pm


Tammy Faye is very brave in her last days to share so much with her fans. I`m reminded of that verse in the bible about those who would judge her “There`s none righteous, no not one”!! And for her “Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints”. God be with her, when she passes thru the valley of shadows, & is brought into glory where her body will no longer be ravished with cancer. Go with God, Tammy Faye……



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Rose

posted May 18, 2007 at 7:57 am


Our Dear Lord in heaven is the only who can judge her. She is a gracious lady and May God Bless her and her family.



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