Shirley’s Testimony “A New beginning"
by Shirley ThomasThis is my Story, “A True Story” of how God’s light rose in me and I saw His Light through my eyes!
I got “Saved” in 1983 in Erie, Pennsylvania, after moving away from a lifestyle of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes. From 1975-1979, I had been living an out-of-control life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was in a relationship that was a bad choice and with people that were not good for me. I was strong enough to leave the bad relationship and the people. I was able to quit doing those things that were negatively affecting my life. Knowing that was not my life, I moved. Wanting to fully change my life, I just “stopped” doing the drugs, drinking, and smoking; I guess I would say, I did it “cold turkey”. I wanted a change in my lifestyle. I was determined to keep it that way, but I also knew, I needed God to help me. I joined Shiloh Baptist Church in Erie. I had been in church in Milwaukee, but I was not living the lifestyle of what God wanted me to live!! I wanted to start fresh and become closer to God My Father. Translated I involved myself more at the church. I became part of the Ministry of Helps, the Youth Ministry, the Gospel Choir and the Trustee Ministry at Shiloh. I really wanted to serve God now with my life, for myself and my children. I came to know God Almighty was my true Salvation (Deliverance). He had freed me from the very power of Darkness. I was now delivered from (free of) drugs, drinking, and smoking in my life. I had come to know the God I could trust, depend on, count on. Now, I didn’t have to be afraid of life, for the Lord God was my strength. He had strengthened me, and He has become my “Salvation.” He is my deliverance from all the wrong in my life. I have been translated into the Kingdom of Light, Life, and Love. For in the Father’s Kingdom, there is no darkness (unhappiness) at all. I now know “I am In the Kingdom, and The Kingdom is in me” Transitioned After my Father passed, and went to be with the Lord, in March 2000, the Lord led me to move back to my home6town and state---Columbia, South Carolina. It was to help my mother who lived in Ridge Spring, South Carolina. It was to be closer to where she was, to help her out with things. After being back home for a few years, I moved back home with my Mom, with my children. I was attending church with her. The same church I had grown up in my childhood. One of my older brothers and his wife were also members. I wasn’t involved in the church, but I continue attending with my family. After living around my mother and family, my mother also went home to be with the Lord in September 2003. This was an extremely hard and emotional time for me, my siblings and the family. Transformed While in church, Sunday morning, January 11, 2004, sitting there, something amazing happened to me that I shall never forget. Near the end of the service, as always, the minister stated to the church congregation, “The doors are open to the Church.” It was the invitation to anyone who wants to accept the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior. |
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I was just sitting there, wanting to get up and go to the front of the church, but I didn’t move. Suddenly, I found myself moved up and out from where I was sitting. I was in the aisle, and then from the aisle to the front of the church, not even knowing how I got there!
But there I was standing alone with the minister. I told him I wanted to “Recommit” myself unto my Father God and the Lord Jesus, to start serving Him again in the church. He ministered to me the salvation of the Lord---the receiving of Jesus as my “Lord and Savior”, and His Deliverance in my life!
I accepted the Lord, again, that day. I stood there crying on the inside and outside. A strong up-lifting, warmth of comfort came over me, and I cried even more. The Lord’s passion of his love covered me. I was facing the congregation. As I looked out over the people, my attention was drawn to the back of the church. I could see my mother, my father, and my brother --- Cooter, who had all gone home to be with the “Lord”, all standing there and smiling at me.
I thought to myself, “Wow”, this is simply amazing to see. And then also, I saw an image, my younger brother Wyman (still of the living) was sitting on the back pew of the church but was not there physically. He was just smiling at me also. Oh, how God was revealing things to me. These visions that I saw blessed my life and blessed my faith. They were assurance of who I was---the Father’s child, God Almighty! Now I am serving not only my God, but my Father, who art In Heaven.
Amen!
But there I was standing alone with the minister. I told him I wanted to “Recommit” myself unto my Father God and the Lord Jesus, to start serving Him again in the church. He ministered to me the salvation of the Lord---the receiving of Jesus as my “Lord and Savior”, and His Deliverance in my life!
I accepted the Lord, again, that day. I stood there crying on the inside and outside. A strong up-lifting, warmth of comfort came over me, and I cried even more. The Lord’s passion of his love covered me. I was facing the congregation. As I looked out over the people, my attention was drawn to the back of the church. I could see my mother, my father, and my brother --- Cooter, who had all gone home to be with the “Lord”, all standing there and smiling at me.
I thought to myself, “Wow”, this is simply amazing to see. And then also, I saw an image, my younger brother Wyman (still of the living) was sitting on the back pew of the church but was not there physically. He was just smiling at me also. Oh, how God was revealing things to me. These visions that I saw blessed my life and blessed my faith. They were assurance of who I was---the Father’s child, God Almighty! Now I am serving not only my God, but my Father, who art In Heaven.
Amen!