Thelma - A Miracle of Strength and Healing
My coming to Cornerstone two years ago opened the way for my becoming a born-again Christian. Coming to Cornerstone was made possible by my husband accidentally meeting two women from the church while riding a bus! He befriended them because they were Filipinos, and he gave them our phone number so they could call me because I was feeling depressed. I also later met Carmen and all three of the women invited me to come to the church.
I came just at a time when the Bible study group of Filipinos was being organized. I joined the group to know more about God, His will for me and His purpose for my life. I also learned about the most important gift that God wants to give me – His free gift of salvation. I surrendered my life to Jesus and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior.
I also learned about obedience as the key to loving God. Therefore I decided to be baptized to obey God’s command. The enemy, Satan, definitely was not happy with my decision, and he tried to hinder me from being baptized. One week before our water baptism, I accidentally fell. This caused pain in my shoulders that went down into my arms. The pain was so unbearable that I had to be brought to the hospital. Thank God I had no bone fractures on X-ray. The doctor scheduled me for an MRI two days after my water baptism.
In the meantime, getting dressed was my biggest problem because it was too difficult to move my arms and shoulders. I forced myself to dress for church because I did not want to miss my baptism. In church I told Pastor Jack of my painful arms and shoulders. He prayed and touched my shoulder and told me “the pain will be no more.” Then Pastor Jack and Pastor Ken instructed those of us who were to be baptized to change to our baptismal clothes. Pastor Jack told me to be the first in line to be baptized. As we were walking to the sanctuary, I remembered the pain I had before, and the pain was gone! God healed me! I had told my husband that after my baptism I would be healed. Thank you, Lord, it happened! I believe God wanted me to see that He is in control of my life all the time.
I was supposed to give my testimony, but I was unprepared because of my condition. I got more scared when I saw many people in the sanctuary, and I didn’t know what I would say. As I looked around, an amazing thing happened. I saw the word STRENGTH in bold letters on the right side wall at the back of the sanctuary. I readily felt the strength of the Lord and my body was infused with His strength. I began to speak and the Holy Spirit helped me, as I did not even know what I said. I was happy I was able to give my testimony, but puzzled as to how the word STRENGTH appeared on the wall. I asked if others saw it. They did not. After the service I went in to the sanctuary again to see if it was still there. It was not. That truly was God’s way of helping me, for Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Last November 2008, my husband had a stroke and he was in a coma for days. He never regained consciousness and finally passed away on December 10, 2008. I felt helpless and did not know what to do. I turned and prayed to the Lord for help. Again His provision of help came through my husband’s family, my church, and Pastors Jack and Ken. My husband’s family was so caring, making all the funeral arrangements; and the pastors stood by me until the burial of my James. Because I have Jesus in my heart now, I was able to assure my family in the
Psalm 46:5 assures me as it says, “God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her just at the break of dawn.” God is so faithful. He gave me the strength to overcome my grief and my fear of facing life alone. As shown in these incidents in my life, God never leaves us alone. We are always in God’s hands and he is holding us tightly – he will never let us go. I am so thankful I am a child of God!
Myths of Being Single
Single adults are lonely - It is true that some single adults are lonely, but it certainly does not take being single to be lonely. The loneliest person in your hometown is not a single adult, but a married adult who is in a terrible marriage!
Single adults want to get married - Some single adults do want to marry, as would married adults if they were single! I would rather they look in a church with a ministry to single adults, however, than in the world. Chances of finding a dedicated Christian are usually higher!
Single men are irresponsible - Some are; then again, some married men are also! It does not take being single to be irresponsible. Just talk to the wives of some of the married men in your city.
Single Adult Resources
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Single Awareness Clarification Quiz
Would you like to evaluate your awareness as a single adult? Take this quiz!
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Myths of Singleness
Have you ever heard or thought: single adults are lonely...single adults have fewer problems than married adults...single adults are not complete until they are married? The list of myths goes on but I challenge you to take a new perspective.
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Sexual Purity - Challenge, Choice, Cherish
As single adults, we face numerous challenges and temptations in choosing sexual purity for our lives. For most of us, we are regularly faced with the difficulty of making choices that align with God’s design for us.
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Five Stages of Dating Relationships
Without taking enough time and effort to progress through each stage, the relationship faces the huge risk of premature commitment and the almost inevitable reality of huge issues and problems that will arise.
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Chosen Vessels
The leadership and congregation of Chosen Vessels Women's Ministries encompass the true meaning of discipleship.
