Ridgell's Originals

I want you to know about my friend Thelma and her Jesus journey. I do this so might be inspired to help others on their journey, or to find help for your Jesus journey.

Like many people, Thelma had some church/Jesus experience. I put it in that order because she was way better at the church stuff than the Jesus stuff. And eventually, as you would expect, she dropped out of the church stuff. I think she would tell you her heart just wasn't in it.

But she always had interest in Jesus and living for him.

Then her husband got sick and died. Many of you have read or seen my Wes testimony. Converted in prison, got out and relapsed, repented on his deathbed, and lived out his repentance in some pretty dramatic ways. Thelma was with him for the whole journey. Let us pray over her, heard us pray over Wes, heard Scripture read, saw the repentance, witnessed our elders anointing and praying over Wes. It touched her heart.

Wes' sister, Angel, was there supporting Thelma the whole time. Angel is a new Christian. But she prayed and she is the one that first connected Wes to her church family and to me.

Hillcrest was great. Helped a lot with Wes' funeral. The service, the video, and the funeral meal. Made Thelma long to be part of a family like Angel's church.

Angel got Thelma to start coming to our Jesus Journey class on Wednesday night. She formed relationships, saw people helping each other, heard a lot about God and Jesus, and prayed a lot.

Started coming on Sunday mornings and visited one of our adult classes, the Welcome class. She came because at that time I was teaching in there. But she was welcomed, made friends, and just kept going.

She saw John baptized a couple of weeks ago and she could see herself doing the same thing.

Came over several times to hear Jesus stories with Marsha and me. Even had some other people come share that time.

And one day she said, "I am feeling it right here." She had her hand over her heart.

Lots of people helped Thelma thru a rough time.

Lots of people prayed for Thelma.

Lots of people talked about Jesus with Thelma.

And a whole congregation of God's people celebrated with praise and applause last Sunday when Thelma was born again.

Go do likewise.