When
I, personally, first visited Emmanuel Temple, I didn't really
notice the beautiful building or that the Sanctuary had a special
name because I was suffering from a brain tumor and desperately needed
a miracle...
I was in constant pain and battling illness of the endocrine (immune)
system. I was about 30 and supposedly in the prime of my life. I had
vision disturbance because the tumor was pressing on the optic nerve.
I had to take a medication, Bromocriptine, which I especially hated.
It made me vomit constantly. Needless to say, I was in pretty bad
shape with the vomiting, Migraines, photosensitivity, hair loss, and
endless complications. I couldn't even stay awake long enough to care
for my (then) infant son.
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About
2 years after the initial diagnosis my endocrinologist suggested
that I "get my house in order" as I might have to undergo
an emergency operation, which they were trying to avoid all along.
I was told they would try to remove the pituitary tumor through
the front of my face (through the nose) but I would also probably
lose my entire pituitary gland. (You need your pituitary because
it's your "master gland" which resides in your brain!)
The sad news was that even if the operation was successful, the
chance of the brain tumor regrowing into a malignancy and
causing severe problems was very good. I was beginning to
have adverse reactions to the bromocriptine and my endocrinologist
wanted to hospitalize me. Well, I had had enough of emergency
rooms and dragging my kidlet along to doctors offices. I was physically
exhausted and I begged my doctor to please just shoot me full of
cortisone and let me go home with my baby. My son was the joy of
my life and my literal reason for living.
During this time I went through much soul-searching and decided
I would approach G-d and ask him to please heal me, not for myself
because I didn't deserve it, but for my son and my parents, who
were G-dly people. I felt they didn't deserve to see their daughter
live (or die) like this. So I decided I needed a miracle as I was
very tired of living in this condition. Once, I did think of taking
my own life as the pain was becoming unbearable, but I knew that
wasn't an option, as I would just end up in Hell. I could barely
care for my son and I knew I was becoming a burden to my husband,
and unfortunately... eventually, he did leave us. I didn't
think I would ever smile or laugh again because I was filled with
so much physical pain.
One
day, I came across a brass key chain that had the words inscribed,
"I NEED A MIRACLE".
I bought it because I knew I really did need a miracle. It helped
remind me to continue hoping and praying for that miracle.
One day while driving on Imperial Highway I noticed Emmanuel
Temple's building. I noticed it's name and remembered that "Emmanu-El"
meant "G-d with us". I realized that G-d could be found
there. I even felt an odd sense of relief.
...I felt if I could
just get there and ask the Elders to pray for me,
I would be healed.
The weekend finally arrived and with the little strength I could
muster, I got ready and asked my husband to drive me to Emmanu-el.
----He did so, reluctantly.
When
I entered the Sanctuary I realized I had been running away
from G-d most of my adult life... I was the grand-daughter of an
Apostolic pastor. My parents followed in their parents' footsteps...
even my great-grand mother was Apostolic.
As a child, I remember awakening late at night to the aroma of coffee,
dessert, and the sounds of good-spirited scriptural debate and discussion
going on in our home with my parents and their friends...
I didn't hear a word that was preached that day... but I definitely
recall when (then) Suffragan Bishop Stewart asked if anyone needed
prayer. I immediately made my way to the altar. Someone asked what
was my need and I told them (nearly choking on the words), as it
hurt my very being to say "I have a brain tumor,"...
(You see, I needed G-d in a very REAL way.) >>>
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Bishop
Stewart and Elder Johnson, anointed me with Holy Oil, laid hands
on me and prayed the prayer of faith.
...Well, I didn't feel anything earth-shaking, nor did I hear a
voice from heaven. But I felt a calmness come over me.
I felt if I had to undergo surgery, at least I had obeyed G-d's
Word of asking the Church Elders to pray for me.
It happened that I was scheduled for an MRI (magnetic resonance
imaging) of my brain that following Tuesday, as at this point my
endocrinologist was closely monitoring me...
Well, the MRI came back NEGATIVE that Friday! (It took me a few
seconds to realize that a "negative" test result was a
good thing!)
The brain tumor had disappeared!
Jesus granted me that miracle the very first day I walked into Emmanuel
Temple, and I have been there ever since! I have recuperated, earned
a Bachelor's Degree (with the help of the Department of Rehabilitation),
am raising my son, and I am eternally grateful...
Praise be to the Most High
G-d, Jesus!
My life has changed radically.
Not only does He heal bodies and change lives, but He gives Eternal
Salvation to those who approach His Throne of Grace.
This is the greatest miracle of all.
I would like to welcome you in joining us in worship this Sunday.
And if you need a miracle, Bishop Stewart and the Elders will pray
for you too...
~BarSharona
Directions to Emmanuel Temple
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21 And they are informed
of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles
to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their
children, neither to walk after the customs.
22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for
they will hear that thou art come.
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have
a vow on them;
24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with
them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that
those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing;
but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the
law.
25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and
concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep
themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and
from strangled, and from fornication.
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with
them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the
days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for
every one of them.
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