Jill Sharp

Changed... I am a changed person and I want to testify to the validity of the message of Weigh Down and Remnant Fellowship that opened my eyes to the truth of God's word and His will in my life. How can I attest to this validity?? My heart.... the fruit of this message has been a changed heart... no longer does my heart hold resentment, rage, lust, greed, shame and guilt. No longer does anger rise up thru my body, making my stomach clinch and my throat tighten and my heart race. No longer do I worry and try to control my husband. No longer do I stress out or feel overwhelmed with life. NO LONGER!!! PRAISE GOD!!!! I did not grow up going to church because my dad said it was full of hypocrites and he wasn't going there, but we did go on Christmas and Easter and for Vacation Bible school. (That didn't make sense to me.) All of my extended family went to church faithfully and my grandmother was the humble soul that told me that Jesus was the answer to all of life's problems. So when the sin in my life crashed down on my head when I was pregnant with our 3rd child, I cried out for mercy and told God that I would lay my life down and I promised I would not be a hypocrite. The first church I tried was dead. The pastor was ready to retire and the congregation was aged and unchanged. I sought another church. With my now 4 children in tow, we found a new, livelier church but soon realized that like the parable of the four soils, sprouts shot up quickly but the soil was shallow and the heat of persecution or the weeds of this world didn't allow real change. It was so easy to fall into the pattern of going to church, sitting thru the sermon, singing a song from the hymnal, the passing of the collection plate, and the monthly communion. But I asked, Oh, God, isn't there more?? It was at this church that I attended my first Weigh Down class. I had always controlled my weight with exercise but after 4 children in 4 years I didn't have the time or the energy to exercise. I lost 25 lbs in that first 12 week class and I knew that was the power of God's truth. This message made sense and everytime I applied what was being taught I changed.  The more I sought out the truth the more I changed. The condition of my heart was like the onion that has many layers.  Sin, darkness, shame and guilt covered the outside and it took many lessons and many small steps of change to bring me to today. TODAY... I am 60 lbs lighter and have not struggled with my weight for years....that is FREEDOM but wait...there is SO much more!! My 30 year relationship with my husband (22 yrs married) is stronger and happier than ever before, coming back from the brink of divorce and infidelity. Our four daughters, ages 11 thru 15, are a true joy to be with. They love each other, have fun together and laughter fills our home. My job ( I have always worked full time) no longer overwhelms me and I have truly been blessed in position and in finances by finding God's line of authority and principles in my workplace. Our home is more than I ever dreamed of but I know it is exactly what God provided for us when He led us to move here. After filing bankruptcy in 1988, our finances are in stellar condition. We don't have any unnecessary debt and I trust God fully with our finances. I could truly write a book about the changes in my life and in my heart since taking my first Weigh Down class in January 2000 but the bottom line is.... my life is JOYFUL, full of peace, full of love, and FULL of God's spirit. This was all because Gwen Shamblin told me the truth that she had lived out first and continues to live out in word and action and it is evident in all that she does! Gwen is a true leader, a true shepherd of God's people, and she has trained other leaders that God has allowed to rise to the top. The Remnant Fellowship is my true family. I am home and I never want to go anywhere else! Thank you God for hearing my prayer and allowing me to find a place of no hypocrisy, where your truth reigns and hearts can fully change!!!