FROM Death to LIFE

By Denita Gibbs

In September 2021, I and a friend traveled to Houston, Texas, for some much-needed rest and relaxation. After returning to Nashville, Tennessee, my friend became ill, and was tested for COVID-19. The results were positive. They advised me to get tested as well. On September 11, 2021, I tested positive for COVID-19, as well. My symptoms were mild in the beginning but eventually worsened. On September 17, 2021, I started having shortness of breath. I called my friend and my parents to notify them that I could not breathe. Then I immediately called 911 for an ambulance to come and take me to the hospital. I was admitted for a few days. I told the hospital staff that I was not well enough to go home yet but was released with a low oxygen reading which required a breathing tank. On September 20, 2021, I was at home, but feeling very tired, weak and experiencing a lot of discomfort. One of my friends came and stayed with me overnight and they noticed I was getting worse.

On the following day, September 21, 2021, I called Urgent Care and was informed by them that I should have remained in the hospital. 911 was called and I was readmitted to the hospital. I was rushed to the ER. Once I was examined, they found double pneumonia, four blood clots in my lungs and I had suffered a mild heart attack. While in the ER as well, my oxygen saturation readings dropped to 50 percent. The doctors asked for my family contact information to notify them of my condition; the doctors mentioned to my parents that they did not think I was going to make it, BUT GOD who is rich is mercy. After hearing of my condition, they immediately came to be with me in Tennessee. After being admitted back into the hospital, I had emergency surgery to remove the blood clots from my lungs. I was taken to ICU where I remained for one month until I was discharged. My oxygen saturation readings were 83 percent to 50 percent, continuing to fluctuate up and down for weeks. This required me to have 30 liters of oxygen per minute to assist with my breathing.

I remained in the hospital for a month fighting all those illnesses. My body was very weak, and I was unable to walk due to so much trauma. But my FAITH remained strong. At times I thought I was going to die because my condition would become rocky. I am so very thankful to God for my Anointed Praying Parents, Family and Friends, who had everyone, everywhere praying for me, “The prayers of the righteous definitely availed much.” As the days progressed along with my condition beginning to improve, the hospital started me with physical therapy to learn how to walk again. I started seeing God turn things around. Day and night I remained prayerful, calling on the Name of Jesus, listening to my praise and worship music. I even sang out loud my own written song, “Keep Holding On”; it ministered and encouraged me to keep holding on. As the days continued to progress, I started seeing more of the handiwork of God working on my behalf. My oxygen saturation readings were increasing from 80s to 90s, and my body strength was improving; yes, it was nobody but God!! I continued to sing, listen to preaching, praying and fighting like crazy! See, I was coming out because of the Blood of Jesus!! It was a fight for my life, I knew God was with me.

In October 2021, I was released from the hospital. Many of the hospital personnel told me, “I was not the same woman who was admitted a month ago. They stated that they “saw a glow on my face.” That was a healing glow, one of God’s virtue healing power! I was sent home with home care nurses who, for four months, assisted me, encouraging me daily and telling me that I was going to make it. When I returned to church after recovery, I continually pushed myself while ministering through praise and worship while sitting in a chair, because I was unable to stand. I am thankful to God for his continued added strength daily, for it is by him that I live, move, and have my being. Thank you to the PAW, Inc., family for allowing me this opportunity to share my testimony. I pray that I have encouraged someone’s faith to always believe in God’s Divine Healing. I thank God that he spared my life. I will never take it for granted again.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR ALL THE THINGS... HE HAS DONE!

Denita Gibbs is a singer, songwriter, and recording artist. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, now residing in Nashville, Tennessee. Since relocating to Nashville, Denita is a member of the Greater Christ Temple Apostolic Church (PAW, Inc.) under the pastoral leadership of Bishop Sherman Merritt. With six siblings, she knows and embraces the importance of family, and effective mentorship. When Denita is not on the road, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

want him to be tall and fit, I want him to have a good job making 6 figures, I want him to have a nice car and be close to his family. I want him to be extremely good looking. Oh! And be a great man of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” That was me in my early 20’s. Hear me out. I was told by almost every married woman that entered my life to write a list, a list detailing what kind of man I wanted to marry and so I did.

This list needed to contain details about what I wanted him to look like, what kind of money he needed to make and even what kind of car he needed to drive. By the time I was done, this man had to be an attractive, money-making, fashion-conscious man of God with an equally amazing personality that I was head over heels in love with. I wrote the list, prayed on that list, studied that list, and memorized that list. I lived by that list! “THE LIST” became my lens, I saw every man I met. Through this list, these men didn’t stand a chance. In my early to mid-twenties, I was in and out of little mini relationships, all the men looked good on paper, which made me so confused about why these relationships didn’t work out. They had the money, the cars, the height, the looks, but something was missing.

It wasn’t until one of the relationships ended badly that I finally realized what I was doing wrong, I was listening

By Olivia Ridgell

to “THE LIST”, choosing according to “THE LIST,” living by “THE LIST”! But “THE LIST” was wrong! It was so wrong. One night I had become so emotional about my singleness, I got on my knees and asked Jesus to help me. I needed to know what I was missing. I needed to know why “THE LIST” wasn’t working. So, I asked Him, and He told me. He said, as clear as day, “You’re missing ME” … BOOM, everything became clear. I should’ve known! HE knows what I need and want more than I know what I need and want! I immediately grabbed the list and ripped it apart! I will never forget the freedom I felt; a weight fell off my shoulders. If you are single and reading this, I want you to rip your list apart right now and let God show you what you want and need. Trust me, it works.

“I feel like I can walk down a busy road with a blindfold on and feel totally safe because my husband makes me feel 100% protected.” This is what I tell people when I describe my husband. Feeling safe and protected was a need for me! He’s also handsome, strong, kind…I could keep going! We started dating in April of 2019, got engaged in July of that year and got married on March 22, 2022. It was the most beautiful evening. We couldn’t have my “dream” wedding because of COVID, but that didn’t matter. I was marrying the love of my life! Trust me, letting God lead is the answer, there is hope for you! Don’t give up! Your person is out there; you just need to let Jesus show you!

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