A Modern-Day Lydia: The Sister Dorris Gilbert Story

By Dr. Author O. Wright

A Modern-Day Lydia: The Sister Dorris Gilbert Story tells of a humble woman who overcame a myriad of obstacles and challenges to become a stalwart prayer warrior in her home church. Although her youth was completely devoid of religion, she became keenly aware of the need for the salvation of God. Therefore, after connecting with a small church located in her neighborhood, she had an amazing encounter with the Lord. Afterward, the anointing of God impressed upon her the spirit of prayer and she went faithfully about her daily prayer. In turn, her deep faith and perseverance in prayer heightened the confidence of many who wanted to guarantee that their eternal inheritance be among those that are sanctified. Without doubt, as you read this biographical narrative of this humble servant, you will be amazed of her brilliant and faithful commitment to Christ, and will have no doubt that this loyal and caring servant of God had been truly touched by the transforming power of the risen Christ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469181783

Dr. Author O. Wright

Author Oliver Wright was born in Panama City, Florida, and reared in Quincy, Florida. After graduating from high school, he spent several years in the Army. He later graduated with an Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Business Management. He also earned a Bachelor and Master of Ministry degrees from Tripp Bible Institute. Dr. Wright is an ordained elder affiliated with the Church of God in Christ. He and his wife, Nina, are proud parents of three sons. They reside in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they enjoy time with their children, grandchildren, and godchildren.

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Copyright © 2012 by Dr. Author O. Wright.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2012904420

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4691-8177-6

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4691-8176-9

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4691-8178-3

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Dedication

This biographical narrative tenderly represents the inspirational life of a humble woman of prayer. Therefore, it deems appropriate that this dedication be presented in her words.

This narrative is dedicated, first and foremost, to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from whom all blessings flow. It is also particularly dedicated to my loving parents, Lewis and Hattie Bell Hobson; and to my four beautiful children: Cookie, Scott, Tonya, and Shawnda.

This narrative is also especially dedicated to my eleven beautiful grandchildren: Enrique, Samantha, Sydney, Efrain, Terrill, Terric, Tyler, Justin, Amondo, Armon, and Ashley; to whom I love with all of my heart.

Moreover, this narrative is also dedicated to my beloved Bishop and pastor, Bishop Fred Willis Washington; and to First Lady Mother Barbara Jean Washington. I give thanks to God for both of you for you are my father and mother in Christ.

Lastly, this biographical narrative is dedicated to all of the prayer partners and prayer warriors of the Minnesota Jurisdictional Churches of God in Christ, and to all prayer warriors throughout the world.

My prayer is that the Lord meets you in your hour of prayer and pour out his tremendous blessings upon each of you with the richness of his love.

Acknowledgments

In view of the considerations given to this dear mother, Sister Dorris Jean Gilbert, these heartfelt and generous words articulating the spirit of this acknowledgement are also from the depth of her heart.

I truly love the Lord and praise his Holy Name; for in the ultimate of time, his grace and mercy saved me and granted me an eternal inheritance with the saints of God.

Therefore, my heart gives thanks and says ‘YES’ to the God of my salvation; for through his great love, he has enabled me to get establish in his holy kingdom and in the household of faith and love.

I also want to thank my beloved Bishop and Pastor Fred W. Washington, Minnesota Prelate, who through his consecrated and holy vision allowed me the privilege to come and join in prayerful settings in the New Covenant Church of God in Christ.

Moreover, I want to thank my four children for showing to me the greatest love that a mother could ever hope for. I am so blessed to have all of you in my heart and in my life.

Finally, a huge debt of gratitude also goes to Elder Author O. Wright for his unfailing patience and encouragement throughout the development of this narrative. And to his lovely wife Nina who assisted with the editing.

They both worked tirelessly with the development of this manuscript and worked graciously with the editing, giving valuable advice and enormous assistance. I will always be indebted to both of them.

Contents

Preface

Foreword

Chapter One  Introduction

Chapter Two  My Youth in Braxton

Chapter Three  My Reflective Teenaged Years

Chapter Four  An Audacious New Beginning

Chapter Five  An Adventure on my own

Chapter Six  Anguish of an Inner Longing

Chapter Seven  Finding Comfort in the Church

Chapter Eight  Deliverance with the People of God

Chapter Nine  A Closer Walk with the Lord

Chapter Ten  Baptized in the Holy Spirit

Chapter Eleven  Called to the Prayer Ministry

Chapter Twelve  Fulfilling the Call of God

Chapter Thirteen  A Deeper Compassion for Souls

Chapter Fourteen  Great Rewards of Victory

Epilogue

Preface

A Modern-Day Lydia: The Sister Dorris Gilbert Story is an honest and enthralling biographical narrative of a humble woman who overcame a myriad of obstacles and challenges to become a stalwart prayer warrior in the services of the Lord.

This determined mother was born and reared in the Deep South in a little town called Braxton, Mississippi in the year of 1944. She attended both primary and secondary schools in this town and acquired the acumen of a southern education.

Despite being born in the Southern region of the country called the Bible belt, this gentle mother spent her whole childhood without ever reading the Bible. In addition, she was not even given the opportunity to have an active membership with any church.

As a result, this gentle soul did not have the benefit of hearing the wonderful teachings on the love of Christ. Hence, she did not enjoy the splendid joy and beauty of Christian living through his saving grace.

However, after becoming an adult, this thoughtful and devoted mother of four developed a burning desire to know God. Through the grace of God, she developed an unquenchable need to be saved.

And in 1999, while visiting a small church located in her neighborhood, the spirit of the Lord touched her and she experienced an amazing encounter with his presence.

Astonishingly, after uniting with this small body of believers, this yearning mother learned the ways of God and developed a very passionate testimony of his saving grace. And as she went about serving God, the anointing of God impressed upon her the spirit of prayer.

Despite not knowing the Lord in her youth, as you read the life’s story of this faithful servant of prayer, you will be convinced that The Sister Dorris Gilbert Story is a riveting story of unfeigned love, persistence, and triumph. You will also be amazed how it edifies, enlightens and touches the inner depths of your heart.

Foreword

Acts, Chapter 16, Verses 09 through 15 say:

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

These verses of scripture described a beautiful account of a woman whose heart had been touched by God. It presented a clear and rich description of how the Holy Spirit of God moved in her heart and compelled her to action. It vividly showed the wondrous working of Grace in the life of a believer.

It is true that the Lord worked in mysterious ways and the Apostle Paul experienced this work of God in an affirmative way. While on one of his missionary journeys, he had a dream that a man in Macedonia had called for him to bring the gospel to their area.

Therefore, he made up his mind to go to Macedonia at once for he was sure that the Lord had sent him. So, he and his company quickly traveled to Macedonia; in fact, they went to its chief city called Philippi.

After a few days the Sabbath came, then, he and the men that were with him went out to the river side for prayer. There, he had expected to discover the man whom he had seen in his vision.

However, instead of finding the man, he encountered a group of women who had gathered for prayer. He began to talk with the women, and to his surprise, he met a business woman by the name of Lydia. This woman had been touched by the Lord and had her heart open to the gospel.

Therefore, as she listened to those things that Paul said regarding the hope of salvation, she began to worship the Lord. After understanding the plan of salvation, which Paul preached, she believed and was baptized. In fact, her whole household was baptized.

After becoming a follower of the Lord, Lydia wanted to show her gratefulness to Paul and his friends.