W
hen Ernestine was a little
her away from Him—and the lesson that’s in
girl, she defied God, mocked
it for all of us.
His congregation and cursed
HimPower: Ernestine, you’ve been told
profusely. After she accepted
thousands of times what an inspiration you
Christ as her Sav-
are to women and
ior, He changed her
men of all ages and
heart, crowned her
all walks of life. And
Once she surrendered her life to you didn’t get started
with grace and gave
her spirits of love
with body building
His, He began working on and
and humility. Today,
until your mid-50s.
through
her
not
only
to
bless
oth-
she is a beautiful
Few people accom-
ers, but to bless her—exceeding,
example of what
plish such a feat over
He can and will
a lifetime. How does
abundantly above all she could
do for anyone who
it feel to be an inspi-
ask
or
think
according
to
the
accepts Him. But,
ration to so many
power that works in her
you know God, He
people?
didn’t stop there. He
E. Shepherd:
(Ephesians 3:30)
had a plan for her
You know, it’s a
life and it included
wonderful feeling,
a ministry to inspire thousands of people to but I had promised my sister over 25 years
get fit and healthier. Once she surrendered
ago I would follow her dream if she didn’t
her life to His, He began working on and
make it. Little did I know that people would
through her not only to bless others, but
really love me, write me letters and tell me I
to bless her—exceeding, abundantly above
had helped them to gain a happy and confi-
all she could ask or think according to the
dent life. The key to anything is with prayer.
power that works in her (Ephesians 3:30).
I always start with prayer, and I encourage
Ernestine found her power in prayer, and
them to eat as healthy as possible. I practice
Christ has blessed her beyond her wildest
what I preach. Whatever I tell people to
expectations. Even though she had never set do, it’s what I do. It’s just wonderful that I
foot in a gym before age 56 (she was exempt have the love of so many people, but I am
from P.E. as a child because of an accident), nothing without the Love of Abba.
by 2011, Christ had enabled her to achieve
HimPower: We know your sister played
the Guinness Book of World Record for the a major role in your decision to become a
Oldest Female Competitive Body Builder in body builder. How did she convince you?
the world! But as amazing as it is, it almost
E. Shepherd: I never would do anything,
didn’t happen. Read her story and learn why I would just sit around and mope around.
her anger at God came so close to pushing
If you would have seen me then, everything
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