Jesus Impressions

[Giggles4God]

I know the title is a bit weird. I'll explain in due course.

First, in relationships...especially ones where the two in disagreement are of the opposite sex, in other words, girlfriend/boyfriend or engaged couple or married couple. The argument is that one of the party is accusing the other of something that an ex did. The other is saying "I'm not (him/her...using their name)." The accuser now see what is going on. They have placed false judgment on someone that shouldn't have gotten it in the first place.

Okay, so we can see how accusing someone of a wrong they never did will destroy relationships. Remember Jesus was also accuser wrongly (that's how that first part comes into with this other). Also, we sometimes accuse Jesus of things He never did. That so called angel of light loves lies...steal, kill, and destroy!

Let's go even farther.

We know that Jesus is Savior, Lord, Friend, Redeemer, etc. The list is endless of what Jesus is to those who love Him and walk with Him. Now, let's see what the Bible says about others who don't know Jesus watching us because they do.

1 Peter 2:11-12 says Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Yes, those who know and don't know you are a Christian observe you to see what you do. Something bad happens...poor health, financial trouble, a loved one passes away, etc. They will see what you do. Do you curse God? Do you lament your troubles? Do you cry out for God to help you through, standing strong and sure in the storm? Are you standing on that Rock that never moves?

Now, this is where my title comes in. Jesus Impressions. Not only are they watching us, BUT they are seeing what kind of Jesus we believe in. Is it the same one from the Bible? Or is it sugar coated so that the 'medicine' of life can go down the throat of 'It's okay to do that because Jesus is loving and God won't kill me'? Have we placed Jesus in a box so that His power doesn't scare away the baby Christians? Have we neglected to see that the Jesus that is shown isn't the True Jesus at all?

What kind of Jesus Impressions are you giving to those who see you? Is your Jesus Impressions showing the Real and True Jesus or are they showing a fake, weak Jesus that doesn't save anyone from Hell?

I know this might be hard for some of you, but today's Daily bread got me thinking about this. We can't be walking around with these fake Jesus' because they don't have power and they don't share Truth! Fake Jesus says that all are going to Heaven and it will be great! It's so great to be all about love love love...they don't like the Blood or the Heaven and Hell stuff. Not very seeker friendly.

I guess before I keep rambling...I better close this. If you haven't seen or heard the 'fake Jesus' stuff, it is out there. I don't want people thinking there is no Hell or Heaven. There was no Blood, Cross, Grave, Resurrection. All lies from satan. So think about it...May the Jesus others see in you be the One True Jesus!

 

[Giggles4God]

I hope this thread speaks to you, not because of me, but because I'm sharing things that are on my heart. I would hate for people to put me on a high pedestal and leave Jesus on the ground! Don't lift me up! Lift up the Name above all names! Jesus, Savior of the world!

I have things that are true things that I want to share. To me, the Lounge area is a place to share things...to let people see myself the way I am. I wrote 'The Path' thread without even knowing that the story of the person leaving the path would come out. God works in mysterious ways.

Here, I'm going to share things where my Jesus Impressions shook the very ground I walked on. Some of you know my testimony...know my life...I hope it is okay if I share it here and show where my journey has taken me from where I was until here.

I'm not really proud of some of the things I've done, but I'm SO thankful for Jesus! For where I am today. With God I can do ALL things! He's my strength and my everything! The way I'm going to do this is hard for me...my husband knows all I am going to share. Some things...I don't share because those are between me and God. I ask that you take what I share knowing these are true things that happened...I'll share what God was doing in my life...the steps I took. The road less traveled.

I won't go into huge detail with some parts because that isn't needed. As you read, please know that I am sharing this for you all to see where I have come, where I am going, and that Jesus has walked with me all along. The first part will be hard to type...it always is the hardest to write about so bare with me.

Here's the roller coaster ride of my life...

 

[Giggles4God]

Guess this is part 1...

My parents divorced when I was very young. My dad lived with his parents and when we would go to visit, things would happen there. I was 7/8 and my grandma was a strong woman of God. Two things happened in that short time we were there...I 'got saved' and my grandpa (my dad's dad) molested me. (Note: this truly happened and I'm not going to go more into that.)

I was so young. I didn't know right from wrong. When I was 10, my dad had remarried the year before, and I blurted out that I was molested, nothing really changed. My life was still normal, but I wasn't. I felt ashamed and guilty. (and yes...the Jesus Impressions are coming)

Sped up to age 13. I hadn't been going to youth group for awhile (the molested had stopped when I was about 9 and then started up at 13), but after it started again I had found that this was wrong. What was I to do? I would lay on my bed crying out to God "Why me, God? What did I do?" There was no answer. I thought God had left me to hang out to dry and He didn't care what happened to me. But...as time when on I would find out I was wrong. That Jesus Impression was wrong!

I decided to go to the Youth Conference at the church we attended. Many things happened there...I went down front when a speaker was talking about the Giants in our lives and a girl prayed for me. We were both crying, praying for each other! I told my roommate about grandpa who told our youth leader. I got that burden off of me. The youth leader told me things that helped my Jesus Impressions.

I am really making this short...lol...it is long...

The last thing I want to say in this first part is this...

Speed up to age 15...Two things happened for me at this time. My grandmother (the one I mentioned earlier) died from leukemia about a few weeks before I had to testify in two different court hearings against her husband. It was a hard time for me, but I knew that I wasn't alone.

I testified because someone had to the authorities. It was hard. I had been trying to stay away from my grandpa and then I had to point him out, etc. I was trying to stay away from any man...everything was so hard. I felt like I lost part of my innocence and my youth because I had gone through such horrible things. My Jesus Impressions were fading and my ship was going down. I didn't know what to do, where to turn.

The next part will be about something else...but I'm still on this Jesus Impressions thing. Remember this is real...and I am not digging it up to run anyone through the mud. I want to share this so others can see what Jesus Impressions I've had through the years. Maybe this will help someone else. See you in part 2!

 

[Gracealone]

giggles4God,
First, I am so sorry you had to go through so much, but it seems we all do at one degree or another, in this life.
When I think back over the whys, and wherefores, I come to the conclusion we are all born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
It may be, in fact, Gods way of proving, or allowing us to see our need to be saved.
I also feel that as we go through these trials, we are more compassionate to others in their weakness, and trials, and more able to comfort others, as we have been comforted.
God doesn't waste any of our experiences.
Satan means them for evil, but God has a way of making good come out of it all.
I have experienced rejection ,and condemnation from a church fellowship where I went for prayer, and instead was rejected. Talk about a phony Jesus.
May we all learn from past hurts to not be like that ourselves, and avoid those false portrayals of our Lord.
Most of all may we forgive, as JESUS FORGAVE US.

 

[Giggles4God]

I totally forgot about this thread! :-S

It was 1998, January. I was 16 and my brother and I moved from our dad's to our mom's. About two weeks later, my brother and I returned from a weekend with our dad to find our mom and step dad, Ross, gone.

Our landlady told us that they were at the hospital. While, Jon, my brother, and I got something to eat I tried to figure out why. Ross came home to get us and he told us everything.

Mom had blacked out. They took her to a hospital and then she was transported to another until she finally ended up at HUP-the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania.

We arrived at the hospital with Ross and his sister, Sis just as the helicopter with mom on it landed. Jon didn't want to go in, but I did.

Mom us hooked up to so many monitors and had a mask on for breathing. I can still hear the beaming at times when I'm telling the story. It was a horrible feeling. I kissed her cheek and told her I loved her.

Then, the four of us hugged and cried.

The doctors told us that mom would need surgery. So, I can't remember why Jon and I were left in the room alone, but I do remember that we were told mom had a 50/50 chance to live. Jon knelt on the floor crying out to God like I never saw him do.

I stood there in silence. Then, this warmth...from my head to my feet came over me. An amazing feeling. A Jesus Impression. I told Jon that everything would be okay.

Later, the doctors said that they lost mom many times on the table, but every time she came back.

Mom lived through all this. I had to help her a lot afterward. I had school work and house work to do, more than usual. It was worth it to have mom back.

I'll never forget that day...in that room...feeling that feeling...that warmth. Now, I think it was God's way of saying 'I'm here. She's not going anywhere. All is well.'


I know with this experience my faith changed. It was more than just a passing thing.

I still struggled though.

The next big God moment happened in college. That will be the next part, Part 3.

 

[Trishann]

Giggles4God,

In experiences, I realized that the very thing that was out to destroy me and tear me down, was the very thing that God was able to use me to help others.

I believe God will use you to help others. There are things that you will understand and know how to direct a person with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The thief is out to destroy and rob you but God will help you and you will overcome these battles that was meet to hurt you. I can see that God is already working in your life and directing you.

"Call upon me and I will show you great and might things which thou knowest not"
That is the very thing you are doing, and God will show you through.