I'm new to all of this!

[jacx1938]

Hello. I'm Jim. Have been serving God about 40 years, and have had Him switch me around in a lot of non-traditional ministries--film-making, visual art (portrait painting), Poetry; just won 1st place in an international Christian competition in Canada / can't hardly believe it ! / and finally, writing short stories. Am self-taught in all these areas. Am presently working on three stories; "Lament for an eagle," "Monsters from the deep," and the most important one, "The Gift," which is built on my testimony. (it's up to about 6500 words) Jesus appeared to me in the middle of a riot in prison in 1961 and saved both my life, and my soul. (similar to Acts chap. 9 / Paul on road to Damascus) I know God called me to write, and am laboring 7 / 24 on these stories. Have no clue what to do with them when they're finished. Although the titles don't really show it, these are all based on real life events and honor the Lord, so I consider them to be creative non-fiction. Can we post stories for each other to read here somewhere? If so, where, and what word counts are acceptable? I'm a one-finger typer, and not very PC literate, so talk to me like the beginner I am. I really need crits and input from other Christian writers to learn. I've had some of my poetry published, have sort of a chapbook finished, which is distributed at live readings I do, but the whole publishing idea for my stories scares me to death. Just need to hook up and interact with some other creative personalities who want to honor God as I do. God bless!

Jim.

[ellenjames]

Welcome, Jim. Look around and explore this site. You'll find friendly helpful people. Wishing you well with your writing projects.

Ellenjames

[David Meigs]

Jim,

I’m glad to meet ya! I’m new here myself, so don’t feel alone.

- David

[whitehawke]

Hi there,
nice to meet you. wow, looking forward to hearing more about how Jesus saved you.
I am an artist also, although at this time I'm enjoying painting my pictures with words. :)
If you go to FAQ you should find what you need to know to get around here. Also, at the top of every page, there are lists of guidelines. Click on those and have a read. If you have any unanswered questions, post them in the support forum, but please make sure you click on "New Topic" not "New Reply" or you'll end up in the wrong place.
God bless
Rulan

[writegirl1949]

Hey Jim, welcome to the group.

There are some wonderfully talented people here and you'll get the hang of it in no time.

I'm pretty much computer illiterate ... although I use more than one finger to type :D . But if you managed to get here and become a member, you're well on your way to becoming an expert here.

Looking forward to learning more about you.

Blessings, Francine

[DrRita]

http://bestsmileys.com/welcome/18.gif Jim,

When you're ready there's the poetry forum and the fiction and non-fiction forums to post for critique and feedback. Look forward to hearing more from you. !thumbsup!

[jacx1938]

Dr Rita, have to post my way out of "probation" before I can post on those, but am sure looking forward to it! Thanks to all of you for such a warm welcome also.

Jim

[jacx1938]

I deleted my personal testimony. It's all true, but is pretty supernatural and hard for some people to believe I guess. I don't want it to be a stumbling block, so I deleted it. I just want to be a blessing.

Jim.

[DrRita]

Jim,
Was this because someones reply gave you a cause for concern? Or did you feel the Lord wanted you to delete it? I am sorry I didn't get a chance to read it. And I'm sure you are ARE a blessing.

[jacx1938]

DrRita, no one gave me a bad reply. I deleted it for fear of being a stumbling block to those who may have had a much more "normal" conversion experience, ie, in a more traditional setting, etc. There's been a high degree of direct supernatural intervention in my life by the Lord. That's probably partly because of the extreme conditions in my life before conversion.Although I read another person's testimony here who was almost like mine, many Brothers and Sisters in the Lord have experienced a milder sort of deliverance. It's been my experience, that in general, many people don't believe that God still works in supernatural power any more; but I'm a walking testimony that He does. I will e-mail you the highlights of the testimony if you want me to, and you decide if I should post it. All I know, is that there were no more greetings posted after I posted the testimony. It may just be that people were busy. I guess I'm a little over-sensitive about this. My apologies.

Jim.

[DrRita]

Yes, send it by private message. Cessation of replies was probably a coincidence. I'm sure it wasn"t due to your testimony.

[Bill Snodgrass]

Welcome, welcome! Sounds like it has been an exciting 40 years!

:D

[Merry]

Shoot, where was I when that post was up? Aw, heck. Yeah, mate, if I may echo Bill a moment, it sure doesn't dull! God Bless, man, good to have you!

[David Meigs]

Jim,

I was blessed by your testimony, and I’m sorry I didn’t hit the print button before you hit delete.

Matt 5:16 - Let it shine bro!


David

[dublinheart]

Jim,
I definitely want to read your testimony. If you could send it to my email address, I'd be most grateful.
Welcome to CW-you'll be gald you hit upon this site. I look forward to reading your posts. :)

[ellenjames]

Hi Jax,

Please share your testimony of the what God has done for you! Remember everyone's experience of meeting God is different, but no less valuable than another persons.

Please know you (and your testimony) are welcome here! God bless you, Brother!

Ellenjames

[Hisart]

Bring it on Brother! I'm sorry I didn't get to read it but if you're not up to posting it, e-mail it to me! !thumbsup!
God Bless!
Hisart :cool:

[jacx1938]

Ok, my apologies to all for being over-sensitive or something. Hope this isn't too long.

Testimony

In 1947, I was the 9 year old son of a single alcoholic parent. I was riding down a steep hill in San Pedro, Calif. at full speed in a fit of anger about my mother's drinking. The wind was in my ears, so didn't hear the city bus coming up around the bend. When I awoke in the hospital, the nurses told me I had died on the operating table, and come back to life about 45 minutes later. There was a big article in the local paper about it. With my home situation I had never been to church or heard the Gospel, so I didn't know about the Jesus who called his friend Lazarus out of the tomb in Jn. 11.

In 1952, I was a 14 year old on my way home from a Sat. matinee, and fell into a sand trap where they loaded trucks for construction. I was holding my breath with one hand sticking up above the sand. A man saw it, and was able to pull me out in time. I had heard the Gospel just that week, but turned away and refused to acknowledge the One who had saved me.

In 1959, angry with life and filled with self-hatred, I commited a theft and ended up in prison. I'm writing a story about it now. It's entitled,"The Gift." After 3 years of acting "bad," I got caught in a race riot. People were getting killed and mutilated all around me. I couldn't move because of being pinned down under 250 lbs. on the weight bench. Everything went into slow motion; I wasn't scared, I just knew I was going to die. At that moment, Jesus appeared to me as He did to Paul on the Damascus road IN acts chap. 9. He walked me through the riot to safety. None saw Him but me. Eleven days later, I was notified that the parole board's decision to stop my being paroled, had been overturned by a California senator who had reviewed my case.

When I got out, I headed for the nearest altar in a full Gospel church service, and gave my life to Jesus. Instantly. I was delivered from 4 packs of smokes a day, my drugs, my cussing, and other things that are under the blood. Nobody layed hands on me to pray. God did it before they even reached me at the altar. I'm 66 years old now, and haven't had any desire for a drink, a smoke, or any of those former things. I've never been back to Egypt for almost 40 years. Praise His Holy name!

I've given this testimony--in more detail--in many prisons, mental instituions, etc, and seen hundreds come to the Lord. In the Federal prison Facility of La Tuna, in El Paso, TX., about 1300 inmates ran to the altar when I gave a call. I give God the glory for all of this!

All Christians don't seem to have the same kind of dramatic deliverance that I did, but we all are equally loved and important in His sight. He works the way He chooses with each of us. God bless you, and thanks for letting me testify.

Jim.

[Hisart]

Most excellent! !thumbsup!
GOD IS GOOD!
Now leave it posted this time! OK? ;)
I've preached in prisons for years and this one particular time I told my testimony an inmate fell at my feet crying and got saved. I asked her (women's prison) why she was crying so hard and looking at me so strangely. Her answer was that she knew me and remembered how I was back then and knew that God was for real if I could change that much and be happy!
You never know who your testimony will reach out to or how it will touch them. It's not our job to second guess God, it's to tell it!
God Bless!
Hisart :cool:

[dublinheart]

Jim,
Your testimony excites me with the possibilities. As one who came from a similar highway to hell and who has preached in youth detention centers in Florida, I applaud you for still being alive and especially for not looking back. I once preached to a 14 year old young man in a detention center who was in process of being tried as an adult for 1st degree murder. He accepted Christ that night and was freed spiritually, but the natural consequences of his sin eventually cost his natural life. I look forward to seeing that man in Heaven when I reach the shores. Whatever we have to do to reach them, we have to do. It's all worth it.
I would very much like to meet you, Jim and I thank you for your testimony. !thumbsup!

[whitehawke]

jacx1938
I am so glad you returned your testomy. I was saddened when you deleted it. It speaks of a powerful God, who loves and delights in doing miracles. If it weren't for God's intervention, I could have died many times. I have seen Angels, I have seen demons. I have seen some of the things that God can do.
People get busy and may not get back to this site at times. Like these past few days I haven't been able to come on line much. It is the school holidays here in New Zealand and my child needs time with me.
May the Lord bless you and thanks again for returning your testomany.
Rulan

[jacx1938]

Thank you so much all of you for your kind input. I'm glad my testimony was a blessing to you. Lets all keep writing!

Jim

[alorralora]

Welcome Jim! I don't think there's anything wrong with your testimony at all. If anything, it serves as an indicator of God's love and mercy (not to mention patience with a stubborn man bent on rebellion towards Him). Keep up the good work!

[jacx1938]

You are exactly right, I was very stubborn! Thank God for His mercy.

Jim.