| More Friends Speak.... "I came to BJ with a background of almost every event that could happen to any one human being. From mental and physical abuse, sexual abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, etc. In 1976 this life had taken me to being left for dead. When I was twelve years old, though, I was saved and baptized. I wanted to know this man called "JESUS" that I had heard JESUS saved people, healed people, performed miracles for people, etc. I believed this person I could not see was real; I just wanted HIM to come and take me to Heaven to be with HIM. But that didn't happen. Still I continued to have an unexplainable love for HIM. Some years had passed and all the abuse and addictions had stopped but I still felt so lost and lonely. And the burdens of the past continued to haunt me. I didn't know how to escape this. In 2006 it was laid on my heart to seek CHRISTian counseling. As independent as I have always been, it took me several months of struggling before I made an appointment. I wanted and needed someone to show me and teach me how to let JESUS help me with my burdens. Since that time I have come to realize I had not fully let JESUS into my life because I was afraid of HIM; afraid HE would hurt me like everyone else had, and I was afraid I would be rejected by HIM ! Now I know that I was hiding things I didn't want HIM to know, not realizing HE knows everything about us anyway. I've learned that I was not letting JESUS live "in me"; I was only letting HIM walk with me. I've learned that I don't have to carry these burdens anymore, that HE will carry them for me. I have also learned that through all the pain and suffering that I have been through, HE was there with me and HE knows how I felt. HE knows how it feels to be physically abused, HE was too. HE knows how it feels to be emotionally abused, HE was too. HE knows how it feels to die, or to be left for dead, for HE was too. Since I've been to counseling with BJ so many things have changed. Now I know JESUS lives in me and I don't have to walk in the darkness alone anymore. The burdens of my past are no longer mine, I have laid them at the feet of JESUS. I am now learning that I have been given spiritual gifts, that I can use now for HIM. And, I am no longer ashamed to be seen by others and so now I sing for HIM, for the LORD in my church choir. Thank you, JESUS, for sending BJ as a messenger of YOUR words; I pray that you will be with him as he continues to try to teach people WHO YOU are and who they are and where YOU really are." -SB- *********************************** "Hi BJ, You're wondering who is writing you a letter. It is a man who suffered most his life and was a seeker all the time. I found answers here and there but I failed a lot. Eight years ago I nearly died. I was on the edge of insanity. For three years I scratched only the surface of my soul and tried to get logical answers. I thought I was healed but I lived still in fear....Now I am here - in the USA. I am talking like a boy, a child and I have childish fears - I'm on the edge again. I was crawling on my knees, blind and crying the darkness...wanting my mother and wanting to go back home to her. Then my FATHER came and kneeled in my face and pointed HIS finger into my eyes....into my ashes. BJ, this was very painful; but you helped open my eyes! I was for a couple of days alone and lost, I had fears-- my heart was beating so fast that I thought I would have a heart attack. Last night, though, I had no worries, no fears; I felt loved and I had comfort and a direction in my life. It is a wonder --maybe you can imagine. I learned in three days more than in three years. Now my job is to keep HIM...I don't want to lose it again. Thank you, BJ, for your love and hard work and comfort. I have a new life! I've so much work to do...I look forward to seeing you soon! With good thoughts..........M.S.--Texas * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Pastor Recommendations "BJ, no words could describe our appreciation but we are writing this letter to remind you what GOD has done and so someone else may hear our testimony and be encouraged. We both were backslidden Christians and had been running from GOD. We had been split up for some time and on the verge of divorce. We did not see any hope for our marriage and out of desperation, Mark started attending churches seeking GOD's direction. HE met with a person who had recommended talking with BJ Johnson at the GRACE PLACE. We started right away counseling with BJ, once or twice a week. Everything BJ used in our counseling sessions was right out of the Bible, it was like a Bible study/counseling session. It still amazes us how GOD worked through BJ. GOD knew exactly what we needed and had BJ show us through HIS Word. We started seeing changes immediately and we started growing closer to GOD and to one another. BJ helped put "The Solid Rock" foundation in our lives and our marriage; our marriage is stronger than it has ever been and we are still growing stronger.... We both thank GOD for putting The GRACE PLACE, BJ, and his family into our lives; if it hadn't been for BJ saying "Here I am, use me, LORD', I don't know where we would be today and don't want to know. Thank you, BJ, for your willingness to serve GOD and to love others and the way you graciously show us HIS love. Pastor Mark and Wanda Terry....Cowboy Church Planters/TX. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "I would like to share a word of testimony about a dear brother in CHRIST, BJ Johnson. It is not often that we get the true privilege of "giving honor to whom honor is due". I met BJ in GOD's providence in a time of need and crisis in my own personal life. Without lengthy explanation, it will be sufficient to relate that I had allowed anger and a root of bitterness to gain a stronghold in my life.....Knowing that I had not been able to resolve my problems with anger and bitterness alone, I was glad to find out about the Biblical counseling that BJ was offering to the body of CHRIST. I felt GOD had sent him across my path, so I asked for his help. BJ quickly responded and very graciously and wisely guided me to Scripture; he designed projects that assisted me in effectively resolving these issues in my life. I found BJ to be very well-trained in Scriptural counseling and knowledgeable in the root issues of the sinful problems that were dominating my life. He responded compassionately, yet firmly pointed me to the truth of Scripture and the adequacy of our SAVIOR and LORD JESUS CHRIST. The truth helped me overcome these difficult problems. I have shared my testimony with others about the tremendous help and guidance given by BJ. I know that GOD has used him to minister, not only to me, but to many others as well." Pastor Kennedy -- LA ************************** Dear BJ, How can I even begin to tell you how much I appreciate you and your ministry? Before I can even begin to tell you how much GOD has used you with my couples in our marriage retreat, I have to tell you how much I have grown to love and appreciate you. There have been many pastoral friends that I have had, but no one has been able to stimulate me spiritually as you do. In our very first visit, I grew to love you because of your deep sincerity and love for my LORD, HIS work, and HIS love letter to us. We never talk that it does not turn into a quick Bible study that is so encouraging to me. Thank you for your friendship, counsel, and acceptance! Let me tell you that the weekend with the couples from our church has seen such positive results. Each couple has expressed not only a deepening relationship with each other, but even more importantly, a deepening relationship with the LORD. Your teaching and interaction with them has set them free to love and serve like never before! One couple that was on the church fringe, came back and sought out one of my best men and asked for help in growing deeper in their walk with CHRIST. One of my elders told me Sunday that having you for our speaker was the best he had ever heard and believe me, he has heard some of the best. Thank you again for the wonderful weekend, I only wish we could have had a week! Pastor J. N. --Texas |