i am scared to write this, but at the same time, i am only "imagining" how i can make myself be different than what i am....trying to create an image that isnt me....
my story of imagining myself begins when i was in high school looking around at the beautiful people around me and envying the way they looked. from there, i started to starve myself and struggled with my imperfections. nothing on me or inside of me was good enough for me...the mirror had become my enemy. everyday, i felt myself dying...being torn from the depths of my soul...away from the relationship the Creator had
last year, i got married and thought things would fade...that i would be happy. but it just got worse. i would find myself torn to serve other idols by glorifying my body rather than putting Christ first. i knew that my sole job was to honor my LORD and in doing that i needed to honor my husband. i knew i couldn't serve two masters...my body was too real to me...no longer was it a body of flesh that lasted only for a fleeting breath...it had become my priority....i knew i needed to change.
well, i am in counseling now. i am learning to live for God first...ive always known this, but have never truly let go of all that i tried to control. My wonderful husband has been with me through all of this...even before marriage...and i am so grateful God has blessed me with him. God is so good and knows our inner most secrets that no one else knows. i am sparked with happiness so much more than in the past...i get a joy out of living life that had been hindered before. i am slowly learning that God's view of me is the most precious and true idea of who i am. i am HIS child.

here is a poem i wrote:

Imperfection

My imperfection has brought me to tears
The disapproving world is my ultimate fear
Father, please hear me as I call out your name
Just grant me this favor and keep me from shame
Why did you create me with these endless flaws
When you know the pain that they will cause?

I look in the mirror and all I see
Is a horrible reflection staring at me
Then you blessed me when you heard my cry
And gave me a look pleasing to the eye

I have too much debt and hate my job
If only I had money to calm my sob
You heard my plea and increased my pay
Extra dollars and time away

Companionship is the missing part
I am always lonely and sad at heart
Again you listened and gave me a friend
A forever love until the end

Pride and greed consumed my days
As I looked at my imperfect ways
Instead of seeing the God above
I focused on the worldly love

A body, more money, and friendship too
Yet, nothing satisfied me more than You
As I struggled to become the flawless one
I realized Perfection is through Your Son

A man from Bethlehem He was born
And lived among this world of scorn
He walked in our shoes and felt our pain
But never stopped to cry or complain

A crown of thorns He wore that day
Yet endured the blame to show us the Way
He conquered sin and made us see
That Eternal Love can set us free

Now I see in part and then fully clear
Your Eternal words I finally hear
You are the Potter and I am the clay
Mold me and shape me in Your Perfect Way
-Jennifer Jones



Kirk- thanks for being bold and challening others to be the same. i can't wait till the day we meet in Heaven glorifying God together with all of our brothers and sisters

Music is such a wonderful gift...and "Imagine Me" brought such peace to my ears when i heard it. it reminded me of that second God comes through to show you the miracles He performs to overshadow the pain in your life
 

JENNIFER THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS HEART FELT MESSAGE. GOD HAS MOVED IN YOU IN A WAY THAT ONLY YOU CAN DESCRIBE. I THANK GOD FOR THIS MOVEMENT IN YOU. THIS ALLOWS OTHERS, AS WELL AS MYSELF TO LEARN TO LOVE LIFE TO THE FULLIEST AND STOP TRYING TO FIT IN. GO ON WITHOUT COMPLAINT AND LEARN TO ENJOY THE BLESSINGS OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN HAS BESTOWED UPON US. ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU SO MUCH, BECAUSE WHEN I READ THIS I INSTANTLY STARTED TO CRY, THANK, AND PRAISE GOD FOR SUCH BEAUTIFUL WORDS FOR ALL HIS CHILDREN TO LEARN BY.

NICOLE, WA.
 

Imagine Me has helped me to take another look at myself. Just the other day I looked in the mirror and could not recognize the reflection staring back at me you see I let myself go. A teenage mother at 15, I lost myself and poured into my child. Some may think this is the motherly thing to do, but when you neglect yourself completely to care for another, thats not loving yourself. Imagine Me! When I first listened to the words I started crying (Im not talking a few tears) I started crying outit was like a cleansing. You see I was sexually abused as a child and never felt real Love from anyone I was so wounded but Letting go of my past, and glad I have another chance, and my heart will DANCE, CAUSE I DONT HAVE TO READ THAT PAGE AGAIN! Healed my wounded spirit!!! Thanks Kirk for being so transparent I needed this one.
God Bless you and your Family!
 

My testimony is similar 2 Ur's. I was abused 2 and this song was like a 'cleansing' 4 me as well. The tears flowing were like my soul was being washed clean from all of that pain and shame. I am so thankful 2 God 4 it. Girl, I play that song OUT...still!

I absolutely LOVE it. God Bless U and thank U 4 sharing. :)
 

Wow...Imagine me has inspired me because we all need to get the place where we see ourselves as Jesus sees us and we need have to let go of everyone who hurt us even though some times its hard its what we need to do...it was very inspiring
 

i am scared to write this, but at the same time, i am only "imagining" how i can make myself be different than what i am....trying to create an image that isnt me....
my story of imagining myself begins when i was in high school looking around at the beautiful people around me and envying the way they looked. from there, i started to starve myself and struggled with my imperfections. nothing on me or inside of me was good enough for me...the mirror had become my enemy. everyday, i felt myself dying...being torn from the depths of my soul...away from the relationship the Creator had
last year, i got married and thought things would fade...that i would be happy. but it just got worse. i would find myself torn to serve other idols by glorifying my body rather than putting Christ first. i knew that my sole job was to honor my LORD and in doing that i needed to honor my husband. i knew i couldn't serve two masters...my body was too real to me...no longer was it a body of flesh that lasted only for a fleeting breath...it had become my priority....i knew i needed to change.
well, i am in counseling now. i am learning to live for God first...ive always known this, but have never truly let go of all that i tried to control. My wonderful husband has been with me through all of this...even before marriage...and i am so grateful God has blessed me with him. God is so good and knows our inner most secrets that no one else knows. i am sparked with happiness so much more than in the past...i get a joy out of living life that had been hindered before. i am slowly learning that God's view of me is the most precious and true idea of who i am. i am HIS child.

here is a poem i wrote:

Imperfection

My imperfection has brought me to tears
The disapproving world is my ultimate fear
Father, please hear me as I call out your name
Just grant me this favor and keep me from shame
Why did you create me with these endless flaws
When you know the pain that they will cause?

I look in the mirror and all I see
Is a horrible reflection staring at me
Then you blessed me when you heard my cry
And gave me a look pleasing to the eye

I have too much debt and hate my job
If only I had money to calm my sob
You heard my plea and increased my pay
Extra dollars and time away

Companionship is the missing part
I am always lonely and sad at heart
Again you listened and gave me a friend
A forever love until the end

Pride and greed consumed my days
As I looked at my imperfect ways
Instead of seeing the God above
I focused on the worldly love

A body, more money, and friendship too
Yet, nothing satisfied me more than You
As I struggled to become the flawless one
I realized Perfection is through Your Son

A man from Bethlehem He was born
And lived among this world of scorn
He walked in our shoes and felt our pain
But never stopped to cry or complain

A crown of thorns He wore that day
Yet endured the blame to show us the Way
He conquered sin and made us see
That Eternal Love can set us free

Now I see in part and then fully clear
Your Eternal words I finally hear
You are the Potter and I am the clay
Mold me and shape me in Your Perfect Way
-Jennifer Jones



Kirk- thanks for being bold and challening others to be the same. i can't wait till the day we meet in Heaven glorifying God together with all of our brothers and sisters
 

It touched the very core of me!
It is definitely one of those, "Let me encourage you,
while I encourage me" songs.
Read more on your blog.
One,
Vonie
 

Every time I here the song "Imagine Me" I usually end up picturing myself walking down a long hallway, with different scenes of my life playing on the walls. The whole time I'm thinking "Wow, How much God must love me. So much that I may never be able to describe it." How great it would be when I finally truely let go and let God.
 

Kirk, I bought the CD back in January. But the song/message did not 'truly' impact me, until my recent breakup? I thought about the scene where the young lady walks away from her abusive/using boyfriend. And that's how I imagined ME. Thanks so much for writing this ballad. It has blessed me and millions of people!

Love,
SS

p.s. God bless you and your family
 

Well I actually did a small play after hearing the song for the First time. And I imagine the almost to the Letter what the video showed....Itwas funny when First saw it cuz i was on my way to church looking for a pick me up and there where my vision on TV. It was so wonderful...


My Imagine me Story.....
I Imagine myself TOUCHING the whole WORLD with my music. Not for fame or for money,but for the Kingdom. Telling my story, and spreading the word of GOD, with healing and Blessing that he can and has already....I imagine telling the young people of the world that you can and will make it....I imagine me Leading all of the Worlds true Gospel musicians into a word of pray as we come together and deliver a Album of music to CHANGE THE WORLD FOR FREE!!!!! We will just all give from all on souls and pockets and watch God Move......I still and will always Imagaine myself seeing my Father and telling him how much i love him and Thank you for bring me HOME.... I Imagine ME>>>>>
 

What up Kirk !?!? I was in a family christian book store sitting down with the head phones on listening to the cd I just remember sitting there when imagine me came on and then tears just started flowing ! That song felt like a release it really ministered to me and still does !
Alot of times we let what people think of us affect us and we end up sticking to the label they put on us I mean when your a kid and get told a million times that you're a loser and won't ever be anything you start to believe it !!! But God I love those words God can free you when you start believe what he says you are !!! That song just lets me know that I'm more than I thought I was and I can only get better !! God bless you and the fam !! it was a pleasure meeting you !! you said u don't like fakeness and theres nothing fake about you dogg !! peace !!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Part 2:

It's tearing me apart, this war within my self. The battle between my flesh and my spirit. I got to make my mind up and stick to it. How can I preach abstinence if I don't live it? How can I tell young girls and teens don't do it if I do what I've told them not to do? How can I preach one way and live another????
How can I share my body with you in ways that is beyond my imagination, but is that not meant for husband and wife. How can I do both when thoughts and sensations are driving me crazy, but I see these small eyes watching my every move and these small ears listening to every word I speak and preach. I am held accountable for every soul no matter their age that seeks my council for a three letter word that I too struggle with. How can I walk this tight rope?

Bottom line is I CAN NOT! Somethings got to give! Either chose my flesh and be damned or chose the Spirit and...... And loose what I consider my love once more and again.

How do you have strength when you have so many scars? Am I weak???? I no longer am, but once upon a time if you told me to jump off a bridge I'd ask you which one. I was blind and continued to be even after my son was born. You would think that such a miracle would have straightened me out huh? Think again! It took a year and a half to get back to the state of mind I needed to be in to now survive and thrive. Im currently a single parent mother who was a full time college student, but Ive decided to leave and Im currently sitting a few semesters out. My son is age 2 going on 3 and is my pride and joy. Ive been through a lot in 3 going on 4 years: I went to the ARMY straight after graduating from high school in 2002, the love of my life { but God is the True Love of my Life} broke me in half when he broke off a 3 and a half year relationship that we both believed would end in marriage Feb. `03, I started dating my sons father soon after that (Mar `03) in a terrible rebound relationship that ended because he raped me. Women: Please be careful and heed my warning and learn from my mistakes! It's one thing to jerk myself around because of emotions and raging hormones. But when you add a man in your life that you're in a relationship with- that's when things become even worse because there is another body of emotions and raging hormones that has to be dealt with. That's how some rapes happen; when the other doesn't want to stop and won't take no for an answer and forces sex upon you. That's what happened on Sunday afternoon in a dorm room in 187 on FSH. I wanted no part, but he had his way. I remember when he started, went blank, and remember when he was replacing my clothes back after he was done. There were no drugs or alcohol involved though I often wish I was drunk or poisoned. This wasn't at night and I couldn't scream "NO!" "STOP!" or "HELP!" I lacked the will power and blamed myself sometimes still to this day for not having the strength that so many think I have inside. Don't feel sorry for me. Just feel sorry that such sickness happens and occurs in this world. Be sad for the man that committed the act for God's wrath is swift and quick!!!


I am strong now because I refuse to be weak. I am strong now because I refuse to cry and have a pity party for myself any longer. I am strong because I refuse to be a stepping stone and I am no longer afraid to hurt or to hurt someone unintentually. How do we learn best? From our experiences! I refuse to be walked over and not counted. I refuse to follow the crowd. I refuse to stress over what I can not control. I AM STRONG Now because Christ gives me the strength to conqueror and endure. I wish I had the strength I have now back then....somethings are meant to make you strong if it doesn't kill you. I guess this is one of them.
 

"Imagine Me"
What can I say about the song that would give it the proper justice that it deserves? I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Franklin in the airport at Wilmington, NC and I told him I love the song because I really do. At one point in time I remember I would always look at myself and wonder.. what was wrong with me? Why could some people see me for the person that I really am and others couldn't? Growing up I hated the fact that I was smaller than everyone else, I was teased many of times for being the person that I was and then I heard the song and it really started to sink in. "Imagine me, loving what I see when the mirror looks at me". Those words played over and over in my mind and I started singing my own tune. "Imagine me loving everything about me. The fact that I'm short, that I can be proper and prissy at times. That I listen to Rock music, That I have a scar on my eyebrow. Imagine me loving the fact that I'm a 12/13 instead of a 6/7 like America makes you think you have to be." This song makes you feel free and gives you strength. It speaks volumes and goes against everything that you are programmed to believe is "beautiful". Beauty is on the inside. It's funny because people say "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and that means one's self." God is my beholder and I'm beautiful because of not only that, but I'm beautiful because God made me Insecurities and all... In his eyes, I'm his perfect child. hmmph.. Imagine that... Imagine me..
 

first heard the song from my friend cuz we were gonna do a skit to it and rite after i heard it i thought it sounds like alot of wut i have been though and my friend turned around and said the same thing so we did the skit when we got to church and rite at of the end of the song when we were gettin done i just let it all go rite then i just gave everything to GOD and let him have his way cuz all that i had holdin me down wuznt helpin me at all. people dat hurt me before when i use to think about suicide and wut my father had done den when my dad passed away last year and i felt like how cud like sumone like me de way i wuz and de way i look how cud he accept me even tho i kno he loves everyone i just cudnt see him loving me and i had fear of him not lovin me and fear of everything else i had lost all of my selfesteem and i wuz insecure and i struggled wit bein accepted by anyone cuz of all my faults and i have been in depression since i was 7 and i am now 15 i have alot of stuff still on my shoulders dat a fifteen year old shudnt have until they grow up but i have just been through so much and now basically i just got delivered from all of that but i still have a little bit more to go though but its just when i heard that song it wasnt acting or anything when i did the skit its just that i had all that on my heart and i had to finally let it go and give it to GOD cuz he wants me for better things and to do what he wants me toand i cudnt do that with the way i was so i thank GOD for givin the song to you to bless me and come out of wut i was in so thank GOD and may he bless u with your days to come
 

Good Afternoon Mr. Franklin,

I saw this poster and just had to respond.

I'll try not to be too wordy...but I wanted to thank you.

I actually have so many things to thank you for,

Thank you for being you, thank you for sharing your story (yes I saw the Oprah episode), thank you for sharing your wonderful God filled message thru your music.

I love every song that you've done...but this song has a special meaning for me. God has a plan for me and becuase of your music and you sharing your shame on TV, I know that God has a message for me to spread no matter what I've done in the past, or what I might do in the future. It is through God's infinite mercy and grace that I am made whole. I know now that I'm worthy of loving myself...there by allowing myself to be loved by others.

Every word in this song was directed to me...whenever I fill down..I listen to this song over and over again.

Please know that you are a phenomonal person!!! You are talented and needed.

Thank you for letting me know the same.

I've been insecure, I've had the mother issues, I've allowed my guilt about things that I've done in my past slow my spiritual growth. But now I know that I'm free...that God loves me no matter what!!!

Thank you,

Naki
 

Kirk, I love all your songs, but never has a song impacted me than this. "911" was powerful and "Hold Me Now" got me through my grandmother's death, but when I saw you perform it on TBN for the first time before the album, I just started worshipping. I didn't hear all the lyrics, but when the chorus came to "Gone"...I just went in!

When I got the cd and played it, I started balling. My mother was 15 when she had me, I was raised by my grandparents, and was quite an introvert growing up. I never speak in "halves", but my brothers both have the same dad and grew up in the house with my mom and dad, while I was with my grandmother. We lived close, but it was different for me. They were athletic, while I was the book worm and church boy. They had the girlfriends while I only had one, who ended up breaking my heart. God of course used all of that for His glory, but there were times I felt alone and isolated.

Now I'm a youth pastor, married, and a father, but still that little boy cries out to see himself in God. I have a video show and have played all of your different videos, but I can't wait to air this one. The visuals are potent and when MiLa sent it via her blog, I started balling again.

Our God is a God of new beginnings..."old things are passed away, behold, all things become new". Thanks for reminding of us of that and being the vessel to reach sooo many people with the transperancy that comes from your heart. We can't reach holiness until we deal with our brokenness.
 

Imagine me... everytime i hear it i feel like you singing to me, and im sure you've heard this before. I bought the cd cause my church was advertising it in our cafe, and i was looking to add more christain songs to my collection of cd's. When i first played it I was driving in my car wiht my two children, i had just gotten an apt. my first stable home since birth. I've always struggled with self-esteem, and i've been through so much. (almost every bad thing that can happen to a young girl did) and i've always carried this pain with me everywhere. "Imagine me" was kinda like my wake up call of God letting me know im safe now, i can start letting it go. everytime i listen to this song tears just roll down my cheeks. It makes me feel like i have permission to take charge of my life. I have poems i wrote that said similar things about breaking my spirit. anyways i thank u for lisening to your calling. and helping me through you songs.
 

by the way i was just listening to tis song on my way home from taking my baby to visit his father.. fuuny
 

I got so much from the song when I first heard it, but then when I saw the video... tears just started rolling down my face. The melody of the song... the words just flow through me and touch me in ways Hold Me Now and Lean on Me did when I first heard them.

There are times in my life when I don't feel worthy of the life that I have been blessed to live. When I was going through my teenage years suicide crossed my mind alot because I felt like I was just a mistake. And then there are all the mistakes that I have made in my life, knowing that I shouldn't be doing them. Being hurt in my past my family members, both physical and mental abuse, I started to become depressed and didn't think that I was worth much. I struggled with self-esttem issues because of my past problems, feeling like I was being push aside by my parents, being molested by sister's boyfriend... it all came crashing down one night when I attempted suicide, the pills that should've killed me, didn't. He kept me. It was shortly after that I started to "imagine me" being free, trusting HIM totally. Imagine Me gave me a strength from deep within, that I didn't know still existed.

There is just something about songs like Imagine Me that bring a light back into my life. I just want to thank you for doing what you do.

Stay Blessed,
Ty
 

hey....when i heard this song, it was during my first quarter here at wright state. I really didnt listen to it as in the words, but once I did, it really ministered to me. I really can't imagine how God loved someone like me. I was dealing with low self esteem issues. Part of the reason was my weight. I grew up in church all my life, and always had ppl tell me " Your so beautiful, ur this and that". But I guess that really doesn't matter. Then I was being lukewarm. I thought that if I had the approval of the world, of man, then I would be okay. I always wanted to be the popular one in school, always be in the "IN" crowd. But I know now that God loves me, despite of my insecurities, despite the fact of what I may do or say, I know that He loves me. When I got here to school, I had to finally had to deal with the fact that I was different than everybody else. in ALL aspects, from the way i worship down to the way that I dress. It was hard because I often got laughed at, and it hurts when you get laughed at. But then I realized that If God wanted all of us to be the same, then he would've made us that way. But he ministered to me and let me know that I was this way for a reason. I know that He allowed me to go through this for my purpose and ministry.
 

When I first heard "Imagine Me" I was in the car with a friend of mine. She had the "Hero" C.D. and just let it play since I had never heard it all the way through. This song gives me the feel of a praise and worship song and also it makes you want to examine yourself like "what's really going on inside with me the person." It's amazing what hearing a song can do for someone when Gods annointing is on it. It's so great!
 

All I know is that when I heard this song, I felt like God was talking to me, I couldn't believe he knew that I was looking in the mirror thinking that I was not good enough, for my own eyes, how did he know that I was constantly picking at the flaws that I thought stood out so much... I heard the words, I heard the emotion, and I heard My father tell me that everything that had caused my scars, my stretchmarks, my pimples, my pain of lonliness in the past, my broken heart, my restrained hurt from my father, "everything that happened" were gon' gon' gon' all gon' and I cried on that particular part of the song. I was deeply moved, not just emotionally, but spirtually to the next level.and anytime that i feel even jus a little unsure, for some ironic reason, I'll just happen to be listening to kirk and that song will come on, I mean right at the moment the thought even crossed my mind, and Jesus comforts me everytime* Imagine that... Now that's jus like him to be there for me*(halelujah)
 

imagine me: When i first heard this song, i was riding in my car just bought your cd. This song move me heart and i just start thinking about thing that i had went thru in my life.Many are similar to all the thing in the song. imagine me loving what i see when the mirror look at me imagine me: For so long in my life i had to deal with my body been burned and all the scare on it, i shame to wear short when i in high school playing basketball and running track, because of what people might think and i didn't think a guy would want a person with scare on their body. By the grace of God had to learn to love what i see when i look in the mirror that myself. let go of all the ones that hurt me and nerve did deserve imagine me, there been people in my life that called theirselves your friend and associate, but at the same time about you behide you back, some had use me, some just jealous of me for no reason. they don't want me accomplish everything in life so they set out to try to destroy your accomplishment. Sometime these people can be your family member. They all talking negative about me and putting me down. But I was the first to graduate for high school in my family. Something your church's family are the same way. They pretend that they love you and at the same time, turn their nose up that you. By the grace of God, I learn to love them in spite of all they do to me, but God say " that reverage is his". There so much more i can write about, but i don't have time. This song has been a great inspiration in my life. I have this song on my myspace page and I went and buy a tag for the front of my car, Guess what it say IMAGINE ME! Thank Kirk for such a loving and inspiring song, but to be frank, Your whole cd is great. P.S. I can dance cause i don't have to read those pages again
 

Hi Mr. Franklin,

Its Meka... I love the video!!!!!!!!!! You really are an amazing writer, I wanna be a famous book writer when I grow up. Please feel free to check out my page at www.myspace.com/reserved4godsdestiny

Bless You,
Meka
 

=D love it. bless you and your wife and family. much love to you. take care! stay strong God is with you.
 

hey Kirk,

How come u didnt come to Toronto, ON ? J/ wonderin if ur comin again. Have u heard of Freedom 2 Worship? Thats who Im with! Thx for lettin whites and blacks b united! I sang "My life is in Your Hand at my highschool grad, it was my fav song back in "98, and everyone loved it! I like Imagine Me and all of ur other songs

Take care and hope u come back to make up for a cancelled show

judy Bowen aka songstrss
 

Kirk,

I too found this song to be my favorite on this album. First of all the music, the beat and melody are all so perfect together. I first listened to this song on a short road trip with my husband. I have mentioned him (Marcus) to you in the past. He is not a Christian and grew up in a home that was broken and destructive on so many levels. At that time he had never attended church with me and I had asked you along with many others to pray that God may bring someone into his life that he would truly listen to concerning Christ. As that song played I felt as though it was a song Marcus could relate to so closely. Your words in that song were a true witness. He did not comment on the song but I know a seed was planted. In the weeks following he began to attend church with me, AMEN!! He attended on his own choosing for a few months and has now fallen out of attendance but I will contimie tp pray for my husband and try to be a witness through my life daily. That song is not only beautiful but powerul. God has truly used your voice to speak His truth!!

God Bless,

Kara
 

I love all of your music not just the recent releases. My story begins like this. On Monday I had a situation at work. I knew the enemy was attacking me through my employment. My flesh begin to rise and I became very angry, so much so I begin to cry. I kept thinking "be angry but sin not" and begin to question at this point how could I do that. I began to play my WOW 2006 CD but nothing was ministering to me. I email a friend who is a local DJ and asked him to play Imagine Me. He played it immediately and I begin to feel relieve. It was as if a wait was lifted. God began to speak to me and tell me that things were ok. He told me that I was one of His annointed and He was protecting me. When I walked out of my office, my co-workers began to tell me I looked better. I thank God for your gift and your annointing. Throughtout my walk different songs you have made have ministered to me beginning with Silver and Gold and He's Able. Keep God first and Be Blessed. Love a true fan.
 

When i first heard the song i broke down and just cried, That time i didnt actually know y i was crying i just cried and thought "the song is deep thats y i am crying". Today i went on the website and saw the video and once again i cried, and cried and i am still crying as i type. this time i know y i am crying. this song is for me. Today i hav finally been honest 2 myself.
Thank you Kirk.
God bless
 

Kirk and Tammy,

When I interviewed you in San Diego, I got a chance to share my testimony with you. I've come such a long way in such a brief amount of time, and every single day, I thank God for how he is healing me so thoroughly from the incredible damage of incest.

I recently orded a new Ipod, and on the back, I had my name engraved on the first line, and the phrase "Imagine Me" on the second. When the Ipod came in the mail, the first thing I wanted to see was the engraving. It's beautiful . . . Imagine Me . . .

I still have a long ways to go, but God is fixing me and I am grateful. I never would have guessed that even God could repair the awful damage done. And as I begin to feel better, I notice that I am becoming prettier, less timid, more confident, more comfortable looking in the mirror, and tinge more comfortable relating to men. And every time, I pick up my Ipod and look at the engraving, I see my reflection in the panel. It's the neatest thing in the world.

To God be the glory, and thanks to you for the song.

Your Sis in Christ,
Alicia Carson
 

HEY KIRK
THIS IS MY FIRST TIME BLOGGING HERE I HAVE READ THROUGH BEFORE BUT I JUST
COULD NOT LET THIS CHANCE GO BY ME .TO SAY A WORD ABOUT THAT SONG WOULD PROVE TO BE TO LONG TO READ, BUT MY GOD OUR GOD WAS REALY WORKING SOME THINGS WHEN HE LAYED THAT SONG IN YOUR TALENTED HANDS.WHEN I FIRST PLAYED THE CD I WAS SERCHING THROUGH TO KINDA HEAR EVERY SONG IN A SHORT TIME U KNOW HOW WE DO ,WELL I WAS LIKEING WHAT I HERD BUT THAT ONE SONG STOOD OUT IT GRABED AT YOUR SOUL, YOUR SPIRIT ALMOST HAUNTING I COULD NOT STOP LISTENING TO IT AND EVERY TIME I HEAR IT I BECOME FULL AND OVERWELMED WITH THE LOVE AND TOUCH OF GOD.I SAW THE VIDIO FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT BUT I WAS SLEEPING .WHEN IT CAME ON MY EYES COULD NOT STAY CLOSE AS IF MY SPIRIT WAS WAITING FOR IT ,I ALMOST CRYED. AMAZING HOW WONDERFUL OUR GOD IS HOW HE CAN SPEAK WITHOUT SAYING A WORD BUT WHEN HE DOSE SPEAK YOU ARE COMPLETELY FLOORED .THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING GOD TO MOVE AND WORK THROUGH YOU BECAUSE IF SOME DONT HEAR IT THROUGH THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF (MUSIC ) THAY WON'T HEAR IT AT ALL GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS
 

Wow, where do I begin... Imagine Me is exactly where I am at this point in my life. I don't have a sad story. I'm just a pastor's daughter trying to accept what people may say or think about me. I'm just the pastor's daughter that has to live up to so many high expectations from people who fail to realize, at times, that Im human. I'm just the pastor's daughter who has struggled with acceptance. I'm just the pastor's daughter who holds many titles in the church when sometimes I just want to sit on the back row. I'm just the one that takes on a lot. I'm the one that has to hold my peace when I want to go off. I'm just the one that has a hard time trusting people for fear of what they may think. I'm the one who is sometimes scared to fully share my experiences because you never know who's going to put it out in the street and then say "Not the pastor's daughter". I'm the one who's been told that you have to act say and be a certain way all the while growing into an individual with my own identity. I'm the one that struggles with people realizing there's an identity outside of the "pastor's daughter. They say church hurt is the worse hurt and it's sad to say but that couldn't be even truer. I've been thru relationships that have failed, but I have gained peace from each situation. Everything I go through is just building and molding me for Christ. There's not one word that I could exclude from the song that wouldn't apply to me or what I've been and am now going thru. Every word ministers to my heart to the point of tears because I just think "Can you imagine me?" Really think can you imagine me being free and trusting God TOTALLY! Every past hurt pain experience situation circumstance will bring me to the place of complete freedom. No I'm not there yet. Yes I still have some hurts and pain. Yes I still cry over evil and negative words that have been spoken over me. Yes, I still get angry. But one thing about it, I'm convinced I will become what I imagine. I will be over what people say. I won't let things break me down. I will be in a place of no insecurities. I will be able to smile on the inside just like I do on the outside. I will let go of my past. I will be what I imagine. And the thing that gets me is that everything that's happened to me is now GONE. Everything that I've done is GONE! That just breaks me down inside. Do you know how many people are just waiting to hear and know that what they've done is forgotten about? That brings me to my knees because I know God didn't have to do it but He did. I know every situation I've put myself in, every thing that I've done is gone. Can we say... What a mighty God we serve. He loves us when we don't love our self. He forgives us when others don't or when we don't even forgive ourselves. God is so awesome. Lord I worship and adore for being the God of second third twenty thousandth etc chance. Every time I mess up you forgive me. Every time I go against your word you forgive me. Every time I want to run away you draw me closer into your arms. I bless your name. LORD I BLESS YOUR NAME. Thank you Lord for loving me and caring for me. You didn't have to do it but you did. Imagine me has really inspired me. Kirk I thank you, because like your wife said you put to paper what so many people's heart was saying. You put to paper what so many people wanted to express. You put to paper what so many people are reaching out to other people to understand. God bless you. It brings me to tears because my heart knows that I WILL BECOME WHAT I IMAGINE.
 

WOW KIRK,

you are asking me to write a BOOK LOL LOL now you know people are gonna wanna go deep into they stories cause im telling you that song is REAL LIFE!
when I first heard Imagine me I began to visualize all of my pains, hurts and people like my momma and daddy who hurt me and tears filled my eyes so heavily that I couldnt finish the song it was CRAZY! I'm like lawd heal me so then the spirit of the lord began to minister to me and tell me to play the song over and over and over again until healing comes it was crazy. At the time i was in a healing process of my past things and hurts from people who were really close to me. Everyday I played the song I cried and cried until God clensed me from my hurt and healed me completley now when I sing IMAGINE ME I FEEL FREE..........

thats the short version LOL LOL LOL LOL you know we can be long winded LOL LOL RIGHT!

b.b.
 

Mr. Franklin,

The 1st time I heard "Imagine Me" I was taken back to the young girl I used to be curled up outside on the porch, put out by my parents while my father beat my mother and tore up the house...again. As I looked back, I had no idea how God would heal me from being molested by my father as well as my mother's youngest sister. That He would disprove the words spoken over my life by my mother. God DID make me strong, the abuse was not my fault nor did 'enjoy it', I AM a good mother and I am capable of being loved. God did not create me to be a failure despite what I have endured.
While I listened to the words I knew that God had me in mind. I had to pull over off the road and literally heaved & wept from my gut with gratitude and worship for all that Christ has done. From being introduced to marijuana @ 7yrs old by my dad & his sister and drinking rum and coke with him at 10 yrs old as well, The devil had destined for me to be strung out, crazy or both. Along with all of this Jesus has delivered me from a depression that had gripped me from a young age & led me to suicide attempts from an early age.

I was the girl who never knew the joy of her own reflection, because I was weighed down by fornication, abortions, theft, and numerous secrets & lies. But as I sat there in my car I knew without a doubt that I was FREE, LOVED, LOVING and most of all WHOLE! The girl afraid of so much was no longer bound, but HIGHLY favored by the Creator of all life. Called & purposed to use my past to set other captives free by the power of Christ's love.
II Cor. 1:3-8

Mr. Franklin, May the Lord continue to bless you & your family as you move under His guidance and plan for your life.

In Christ always,

Raine
 

I love this song so much. I played it over and over at home and I had my moments. But when I went to the Hero Tour and you all did this song I cried. The words hit me, it touched me. I play it almost everyday. Imagine Me...every sin, every mistake...by faith it's gone.

Love ya Kirk
 

I am almost in tears as I write this. I honestly don't think that I had really grasped the meaning of "Imagine Me" until one month ago after my mom died of cancer. I do remember the first time I heard the song though. I was online listening to Kirk's music and out of all of the songs on the cd this one grabbed a hold of my ears and wouldn't let go. I cry just about every time I listen to this song in my car, whether it's on the way to work or dropping my son off at his dad's house. When I hear this song I think about all that I've done and all the places I 've been looking for love...something to complete me. I have always felt "unpretty" and because of my dark skin, undesired by men. I was raped at fifteen and since then I went looking for love in what I thought were potential romantic situations, but only ended up a bigger mess after being rejected yet again. When I finally found something close to what God wants me to have, I wasn't able to handle having it. Although this person does have some things that need to be changed, he was basically the man I know I would love to spend the rest of my life with. I didn't know how to appreciate him though, because he wasn't after my body. I figured he was simply dealing with me because we have a son together and not because he was genuinely in love with the way I looked physically.

I am currently struggling with the desire inside of me to sing. Even in that area, I feel inadequate. However, music is the one gift God has given me to make any situation tolerable. By that, I mean God ministers to me through music, because He knows that's where I'm going first when something bothers me.
That's me at a glance.

Before I tell my mom's story I think I should begin by saying that I was confused when she died at first. We had prayed and believed with her for a healing from God. We read encouraging scriptures and held her hand and was with her just about every step of the way. In my heart I knew God was going to heal her, but that evening she died, was like the heat of summer consuming me. I almost fainted, falling to floor in overwhelming shock. She was gone and it feels like I am alone every day fo my life now. I even hate being alone, which is weird because I've always loved "me time" to write and work on my music. But now, I feel like there is always something missing every chance I get to be alone inside my head. I never thought I would say this but I hate it there now. I pray that God fixes that for me.

However, on a lighter note...My mom is free. And every time I hear that song, I imagine her floating on the wings of morning with God in the clouds above. She doesn't have to hurt from the cancer anymore (though I miss her dearly)...she doesn't have to ache from unreciprocated love...or stay awake late at night wondering where her sons are. She is ever at peace now. Praise be to God.
 

Felicia- your story really touched base with mine:

I remember my older brother buying me this c.d. at our church's bookstore, I was so ecstatic so that I flipped through the songs as soon as we got into the car, and i stopped at this song. It was first the smooth melody that caught my attention but later listened carefully and found some relevance. When i got home I let my father listen to it and we sat there for hours talking about our interpretations.

My father passed recently, also from cancer and I too feel alone and scared, but these lyrics are so powerful- the holy spirit along with the lyrics have helped me through my times of emptiness and despair. He is now resting, free of the pain and suffering, and I happy to know there are two up there looking after me now.

Feven
 

Wow, It is funny how you hear song a thousand times and then it is just this one time when it really touches you. I am not a stranger to struggle and heartache but right now, I am at my lowest point. First a car accident, then friendships falling apart, a strained relationship with my mother broke completely. A college student at VCU and financial aid denied me my independent status and I have no money for school and no place to live. With 2 weeks left to figure something out, depression started to kick in on my Monday, my 20th birthday. Everyone is turning their backs, mother, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I was lying in the bed and I told God how angry I was that bad things kept happening to me. I would walk past the mirror and began to cry, I began to think it was me and that I was not good enough. Today, I went looking for a job and went to talk to financial aid, with no luck. I came home and sat down at the computer and began writing in my journal. As i began writing, I came to the realization that God has pulled me through before and he will do it again. I just need to let go and let God. I put on some Cece, you, Vicki Yo'he, Tonex, and I began to finish reading Purpose Driven Life. Fear was in my heart of going back to God for some reason, even though I know his power and his love. I put the book down and fell asleep and I woke up to Imagine Me playing. I began to imagine myself in the position of being free. I began to imagine myself being happy. I began to imagine all my dreams and aspirations coming true. I made up in my mind that deliverance is mine and even though I had stopped talking to God like I used to, I was going to start again. I am going to to wrestle with the angel just like Jacob did. After listening to this song, I became content and realized that all my hurt, my tears, my scars, my broken heart, is gone. It just takes time. Thank you for your music. I can't tell you how many times I have played Hold Me Now and how much your music has comforted my spirit.
 

Listening to this song made me ealize that we can get throught things with god by our side.cuz i have a terrible realationship with my father n i feel as though im never gonna get out of it.he told me thati would never get a life i wasnt ever gonna b able to sing. but i went to church later on and i found out that u cant live by other peoples oppinions u have to beileve in yourselve and u can do what ever it is that u want to do with a little faith,beilef,and the lord so i thank u verry much u r my insparation
 

Imagine Me.......... I cant say enough about this song. Everytime i hear it my heart becomes so full thaiI feel like Im going to burst. Song is beautiful... it makes me feel better to know that Im not the only person who has or is going through fighting with insecurities.

My favorite part of the song is the ending. Its gone....... I thank God everyday for taking all the negative things in my life and making them positive.
 

There is just so much to say where do i start. Growing up i was always consider the fat child of the family I was always teased at school as well as at home I never thought anyone would like me by the time I was 5 I was being abused sexually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. so of course be being the daddy's girl i was i went to stay with my daddy. At that time my daddy and mother were going through a nasty divorce and me and my baby brother were caught in the middle of it all. The courts decided that i would be better off with my father and my brother would be better off with my mother. It really hurt to leave the only brother I had behind but i had to get away from the pain my mother also had two other girls my oldest sister stayed with my grandmother so we barely ever saw her and the youngest stayed with my mother. All while i was growing up all i wanted and all i still want is to have a good strong relationship with my mother, the only time i saw her was when she was droppin my brother off at our house or when we dropped him off back home. The only time i talked to my mother was when i just happen to pick up the phone. Time passed after endless lies about her coming to spend time with me I told my self that she really didnt want to have anything to do with me and for a while i was fine with that i felt i didnt need her. in the course of all this time passing by my daddy remarried and had another baby i was decide to leave home because my stepmother said she would not stay in that house with me another day. i stayed all over the place, i was rapped 4 times and i had conviced myself it was all my fault. i kept it to myself until i was 17. i went on with life as if it were great i never let all the hurt i suffered with get me down. i finally got in a secure place with a friend of the family who till this very day i call momma she help me find a job and went to my school to see about getting me back on track. of course i graduated at 17 with all honors. 6 months after graduated and 2 months after my birthday i was diagnosed with CANCER. I could really go on for days about what i have been through but i wont i just want you to know that song help me in so many different was i cant even begin to express the emotions i feel everytime i hear that song. and just to make me a little stronger everyday i put it on my page thank you for that and many more songs i love what you do keep them coming
 

I understand where you are coming from and I am also learning to LET GO AND LET GOD! So please remember YOU ARE SOMEONE God do not make junk.
 

I first heard "Imagine Me" while listening to The Steve Harvey Morning Show on the way to work. Although I am a believer in God, I am not religious, so I was tempted to turn the station. But I've always loved Gospel Music, and it WAS Kirk Franklin, so I listened. (*smile*)

Imagine my surprise when moments later, my eyes were so blurred with tears that I could barely see, my hands shaking so badly that I could barely drive. I was captivated from the very first chord and I simply adore this song.

I've struggled with self-esteem issues all my life and hearing Imagine Me just helped something to click in my head...that I could be whatever I imagined myself to be. And that no matter what that was, I was perfect in the eyes of The Most High and what other "opinion" could matter more than that? Wow, talk about a revelation.

Thank you, Kirk, for putting a human face on spirituality---for showing that one doesn't have to be perfect to love, praise and honor God or to be loved BY God. It's the most important message of all.

Love, Peace and Blessings to you and yours,

Melissa
 

At the very instance that I was reading this blog, I was listening to the song "Imagine Me" and it became even more real. I am wanting to be free of myself right now, because this flesh is terrible & I understand God's love so much that it hurts me that I keep doing what I do, but I want to be for Him...I want to be a living sacrifice. Insecurity was a big part of my past and I do feel totally free from those past things, it just seems like I am going through a lot of myself right now and look to see if my reflection is in the Word...and when i don't see myself in it, then I know that I am not Kingdom living. I want to be the cause of another's pain...I want to really walk in love, but it is not easy to do when I don't first deny myself, whew! its getting hot in here, just talking about it. Thank you for this blog...thank you for obeying the Holy Spirit!
 

kirk franklin i love you sooooooooooooooo much you are an inspiration to me i love all your songs and when you sang imagine me i cried it is so beautiful that it truely reflects me in some way and i thank God for giving you to us and your words of praise and worship thru your songs puts us individuals at a perfect ease may God bless you,tammy, and your childern. tammy thanks for all you love towards us women your such a wonderful woman and it shows how much a wife,friend, mother, and inspiration you are to us females out there make many more songs for us because your gift is forever a blessing love you both flashygurls
 

When I first saw this video, it brought tears to my eyes because of so many different circumstances in my life that have hindered by growth in the Lord. I was saved at 23
Got Abused, had a child, was abandoned. I then got re-aquainted with a man I knew since
high school and began dating. He was the love of my life, We got married had a baby boy, and I thought Great A Christian man, we can have the family I have always wanted in Christ.
Now 14 years later the marriage ended the same way it started in deceit. He not only was A down low brother looking for an undercover sista, but now child sex offender who was caught 1 year ago for raping my 3 boys without my knowledge. Until I unconvered an plan to murder him. I went to the church had the boys tell all, raped at gunpoint, and fear of him killing me was the reason they could not say anything. They were trying to save me, I feel like I let them down. He maintained his innocence right up until he was sentenced 120 years for 1st degree Rape of the children. Guilty on All Counts. I'm not free yet. I will never again trust any man, let alone let them near me or my kids. What do you do with all this haunting you?

Candice
New York City, NY
 

I don't know where to start. I am a modern day Mary Magdelene, I mean, maybe. No one really knows what happend to her, but everyone assumes prostitute. I just read Divine by Karen Kingsbury. She shows the seven possible demons that Mary "Madison" faces Mary Madison being her version of a modern day Mary Magdelene. I saw myself over and over in that book. From being used to settle accounts for drugs and money, to being used just for power and pleasure, to being abused for control - down to my struggle with bulimia and self injury. I don't know who will read this but I do know that what everyone always tells me is they don't know what to do with me... but Jesus does... just like everyone else who's posted about Imagine Me.

Some day I will be free. Jesus knows what to do with me. I will be free.
 

imagine me being free just being me living my live trying to be the person you want me to be and you wipe your every tear and say lord why me its a faise your going though it gonna pass so tha hurt and pain its gonna be to be set free now me im here cause this song blessed me and here's wat tha lord told me to tell so jus imagine me being me tha person i wanna be thanks for bringing tha inner me out and expressing my true love and passion may god bless you for all your marvoulous works in tha lord
 

Mr. Franklin you are a man highly favored and annointed of God! You have inspired so many people just by obeying Him. It's amazing to read even just some of the stories from people that have been encouraged and changed as they listen to your song. I have loved this song since I first heard it. It's amazing how sometimes the thing that God has us do doesn't make sense to us but makes perfect sense to the ones it was purposed for. As a writer I discover that truth quite often when I write something. I may feel like it was strange and not quite what I set out to write but in the end, if God has ordained it, it touches many people. Praise God you set your eyes on Him. I went through a tough time in my life not too long ago and played Imagine Me over and over while I would sit and read. It inspired me to write something that just came out of my pen in the span of two minutes. :-) It's not much but I thought you might like to read it anyway. Another one that I thought might only make sense to me, but has proven me wrong. Simple, short and sweet. May God Bless all that you do and have!

Imagine



Imagine being broken, falling on your face.

Imagine nothing to hold onto except His grace.

Imagine losing yourself inside His glory.

Imagine Him giving you a whole new story.

Imagine Him helping you up, washing your tears.

Imagine the pain as it disappears.

Imagine you standing, holding His hand.

Imagine, now, that you're able to stand!

Imagine getting it all back times seven!

Imagine His awesome power from heaven.

Imagine you can finally see!

Imagine, now, that you are me.



I wrote this poem while listening to Kirk Franklin's song "Imagine Me". It's a wonderful spirit lifter! Thanks Mr. Franklin!!
 

The first time I heard Imagine Me I was in my car I believe and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I have always had self-esteem issues and all that that involves being self-worth and such. I have and I guess still do battle depression. I have been through a terrible relationship that was based on sex and although I didn't physically give myself away I gave myself away emotionally and my childlike innocence is gone. I struggle with with an eating disorder and desprately want to start something for girls like me. Point is I always thought I guess knew that he knew me but I always wondered how he could love me you know? I honestly admit before God and you that I still struggle with that same ?. I'm going through a lot right now but I do know that he is there you just have to get past yourself and humble yourself before him. I come in shame rather than confidence and I have to deal with that but I have a poem I would like you to read, its' called Beautiful Imperfections:

Beautiful Imperfections



My child, my child so far from home I miss you. Remember those nights you spent with me those late-night prayers when you felt free: no more. Youâre bound by the lies and the ways of the world I have seen your life unfold. Your love is found in outward beauty, you strive so hard to please; but understand youâre as I planned with beautiful imperfections.


None of you are perfect child but are beautiful, unique: In my eyes youâre all the same even though you disagree; your beautiful imperfections: They are trademarks of me.


Please understand how special you are my love can make you complete; you are my greatest handiwork, in you are traces of me. Donât try to conform break away, break free: I can heal your broken heart.


None of you are perfect child but are beautiful, unique: In my eyes youâre all the same even though you disagree; your beautiful imperfections: They are trademarks of me.


Your beautiful imperfections: why do you want to change? To try and change what I had made to take away the things I gave I love you.


Real beauty comes from deep within, will last eternally; will renew itself day by day, never fade away. You are loved for who you are, you never had to change, you are beautiful as you are, including your imperfections.



None of you are perfect child but are beautiful, unique: In my eyes youâre all the same even though you disagree; your beautiful imperfections: They are trademarks of me.



this one is untitled

Beautiful is not in the clothes you wear or how your makeup looks; it isn't in those magazines or in the self-help books.

Beautiful isn't how much you weigh; it isn't in the media it's the opposite of what people say.

Beautiful is who you are and who you're made to be; it's found in your soul, who you are as a whole it is your personality.

God made you beautiful just as you are no matter what people say; you are loved and you matter forget the chatter of the world, because you are beautiful.

He's never made trash, he isn't like that he loves you for who you are; you sparkle you shine you're the apple of his eye it's you he's waiting for.

You want to know what beautiful is in all it's fullness and joy? It is you my friend I hope you understand you are the one you are searching for.



Peace