cdk1972

Happy Holidays!
I was sent this poem by Maya Angelou today and thought i'd share....I'm not necessarily religious, but as most of you know, or are at least aware of the benefits of a "higher power", I thought this could apply to those, as well
Enjoy!

:bounce"Being Christian..."
By Maya Angelou

When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and need His strength to carry on.

When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and need God to clean my mess.

When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I'm worth it.

When I say "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou.
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Growing

O.K.---Tissue alert!!

I'm crying...so true....so beautiful....

Thank you!

geees poncho

This post has really opened my eyes.
I've always thought of real vocal christians as bible beaters.
Now I have a new perspective of them.
I still wonder about them, when they use the title for
commercial purposes????

cdk1972

I agree- I am very weary of organized religion- always thought it was a "holier than thou" attitude (no pun intended); but I liked this. It was a very humbling way of saying it!

best

WHEN I SAY, "I AM A CHRISTIAN"

By Carol S. Wimmer


When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting, "I am saved!"
I'm whispering, "I was lost"
"That's why I chose His way"

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride
I'm confessing that I stumble
Needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak
And pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting I have failed
And cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
Asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are all too visible
But God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
Which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I'm loved

Carol S. Wimmer, Copyright 1988

best

and this one was penned by me...



LIVE IT 100%

YESTERYEAR I SAID
I AM A CHRISTIAN
but my actions had people say
WHO CARES

YESTERYEAR even though I said
I AM A CHRISTIAN
I never used my prayers

One day I looked around me
I had seen that my behavior was a disgrace
I tried to pray to JESUS
but all I wanted to do was hide my face

TODAY I pray
LORD PLEASE GUIDE ME
so my old actions will be replaced
AT THAT INSTANT
THE LORD REACHED DOWN AND TOUCHED ME
AS HE FILLED ME WITH HIS GRACE

Please DEAR LORD guide me
YES this is my prayer
Because I want my actions to show others
How much THE LORD DOES CARE

best

I wonder about people who use such a title for commercial purposes as well.

rayofsunshine

Thanks for posting this. A good humble reminder I needed. I've had the version by Carol Wimmer on my refrigerator for 7-8 years. (yellow now!) My AH used to use the being Christian thing against me when I wouldn't give in to his manipulations, etc. This poem reminds me I'm not perfect, just forgiven. Leaning on the Lord gives me strength that I don't have on my own to get through life's pain and heartaches.

cdk1972

Excuse the mistake-I was just sent this poem, and the message said it was Maya Angelou, and apparently the true author of the original version is Carol Wimmer. It has been modified by many authors, none of them Maya Angelou. My intention was not to plagiarize, only to pass on to others a poem that had some meaning to me. I am glad some of you enjoyed it! Excuse the unintended mistake. Happy New Year!

best

I have gone through the transferance of her original before. Was back in 2005 and I still kept her e-mail she sent me. I understand the intent behind changes and so does she. I just thought it would be nice to add the original as well.

Maya Angelou may have penned the changes and on the internet we may never know...again... just thought that the original may look nice beside what was posted.