Christians by Maya Angelou

[DreamDeaf]

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 am 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!

 

[hottiedeafboi]

Wow, that's a good way to share what christian is all about. Not I, but Christ. Christ is my Anchor of my soul. He's still working in me. Smile

 

[pek1]

. . . 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!

This is the best part! You would not believe how many times that people have stopped cussing in my presence (when I was in the ministry and they knew it) and turned so sanctimonious that all I can do when out of their hearing range is laugh!

 

[deafdyke]

I really wish there were more christians like the ones described in the poem. I have NO BEEF whatsoever with people who keep their faith between them and God. Several of my good friends are very faithful and religious....and they inspire me a lot. Their love for Jesus is expressed as friendship......and I don't have to deal with holier then thou attitudes

 

[hottiedeafboi]

Very true and even myself hoping many christians set that examples, which they haven't. And yes, we can ministered who are struggling the battle in Spiritual life, but sadly, many cutting down my struggle thinking mine has inexusable what I'm dealing with while many are flat out malicious gossip which is unchristlikeness. I keep striving toward the goal as He is molding me to become more like Him, and its a daily process. Many fail to follow the procedure what Bible said, but just jump the gun and make you feel down. I been there and many unbelievers or nuetral christians asking me why you still go to church ( I go different church) by what I ve been going thru, I said, I don't focus on what they do to me, even tho I don't give up my faith, but give in what I shouldn't be doing, till God shown me last few months, which drawn me back, its like a injured soldier won't let the obstacle standing in the way, but fight thru it. I love my Lord, and let Him show me what He wants me to do inspite of judgemental christians are doing. I like what Max Lucado wrote, about lost sheep, one sheep gone off from the post, and lost it ways, then Jesus is out there look for him/her, the sheep in the fold put their paws covered their ears and close their eyes, bec Jesus going to get mad at him/her, when Jesus found him/her, He carried him/her on His shoulder with love, but the sheep in the fold was stunned and their jaws were droped to the ground. Inspite of failure, go to Him and let Him use you if you let Him and He will mold you into His likeness inspite of your past. Its a beautiful way of showing who God is.

 

[pek1]

And yes, we can minister to those who are struggling the battle in Spiritual life, but sadly, many are cutting down my struggle by thinking mine is inexusable while many are flat out maliciously gossiping, which is unchristlike.

I been there and many unbelievers or neutral Christians ask me why I still go to church after what I've gone through. I said that I don't focus on what they do to me, even though I don't give up my faith. I love my Lord and let Him show me what He wants me to do in spite of what judgemental Christians are doing.

I like what Max Lucado wrote, about lost sheep: one sheep gone off from the post and lost its way. Then Jesus is out there to look for him/her. The sheep in the fold put their paws over their ears and closed their eyes . . . the sheep in the fold were stunned. In spite of failure, go to Him and let Him use you if you let Him and He will mold you into His likeness inspite of your past. It's a beautiful way of showing who God is.

hottiedeafboi,

I had a little difficulty following you so I edited it, hope you don't mind.

Yes, I've heard it said and quote it myself: "Christians are the meanest people in the world." It is unfortunate. :thumbd:

 

[Angel]

Amen DreamDeaf! Thanks for sharing it hon

 

[hottiedeafboi]

hottiedeafboi,

I had a little difficulty following you so I edited it, hope you don't mind.

Yes, I've heard it said and quote it myself: "Christians are the meanest people in the world." It is unfortunate. :thumbd:

Ok, we are the sheep, when one of your fellow gone astray, we telling evryone about that sheep sin, like oh my lord, you see what he did, he did this and that, lord, I pray for that person who did horrible sin, everyone said amen, convict him of his sin and etc, but is Jesus in the midst? I say no, people like that make Him nauseated, so, He's out there to look for him to bring him back, faithful churchgoers(that's not mean they are faithful to Him), saw him coming back, people of the chruch have different response, some say I hope he learned his lesson, other says, God answer my prayers( which God displease of improper attitude of prayers), I hope he confess his sin( as for me, I hope faithful churchgoers confess theirs too), and many other different saying. Many have not follow what Jesus gave us those procedures. There are a difference in this, for example, when a brother commit sex sins, there is a verse said have nothing to do with him who doing sex sins, what does he mean? Talked about a person has an attitude like open mind about sex sins, which is different than a person who struggle and fight spirtual battle. Also says, if your brother caught in sin, need to go in private, look very closely what it says how a person respond, if a person REFUSE, should get another person with you, not a person who is struggling, if a person is struggling suppose to be continue in private, but instead, many come to prayer meeting for wrong reason, that is being nosey what is going on about person sins and etc. Did you know, several time by saying person who gossip should be silence, if continue, have nothing to do with the person. Sadly churches take gossipping lightly which should be stop. We suppose to edify one another and pray for one another instead of using it out of hand