“When I Say, ‘I Am a Christian’”

July 29, 2006 · Posted in For His glory 

I found a really nice poem through the Internet and wanted to share it with you all. Someone once warned me that if I started spouting too much about Christianity that it would chase readers off. Well that is their loss not mine. There are times when I want to share, maybe something about a particular struggle or maybe just a Bible verse. Either way, I am not ashamed to share about God and I don’t want Him to be ashamed of me!

Here is the poem in it’s entirety:

When I say “I am a Christian”


When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost! That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak with human 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 that I’ve 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 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 heartache 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

Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer

I would like to thank Carol Wimmer for graciously allowing me to share her poem. It has been passed around in emails a lot lately and either attributed to author unknown or to Maya Angelou, both of which are wrong. The persons who are doing this think they are getting around copyright laws by changing the title to “I am a Christian” and rewording a few of the verses. This is wrong, I am a strong advocate for copyrights (guess I would be since I am a photographer).

I hope you all have a blessed day and week and year and decade, oh heck, just have a blessed life would ya!

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Comments

2 Responses to ““When I Say, ‘I Am a Christian’””

  1. Linda says:
    7/30/2006 at 10:24 am

    This was so nice Jeff. If there is one thing that rattles me it is a self-proclaimed “Christian” who acts all judgemental and righteous. This poem I think says exactly what a true Christian is (and needs) to be. :-)

  2. Kim says:
    8/1/2006 at 12:10 am

    I’ve always loved that poem. Thanks for sharing, and for crediting the author. :-) (I’m a photographer too.)