I Am A Christian

I didn't write this. But I believe it.

When I Say " I am a Christian"
by Carol Wimmer

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

Anecdotes and Perfection

A funny thing happened on the way to the grocery store the other day. Actually, no, it didn't. This has been a tough week for me. By Wednesday I ran out of "funny things" or anecdotes to blog about, and so I took a vacation day.

I feel like I've really been on top of my blogging game lately..."in the zone" so to speak. Suddenly, when I felt like I didn't have a "great" story, I wasn't willing to settle for okay. I didn't want to just phone it in, so I called in sick instead, a "vacation day."

When Donny Osmond was doing "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" he did well and got great reviews. Instead of increasing his confidence however, it increased his expectations on himself that he had to do better and better. Finally, after driving himself crazy, his wife said "Just be the best Donny you can be. That's enough."

So after driving myself crazy this week to come up with a fabulous blog posting, I decided instead to just have to be the best Kelly I can be. That's enough. God's grace covers the rest. Maybe this post won't make you feel fabulous or have you typing "great analogy!" Maybe you'll have to hit another blog today for encouragement. (Maybe you're even thinking you must have missed the great postings! LOL!)

Or maybe you do need to hear that you too are indeed enough. Maybe you don't need to hear it your writing, but in some other area of your life where you are trying hard, but still feel like you're not making the mark. Just be the best YOU that you can be. That's enough. Because God's grace is enough.

I'm not perfect. But I know the One who is.

Psalm 18:30 -- As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 19:7 -- The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

2 Corinthians 12:9 -- But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

To read my February "The Power" article at ithirst, click here.

Thankful Thursday - 2/5

Welcome to this week's Thankful Thursday - Five things I'm thankful for this week:


1. Scripture - God's word is alive and you can always find a verse that speaks to your life circumstance. Thank you Lord!


2. Praying friends - when you ask some to pray for you, it is a blessing when they do. But to receive an unexpected email that someone is praying for you is an extra special blessing. Thank you Julie for praying for me this week!


3. Chocolate - what can I say, I've had a stressful week and I've overindulged. But it was yummy.


4. Encouraging Comments - I receive the NICEST comments from you guys, and you don't know how much they bless my soul. THANK YOU!

5. A Warm Day - I hate the cold, and we've had a lot of it lately, but Monday was 62 degrees and was wonderful. (Of course, being Virginia it then snowed on Tuesday. I am not kidding). It's supposed to be cold all week (and yes, I think the 30's is cold, if you're from the mid-west I realize I am a sissy to you.) so I am very thankful for that warm day.

I encourage you to think of 5 things you're thankful for, even if you aren't going to blog about it. It really does feel good to be thankful!

Click the button below to read more Thankful Thursday postings, or to join in.

Wednesday

I'm taking a vacation day today. I'll be back tomorrow for Thankful Thursday. Have a nice day!

Today is Tuesday - 2/3

My sister does a weekly meme, "Today is Tuesday." We'll it's not actually a meme, because she doesn't know how to do a Mr Linky. But every Tuesday she has a "special guest" from the past. So today I'm joining in her fun to bring you a link to a special movie from the past, "Song of the South." I LOVED this movie, and it's snappy song, "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da!" It was a favorite of mine, along with the funny tales of Brer Rabbit.

James Baskett, who played the part of Uncle Remus was given an Honorary Academy Award for the part, making him the first male performer of African descent to receive an Oscar.

I always thought Uncle Remus was SO old! I was surprised to read that he died shortly after receiving his Oscar at the age of 44. Yes, only 44 years old!

Enjoy the video clip, and don't be surprised if you start tapping your feet.

Living the Limbo Dance

Sometimes I feel like my life is Limbo dance. Limbo is a dance game. The dancer moves to a Caribbean rhythm, then leans backward and dances under a horizontal stick without touching it. Upon touching it or falling backwards, the dancer is "out".

I hear the terrible news in our economy. Lower the stick.

My local news shares that two local top cops have recently been arrested. One for forcible s*d*my with a child under 15, and the other for s*liciting s*x from a 14 year old. These are local policeman! You know the one's you tell your children, "If you ever need help seek out these people." Lower the stick.

My husband comes home after a tough day at work, stressed with the failing economy and yells at me. I yell back. Lower the stick.

I console myself with brownies. Not only do I feel guilty and physically sick after eating them, tomorrow as I step on the scales I'll feel even worse. Lower the stick.

I continue to go lower and feel worse. If I'm not careful I'm going to hit the floor. I even have the devil cheering me on, chanting "How low can you go? How low can you go?" The awful dance music keeps playing and the worse I feel, the lower I go.

STOP THE MUSIC! I have another voice cheering me on. This voice (The Voice of Truth) says listen to MY words. This voice leads me to Philippians 4: 8, 9 which says "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

God's peace by focusing on the good stuff, excellent and praiseworthy. I can do that. With God's help, it is time for me to raise the bar.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.