On being a Christian by Maya Angelou

This was passed on to me by Ms. Debbie (Hodgepodge) via her aunt.

"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!

Share this with somebody who already has this understanding, as reinforcement.
But more importantly, share this with those who do not have a clear understanding of what it means to be a Christian, so that the myth that Christians think they are "perfect" or "better than others" can be dispelled.

You're not what I expected.....

We all have them... we often rely on them.

Expectations.

We all - ah, even the pure among us - have expectations. We have expectations about others, about vacations, about spouses, about marriages, about confrontations, about parties, about warranties on appliances. We mentally or emotionally invest in a determination or outcome. We believe (or hope or think) that our children will function at a particular level or that the Martha Stewart towels will be colorfast.

We have each have expectations of politicians and the clergy (and I'll let you fill in the blanks for these).

Particularly during the summer months I encourage you to continue to attend church - but not necessarily at your 'home' parish. Attend a different parish - whether in your own town or the hamlet you might be visiting on vacation. You can expect there to be some praying going on and a slightly less predictable preacher or liturgical practice or piece of music may give you a fresh perspective during the summer break.

Sometimes the transcendent God will appear with a backdrop of a double choir and incense; sometimes God will be made known in tearing a slice of Wonder bread under the shade of some trees. In this world that abhors a void, God enters and transforms - often in a way we could never have expected. Thanks be to God!