When I Say I Am A Christian

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting, "I am saved!"
I'm whispering, "I was lost!"
That is why I need this way

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need someone to be my Guide

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not saying I am 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 cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are oh-so-visible
But God is not finished yet

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
But I want to bless His name

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge
I haven't much authority
I only know I'm loved

-By Carol Wimmer

I want to let you know Me more...

I feel Your hand pulling me away
I hear Your voice whispering the way
"Leave the noise of all that's vain
Meet with Me on higher plain
I want to talk with you
I want to let you know Me more
I want to show to you
More power than before
Yes, the journey may be long
And you'll feel you can't go on
But you'll find there, on the plain
I'll make you strong"

I walk alone across the rugged plain
And there You stand, You're calling out my name
Your glory is all around
I know I've reached that higher ground
And there You talked with me
And You let me know You more
And there You showed to me
More power than before
Yes, the journey had been long
And when I felt I'd not go on
I found that there on the plain
You made me strong

Yes, your journey may be long
And you'll feel you can't go on
But you'll find on that higher plain
He'll make you strong

-John Marshall Family, 2005

Take me by the hand...

Can You take me by the hand?
Can You use me as I am?
Break me into who You want me to be
When the time is finally right
You will open up my eyes
Show me everything You want me to see
This life is not my own

To God alone be the glory
To God alone be the praise
Everything I say and do
Let it be all for You
The glory is Yours alone
Yours alone

Take the offering I bring
You want more than what I sing
Can I give You every part of me?
Turn these pennies into gold
Take this life I call my own
Until I'm running after Your heart
I'm needing to let go

We will rise and we will fall
But You remain after all
You're glorious and beautiful
You're beautiful

To God alone be the glory
To God alone be the praise
Everything I say and do
Let it be all for You
The glory is Yours alone
Yours alone

—Aaron Shust - "To God Alone"
From album Take Over

You Are Good

When the sun starts to rise and I open my eyes
You are good, so good
In the heat of the day with each stone that I lay
You are good, so good

With every breath I take in
I'll tell You I'm grateful again
When the moon rises high before each kiss goodnight
You are good

When the road starts to turn, around each bend I've learned
You are good, so good
And when somebody's hand holds me up, helps me stand
You are so good

With every breath I take in
I'll tell You I'm grateful again
'Cause it's more than enough just to know I am loved
And You are good

So how can I thank You?
And what can I bring?
What can a poor man lay at the feet of a King?
So I'll sing You this love song
It's all that I have
To tell You I'm grateful
For holding my life in Your hands

—Sung by Nichole Nordeman, and Point of Grace

The Path of Slothfulness

"The wise man ... knows that
the sluggard is no freak,
but, as often as not, an ordinary man
who has made too many excuses,
too many refusals
and too many postponements.
It has all been as imperceptible,
and as pleasant,
as falling asleep.

—Derek Kidner
[Commentary on] Proverbs (IVP, 1964), p.43

Most Richly Blessed...

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might sit still.

I asked for health, that I might do great things.
I was given infirmity, that I might strengthen others.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might learn contentment.

I asked for light, that I might see the way ahead.
I was given darkness, that I might learn to trust.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was humbled, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for — but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among all people, most richly blessed.

—Anonymous