You can read here about Carol Wimmer being the author, if you want to know for sure. Also check out the link to Wimmer's website, at the bottom of the article, where she explains the poem is now copyrighted by law to her as a result of the mis-attribution to Angelou. http://www.snopes.com/glurg...

yep, it doesn't matter who wrote it first, it may even be possible that God breathed these words to both of them that they may be able to share it with us.

Glory be to God, for he alone can save us, both of the poems are great in themselves, read them and appreciate them equally.

Maya Angelou is only MISTAKENLY credited with this. Her website notes that she did not write this poem.

This is the one by Carol Wimmer. There seems to be a slight difference. I love the words regardless

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

JH, I, too am grateful for the grace. One of my problems is that I am so action-oriented, and I still have not completely grasped the truth of God's grace. I hesitate to commit myself back to work in the church because I just haven't felt like I deserved it. But when will I realize, down in my soul and spirit, that I will never be good enough, and that God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise? And I DEFINITELY feel foolish a lot of the time! <smile>

Penny Haynes, http://www.eMediatouch.com

I'm greateful to whom ever wrote it. The message in this poem speaks volumes of love for Jesus our Saviour, Lord in christ. This poem helped me identify that I am loved even though I may have sinned.

Sorry I did not see these comments earlier! I received this inspirational comment via email from someone else, and took it at face value that it was Maya Angelou. In any case, I am with Vern in that I really am glad for the words, regardless of the author.

I don't care who wrote it. I'm just glad I read it.

who said that Carol Wimmer wrote it before Maya Angelou? And at any rate, they're not totally alike.
Bob in Valparaiso

I went to look up this poem on-line and discovered it was writen by Carol Wimmer, title "When I say 'I Am A Christian'"
I don't understand why the credit is given to Maya Angelou, did she read it aloud and was mistakenly credited for authorship? There are a few minor changes, but still the same poem.

Dear ksd - you are so right. One thing that I have learned, also, is that I am no longer a sinner saved by grace, I am a saint that sometimes sinned. The grace which has gotten a hold of me is changing me, from the inside out. Who is saving me from this wretched body of death? Praise be to God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

some one grasps & was grasped by grace