Let's Party!

On the left side of my blog in squares are the faces or chosen symbols of readers who have officially signed up as Paper Cut Screams Followers.

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May I ask all of you to come out of your little boxes. Please pick up your name tags and LET'S PARTY!

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My party won't be complete without all of you who received name tags in my blog dated Sunday, April 4th. Grab your name and let's rock!

Why Do I Write?

I've taken several online writing classes since my first which was Beginning Writer's Workshop. My first class was absolutely my favorite.

The class was huge; approximately 300 enrollees gathered online to receive lessons and to share written work with each other. We interacted, encouraged and became much more than classmates to each other. Our instructor, Ann Linquist, watched us evolve from scribbling to taking bold, strong strokes with our pens.

The experience of taking a writing class proved to be much more exciting than I had anticipated. I'll never forget the ecstatic mood I sustained during the six week class and well beyond. I still don't know how Ann faithfully commented and encouraged all of us through the twelve lesson, six week course.

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A few years ago, I printed out some of the words Ann addressed to me in the class discussion area. I framed them so they'd always be near me. Her kindness and sincerity are evident in all of her words of encouragement. I can't thank Ann enough for so masterfully teaching me how to write and for inspiring me to continue writing, a creative outlet that brings me great satisfaction and rich rewards.

Thank You in Calligraphy

This thank you is for everyone who reads my blog. I don't know all of you so I listed the names of those of you who comment on a regular basis and those I know are checking my blog frequently.

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I enjoy writing with my calligraphy pens and prefer the alphabet written in the Chancery Italic hand.

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If your name isn't listed here, and you'd like to see it written in calligraphy (the art of beautiful writing), please leave a comment and I'll devote another blog post to the names requested.

I intended to post this in a day or two but must have hit the publish post button accidentally so here it is today. I wanted my previous post to be front and center for at least a couple of days. May I ask you to:

PLEASE GO TO MY PREVIOUS BLOG POST TO READ A POEM BY CAROL WIMMER, TITLED: WHEN I SAY I AM A CHRISTIAN.

When I Say I Am A Christian

Poem 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 can not 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 all 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.

My friend, Lenore, posted this poem on her blog today. As I read it, I realized that I often get it all wrong. I often believe that because I am a Christian, I should be constantly striving to be perfect, wise, successful, and strong. Carol Wimmer's words remind me that it's because of my own inability to ever achieve these things, that I need to follow Christ.

Happy Easter to each and every one of you!