I am Not Ashamed

...also found this over at "the Search for Integrity"

Enjoy!


I need to tell you what I am not ashamed of:

I am not ashamed to stand with Jesus Christ when he proclaims that he has come to proclaim good news to the poor.

I am not ashamed to be on his side when he touches the untouchable;

when he gives priority to a woman who has endured years of suffering over the child of a leader in the community;

when he goes out of his way to speak words of life to a Samaritan adulteress, or to a man tormented in mind who has been abandoned by his community to wander among the tombs.

I am not ashamed to see him moved with compassion.

I am not ashamed of his instructions when he tells me to love my enemy and do good to the one who hates me.

I am not ashamed when he counts himself among the homeless.
I am not ashamed of the way he prevented a righteous mob from executing a woman caught in sexual sin.

I am not ashamed of how he wept over the hypocrisy of religious leaders.

I am not ashamed of his call to pursue greatness by choosing to serve rather than rule.

I am not ashamed of his decision to pray for his killers to be forgiven, while they were killing him, nor am I ashamed that in this also he calls on us to follow him.

I am not ashamed that he healed indiscriminately and instructed his disciples to do the same, saying: “freely you have receive, freely give.”

I am not ashamed to say that I want to do more than be his worshiper, adoring him from a distance, as many do, proclaiming with false piety that it would be wrong to try to be like him.

I am not ashamed to be his apprentice, a student of the Master. My aim is to learn by doing.

A Disciple of Christ

Here's hoping that your Christmas has been filled with Christ and Love. I heard this in a sermon and looked it up online to find the author.

God bless you!


I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ
by Bob Moorhead

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
I have Holy Spirit power.
The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made.
I am a disciple of His.
I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.
I’m finished and done with the low living,
sight walking, chintzy giving, dwarf goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position,
prominence, plaudits or popularity.
I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized,
praised, regarded or rewarded.
I now live by presence, lean by faith, walk with patience,
lift by prayer, labor by power.
My face is set, my gate is fast, my goal is Heaven,
my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,
my guide reliable, my mission clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured,
lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice,
hesitate in the presence of the adversary,
negotiate at the table of the enemy,
ponder at the pool of popularity,
or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I will not give up, shut up, letup, until I have stayed up, stored up,
prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I must go until He comes, give until I drop,
preach until all know, and work until He stops me.
And when He comes for His own,
He will have no problem recognizing me.
My colors will be quite clear.
Amen.