I've been asked about the piece I read at the end of the State of the Church; it was orginally found on the wall of the bedroom of a missionary pastor in Africa; after he had disappeared. Here it is:
I am a part of the fellowship committed to doing "whatever it takes." I have Holy Spirit power. The die is cast. I've stepped over the line. I am out of the comfort zone. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or back away. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chincy giving, and dwarfed goals!
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait fast, my goal heaven, my road narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let up, or burn up, till I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up fot he cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He comes again.
And when He come to get His own, He'll have no problem recognizing me because I have dedicated my life to being a part of the fellowship committed to doing "whatever it takes!"
Grace and peace