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Member of the Fellowship of the Unashamed – Part 1

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

My dad shared this story at Michael's memorial service.  I had not heard it before that day.

One day, while Michael and I were engaged, he walked into my Dad’s office in downtown Jackson, when he noticed something framed and hanging on the wall.  It was something titled, “Fellowship of the Unashamed.”  After Michael read it to himself, he looked at my Dad, and said, “I’m a member of that too!” About 20 years later, Michael walked into my Dad’s pastoral office at the church in Otsego, Michigan, and noticed again the same thing hanging on the wall.  He put his hand flat onto the framed piece on the wall, and said, “Pop,” which is what he began calling him early on in our marriage, “I’m still a member!


Fellowship of the Unashamed

I am part of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.”  I have Holy Spirit power.  The die has been cast.  I’ve stepped over the line.  The decision has been made.  I am a disciple of His.  I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.  My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.  I am finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals!  I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.  I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.  I now lean by faith, love by patience, live by prayer, and labor by power.  My face is set, my gait 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, 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 slow up ‘til I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ.  I am a disciple of Jesus.  I must go ‘til He comes, give ‘til I drop, preach ‘til all know, and work ‘til He stops.  And when He comes to get His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me.  My colors will be clear.


Michael was a disciple of Jesus.  He never looked back, let up, slowed down, backed away, or stood still.  He leaned by faith, loved by patience, lived by prayer, and labored by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He was never bought.  He never compromised, detoured, or was lured away from the road set before him.  He did not negotiate with the enemy, care about popularity, or do anything with mediocrity.  He belonged to Jesus, and I know He had no problem recognizing Michael at the gates of heaven.  His colors were clear.  I am sure He looked at him and said, “This one I know.” 

Would He recognize you?

2 comments:

Anonymous Says:
July 26, 2011 at 9:09 AM

I am so glad you posted this! While watching the memorial service you made available and hearing this read, I so much wanted a copy. You can tell it came from the heart - from the spirit. Nearly every day I think about Michael and ask the "why?". I have to confess it makes no sense to me, as do many things, but I DO KNOW we are all scheduled to return from where we came at an appointed time. The reasoning of the Father eludes us unless He chooses to reveal specific content. I still pray you will be given that glimpse beyond, in some form, some fashion, that will elevate your understanding and strengthen your resolve even more, enabling you to continue making a difference. Word, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Father, SPEAK IN JESUS' NAME.

Anonymous Says:
July 26, 2011 at 11:58 AM

Thank you for posting this.. I also, lost my God fearing husband to a vehicle wreck 3 months 1 week and 6 days ago. With God's strength I am pressing on. Your walk is helping my walk.

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