Worship

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed.  The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has
been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. 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 and done 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 live by presence, learn by faith, love by
patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my
way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, 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, back up, let up, or shut up until I’ve preached up, prayed
up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a
disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop,
preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My
colors will be clear for “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..” (Romans 1:16)

St Patrick’s Breastplate… rewritten

I bind to myself today
There really is nothing like being free to call on the complete God, for God is both the nature and bringer of community and harmony… the creator of everything.

The whole story of a God who became one of us and one with us… who was born and named, who died a criminals death and was buried in a rich mans tomb… who was restored to life and left earth still alive and kicking… and who promises to hold me to my words and actions, to forgive me, to value me and to restore me to who I was made to be… to the community of God.

I bind to myself today
Surrounded by the support of God and all who serve God… the Angels and the loyal servants, the faithful and the humble, the teachers and guides, the pure and the good… they continually light the way for me… show me how to try to live and to love… God and humanity.

I bind to myself today
The power of the whole community of God,
The awesome nature of all laid out before me,

The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The density of rocks.

The whole of the wonder of creation… the chaos and the calm.

I bind to myself today
God’s authority to keep me on track me when I am confused and lost,
God’s strength to hold my arm when I stumble and fall,
God’s deep wisdom to bring me a glimpse of understanding and fascinate me,
God’s eye to watch over me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s words in my mouth,
God’s hand to hold mine,
God’s path open before me,
God’s shelter to protect me,
God’s love to secure me,

Against all those who seek to control, dominate and distract me,
Against everyone who plans and seeks to hurt me,
Whether they are far or near to me,
Whether they are known or unknown to me,
Whether they are strong or weak,
Whether they are human or otherwise,
Whether there are many who hate me or just a few.

I bind to myself today
I call on the whole of God and all that is good,
Against the worst of the world… the terrorists and the imperialists, the criminals and the con-men, the haters and the envious, those who seek to confuse me and lead me from the community of God, my own greed and insecurities.

Christ, protect me today
Protect me from all dangers on my journey and draw me to your heart

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in my home, Christ on my journey,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today
To the promise and gift that I am free to call on the complete God, for God is both the nature and bringer of community and harmony… the creator of everything.

A confession

When our thoughtless criticism stifles the creativity of others,
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy

When we keep a tight hold on power and deny others the chance to participate.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

When we prefer the safety of our holy huddle to the wideness of God’s world.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

When we decline to take risks for fear that we might fail.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

But when we praise the gifts of others,
share the power that we are given,
engage with communities beyond the boundaries of our comfort,
and risk everything we have for the sake of others,
then, God rejoices in us.

Almighty God,
who forgives all who truly repent,
Have mercy upon us,
pardon and deliver us from all our sins,
confirm and strengthen us is all goodness,
and keep us in life eternal,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

(from http://jonnybaker.blogs.com/jonnybaker/)