My past is redeemed, my present makes sense,
my future is secure.
I'm finished and done with low living,
sight walking, small planning, smooth knees,
colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking,
cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity,
position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.
I don't have to be right, first, tops,
recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.
I now live by faith, lean on His presence,
walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven,
my road is narrow, my way 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 won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up,
stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.
l am a disciple of Jesus.
l must go till He comes, give till l drop,
preach till all know, and work till He stops me.
And when He comes for His own,
He will have no problems recognizing me--my banner will be clear!!!

Written by a young African pastor:
It was tacked on the wall of his house,
and found after he died as a martyr for the Gospel!

When Jesus looks upon my life,
What picture does He see.
Does He see His own reflection,
Or does He just see me.

Does He see His likeness,
The product of His hand.
Or just another Christian,
Who never took a stand.

Does He see a child of God,
A child that He set free.
Living life to honor Him,
Or does He just see me.

What about the other folks,
I meet along the way.
Do I show them Jesus,
To brighten up their day.

When someone looks into my eyes,
Can they truly see.
That calm and gentle peace of God,
That dwells inside of me.

When I reach out and shake a hand,
Is He right there in my grip.
Can they feel that strength from God,
That steadies when I slip.

When folks are in my presence,
Do they know His Spirit's there.
Can they see that He's the one,
Who guides me everywhere.

When other people think of me,
What is on their mind.
Do they think of Jesus Christ,
So gentle and so kind.

I try to be like Jesus,
Every single day.
Spreading love and kindness,
All along my way.

I'm afraid that I have failed,
I could not pass the test.
Deep inside my heart I know,
I haven't done my best.

I have had to fight my flesh,
Since the day that I was born.
It's always causing trouble,
And being such a thorn.

That's why His Spirit dwells in me,
He's helping me to learn.
In every situation,
Where I need to turn.

He knew I'd never pass the test,
That's why He took my place.
He gave His life to save my soul,
He suffered my disgrace.

Now I try to be like Him,
I must present Him well.
So other folks will want His gift,
And turn their backs on hell.

Other folks should see the joy,
That Christ has given me.
They should want to have it too,
Especially since it's free.

They should begin to ask me,
What is it they must do.
Just how it is they go about,
Getting Jesus too.

Then I get to tell them,
This wondrous gift is free.
It only takes a humble heart,
A prayer on bended knee.

Someday when I'm face to face,
With the Lord who set me free.
Will He see His own reflection,
Or will He just see me.

Author Unknown

You Went And Took This Life
This Life That Was So Down
This Life That By Others
Was Looked At With A Frown

You Took It And You Turned It
Into Something Oh So Grand
Who Would Have Ever Thought
That For This Life There Was A Plan

This Life That At One Time
Was Lost And In Despair
Yes You Went And Took This Life
And Now It's Only In Your Care

You Took It And You Mended
All That Was Tore Apart
For This Life You Have Given
You Have Given A New Start

For At One Time This Life
Was Oh So Sad To Live
But You Have Changed It All
With All That You Do Give

Yes At One Time This Life
Was Going Nowhere Fast
This Life That's Now Dead
Dead To All The Past

Just Think What It Has Taken
To Make It What It Is Today
You Went And Turned This Life Around
And Now It Shines In A Special Way

It Shines To All Around It
Showing Others Who Are Now
Living Their Life Filled With Darkness
And Never Knowing How

Just How Their Life Can Make It
Make It Through Another Day
Oh How I Hope They See
There Is Hope In A Mighty Way

So Take This Life For It Is Yours
To Do With As You Please
For All Is In Your Hands
And This Life Will Rest With Ease

Knowing That It's Yours
And No Longer Mine
Makes Me Know That Forever
This Life Will Only Shine

Cathy Jo Moore
Copyright 2001