I retuned a couple of days ago from Baton Rouge where I attended the most incredible conference ever, "Remnant". It was held at Bethany and hosted by Pastor Larry Stockstill. It was absolutely powerful and refreshing.

I was encouraged and inspired as I watched my dear friend Joel Stockstill minister with boldness, authority and passion. I do not know if I have ever met anyone who has been through 10% of what he has been through, and who yet continues to press in to their call and destiny without wavering. Joel's precious late wife Amy was truly one of the most caring and thoughtful persons that Becky and I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Amy, learning of my love for sweet tea (which you will not find in NYC) bought and shipped me my own personal sweet tea maker! She always made my wife feel special and important. We miss her deeply and love her so much.

I have returned from the Remnant Conference with a renewed passion for the cause of Christ. My heart is alive now more than ever before. It has been over 17 years since I began serving Christ, and I could not even begin to count the people who started the awesome race of pursuing Christ and His call, and who have now turned away for either the passing pleasures of this world, disillusionment, or disappointment.

I'm not going to write much more, I will want to write too much for a blog. I will close this morning with one of the most powerful writings I have ever discovered. When I began youth pastoring over 10 years ago I required all our youth to memorize it if they wanted to graduate from our discipleship class. Story has it that a missionary wrote it the night before he was martyred. It was found tacked up on his wall. Annabella Dupont made me a special copy of this writing, and I have it tacked on the wall above my desk. As I read this, I can't help but think of all of the people on our team. Each and every one of them exemplifies this writing. I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED

"I'm 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 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 no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don't have to be right, 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 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 burn up till 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 till He comes, give till I drop and preach till all know. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me...my banner will be clear, I am a fruit-bearing servant of Jesus Christ!"