I suppose the logical beginning was October 27, 1976 -- the day I was born. Or perhaps 9 months earlier when I was conceived.
But really it began this summer.
Two of our very dearest friends died. Two friends who changed my life, my faith, and influenced my idea of serving God.
The first was Bill Hawkins. He died June 8, 2011 after a lengthy illness at 66 years old. We first met Bill in 2001, the week we opened our bookstore. Nearly every day after that for 5 years, he was there. Always encouraging, always loving, and sometimes calling it like he saw it. He'd shake his finger at us and in his gravelly voice (from too many cancer treatments on his throat) he'd say "You just gotta have faith, brother." And he was always right. Bill was a simple man with a simple faith. He loved his Jesus and he showed it every day by serving others.
The second was Murphy. Murphy had a first name, but he didn't tell anyone what it was (though he did tell us and promised us to keep it secret). He died August 27, 2011, at age 60. I don't remember when exactly we met Murphy, but more I remember his presence. He also came to our store almost every day and his presence quietly filled the room. Murphy was a pastor and it showed, through and through. He led a Bible study for very lost teenagers for several years at our store. He was a rock, dependable in any situation. Murphy memorized several books of the Bible, word for word, and would occasionally recite one if I begged.
When Bill died, my facade began to crumble. All the years of building up a wall of "I'm doing great. I have a strong faith." All the years of believing that I was who God wanted me to be.
With Murphy's death, the walls have collapsed. I am no longer who I was, but I'm not who God created me to be, either.
And that's what this blog is about. Today, I recommit my life to Christ and day by day, I want to step into the skin God created for me.
But really it began this summer.
Two of our very dearest friends died. Two friends who changed my life, my faith, and influenced my idea of serving God.
The first was Bill Hawkins. He died June 8, 2011 after a lengthy illness at 66 years old. We first met Bill in 2001, the week we opened our bookstore. Nearly every day after that for 5 years, he was there. Always encouraging, always loving, and sometimes calling it like he saw it. He'd shake his finger at us and in his gravelly voice (from too many cancer treatments on his throat) he'd say "You just gotta have faith, brother." And he was always right. Bill was a simple man with a simple faith. He loved his Jesus and he showed it every day by serving others.
The second was Murphy. Murphy had a first name, but he didn't tell anyone what it was (though he did tell us and promised us to keep it secret). He died August 27, 2011, at age 60. I don't remember when exactly we met Murphy, but more I remember his presence. He also came to our store almost every day and his presence quietly filled the room. Murphy was a pastor and it showed, through and through. He led a Bible study for very lost teenagers for several years at our store. He was a rock, dependable in any situation. Murphy memorized several books of the Bible, word for word, and would occasionally recite one if I begged.
When Bill died, my facade began to crumble. All the years of building up a wall of "I'm doing great. I have a strong faith." All the years of believing that I was who God wanted me to be.
With Murphy's death, the walls have collapsed. I am no longer who I was, but I'm not who God created me to be, either.
And that's what this blog is about. Today, I recommit my life to Christ and day by day, I want to step into the skin God created for me.
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