September 15, 2020 – Click here to listen
I received a ton of condolences in response to the Jack Murphy post yesterday and though I could not answer them all I am appreciative to all that wrote, texted, or called.
Some of his closest friends and I will be hosting a celebration service later this year that we hope to livestream. I will update you when that is put together. As best I can determine Jack was cremated yesterday and according to his wishes his ashes will be spread near Okeechobee near some of his closest friends who went before him.
Knowing that Jack is in heaven comforts me and in fact makes me happy for him. He was fearless concerning death and knew with certainty that he would walk the golden streets of heaven. It gives me a tremendous sense of peace to know that he is there taking all the majesty of God in and shining like an angel. I feel so sorry for those who are unsure what would happen to them if they were to die.
I have way too many friends who fall into that category. One recently told me he believes that when he dies, it will simply be like a light switch that gets turned off and then he will be no more. It makes me very sad to hear him say things like that. I have witnessed to him many times to no avail. I anguish over knowing that he has no hope and seems to have his mind made up. I agonize when I think of his being separated from God for eternity.
I taught a Bible study class at Honey Lake Church a few years back and started it with a discussion of the Bible. I began by detailing where, and by whom it was written and how long it took to write and facts about it that most anyone who gave the Bible some serious consideration would have to agree that it had to come from God. It is the word of God.
Upon reviewing this information and then reading the Bible, I believe anyone who is the least bit objective who devoted the time to spend time evaluating it would have to come away believing that the Bible had to be supernaturally written.
I have been praying about whether or not I should take this series and put it into a short book. I think I might do that and dedicate it to Murf. Jack’s death to me was a tragedy and it broke my heart. We talked every couple of days or so and had been doing so for years. He shared his innermost thoughts with me as I did with him. The thing I remember the most however is the laughter. We laughed and laughed and laughed every time we talked. It would be all but unbearable to think I would never get to see him and laugh with him again.
Those who do not have the comfort of knowing that we will live after our physical death in heaven along with Jesus and those who have passed on before us are devoid of hope. The death of a person cannot be called a celebration unless they are a Jesus follower. Otherwise, it is cause for grief and tremendous mourning.
As for Murf the Surf I do not mourn for him. I celebrate his promotion and anxiously await my turn. The tears I have shed are selfish ones being shed for me and my temporary separation. The tragedy for me is the temporary separation.
This reminds me of my wife telling her sister goodbye. I have joked that it is turning into a blubber-fest every time they see each other. We live fairly close by each other now, but we are moving to the Florida Keys in a few weeks and her sister and husband are moving to Mississippi. My wife and her sister love each other deeply, and it is a tear jerker for sure for them to move hundreds of miles away from each other. But they know they will see each other again and enjoy their visits especially during holidays. It is a temporary separation and it is not as though they will never see each other again.
Christian friends who have departed this life are similar. I think of Murf as going on a long trip and I wish him Bon Voyage. When I sail into that port we will reunite, and we’ll let the good times roll again and the laughter will resume. The only hope in this world comes from Jesus Christ. Think about it. Murf died suddenly. If you were to do likewise are you sure that you will immediately see Jesus?
John 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.