September 14, 2020 – Click here to listen
It was a tragic weekend but came with blessings. One of my closest friends Jack, Murf the Surf” Murphy unexpectedly died Saturday at 1:30 a.m.
As best I can determine he went into the hospital experiencing diabetic shock and his blood sugar was at an astronomical level of 1200. He fought for his life 36 hours and succumbed.
Jack was the most fascinating person I ever met. While most people know him as a former jewel thief and criminal who turned his life over to God he was much, much, more. He was a talented musician who as a teenager played violin for the Pittsburgh symphony, a talented artist, former tennis instructor, dance instructor, Miami Beach lifeguard who still holds records for his swimming prowess, he was a high diver in a circus where his act was diving 120 feet into an 8 foot pool of water, and of course he was a world class champion surfer who in is in the surfing hall of fame.
On his dark side he was a master jewel thief who pulled off the largest jewelry heist ever stealing the JP Morgan collection which included the largest star sapphire in the world. A movie was produced about that heist. He served time in Rikers Island and when he got out he fell in with the wrong people and did many other crimes and ended up in prison for some 21 years. He became a follower of Jesus while in prison largely through the efforts of various ministers and prison ministries including the Bill Glass Behind the Walls Ministry.
God performed nothing short of a miracle to get him out of prison and he spent the rest of his life tirelessly ministering primarily to inmates, but literally to anyone who would listen. He went to work for Bill Glass and traveled all over the world visiting and testifying to God’s amazing grace in the worst prisons on earth and undoubtedly holds the record for ministering in more United States and International prisons than anyone. His book was distributed to one million prisons in Russian gulags and is the only book to have ever been allowed in those hell hole prisons. Many of those who read it while imprisoned there recently met with him in Russia and are now ministers themselves.
On a personal level Murf was one of the closest friends I’ve ever had. I never got tired of hearing his stories. – (Well maybe every now and then) He was articulate, charismatic, and had almost total recall. His IQ was off the charts and he could talk intelligently about most any subject. I took him fishing several times and he enjoyed every moment of it, even though our last trip together he complained bitterly about being sore for a week afterwards.
The world has suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Murf. He did so much good and was a kingdom builder. I lost another close friend TK Wetherell a little over a year ago and now Jack. They knew each other and I’m sure have touched base already in heaven and are enjoying the glorious sight of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The tragedy is I am left to keep fighting the battle and two of my arms have been ripped off. The blessing is that I have wonderful memories and the knowledge that my two best friends have won their victory and are with Jesus. I look forward to re-joining them when God decides it is time for me to enter into those pearly gates. Until then I will grieve for myself some but revel in their good fortune of knowing that they have finished the race, and all is well with their souls.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith