10 years ago today

On this day in 1996 my life was changed by the death of a young 16 year old named TJ Spurling...he was killed by a patrol car who hit him and a friend. The patrolman was taking a book of tickets to another patrolman who needed some...I will never forget his mom asking me to sing "Keep Believing" at his funeral, and it was also his mom who had asked me a few months earlier "John, when do young people fall in love with Jesus?" Those are things that stick with you. TJ's life and death remind me that every day is important, and every young person that walks through the doors of our church is important, a unique creation of God's. TJ was not someone that was there every time the door was open (we worked at FBC Florence, SC at this time), but I knew that he knew the Lord, and have no doubt about where he is now. Last night I shared this story with about 80 young people, as I have done every year since his death. I promised his mom that his ministry would live long after him, and I believe that it has. If you are reading this, remember that your life is important and that God wants to use your life.
Tomorrow is my mom's birthday. She is not feeling too good these days, so please pray for her. She will be 78 years old. This is a week of life and death and important memories for me, as I wrote before. I wish more people would read this so that they would know my heart. We say we care about each other, but how much of ourselves do we really share with others? I know that there are things I keep to myself, and I miss those who have been in my life before who I was able to share openly with, but I also know that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Jesus, thank you for always being there for us no matter what, for listening, for guiding, for placing people in our lives when we need them. I pray that you will somehow use these words to help people know that you have created them for a purpose, that you want to use their lives and that you want them to know your heart.
How do we know the heart of God? Maybe one of those ways is to really get to know each other better. We are not promised tomorrow....what have you done today, who have you listened to today? Make each day count....get to know other people, really know them. I need to work on that myself...
Keep Believing!
John