As Stephen posted last Friday, our friend Steve Murphy went to be with the Lord last Thursday after a 7-week battle with cancer.
After the surgery to remove the first tumor, the biopsy revealed that Steve had brain cancer, and he began a regimen of chemotherapy and radiation. When our friend Dave Harvey who serves on the Sovereign Grace Ministries Leadership Team heard the diagnosis, he and Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, PA sent Steve and his family a card and gift.
Steve wrote a reply to Dave, which deeply moved him. When I called to tell Dave of Steve’s passing, he read Steve’s reply to me. It affected me as well, and I read it at Steve’s memorial service this past Saturday. Here is what Steve wrote:
Dave,
I can’t write or talk very well at the moment but I wanted to thank you for the note and the gift.
As for my soul, it is well. I can’t wait for heaven! With each treatment, I look forward to my graduation day! If the Lord keeps me here longer, I’m content. But I can’t wait!
Steve
Notice the exclamation points. Can you hear the excitement in Steve’s words? I want to look forward to my graduation day the way Steve did. May we all be as thrilled at the prospect of being with Jesus and may we all live for that day the way Steve did.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, what a wonderful testimony! Even while Steve was ill, he still blessed others, and even now he’s inspiring people today. I know, I was blessed by reading that.
Hi Christina,
Yes, may all of us speak so eloquently after we’ve gone to be with Jesus.
Steve and Mark were my pastors growing up. Next to my godly parents no one had a greater hand in leading me to trust in Jesus and follow hard after Him. I wish I had taken the time to thank him again. Lately I have been thanking God, usually with tears, and a lump in my throat, for Steve.
Hey Luke,
Makes me want to thank people while I have the opportunity. Yes, Steve sure touched many lives for Jesus.
Thanks for posting this note. I was going to ask you for a copy of it. Thank you Mark for your stories about Steve that were spoken at the service. We all needed to laugh and to express our love for Steve. Thank you.
Thanks for coming Joanne and for your kind words. We’re sure going to miss him.