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2006 Blog Entries
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Some Thoughts about Dying and People Who Died in 2006
James Brown. Gerald Ford. Saddam Hussein. What do they have in common with my mother? The same thing we all have in common with each other. Mortality....»
Sat., December 30, 2006
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Remember the Poor
Last night I made a Christmas memory I hope I never forget. I went with my 18 and 16 year old sons to a Christmas party for about 400 "at risk youth" and their families. It was sponsored by...»
Fri., December 22, 2006
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Thanks for Voting
On November 30 I mentioned a short film that was produced by members of our Every Nation church in Richmond, VA. Here is the follow up email from Pastor Charles Payne about that film. Read and be encouraged....»
Wed., December 20, 2006
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Top 10 Christmas Movie List
I posted something like this last year, but bumped a movie to make room for Elf in this year's list....»
Tue., December 19, 2006
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Christmas TV Guide
Last year I presented the Murrell all-time favorite Christmas movie list. (I'll re-post it tomorrow for those who missed it last year.) This year I am giving you our top TV specials. Here it goes....»
Mon., December 18, 2006
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Christmas in September
We arrived in Manila late Thursday night, September 7th, after several months in the States. The next day, Friday, September 8th, I drove to Market-Market Mall to meet Joey B for lunch at...»
Sat., December 16, 2006
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New Blog, New Video and a New Presidential Appointment
My good friend, Garry Senna, finally has his own website. To read Garry's random and profound thoughts on "doing life together" and to see some of his amazing photos...»
Wed., December 13, 2006
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The Krispy Kreme Code
Since Krispy Kreme Doughnuts recently opened its first Philippine store about 1000 meters from our Every Nation building in Fort Bonifacio, I thought it may be time to list the “Krispy Kreme Code� my family has lived by since we...»
Mon., December 11, 2006
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APEC '06
Iranians, Indians, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Malaysians, Mongolians, Filipinos, Samoans, Kiwis, Bengalis and Burmese. 280 pastors from 28 nations. Our annual Asian Pastors' Equipping Conference was held in Manila for the first time...»
Mon., December 04, 2006
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Manny's The Man!
Manny Pacquiao. Pacman. The Destroyer. Ang Pambansang Kamao. The National Fist. Former Featherweight, Bantamweight and Flyweight Champ. Reigning World Boxing Council Super Featherweight Champ...»
Sat., December 02, 2006
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"One Nation Under Guard"
Got this email 10 minutes ago from Pastor Chip Payne and decided to make a quick public service announcement....»
Thu., November 30, 2006
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Turkey Adobo and Pumpkin Pie
The fourth Thursday of November - American Thanksgiving. In about 12 hours we will host a Thanksgiving feast in our apartment for seven Filipinos, two Malaysians and one Kyrgyz....»
Thu., November 23, 2006
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Fallen Leaders
While reading the sad story of David, Bathsheba, Uriah and Nathan this morning I thought about why leaders go off the edge and the tragic consequences when they do. Here are a couple of ideas I scribbled in my journal...»
Tue., November 21, 2006
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I'm Glad I'm Not a Celebrity
We landed at Manila's Ninoy Aquino Internationl Airport eight days ago and have been going non-stop since then. As soon as we landed we had to fight our way out of the plane because, Piolo and Sam, two of the hottest celebrities...»
Sat., November 18, 2006
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Country Music
Cowboy hats. Ostrich boots. Big hair. Thick makeup. Massive belt buckles. Tight Wrangler jeans. Thick southern twangs. Sappy songs about faithful dogs and unfaithful husbands. The 40th annual Country Music Association Awards is in town...»
Mon., November 06, 2006
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"No Arms, No Legs, No Problem"
I met a fascinating man in South Africa last week. I had visited his website several times. I never order stuff online, but I couldn't resist this one, so I ordered his DVD and watched it with my family just before...»
Sun., November 05, 2006
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Back from Africa
I've been back from Africa for 24 hours. When I left Nashville a week ago the leaves were just beginning to turn. Now it looks like the whole city is on fire - bright red, orange and yellow everywhere....»
Thu., November 02, 2006
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"A Long Day"
Changing hemispheres and continents on the same trip makes for a long day. A really long day. Nashville to Detroit to JFK-NYC to Dakar (where?) to Joburg to Cape Town. Eighteen hours of floatation explanation...»
Fri., October 27, 2006
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I Had Forgotten About Fall
In Manila I try my best to stay out of my car and off the road. I hate traffic. My thorn. But after a few days in Nashville, I am looking for an excuse to drive anyone anywhere. I can't remember when I have gotten so much...»
Sun., October 22, 2006
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The Difficulties of Spiritual Leadership
While on my cross-trainer this morning, I was listening to Warren Wiersbe on www.SermonIndex.net talking to Baptist pastors about the difficulties of spiritual leadership. He mentioned four....»
Tue., October 17, 2006
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More New Jonathan Paintings
They are now online -- the latest in the Jonathan collection. He recently sold a few paintings, and broke his mother's heart in the process. Since everything he paints is one of her favorites...»
Thu., October 12, 2006
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My First Time to Vote in the Philippines
After 23 years in Manila, Deborah and I voted for the first time last night. In fact we voted five times, for the same person. Here's what happened. We caught the last five minutes of Philippine Idol Saturday night...»
Mon., October 09, 2006
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Whose Side Are You On?
Whether domestic, ecclesiastical, political or financial -- I sometimes feel like my job as pastor is to mediate conflicts. Maybe a striped shirt and a whistle should be issued along with the ordination papers...»
Sun., October 08, 2006
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Choosing God's Promise Over God's Presence
Exodus 33 has alwas been one of my favorite passages. Every time I read it, I pray that God will help me be like Moses -- the Moses in chapter 33, not the Moses whose temper keeps him out of the promised land...»
Tue., October 03, 2006
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Typhoon Xangsane Hits Manila Hard
You know it's raining hard when your 16th floor apartment gets flooded. Because of the 100 MPH horizontal winds, water is pouring through one of our windows like a fire hose. Several other windows have minor leaks...»
Thu., September 28, 2006
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Pinoy Idol and Ateneo vs. UST
10,000 singers from every province auditioned for a chance to be crowned Philippine Idol. The nation watched, listened and voted -- now it is down to the final 12. Drae Ybañez is one of those 12...»
Mon., September 25, 2006
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Forgiveness
There are parts of the Bible I don’t like. Sometimes I wish I could edit some verses out, or pretend they were never written. I have been wrestling with some of those verses for the past two weeks...»
Wed., September 20, 2006
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Homeless
Richelle and Joanna, two of our LIFE scholars, lost their homes and all their possessions in a fire last week that left 38 other Pasig families homeless. When they got off the jeepney after school, they found smoldering...»
Tue., September 19, 2006
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LIFE Scholarships and Ministry to the Urban Poor
We have been involved in campus ministry the whole 23 years we have lived in Manila. Since a vast majority of Filipino students are financially underprivileged, to do campus ministry in Manila is to minister to the poor...»
Sun., September 17, 2006
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One-sided Stories, Rumors, Gossip and Tabloid News
By no choice of his own, Joseph ends up as a "houseboy" in an Egyptian mansion. Because of his hard work, integrity and the favor of God, he gets promoted and ends up in charge of everything Mr. Potiphar owns...»
Wed., September 13, 2006
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The Power of Humility
Before I knew her, I used to watch her on TV boldly giving her opinion about controversial issues. Like most senators, she always came across confident, intelligent and passionate. I think being the sister of a martyred national hero...»
Wed., September 06, 2006
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New Favorite Websites and More JEM Art
My friend Paul Barker has a new website with some great stuff including his writings on church history, the Bible, apologetics, and other topics....»
Mon., September 04, 2006
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Close Calls & Divine Protection
If you need any motivation to pray for missionaries serving in difficult areas of the world, maybe this will help. I recently received the following report from Michael, our Every Nation Missions Director for Asia...»
Wed., August 23, 2006
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"God Was Not Pleased" & More Paintings from Jonathan
While reading my Bible this morning, I got stuck on a familiar passage that I could not get out of my mind. Here it is: "Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them...»
Sun., August 20, 2006
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I Miss Those Days
While sitting in seat 5-C on the Southwest flight from Houston to Nashville I couldn't help but smile at the three-year-old across the aisle in 3-D, as she kept turning around to make silly faces at me...»
Wed., August 16, 2006
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Relationship with God: Ends or Means?
I seem to be constantly bumping into this "ends & means" concept lately. As our ministry has transitioned to a "Policy Governance" model of management, the idea of ends & means has been a never-ending discussion...»
Fri., August 04, 2006
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Tortured & Jailed for Christ
He is one of the most gracious and humble men I have ever met. If someone had not already explained him to me, I would have never guessed he was the leader of one of the largest church movements...»
Fri., July 21, 2006
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My Top 10 Conference Highlights
Just returned from LA, where 700 pastors, missionaries, church staff, campus and community leaders from around the world participated in our Every Nation International Leadership Conference...»
Thu., July 20, 2006
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Shepherding
In the latest issue of "Leadership" magazine, American mega-church pastor Andy Stanley suggests that we should stop referring to pastors as "shepherds" because most modern (Western) pastors have never...»
Thu., July 06, 2006
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"Truth, Justice, and English Breakfast Tea"
Because I want my blog to be a bastion of truth, justice, and the American way, I hate it when I find out that I posted something that turns out not to be entirely true. No harm intended, but I wrongly stated...»
Wed., July 05, 2006
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Independence or Rebellion? — A Matter of Perspective
To celebrate the 4th of July, I walked down the hall this morning and placed an American flag on Michael Swain's office door. I don't know why, but I really enjoy harassing my friend, Michael, during American holidays...»
Mon., July 03, 2006
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Random Discipleship Thoughts
Here are some discipleship quotes from "Living Life Boldly" by Ted Roberts, which, I think, capture the heart of discipleship. Don't get me wrong here, I still believe discipleship is a...»
Wed., July 26, 2006
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A Few Good Books I've Been Reading Lately
"Living Life Boldly" by Ted Roberts. Good discipleship thoughts from a marine fighter pilot turned mega-church pastor. See next blog for more info on this book....»
Fri., June 23, 2006
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Is Everything a Disorder?
Last week as I was driving my son to a tennis tournament in Nashville, we both laughed at what we initially thought was an SNL-type spoof on talk-radio. About five minutes into the "sketch," we realized...»
Sat., June 17, 2006
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"Knocking on Heaven's Door" and Re-mixing Core Values
While at the beach a couple of weeks ago, I heard a dive master strumming his guitar and singing a catchy (and depressing) tune during his lunch break...»
Sat., June 10, 2006
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Obsessed with Greatness and Self-Importance
Wide awake at 5AM, again. The blessing of jetlag...Matthew 18:1 records one of those questions that I imagine the disciples wish they had never asked. Obsessed with their own status, position, and self-importance...»
Sat., June 03, 2006
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I Hate to Complain, But...
Based on the welcome we received yesterday, maybe they should update that "land of the free and the home of the brave" line to the "land of the arrogant and home of the truculent." From the moment we touched American soil in Detroit...»
Thu., June 01, 2006
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Will My Ears Ever Stop Ringing?
The energy. The passion. The faith. The hope. The joy. The creativity. And, of course, THE VOLUME! I spent the better part of last week in Manila's Ninoy Aquino Stadium with 4,000 loud students from eleven nations...»
Tue., May 30, 2006
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A Short Blog with Photos
Just returned from Lipa, Batangas where 200 Victory pastors gathered for three days of fellowship, prayer, and strategy sessions. Because last blog was so long, I'll keep this one short...»
Thu., May 25, 2006
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My Spiritual Journey
Warning: Long blog - at least long for me. I know some people blog on and on forever. Not me. I usually try to keep it short and simple....»
Sat., May 20, 2006
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Blast from the Past: "Big Tommy" in Manila
Got a note in my office yesterday morning informing me that an old friend, Tom "Big Tommy" Sirotnak, from the USA was in town. He was just passing through Manila on his way to participate in an...»
Thu., May 18, 2006
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Fire Drill?
Spectacular beaches. Crystal clear water. Breathtaking cliffs. Exotic plants and animals. We just returned from our first trip to Palawan, one of the most beautiful of the 7000 Philippine Islands....»
Tue., May 16, 2006
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Was that Really Me?
Deborah and I just returned from Every Nation-Singapore's 10th anniversary celebration. During the celebration they showed a 5-minute history video that included a short clip of me preaching about missions...»
Mon., May 08, 2006
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My Life
Saturday. We experienced "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" on adjacent tennis courts as we watched James and Jonathan play in the semi-finals of a national tournament. Went home to...»
Tue., May 02, 2006
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The Godfather's Heart?
The last verse in the Old Testament was a prophetic promise and warning that God would turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers...»
Tue., April 25, 2006
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"Me & My Dad"
Bad food & burnt marshmallows, mosquito bites & sleepless nights, Bible study & prayer time, and life-long memories. I'm describing our annual "Me & My Dad Camp" where hundreds of 6 to 10-year-olds...»
Fri., April 21, 2006
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Pretending to be Somebody
While reading Proverbs this morning I stumbled across an idea I can't shake. "Better to be a nobody...than to pretend to be somebody..." (Proverbs 12:9) Why do we pretend to be what we are not?...»
Tue., April 18, 2006
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Metro Manila Summer Convergence
Sunday, I stood on the six-foot-tall platform in one of the few open spaces left in Fort Bonifacio, looking out at the seemingly endless sea of people who seemed to be engaged in...»
Wed., April 12, 2006
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ENLI Graduation
This is one of the busiest times of the year for us, but it is also one of my favorites. Busy, because of graduation and all the events surrounding it. My favorite, because of all the people who come to Manila from all over...»
Sun., April 09, 2006
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New Feature on RiceBroocks.com
If you have been encouraged by Rice Broocks's "Winning in Life" conferences, tapes or CDs, you may want to check out the new short video messages on his website called, "Winning in Life Daily."...»
Thu., April 06, 2006
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The Wedding Preacher
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Don't miss Pastor Robert's primetime television debut Sunday night on ABS-CBN channel 2. You have heard of the "Wedding Singer" and the "Wedding Crasher," but now comes the "WEDDING PREACHER"...»
Fri., March 31, 2006
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Monday Morning Thoughts & New Paintings
Day off. Tried to sleep late, but no such luck with Robinson's Land adding to Manila's skyline right outside my bedroom window. Decided to show the world Jonathan's latest projects. Here is our newest favorite...»
Mon., March 27, 2006
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Priorities
I received the following email a few hours ago from Paolo, our VCF-Fort Bonifacio kids pastor....»
Fri., March 24, 2006
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I Love This Church!
Sitting on my desk are three coffee mugs, each a reminder of some important part of my life and work. One reminds me of my past, a Mississippi State University mug. Another, a white mug with the...»
Thu., March 23, 2006
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Every Nation Boards and More Olanisms
Last week I sat in a room in Nashville for three full days with the Every Nation International Policy Council and the boards of Every Nation Churches and Every Nation Ministries discussing Policy Governance...»
Sun., March 19, 2006
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The Lord Woke Me Up, or Was it Jetlag?
It's 4AM and I'm wide awake. Tried counting sheep, but no luck. Counted a few goats, still no luck. I've got my favorite "sleep music", Marston Smith's cello solos, oozing out of my Bose...»
Fri., March 17, 2006
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Some Good Websites
Here are some good websites you might want to check out. ...»
Mon., March 13, 2006
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Some Books I've Read Lately
"The Wal-Mart Way by Don Soderquist" -
These guys structured for growth not control, and it seems to be working pretty good for them so far....»
Wed., March 08, 2006
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Growth or Control?
I met for two days last week with fifteen veteran campus ministers to discuss the future direction of Every Nation Campus Ministries. We wrestled with several big-picture ministry questions such as...»
Sun., March 05, 2006
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Happy 40th Birthday! And Happy 16th Birthday!
While I am on the birthday theme, here are birthday blogs for my youngest son and my youngest brother, who celebrated their 16th and 40th birthdays February 27th and March 1st....»
Thu., March 02, 2006
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Happy 50th Birthday!
I'll never forget the first time he came to our small Bible study while we were both students at Mississippi State University in 1978. He had so many questions. He wanted all God had for him...»
Sat., February 18, 2006
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Blizzard in Nashville
One of the fringe benefits of working in Nashville an extra few weeks during wintertime is the change of weather. In the Philippines we have three seasons: hot, hotter, and hot & wet. Rainy season is a...»
Sun., February 12, 2006
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Religious Mockery in Toon Town
It's a scary world we live in when some obscure European newspaper prints cartoons in a language almost no one understands, sparking violent riots and flag burnings from Paris to Kabul...»
Fri., February 10, 2006
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The Mystery of the Super Bowl
Last Sunday, along with about 100 million Americans, I watched the Super Bowl. At least I watched parts of it...»
Wed., February 08, 2006
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I'm Now Officially a Hockey Fan
Living my first twenty-four years in Mississippi and the past twenty-two in Manila, I've had little exposure to hockey, but I do know some Canadians. Last night, I attended my first hockey game—with my sons...»
Sun., February 05, 2006
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The Nashville Buzz
Here’s the latest Murrell news: Jonathan, our fifteen-year-old, got his first #1 buzz cut since 2001. Many did not recognize him on Sunday at Bethel. Here's the long and short of it....»
Wed., February 01, 2006
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Thank You
A week in the hospital watching Mom suffer, a week in Palm Springs debating and eventually solving ministry growing pains, followed by Mom's funeral, and the settling of her estate with my siblings...»
Mon., January 30, 2006
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"End of the Spear"
Deborah and I just returned from watching "End of the Spear," a movie about Nate Saint and the Waodoni tribe that killed him and four other missionaries in the jungles of Ecuador in the 1950's...»
Sun., January 29, 2006
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Mom's Obit
It has been a hectic two weeks, to say the least. One week in the hospital watching Mom suffer, followed by a major re-org board meeting in California with 120 of our leaders from all over the world...»
Wed., January 25, 2006
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The Kindest Person in the World
I spent the past seven days in room 3007 at the Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS. I'm now on American Air 1049 flying to LA for a board meeting. Mom's small room got crowded at times with all five Murrell "kids," a few grandkids...»
Mon., January 16, 2006
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Still Hanging in There
9AM (Mississippi time). Dr. Barksdale, Mom's heart doctor, talked to us an hour ago. He is surprised Mom is still hanging in there. He did not expect her to make it through the weekend...»
Wed., January 11, 2006
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In Mississippi
I'm writing this from my Mom's hospital room. We arrived at the Mississippi Baptist Hospital at 7PM just after Mom's 2nd near death heart malfunction of the day. Both my sisters and my younger brother are here...»
Mon., January 09, 2006
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Update from the ICU
I spoke to Mom this morning. She is still in the ICU. It was sad to hear her voice sounding so weak. She was obviously in much pain. We are flying to the USA tomorrow morning...»
Fri., January 06, 2006
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Critical, but Stable in the ICU
I spoke to both my brothers at midnight (Manila time) last night. They were not sure if Mom would make it through the night. Here is the latest from my sister, Lynn...»
Wed., January 04, 2006
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Pray for My Mom
A couple of hours ago, (about 3AM Mississippi time) my brother called to inform us that my Mom had what the doctors described as a "massive heart attack" sometime in the past forty-eight hours...»
Mon., January 02, 2006
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