Good morning.

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Patrick Murphy. I've been married to my lovely wife, Alecia, for 11 years. We have two sons, Justin (9) and Jeremy (6). 

My story is fairly similar to others you have heard from this lectern. I was raised in a home where, it seemed to me, that my mother was the spiritual leader.

I went to church every Sunday, sang in the youth choir, was an acolyte and an usher, and was confirmed. But it seemed like somethin was missing. I always wondered what other people received.

When I finished my sophomore year in hight school, my father received a promotion. The promotion meant moving to Northern Ohio. After eight years of what was home, it was time for a new school, church and friends.

If you have ever moved in your life, you know it isn't easy. But from a high school students perspective, it stunk. The school was nice and I met a couple of nice kids, but there was still something missing.

Next was church hunting. Not an easy job but one was chosen. I never felt really comfortable in it, seeing kids from high school that didn't practice what was Christian behavior.

It was here that I started to stray. I guess you could say that I turned my back on God. I ended up running with the wrong crowd. You know, the only time you could catch me in church was for family weddings or funerals and at Christmas and Easter.

At about 22 years old, I slowly started to realize that my parents were smarter than what I thought. And I came to church because I wanted to.

I met my wife while we were both employed at Revco in Twinsburg. She said she went to church on Sunday and was a Lutheran. I figured if I wanted to see her, I had to show up.

It was an 8:00 AM service, at the time. We were in what is now known as the fellowship hall, in padded chairs. Tom, Judy and Emily were singing. I enjoyed it and still do. It was a relaxing atmosphere, not pushy or stuffy. I joined soon after.

There seemed liked something was different about this church. I could see it in different peoples eyes. They know who they are, they know the love of Christ. I wanted it, but still wasn't ready.

In 1990, my wife had to have surgery while she was pregnant. There was a 50/50 chance of the child making it. God was on our side, because he's here--Jeremy, that is. I remember my mom's father coming to the hospital to sit and pray with me during surgery. He has since passed away and I miss him. He was, to me, a role model on how to live my life.

But it wasn't until a single road trip to Columbus that I found what I was missing. I went to Via de Cristo in April. It was an eye-opening experience, one I highly recommend.

I had somone ask me if I knew what it was like not knowing God for the better part of his life. I asked him if he knew what it was like knowing Him, leaving Him, and then coming back. It was at Via de Cristo that I heard a talk about what Jesus had gone through to save us from our sins; the bludgeoning, beating and ridicule. How He went through all that, to save us.

It was there that I asked God for forgiveness for my sins. We had chapel and I had a moment with God, by myself. Since going, I have finally found what was missing.

I just want to thank everyone for never giving up on me, like before. You know who you are. I leave you with this.

God loves you and so do I.

Shared with the church on Sunday, December 12 & 19.