I do not mean to tease, but I am sitting here listening to a new song recorded by MercyMe. A song that Bart wrote, inspired by BJ's life and death. They were in the recording studio when BJ died. Bart and I had spoken early in Beej's journey in the hospital. He ministered to me deeply that night.

God laid a song on his heart that was quickly, recorded. It is an Anthem to the chosen of Christ. It is called "Die for You" (the release date is April 2006). It is an inspired song that I believe will motivate a generation of students to follow Christ onto the mission field. The proceeds of the song will even fund a scholarship named after BJ, which will send one student a year to the mission field.

Bart, Mike, Jim, Robby, Nate, Barry, spouses and families, thank you for your prayer support, for lifting us to the Father through this difficult time, and for the way you bless our Lord through your gifts. You have been a significant blessing to our family! I found a new journal of BJ's Sunday night, and in it, he wrote of his love for your music, and ministry. You truly inspired him as well as generations of people.

I would like to share an entry BJ wrote when he was 9 years old. I've corrected his spelling, but that is it.

"I feel like I have failed with explaining your word to my unsaved friends. I never understood the true meaning of when the thief accepted Christ on his last chance and last moment of his life he made his best decision of his life. I feel like I failed to tell my friend Kenny the word of Jesus and help him understand what it means to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and give his life to him. Now Kenny's moved and I never took any opportunity that was given to me and now I regret it, it wasn't a good decision to make. I never really understood what it meant to actually accept Christ and give him everything and sometimes you have to die just to follow Christ in his steps.

I thought this up on Saturday of Disciple Now during the fourth and last session and I really felt more convicted than I ever felt in my life. Even though I'm not in the youth I still listen to the sermons and sessions the youth have. I know God can do radical things through children and I don't mean to brag but God has done radical things through me and my family. To be in Disciple Now you have to be in 6th grade. I can't wait until I'm in the 6th grade but now I'm in the 3rd grade and 9 years old.

I was leading a Disciple Now group, and BJ was with me. He drank in those experiences, and grew more than many of the youth. He was writing of dying for Christ at the age of 9! Lord Jesus, I thank You, and am in awe of how You worked in his young life!

In 2003, Beej had to do an autobiography (just found this too!). I want to share the final page with you.

In life, I already know the gist of my future and the calling of my present: to be a servant for God, to glorify God, and to reach out to others so that they may know God. Though I definitely see these callings as truly inspiring and enjoyable, further into my future is where my truest happiness will be experienced. Without giving a mere "Sunday School Answer" I will try to convey the awesomeness of the joy that is to be experienced in my future. My brightest moment, which will be beyond anything that anyone in this world can imagine, and also that will last forever, is spending eternity in heaven with my Lord.

Beej the future is now, and I am so proud of who you are in Christ! My son, you finished the race and won the prize! I love you.

dad