I was talking on the phone last evening, when the doorbell rang. We live out in the country, and the doorbell never rings. I was startled... I wasn't even dressed! In my hurry, I threw on some clothes, and scurried to the door, while trying to counsel with someone on the phone.

I was stunned, when through the window of the door, I could see Jack, Beej's best friend. When I opened the door, there stood Taylor, one Beej called his brother. They were accompanied by their friend, and a recent aquaintance for BJ, Mike.

What had prompted this "breathe of heaven" to come in our direction? They were headed to Chicago, made a 180 degree turn, and drove to lowly Monrovia. Chicago surely held more promise of excitement and enthusiasm for these three. What could Monrovia offer?

It didn't matter, they were here, and I was so pleased. Beej had a history with these young men. A website whose sole purpose was to minister, created by them, a band pulled together to bring glory to the Lord, overnights of bed-jumping, and long talks about Jesus... until dawn.

They sat and we talked. We got caught up on their lives, their future plans, and how God was working. What a blessing.

At times, Deanna and I sat nervously, unsure what to offer, or what to say. As they were preparing to leave, Jack asked, "could we see BJ's room, you know, just to look around and stuff?"

We led them through the heart of our home to its soul. Opened the door, and watched the memories surface for them. BJ's new bass guitar which Jack had never seen, was once again "held," and played. His new acoustic guitar came alive with songs that he and Jack had written together, but we had never heard.

Taylor asked to see his journals, and found a quiet seat in the living room where he could look for "the" page. One which would mean something to him, more than any other. He scanned and searched, but could not find it. Soon, Jack and Mike joined him. They read through the many songs BJ had written. They found the writings on the "Armor of God," and requested a copy for a friend who was deeply moved by BJ's passion for it (you'll see that on Tuesday). Jack requested to be able to put music to his songs. Then amid further conversation, Jack found it for Taylor. I had pointed Taylor into the wrong journal.

At BJ's "calling," I had told Taylor about BJ's fondness and concern for him. In October of 2004, at the retreat Beej would pen the "I will..." creedo, the one that now serves as the Global Passage Creed for all Awestar missionaries, he wrote something more personal... a listing of his family... his loved ones.

In a page predesigned to list the members God had brought into your life- your blood relatives, it was written:

"Mom
Dad
Lauren
Whitney
Me
Taylor"

Taylor was not born into our family by birth. He was born as a brother, into the heart of my son, by a loving and caring God who knew that this young man needed a special kind of love, and saw fit to give it to him in the form of a gift... a second gift (the first being his salvation). Beej had accepted Taylor and loved him wholeheartedly, without caveat, as he saw in him something that many miss. He believes in him, and wants him to become all Christ wants for him.

That kind of love is rare in our world. The kind of love that would bring three teenage boys, no... three men to our doorstep, to bring encouragement into the hearts of two grieving parents, while stirring memories, and bringing comfort into their own hearts... I serve a God that big, and I praise Him for it!

Thank you Jack, Taylor, and Mike for an unexpected blessing. You have served our Lord, and encouraged our hearts!

dad