God is going to reveal to us things he never revealed before if we put our hands in his.
– George Washington Carver
Jack Roland Murphy was a leader in the “surfing set” in Miami Beach, Florida. He manufactured surfboards, and with his skills on the waves earned the name “Murf the Surf.” But Murf had a plan to do more than surf.
On October 29, 1964, Murf robbed the American Museum of Natural History and stole a collection of precious gems. His mission was executed perfectly. He and his partner overcame every security device, and it seemed their plan was foolproof.
Murf’s next plan was to jet off to some sunshine and sparkling beaches where he could find high surf and pretty girls, but God had another plan for this surfer. Just two days after the robbery, the F.B.I. kicked in the door of Murf’s penthouse and hauled him off to jail.
In and out of jails and often shackled like an animal, Murf still continued to plan, but nothing was producing. Then God revealed His plan. He sent Max Jones, Prison Chaplain, into Murf’s world.
At first, the plan of salvation seemed too simple to Murf. He was used to his own intricate plans – like the one that had landed him in jail! Finally the message got through and Murf traded his plans for the plan of God.
On December 20, l985, after seventeen years in prison, Murf finally walked out, a free man. He was armed with a new plan – a mission for God.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart'” (Jer. 29:11-13 NIV).
Do you need to trade your plans for the plan of God? Believe me – and learn from Murf the Surf – it is the best way!
Excerpt permission granted by Albury Publishing
Carman Domenic Licciardello is an enigma in Christian music, often described as part evangelist, part Vegas Showman. His concerts were more like a rock and roll Billy Graham Crusade than a Christian music event. After all the singing, dancing, clapping, and preaching, crowds of people would stream down to the counseling area to accept Christ-many times as many as 5,000 in an evening.
Admission was usually free; a simple offering was taken, similar to 30,000 churches on Sunday mornings. And he filled the largest stadiums the world over. Carman held the record for the largest Christian concert ever in Dallas, Texas. But it even goes beyond that. Take the Mega Stadium acts that played the famed landmark such as Pink Floyd, U 2, Madonna, The Jackson Five, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, and even Metallic. As the newspapers noted, you'll see that the one-act that drew the highest attendance in Texas Stadium was Carman, with 71,132.
Carman (1956-2021) was a popular contemporary Christian singer and songwriter.
Born Carman Licciardello, he began recording under his first name and released his debut album in 1980. Carman began charting contemporary Christian hits in 1984 with "Sunday's on the Way," reaching No. 1 with "The Champion" (1986) and "Radically Saved" (1988). His other hit songs include "Lord of All," "Jesus Is the Light," and "Satan, Bite the Dust!" Carman reportedly holds the world record for the largest audience at a Christian concert. His popularity was at its height in the 1980s and early '90s, but he continued releasing albums for years, including his most recent release, 2014's "No Plan B." In 2018, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
