Contact: Jan Coates, 979-690-3700
HOUSTON, Mar. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- On the morning of February 27th, 2007, the Tucker, Georgia home of Cecil Murphey, The Man Behind the Words, burned to the ground. While Murphey, his wife, Shirley, and daughter Cecile escaped, Cecile’s husband, Alan Hege, was trapped inside and died in the flames.
Hege’s body will be cremated this week and a memorial service will be held later in the month.
Officials state the fire was started downstairs by sparks from a scented candle Cecile had blown out.
Said Murphey: “As I watched the firefighters try to put out the fire, the words of Job 2:10 came to me. ‘We have received good from the hand of the Lord. Shall we not also receive evil?’ As that verse filled my mind, I heard myself say, ‘Who am I to be exempt?’”
Murphey reports that other than his computer’s hard drive and their passports, his home is a total loss. “We saved almost nothing, but neighbors and our church family rallied around us. People provided clothes for us. So many have done so much to help us and we’re grateful.”
While Murphey has a long, impressive history within the professional writing and speaking world, he is simply known as The Man behind the Words. The award-winning author has sold more than six million copies of his 106 books, which have been translated into more than twenty languages.
Murphey has written and co-written books for well-known personalities such as singer B. J. Thomas, Franklin Graham, Dr. Ben Carson, renowned surgeon, and S. Truett Cathy. A major movie studio optioned one of his most recent books. Murphey’s current bestsellers include Daily Devotions Inspired by 90 Minutes in Heaven, 90 Minutes in Heaven, Gifted Hands, and Touchdown Alexander.
Although this tragic fire has greatly impacted Murphey and his family, Murphey said they are finding a new depth to the grace of God through the love of others.
An escrow fund has been established for Cecil Murphey and his family. Love offerings and contributions can be sent to The Knight Agency, 570 East Avenue, Madison, Georgia 30650.
