Dave Murphy –
5 Important things to know about me:
1. I have been married for 27 years and have 2 grown children
2. I do not attend any structured church (denomination)
3. I have lived my entire life in the deep south but have traveled extensively
4. I was born into poverty but today live what our society would deem a successful lifestyle.
5. I cherish every breath and my happy place is outdoors, living & experiencing life.

How do these 5 important things help us better see you as the Beloved that you are?
1. This has been my identity – I have a very deeply committed relationship and have tried to be an example and provider for my family.
2. I truly committed my life to Christ is 2013 but haven’t found a place to worship that reflects my experience in meeting Christ. I desire community.
3. I am seeking understanding and I am willing to challenge my own instincts.
4. I am not sure how to answer how this makes me beloved but I feel it is an important aspect of my desire to take this journey. Perhaps the self-awareness is key.
5. I try never to take anything for granted.

How can these 5 important things help us know how to care for you as we start this journey together?
1. I have a spirit of loyalty.
2. I am seeking a better understanding as well as a greater ability to extend grace as I have been extended grace.
3. Daily I have to “unwind” the cultural teachings of my youth. My travels as an adult has given me a unique ability to test this ideological misguiding and reshape my thought patterns.
4. #4 is very telling of my personality – I often find myself living in a space I don’t feel as though I fit into or belong.
5. I tend to be a bit private and reserved; soft spoken.

As evidenced by this belated post, I’m often late to the party but when I’m there I’m 100% there!

Mark and I have been married for almost 12 years and we have a very lively 6 old daughter who keeps us on our toes! I waited a long time for a family and I thank God everyday for Mark and Ali and the crazy adventure our little family is on. I hope and pray that Ali will learn to love and follow Jesus.

I’m originally from South Africa. I lived in England for 6 years before coming to the USA 20 years ago.

I have had a varied career path including being a social worker, doing mergers and acquisitions for a large corporation, being general manager of a high-tech manufacturing facility, esthetician, massage therapist and a campground owner!

My faith journey has been a circuitous one … I fell in love with Jesus shortly after finishing high-school and grew rapidly in my faith. I entered full-time Christian ministry straight out of college but burned out after 4 years. I became disillusioned with Christians and the Church in general and I turned away from God. Over time Jesus drew me back to himself and I’ve been trying to walk more closely with him the past 15 years. I try to stay away from formal responsibilities within the Church as I find it quickly becomes a “job” for me. My understanding of what it means to follow Jesus has changed so much over the course of my journey and I know there is much more change to come!

I am naturally curious and I love to learn. I always have a question brewing or something that I’m cogitating on.

I am quite a driven person. I love new challenges and new adventures. I tend to over commit and work too hard. I often leap before I look and so get myself into ‘interesting’ situation which can be quite anxiety provoking!

I am trying to slow down and be more intentional. I am trying to foster more open, transparent relationships. I am trying to undo my cultural programming about the “right” way to live and instead respond to what Jesus is calling me to and order my life by his priorities.

I don’t think that’s 5 things but hopefully it gives you a little insight into me 🙂