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Keep On Keepin’ On – A Birthday Tribute to Willy Heath

joshuamills • March 2, 2011

I wouldn’t even know where to start to share memories about one of my best friends, Willy Heath, but I know where they all end up – in laughter or genuine smiles. The 28th birthday of one of the greatest friends I’ll ever know won’t be celebrated alongside him, but instead, it will be celebrated around the throne of God, by Willy Heath himself, and the Creator of the universe. No need for cakes and candles, the celebration began the moment that Heath stepped foot on the golden streets of heaven – I’m sure in search immediately of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What a day that must have been up there!

While spending some time in a devotional this morning, I stumbled across this passage – and in the Message I love how it’s quoted poetically – from Philippians 1, here are verses 3-6

“Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.”

I thank God for my friendship with Heath, from crazy moments that are best left untold across the internet, haha, to sports memories when we would just dream of making it to the state championship game, to hearing him pour out in praise to God in song and literal dance at times. Those memories are lasting – things that won’t fade, just like his relationship with Christ. And now, much like Paul wrote in Philippians, I do tend to “break out in exclamations of thanks to God” when I remember my great friend – and I was “pleased that (he) continued believing and proclaiming God’s Message” to those around him – especially the kids he encountered on mission trips and at Sports Crusader events.

Ben, Heath and myself

I hope you all have a “Willy Heath” in your life – one that makes you laugh or cry, or do both at the same time. Here’s to the 28th birthday spent near the feet of God – love you and miss you Willy Heath – see you soon good buddy.

FCA of Southeast Missouri

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