This site is not to honor Doug, because he would hate that. This site is to help us remember someone who meant so much to us and many of you. He loved God with all of his heart and touched so many lives. We can't thank friends and family enough for all of their support. We are hoping this site can help others going through loss. But, we expecially hope this site can help "his" ministry to continue by letting him speak to you through his words.
Doug was currently the youth pastor for the Villa Rica Church in Villa Rica, Ga. and working at West Georgia University as the Director of Student Activity for Campus Christian Fellowship, CCF. Before college he was very active in helping with the youth program at Savannah Christian church in Savannah, Ga. He was driving home after leading worship at CCF when he was killed by a drunk driver going the wrong way on Highway 20 at night with no headlights.
There are no answers and no words of comfort at a time like this. But, our loving God carried us through along with all those he had contact with. So many lives were hurting, but Doug's message goes on with your help. Read Doug's words. He tells us there's hope, earth is not our home. We are just missionaries here. But, he makes no bones about how we should be living while we are here! So let his message live on....read his words...learn how to live for God. Because, we never know if we will have a tomorrow.....................By Mom Shippy
Message of comfort by Max Lucado
(pg. 92 Deeper Than Tears)
When you are confused about the future, go to your Jehovah-roi, your caring shepherd. When you are anxious about provision, talk to Jehovah-jireh, the Lord who provides. Are your challenges too great? Seek the help of Jehovah-shalom, the Lord is peace. Is your body sick? Are your emotions weak? Jehovah-rophe, the Lord who heals you will see you now. Do you feel like a soldier stranded behind enemy lines? Take refuge in Jehovah-nissi, the Lord my banner.
Meditating on the names of God reminds you of the character of God. Take these names and bury them in your heart. God is: the shepherd who guides, the Lord who prides, the voice who brings peace in the storm, the physican who heals the sick, and the banner that guides the soldier. And most of all, He...............is.
DOUG SAID: Cont. down below this message
ABOUT
This site will be a comfort for those who have lost a loved one but also a reminder of Doug's message to you!
One of Doug's messages:
Doug said....
This was an e-mail to me, Mom Shippy, while Doug was still going to Atlanta Christian College. Because of the way he signed it, we're sure he sent it to others. He was so excited!:
Yesterday was the first day of Spiritual Emphasis Week here at my school. And my gosh I have never seen revival like this. It HAS ONLY BEEN ONE NIGHT!!! What is revival..I never really knew. It isn't getting the church or group hopping again, but the awakening of ONE. It was the most amazing thing. Guys who were already "good" christians saw their flaw and fell to their knees and laid on the ground and cried and sang and prayed. Just plain set the place on fire...set their souls on fire. It wasn't necessarily a sin they were stuck in, but a life we are/were all stuck in. Why are we here on earth anyway? To live for ourselves, our own pleasures, each other? NO!! We are here for the service of God. We are commanded in Matthew 28 to tell the nations about Jesus. Shame? Nonsense. Once we have faith in Christ we are one with him, we are empowered through the Holy Spirit to live for God. Nothing on our earth should be a concern, a prize...These things shouldn't be our gold, for in heaven gold is merely pavement. We need to achieve purity. We have decided to try our hardest to abstain from secular entertainment. Last night guys were throwing their CD's and videos against the walls, BREAKING temptation..these things that are entertainment are Satan's leash on us. This stuff we pay money to see and hear get in us and fill our eyes and ears with smut. They say our eyes and ears are the windows to our souls. If something does not honor God, we will run from it. T.V. takes us from our family, movies take our time..this time can be used to show love to someone...lost family,friends, anyone. If God is our all in all, we need nothing else. He GIVES US LIFE. We are dead without Jesus. We have given up our selfishness. WE have given up our greed, dishonesty, impurity! We have taken up our God!!! He is the reason for livin'.IF IT DOESN'T HONOR GOD!!!...BREAK IT!!!
Sincerely in Christ, Doug
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Day TWO...e-mail from Doug to "Mom Shippy":
Once again the evening was awesome...someone prayed, "God, thanks for showing up!" That describes the night in a nut shell. Satan is knocking at our doors and even getting his foot in, but through the power of the Holy Spirit we slam the door closed. If Satan doesn't step back his foot will be crushed. His temptations will be crushed. His power will be crushed. When we were baptized we became one with Christ, one with the Spirit. WE HAVE ALL POWER THROUGH HIM WHO STRENGTHENS US!!! Satan is no more than a spec of dust on the ground. However we must feed ourselves everyday. We must dig into the word, fellowship with other believers, and PRAY!!! In the middle of the evening when we can't find something to do...don't plop down and watch T.V. No!!! Read the Bible, it is the lamp to our feet. Go witness for that is our mission, or at least go commune with other christians and build each other up. By doing these things we keep our fires lit. When we turn the light on in a room, we don't turn it on and leave the house, we use that light so we can see. The light inside of us should be used to let other people see. Don't hide it under a bush! Tonight we were challenged not to let this week be a spiritual high, but a low...We can continue building up. Through faith all things can be done. If this week is our low, next week we will be running down the streets beating down doors to let people know whassup. For luke-warm christians, we will let them know apathy is the first exit on the highway to hell. For the lost, we will show them Jesus = peace + joy. We gotta put our lives into gear. Faith without work is dead. We know Jesus...OUR FAITH SHOULD BE ALIVE!!!
Sincerely in Christ, Doug
CONTACT US
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Doug's parents appreciate any comments you would like to give and we always appreciate those who remember Doug in their hearts. But, if you have come to this site to just talk or would like to get help, send us an email below. Thank you and God Bless!