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52 ways to get to heaven KSU graduate will sign his book in Kent on Nov. 22

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Diane Smith
November 14, 2008

By Diane Smith

Record-Courier staff writer

Michael Murray believes there is only one way to get to heaven -- through Jesus.

However, the former Kentite also believes God can use anything to bring people to himself, even controversial issues.

That was the basis of his book, "52 Paths to Heaven: Discover how Simple Joys and Tough Times Shape your Journey."

Murray, a Kent State University graduate and former Record-Courier reporter, will be at Logos Bookstore, 976 W. Main St. in Kent from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 22. He will sign copies of his book and give a brief talk on "How Far Will God Go to Reach You?"

In the book, Murray writes of many common ways God reveals himself to people., such as prayer, nature, friends, movies, marriage and family, friends, poems and stories.

It also examines some unlikely "paths" such as abortion, atheism, global spirituality, prison, racism, terrorism and calamities.

"It's more of a celebration of the many ways God reaches out to people," he said.

A chapter titled "The Atheist" describes how the late Bruce Larrick, then a faculty member at KSU's School of Journalism, mentored him during his time at KSU.

Larrick encouraged Murray to explore volunteerism, suggesting Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Portage County. Murray took the suggestion ended up befriending five boys over the next seven years.

Murray said he was grateful that he was able to share the chapter with Larrick before he died last year.

Chapters dealing with controversial issues, or tragedies just as terrorism, make the case that God can let people go through certain experiences to bring them to himself, Murray said.

"God lets people go through certain experiences to take them to the breaking point," he said. "That's when a lot of people do a turnaround and sense a real need for him."

Murray, who was a reporter in the late 1980s, now works as an online marketing executive.

He and his wife, Teresa Dixon Murray, live in the Cleveland area with sons Eric and Drew.




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