Day Seventeen of “Getting Ready for Christmas.” Read Luke 1:26-38.
Last week Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, reported that the 95 year old evangelist is weakening and not doing well. He stated that while Billy Graham is “not in any immediate danger, a simple cold could turn the tide.” Last Thursday Franklin Graham asked people to pray for his father. “So I just ask people to pray he gets strength back. I’ve never seen him this weak in all my life, so I know he’d appreciate your prayers.”
Evangelist Will Graham, Billy’s grandson, made similar remarks last week. “I saw my grandfather last week and he is not doing well. He’s not suffering or anything. It’s just that old age has caught up to him and is sucking the life out of him.”
Will Graham assessed Billy Graham’s status in this way. “On November 7 [Billy’s 95th birthday and the date of the My Hope Campaign], he finished his race and up until that time, God had protected his health and gave him supernatural strength and now, the only thing left is for him to come home. God has removed his hand of protection and old age has set in.”
Billy Graham has touched the nation and the world with his anointed preaching. He has preached the gospel to more people in person than anyone in Christian history. Everywhere you go you will find people who have watched and heard Billy Graham and who have been touched by his ministry.
I want to add my appreciation for Billy Graham and for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Foundation.
I grew up watching Billy Graham with my dad on television. Of all the things I know about Billy Graham and his team, I appreciate these two things most of all–his life-long love of Jesus and his integrity. This is a man who loved God and showed it by his life.
What more can any of us do?
Please leave a comment about how Billy Graham has affected you.
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23 Responses
When I was in high school, I went to a church that didn’t preach the gospel. If it did, I certainly never listened until I heard Billy Graham on TV. I remember saying to myself after his program, “I want to join Billy Graham’s denomination, I want to go to his church.” Several years passed before I found a gospel preaching church. Still, I credit Billy Graham with introducing the gospel and love of God in Christ Jesus to me! Thank you Billy Graham!
Truly a man of God. Always put God first.
God bless him. I totally agree that the way he lived his life and the integrity he has always shown is amazing. I’m sure there will be a celebration when he gets there!
Brother Graham’s message of salvation through Jesus Christ has never changed – he remained true to The Word. All heaven will rejoice on the day he comes home.
I had already received Christ as my savior when my mother took me to my first BG crusade in Pelican Base Ball Stadium. It was full! We sat in the bleachers so we witness people by the hundreds making their way from all over the stadium down to the infield until it was totally filled! It was a awesome experience!
My mom took me the second time with some friends and wittiness a similar reaction but on a much larger scale. The whole infield and most of the out field was covered with people of all ages including two of my friends!
Never will forget those moments!
Back in the early 80’s when I was President of the New Orleans South Camp Gideons, my Camp Treasurer was Tony Marhay. Tony was a “died in the wool” New Orleans Mardi Gras enthusiast, past King of at least one carnival organization. He and his wife came to Christ in front of their TV watching Billy Graham at home. Billy made good use of Romans 12:4&5. I have often used the quote from Mrs. Graham you used Sunday when counseling couples or individuals on the difficulties of Marriage and the challenges of life, even for a good cause.
It is true, you find out who your Brothers and Sisters are in times of adversity; and who needs to be Saved. And, you learn more about your Walk in Christ and how He and the Prophets may have felt, among their own people.
I have said numerous times, “Behind every good man is a better woman.” I reminded a fellow member in the audience this morning who I believe has a wife who is the “glue” in his family and the reigns that has enabled him to be economically successful. Ruth Bell Graham was such a woman.
I remember the almost smile on Mother’s face just after 4 p.m. 12/29/12, the light was gone from her eyes. She said I’d be able to handle the attacks that would come, I wish I could say there was no doubt in me.
Blessings
I was a young grammar school child. I went with my parents and aunt to the Billy Graham crusade in New Orleans in the early 50’s. Although I was too young to understand, my parents and aunt went forward and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. I am filled with tears of gratitude for Billy Graham because I know I will be with my parents and aunt again in heaven.
Thanks to all of you for your great memories. I truly thank God for faithful people who serve Him. Sydney, what a great memory and blessing.
So much I could keyboard here. Two images immediately come to mind this morning: 1. It’s 1971 and I am a 22-year-old counselor for the Oakland-Alameda County Crusade in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Jesus Movement was in “full feather.” Many in mainline (and Baptist!) churches had rejected these wild and crazy former hippies who were running around with their index fingers in the air shouting, “One Way! Jesus!” Billy ascends the platform before about 60,000 attendees at the first service of the Crusade, raises his right hand with index finger pointed toward heaven and shouts, “One Way! Jesus!” It was a life-transforming moment. 2. It’s at FBC, New Orleans and the Post-Katrina New Orleans Arena Crusade is being planned. I am sitting with a pastor friend about 2/3 of the way back at FBC. I see Billy coming in from my right. I couldn’t help it. I stood and began applauding. So did my friend. And before long all of us were. Knowing Billy, it was probably embarrassing. I know this: I was applauding because I knew I was in the presence of one who loved (and loves!) Jesus with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Sometimes we are aware that our feet are standing on Holy Ground and sometimes we are aware when we are standing in the presence of Holy men. I pray for God’s most Holy blessings on Billy and his family as He prepares to receive His son, Billy, into His loving arms ~ a Holy Man in the presence of The Most Holy.
As a young boy I can remember the televised crusades and how Mom, Dad, and/or Grandmother would always set aside a special family time to watch the programs. It seemed foreign to me then. That was until about the age of 15 when a Billy Graham sponsored movie was shown at the the Star Theater in Covington, LA. One of those special movies that was used to reach young people at the time. And it was a good one because that’s when I first remember confessing a belief in Jesus Christ and saying the sinners prayer with someone there at the movie. Its the only movie I ever knew to have an alter call and actual people there to talk with you after the movie. It’s been quite the journey since then and have probably gone full circle in my walk with Jesus Christ but can attribute that experience to Billy Graham.
It’s wonderful how God used Billy Graham to bring many people to Christ.
Firstly, thank you Waylon for this very special post recognizing Billy Graham, a lion of God. Mr. Graham has been my personal hero for many, many years. His BGEA organization is worthy of support; amazingly, not once has he asked for donations. Franklin’s Samaritan’s Purse is one of the first on the ground for any disaster relief. The Cove, a marvelous training get-away, is a life-changing experience. I have not as yet had the opportunity to visit the Billy Graham Library, but it is on my bucket list. There is so much to be said about this splendid Christian man, a giant amongst us. Billy Graham, along with his beloved late wife Ruth, have championed the cause of Christ, exemplifying true servanthood. God is surely well pleased.
Billy Graham and you have made tremendous impact on my life. I feel God, is eagerly waiting to bring Billy Graham, to Heaven. If we truly believe God’s true words, we all would be eagerly wanting God, to bring
us all to our promised Heavenly home. God’s promises are real truth. Thank you again for your blogs daily.
I look forward to reading them every day.
Thank you for your kind words.
I was saved during one of his evangelistic campaings in Puerto Rico in 1957 at the age of 14. I was a revelious teenager on the way to hell. I thank God for sending him my way.
I join you in celebrating his life.
What a great testimony of how God works through normal people (Billy Graham) who choose to obey Him.
I never had the opportunity to attend a BGCrusade; but many times watched his televised crusades. Raising a family of five children, one who was severally mentally disabled–so many days I wondered how I would have the strength to face another day. Televised crusades with Billy Graham were such a blessing to me. I always felt that God was speaking to me through his blessed servant–his God-inspired messages always gave me the strength to carry on in difficult days. May God bless him and his dear family who have done so much, both spiritually as well as physically for the needy people around this world.
Though I never went to see Billy Graham in person, I have so many wonderful memories of watching him on TV. Through the years his love and faithfulness to God has had a great impact on my life. During the years when there was so much controversy and bad publicity about so many TV evangelists, Billy Graham was a steadfast light. He has definitely brought more people to God then anyone else in my lifetime. Everytime I hear the hymn, “Just as I Am”, I am reminded of Billy Graham and his wonderful ministry to the world. There will definitely be rejoicing in Heaven when he enters into the presence of our Lord and Savior.
Like most, as a young person I saw Billy Graham on TV. I had heard so much from others by then that I watched out of curiosity. He was unashamed of the gospel and preached it with fire, but the thing that influenced me most was when I heard that in order to protect the name of his master, he never entered a hotel room without a brother in Christ present. Impressed me deeply.
I grew up with a non-believing step-father who called Billy Graham a “religious kook and the people who followed him “stupid” including my mother who always made us watch him. Thank God for my mother whose faith was weak and taking a beating, but strong enough to instill in us that Billy Graham knew much more than my step-dad (who was otherwise, a good man) and that Billy Graham was the one we should listen to. I reached a point where I listened to him intensely, hanging on his every word, and being in awe of the people who were fortunate enough to be there in person. Because of him, I sought the TRUTH as a young adult and often wondered, as we did not have a Bible and rarely attended church, would I know Christ today, had I not had Billy Graham and a mother strong enough to make me listen to him?
Thanks, Waylon for writing this post and bringing out our appreciation for this great man and our great memories of him.
What a powerful story. The truth does make us free.
Thanks Ed. I agree wholeheartedly. But I think the intellectual thing is only part of what is required. I think visible and audible numbers on the streets and in the post and anywhere would compliment his efforts.