Billy Graham turns 95 on November 7. Happy Birthday! Not having been around when the Apostles of Christ walked this earth preaching the Gospel,…I’ve often wondered what Peter or Paul or John or Matthew or any of those “Men of God” would have actually looked like, or sounded like in real life. Then it dawned on me,…if anyone ever wanted to actually see a true Apostle,…then in 2013,…Billy Graham would certainly be one. Over the years, as a cynic by nature, as a worldly man, and as an arrogant sinner too proud to admit to my own errant ways, I dissed Billy Graham as a “bible thumper” and “TV Evangelist” in negative terms for many years. Now,…looking back at his body of work,…it is time to give the man his due as a true Apostle of Christ and “Man of God”. In these many years, Billy Graham has never claimed anything other than his own humanity,…and the truth that he sees in the Gospels. He has NEVER wavered from the basic message that Christ preached. Having said that,…I encourage all of you to tune in this Thursday for what might be his final message to all of us. (Billy Graham is 95, and has been in failing health for some time.) I had a chance to view a portion of it,…and was genuinely touched. Among others, Fox News is broadcasting this special on Thursday at 10:00 PM. (As a business man, I considered the amount of air time being donated. Granted, this air time is probably tax deductible,…but there will be very few other networks with the brass to air this type of program.) Whether you agree with the teaching of Christ, or not, in a time when leadership seems sorely lacking,…maybe it would be a good thing to consider some of the solid fundamentals for life (and death) that this man’s life’s work have spoken to for over six decades. A life that made him a Man of God,…and a life worth emulating. Consider what Paul wrote in the letter he addressed to the Hebrews, “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Everywhere I go I find that people … both leaders and individuals … are asking one basic question, is there any hope for the future?’ My answer is the same, ‘Yes, through Jesus Christ.’” No need to respond,…it’s your choice. But I pray that many would have “ears to hear”. And maybe we can get the kids and grandkids to watch, too. It could be that the hope for change we always seem to be seeking lies where we haven’t been looking.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 19:32:53 +0000