• Please be sure to read the rules and adhere to them. Some banned members have complained that they are not spammers. But they spammed us. Some even tried to redirect our members to other forums. Duh. Be smart. Read the rules and adhere to them and we will all get along just fine. Cheers. :beer: Link to the rules: https://www.forumsforums.com/threads/forum-rules-info.2974/

RIP: Rev Billy Graham has died at 99

Melensdad

Jerk in a Hawaiian Shirt & SNOWCAT Moderator
Staff member
GOLD Site Supporter
I'm not a Christian evangelical but its very hard not to have a lot of respect for this man who has been a model Christian, showing charity in words and deeds. He was an advisor to several of our Presidents over several decades, and by all reports a fine man. Rest in Peace Reverend Graham.


http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/2...-evangelist-dead-at-99-fox-news-confirms.html

The Rev. Billy Graham, the Christian evangelist whose worldwide crusades and role as adviser to decades of U.S. presidents made him one of the best known religious figures of his time, has died, Fox News confirmed on Wednesday. He was 99.
 

pirate_girl

legendary ⚓
GOLD Site Supporter
Rest well in what is surely one of the highest spots in Heaven.
He was once referred to as the Protestants Pope.
:smile:
 

FrancSevin

Proudly Deplorable
GOLD Site Supporter
There is much for which he will be remembered and revered. His church, university and the people who followed him. However,,,;

The best testament to Reverend Billy Graham is his son who will now carry the torch and traditions.


His work here is done,
Rest in peace.
 

tiredretired

The Old Salt
SUPER Site Supporter
Heaven is rejoicing today. One of its saints has come home. :clap:

He was truly a man of God and inspiration to me many times. My wife became a Christian on one of his crusades and not long after I joined the team. :clap:

His son Franklin is a good man as well. He has always had big shoes to fill and he is certainly following a legend.
 

FrancSevin

Proudly Deplorable
GOLD Site Supporter
Reverend Graham'slastTWEET
Just a few hours before Christian evangelist Billy Graham passed away at age 99 in North Carolina, his Facebook page delivered a powerful message about wandering away from God.
“If you went for a walk in the woods, but then decided to wander off the path, and found yourself surrounded by a thicket of thorns and poison ivy, who would you blame? Would you blame the person who built the path? No, of course not. Instead you’d blame yourself if you were honest, because you alone were responsible for wandering from the path.
In a far deeper way, this is what happens when we decide to leave God out of our lives. For a time, it may seem like wandering away from Him doesn’t make any difference; it may even seem easier and freer. But eventually it catches up with us—just as wandering off that path and into the thicket caught up with you.” —Billy Graham #BG100
Graham was arguably the most influential preacher of the 20th century. He spoke to millions at evangelistic rallies during his career and served as a spiritual adviser to multiple American presidents. Graham was known for his direct, forceful delivery of the Christian gospel and the message of Christ.
He said he was sure to go to heaven because he was like the Thief on the Cross with Jesus, "Lord" he said, " Remember me"
 

Doc

Bottoms Up
Staff member
GOLD Site Supporter
Thank you all for a very nice tribute to Reverend Billy Graham.

RIP Reverend, you have sure earned the rest.
 

tiredretired

The Old Salt
SUPER Site Supporter
Someone once asked Rev. Graham what he would do if he found out one of his children was gay. He answered, I would love them more.
 

Jim_S

Gone But Not Forgotten
GOLD Site Supporter
Max Lucado: Farewell, Billy Graham, the world is better because you were in it
By Max Lucado | Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018...raham-world-is-better-because-were-in-it.html

They were born within two years of one another, yet no one took notice. No headline announced the baby in South Africa, the girl in Macedonia, or the arrival of the infant in Poland. And the little boy born on the farm in North Carolina? His arrival garnered no headline.

But his departure certainly does.

Billy Graham was the final of the four to depart.

Mother Theresa.

Pope John Paul II.

Nelson Mandela.

Their faces form a Mount Rushmore of faith. Their legacies will be long cherished.

I keep three framed letters hanging in my office: an acceptance letter for my first book from my publisher, a kind note from President George W. Bush, and a letter from Billy Graham complimenting a sermon. Each one a treasure, a compliment from Mr. Graham felt like a blessing from the Apostle Paul.

God gives grace to the humble because the humble are hungry for grace. God certainly graced the life of Billy Graham. And the world is better because of it.
Of Billy Graham’s many noble qualities, there are a few I seek to emulate:

He had convictions without being divisive. His deep belief in God, his high regard for Scripture, his complete dependence up the message of grace; no one questioned where he stood. But nor did anyone feel threatened by his beliefs. It is one thing to have an opinion; it’s something else to have a fight. There was no doubt that Mr. Graham had the former. I can’t imagine him having the latter.

His life matched his message. One can hardly watch a newscast without hearing of another scandal involving another public figure. Politicians, pastors, priests, coaches, Hollywood elites--is anyone able to simultaneously maintain a public posture and a high level of integrity? Mr. Graham did. By no means was he perfect. He had his share of regrets and missteps. But he led a life beyond reproach.

He never took himself too seriously. I first met Billy Graham when he came to San Antonio in 1997 for a Crusade. I served on a prayer team which met backstage with him prior to each evening’s event. On the first night, I was escorted to the room and told that Mr. Graham was already inside, waiting for me. I expected to find him in prayer or reading his Bible or, if nothing else, reviewing his notes. He wasn’t. He was joking around with his brother. He had snatched his brother’s baseball cap off his head and dared me to rub his brother’s head. The evangelist was only minutes from addressing 60,000 people and he was joking around about his brother’s scalp.

Such joy is refreshing. We religious folks tend to be so serious that we repel. Billy Graham was contagiously happy.

He enjoyed a right-sized ego. Sometime ago I partnered with musician Michael W. Smith for a ministry weekend in Asheville, North Carolina. The retreat was held at The Cove, a beautiful facility owned and maintained by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

A few hours before the event, Michael and I met to go over the weekend schedule. But Michael was so moved by what he had just experienced that he hardly discussed the retreat. Michael had just met with Billy Graham. The famous evangelist was, at the time, 94 years old. His thoughts turned to what might be said about him at his funeral. He told Michael that he hoped his name would not be mentioned.

“What?” Michael asked.

“I hope only that the name of the Lord Jesus be lifted up.”

Billy Graham has preached to 215 million people in person and hundreds of millions of others through media. He has filled stadiums on every continent. He has advised every U.S. president from Truman to Obama. He has consistently been near the top of every most-admired list. Yet he doesn’t want to be mentioned at his own funeral.

The Bible says: “God resists the proud, but he gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

It’s easy to see why. God resists the proud because the proud resist God. Arrogance stiffens the knee so it will not kneel, hardens the heart so it will not admit to sin. The heart of pride never confesses, never repents, never asks for forgiveness. Indeed, the arrogant never feel the need for forgiveness. Pride is the hidden reef that shipwrecks the soul.

The humble heart, however, is happy to do what pride won’t. The humble heart is quick to seek God’s help, grace and strength. God gives grace to the humble because the humble are hungry for grace.

God certainly graced the life of Billy Graham. And the world is better because of it.

Billy Graham.

Nelson Mandela.

Mother Theresa.

Pope John Paul II.

May the One who gave us them, give us many more like them.

Max Lucado is a San Antonio pastor and best-selling author. His latest book is "Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World" (Thomas Nelson, September 2017). Visit his website at www.MaxLucado.com. Follow him on Twitter @MaxLucado.
 
Top