
My widowed mother wanted to go to his Crusade in Virginia and she asked me to accompany her. Being the man of the house at the time, it was my obligation to honor her wishes and, of course, I did so. Little did I know that Rev. Graham's service would impact me so strongly.
Now my mom was devout, and she religiously gave money to his cause, and she was offered seating up close and personal. Watching the event carefully, the beautiful colors, the large crowds, and the many flowers on stage in the large coliseum, one thing caught me eyes.
It was his eyes. They shone with a brightness that could only be that of a man who was preaching from his heart. It was as if John the Baptist was standing at that podium merely five rows away. It is something that struck me deeply and I have never forgotten.
Billy is now 95 years old and I know he misses his lovely wife, Ruth, who died a number of years ago. But I also know he is proud of his son, Franklin, who has stepped up to the plate and has taken charge of his mission. He is shown seated beside his dad in the picture above. Franklin is a little less diplomatic than his dad and I like that. He truly tells it like it is which seems to upset the current occupant of the White House. He has been criticized repeatedly, shunned and ignored, and even had to deal with the IRS on more than one occasion.
This morning I read a short peace about Rev. Graham the elder that said that although he is slowing down a bit, he still sees his mission to pray many times daily for his fellow man and especially for those who have not yet found Jesus Christ. At the top of his list is our country, for he truly hopes that America will come to her senses soon and return to her foundation in the Lord. He even quoted a powerful verse of scripture from the Book of Revelations which I will repeat here:
"Let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." REVELATIONS 22:17
The water of life is our Lord, Jesus Christ. Drink of this water and you will be blessed beyond imagination for you will inherit His kingdom and life eternally when this earthly life is done. There can be no greater gift, no greater sacrifice than what Jesus gave to us through his personal sacrifice.
Get thirsty for Jesus, my friend, get thirsty. And God bless you, Billy and Franklin Graham. Two wonderful men who practice what they preach and live their lives for Jesus.