Dr. Billy Graham, a Man of Inspiration

On February 21, 2018, Heaven gained a champion, Dr. Billy Graham. For me personally, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am inspired as I consider his life. I love this quote, from the man himself, that I have seen and read countless times in the last 48 hours, "Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God."

Twenty four years ago, I had the privilege of being a part of the counseling team for one of Dr. Graham's crusades here in Atlanta. I was still in high school, but God led me to be a part of the counselor training a month before the crusade, and then to be prepared each night of the crusade to meet teens at the alter who were ready to meet Jesus. I remember thinking, "What is so great about this man that he is able to draw thousands of people, to fill our Georgia Dome, to hear him preach?" Throughout this crusade, I realized that this man was simply being used by God. He was empowered by the Holy Spirit. He had a firm but sincere way of communicating the gospel. Every night of that crusade, the Scripture and the stories were different, but the gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed clearly, and many rushed to the front to surrender their lives to Jesus. I remember praying with several teens that week, who went down to the alter, and were weeping in conviction and ready to follow Jesus.

Dr. Graham is inspiring. There are many things that personally inspire me as I remember the life of this champion. I want to share with you three that stand out to me above the rest.

First of all, I am inspired by Dr. Graham's integrity. He was the same man in private as he was in public. He is the most recognizable preacher in all of history, but his biggest accomplishment, in my opinion, was his outstanding Christ-like character. People who knew him the best describe him as humble and genuine. In the words of his long time song leader, Cliff Barrows, "He practiced what he preached."

One mark of a man of integrity is the willingness to admit when he has done wrong. Over the years, Dr. Graham made his share of mistakes, and some of them were in the public eye. Instead of shrinking back or covering them up, he owned up to them and made public confession. This is godliness.

Dr. Graham sought every day to pursue purity. Back in the 1940's, he and other Christian leaders gathered in Modesto, California to lay out what is known as the "Billy Graham Rule". He shares in his book, Just As I Am, “We all knew of evangelists who had fallen into immorality while separated from their families by travel. We pledged among ourselves to avoid any situation that would have even the appearance of compromise or suspicion. From that day on, I did not travel, meet or eat alone with a woman other than my wife.”

Over the years, this passion for purity served Dr. Graham well in avoiding major pitfalls that would have derailed his life and ministry. In 1943, he married Ruth and they enjoyed 64 years of faithful marriage. They raised 5 children together. Dr. Graham has said that his ministry would be impossible without Ruth. What a beautiful example of integrity, character and faithfulness.

Secondly, I am inspired by Dr. Graham's passion for the gospel. He preached Jesus Christ without reservation to millions. So many Christians buckle at the knees at the thought of sharing their faith. It is reported that Dr. Graham preached to over 215 million people in 185 different countries. I have read recently that approximately 1 million people were born again in Jesus Christ because of his proclamation of the gospel. That is significant kingdom ministry.

Dr. Graham had a way of explaining the truth of the gospel in a way that engaged everyone. He was anointed by the Holy Spirit. His messages were so convicting that even atheists would be found running to the alter to be saved. I cannot imagine the scores of people in Heaven because of Dr. Billy Graham. I have a feeling he is bombarded with people coming to him in Heaven saying, "Thank you".

His life verse, that could be found pinned on the walls of his home, is Galatians 6:14. It says, "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Lastly, I am inspired by Dr. Graham's love for all people. He worked hard to end segregation. He fought for civil rights. In the 1950's, Dr. Graham was scheduled to lead a crusade in the South, and when he got inside the stadium, he noticed that there were sections roped off based on the color of skin. He said, "No more of this!", and then went to the head usher and told him to take down the ropes. The usher refused and so Dr. Graham took down the ropes himself.

This stance that Dr. Graham took in taking down the ropes led to a friendship with the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They developed such a close friendship that Dr. Graham would call Dr. King by his nickname, Mike. At one point during their relationship, Dr. Graham would bail Dr. King out of jail following protests in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Graham lived by the position that he preached many times, “There is no excuse ever for hatred. There is no excuse, ever, for bigotry and intolerance and prejudice. We are to love as God loves us.” Dr. Graham spoke clearly that the Bible has no truth that promotes segregation. Graham helped tear down the walls of segregation. What an example for us today.

Dr. Billy Graham was an incredible example for each of us. His legacy will continue to inspire those who know him. These are the areas of his life that inspire me. What is it about him that inspires you? I would love to read your thoughts in the section below. My prayer is that Jesus will continue to shine His light and pour out His love, to bring salvation to the lost, as we remember the life of Dr. Billy Graham.

Quoted Book: Just As I Am, Billy Graham, Harper Collins Publishing, New York, 1997.

The List

Last Friday night, I took my oldest son down to a Twins game against the Astros. It is a major occasion for us to watch the Twins because it takes three hours to drive from our house to the parking lot at the stadium. The reason we were excited to see the Astros play was because a friend of our family is one of their starting pitchers.

Shortly after finding our seats in left field, Allan and I realized this wasn't going to be just another professional baseball game, as if we needed another excuse to get excited about being there. During batting practice, our friend, Collin McHugh was walking with several other pitchers to left field to shag balls hit out there. When I recognized him, I yelled his name to get his attention. He looked over and I called out my name. So he ran over to talk briefly as I leaned over the center field wall to say hi. I told him, I wish I could get down (to the warning track) to talk to him. It was a little awkward with so many fans watching and wondering what our connection was. He told me that he would put my name on the family list so that Allan and I could make our way down to the locker room after the game. Then he left to retrieve fly balls.

Allan and I looked at each other in disbelief. Did he just say he was writing us on the family list? Were we going to be able to go down to the player's tunnel? I thought to myself, I wonder how many fans here tonight would love to have their name written on this family list? Allan and I for a brief moment looked at each other with a smile and realized we weren't dreaming. Shortly after we came to the realization that we heard him right, Collin caught a fly ball in the outfield and tossed it up to us. What a thrill!

Knowing we had the opportunity to go down to the locker room after the game meant we would not be leaving after the seventh or eighth inning to beat traffic or to get a head start on our journey home. What made this more difficult was the fact that the game started an hour and twenty minutes late due to a rain delay. However, there was no way we were leaving early. Allan and I even took a trip around the stadium to find the elevator that would send us down to the players tunnel just so we wouldn't get lost after the game.

The Astros got off to an early lead scoring a run in the third and fourth inning, then adding three more in the sixth. Then the Twins made it interesting at the end scoring four in the seventh and eighth. When the game was over, Allan and I quickly made our way to the elevator next to section one-twelve at Target Field. As we stood outside the elevator the operator asked us who we were. She wanted to make sure we were on the list. I introduced myself and told them what player we were with. She didn't have to look very far because there were only two names on the list. She says, wow, you would be the envy of most fans here tonight.

Two more Target Field employees and security guards checked to see who we were on our way down to the Astros locker room. Then we waited there and Collin came out with half the Astros' pitching staff. I introduced Collin to Allan and we talked and took pictures together. All of this was possible because our names were on that family list. What a special time I was able to have with my son.

As I drove home into the night and contemplated the events of the evening, and specifically being put on the player's family list, the Lord reminded me of the most important list that any of us will ever have our names on, the Lamb's book of Life. Revelation 21 talks about Heaven and verse 27 says, "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." The Lamb's book of life contains the names of those who have made a faith decision to believe and follow Jesus.

The Bible says in Acts 16:31, "Believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." This is what needs to be done in order to have our names written on this most important list. My name is written there. Jesus is Lord of my life. When you make the decision to follow Jesus, your name is written there too and heaven awaits. When our names are written there, it not only gets you into heaven, but you will enjoy being in the presence of Jesus for all eternity. If your name is not written on the list you will be turned away and sent to the horrible alternative. Follow Jesus and join God's family list.