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   Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade

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Topic: Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade (Read 270 times)

luci
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Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade
« on: Jun 25^th, 2005, 9:00am »

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The Rev. Billy Graham, hobbled by age and illness, opened his final American revival Friday, greeted with a standing ovation as he used a walker to reach the pulpit.

Graham, 86, was supported while he moved onstage by his son and successor, the Rev. Franklin Graham, who then sat nearby, ready to step in if his father was unable to finish.

But Graham spoke for about 30 minutes, his once-powerful baritone diminished but clear, mixing his message of salvation in Jesus with anecdotes and humor. Noting the struggles of the New York Yankees and Mets, he asked the crowd to pray for both baseball teams.

Thousands of people had filled a city park for a chance to see him for the last time on the first of three daily rallies. They came forward in large numbers as Graham invited them to approach the stage to accept Christ, an appeal that has become the centerpiece of his crusades over six decades.

We need something else
We are Christians maybe. We go to church. Weve been baptized, weve been confirmed. But deep inside we need something else, and that something else can be brought about by Jesus, he told the crowd.

Graham made only an indirect reference to the end of his mass revival meetings in the United States, noting the event has drawn attention from around the world. He told the crowd he hoped his appearance would not be an anticlimax.

Other speakers called the evening a historic moment and thanked Graham for his years of service. The Rev. A.R. Bernard, a New York pastor and lead organizer of the crusade, said, Tonight, one of the most respected icons of Protestant Christianity in the 20th century is saying, in essence, farewell and close to 60 years in ministry.

Graham is suffering from fluid on the brain, prostate cancer and Parkinsons disease. He uses the walker due to a pelvic fracture and is largely confined to his home in Montreat, N.C.

Yet the evangelist known as Americas pastor has vowed to preach on each day this weekend in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens. His pulpit has a movable seat hidden from view, so he can sit if he feels unsteady.

Pre-sermon jitters?
He noted Friday night that it had been months since he last preached and admitted he was anxious, comparing the moment to sermons he gave when he was just starting his career. This is like my first night, he said.

The weather forecast called for temperatures in the 90s over the weekend, but the stage is shaded by a massive canopy. There also is an air-conditioned tent backstage, where Graham can wait to go on, and nurses are nearby if there is a medical emergency.

Graham has said this weekends meeting will be his last U.S. crusade. He is considering a request to hold a rally in November in London, but Franklin Graham said his father no longer adjusts well to time zone changes and does not like to be away from his wife, Ruth, who is also in ill health.

Graham has preached to more than 210 million people in 185 countries. He has been sought out by U.S. presidents and leaders worldwide and, more than any other religious figure, has come to represent the American evangelical movement.

Site of legendary 1957 revival
He is winding up his career at the city that gave him one of his greatest triumphs.

In 1957, he held a revival meeting in Madison Square Garden that proved so popular, it was extended from six to 16 weeks. It was his longest rally ever.

This weekends event had also been planned for the Garden, but organizers moved the location to accommodate the anticipated crowds. Seating will be available for 70,000, with room for overflow.

Thousands of volunteers from more than 1,300 New York-area churches have been organizing the event, which is free to the public and was being translated into several languages. Many in the audience arrived hours early to get a good seat.

Since this is his last one, I want to be here to honor him, said Mary Jo Noia, a nursing supervisor from Brooklyn. I hope that after he dies, his work will continue.

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"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and
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shamon
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Re: Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade
« Reply #1 on: Jun 25^th, 2005, 9:03am »

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his legacy will continue.... and you say cloning humans don't exist...

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When others demand that we become the people they want us to be, they force us to destroy the person we really are. It's a subtle kind of murder. The

luci
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Re: Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade
« Reply #2 on: Jun 25^th, 2005, 9:11am »

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His Son, Franklin, let's say they have a strong gene pool.
Daughter, Ann, also bears a strong resemblance.

http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/

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"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and
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lakelady
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Re: Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade
« Reply #3 on: Jun 25^th, 2005, 9:12am »

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I will miss him when he goes "home". He has worked tirelessly throughout his life teaching and spreading God's word. I'm very happy that he is leaving a legacy to continue on his behalf.

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rcs_mum
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Re: Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade
« Reply #4 on: Jun 25^th, 2005, 10:55am »

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I agree, LL.

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Jeff
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Re: Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade
« Reply #5 on: Jun 25^th, 2005, 5:56pm »

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I'm not a Christian and haven't been for quite some time, but I have the upmost respect for the man and what he stands for. I think Christianity is a great way for people to live good lives, even if I don't believe in it. However, some people take it too far and use it to persecute others. I cannot think of a single time that I have ever heard/seen Billy Graham do that. I think he was a great example to Christians and non-Christians and it'll be a sad day when he passes.

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Isle_be_back
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Re: Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade
« Reply #6 on: Jun 26^th, 2005, 3:51am »

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Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade

Hasn't he done this before? Maybe he and Cher can tour together. Wink

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luci
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Re: Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade
« Reply #7 on: Jun 26^th, 2005, 9:08am »

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He's led an exemplary life and brought the Word of God to believers and non-believers all over the World. He willl be missed, but his words will live on.

Jeff, you're so right about him. He gives us a foundation, if
we care to listen. One we can carry with us througout urf life.

Rev. Graham is 86 years old and in bad health.
Comparing he and Cher in the same sentence
is disrespectful of him, and I have nothing against Cher.
I doubt she will be touring at 86, if she's even alive!

He's leaving only positives, who else can do this as well?

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shamon
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Re: Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade
« Reply #8 on: Jun 26^th, 2005, 5:08pm »

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on Jun 25^th, 2005, 5:56pm, Jeff wrote:

I think Christianity is a great way for people to live good lives, even if I don't believe in it. However, some people take it too far and use it to persecute others. I cannot think of a single time that I have ever heard/seen Billy Graham do that.

how much of billy graham have you listened to?

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When others demand that we become the people they want us to be, they force us to destroy the person we really are. It's a subtle kind of murder. The

Jeff
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Re: Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade
« Reply #9 on: Jun 26^th, 2005, 6:31pm »

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on Jun 26^th, 2005, 5:08pm, shamon wrote:

how much of billy graham have you listened to?

I used to hear him all the time when I went to church, but I've sontinued to listen to bits and pieces of what he says since then. He will have a Christian platform, but he doesn't use that platform to persecute others. He just stands up for his own beliefs while not attacking others for it. Like when he spoke about gay marriage, at least he said that "while it is a sin, God still loves them" (paraphrasing a little bit). Others have used the Bible to say that God hates gay people and other things like that. Billy Graham said stated his belief, without attacking the gay community. I can respect someone like that.

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luci
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Re: Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade
« Reply #10 on: Jun 26^th, 2005, 9:37pm »

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Please don't debate in this thread.
Start one if you wish in the political section.
Thank You Grin

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"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and
can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

shamon
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Re: Rev. Billy Graham's Last Crusade
« Reply #11 on: Jun 26^th, 2005, 9:47pm »

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its hard to put "hell fire, brimstone, and damnation" in the same sentence/sermon as love and understanding....

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When others demand that we become the people they want us to be, they force us to destroy the person we really are. It's a subtle kind of murder. The

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