Mr Graham only a message boy
Since I was a wee boy, Billy Graham has fascinated me. I got the privilege to go a few years ago with a group of church leaders from Scotland to visit the Billy Graham Centre in Charlotte. I made a video when I was there of the town itself. If I can dig it out I might put it up.
Anyway I was interested in an e-mail that arrived in my box, from a fellow minister, yesterday about Billy Graham and what could be his last preaching engagement. In truth I think Graham is a bit like Frank Sinatra, he's had so many of these final preaching events, then he comes back to do another. Anyway it now turns out to be a bit of a hoax. ( Gadget Vicar put me right), anyway if you want to read about the hoax click here
Anyway, I think you might find the e-mail interesting. So while you read it, have a look at this little clip I prepared last night. The music is by the Bogle Band the song is called MR GRAHAM
A REAL HOAX - E-MAIL - BILLY GRAHAM IN NEW ORLEANS
"In what might prove to be the crowning achievement of an illustrious
career in ministry, the 87-year-old evangelist, Billy Graham shocked
the 16,300 in attendance at the Celebration of Hope crusade in New
Orleans Arena on Sunday Night. Touted in advance as possibly his last
Evangelistic crusade, Graham invited the packed house of evangelical
Christians and the hundreds of new converts to join him on the one mile
walk from the arena to New Orleans' infamous Bourbon Street. "While we
have seen God do tremendous things here the past couple of evenings.
Yes, it is true that a great healing and a great many salvations have
occurred within the confines of this auditorium. Still yet, there lies
a great mountain in this city which needs to be conquered."
Then taking from the Biblical Book of Joshua Chapter 14 he read, "I am
this day, eighty-five years old . As y et I am as strong this day as on
the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my
strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore,
give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day," his voice
suddenly sounding more forceful than during his 22 minute sermon.
"I last preached in the City of New Orleans in 1954 and I felt then
that there was some unfinished business. Tonight, in what very well
might be my last evangelistic service, I aim to finish that business
and lead as many of you that would follow me to the multitude of lost
souls that fill Bourbon Street tonight. That is my mountain! That is
where we shall see the harvest!" said Graham as the stadium erupted in
cheers that lasted the next several minutes.
Utilizing a waiting mobility scooter, the elder Graham joined his son
and heir to the ministry, Franklin across the Arena floor and through
the opened doors leadin g towa rds the French Quarter. In a show of
solidarity and determination reminiscent of civil rights marches of the
1960's, nearly the entire capacity crowd joined in the 20 minute trek
while singing, "When the Saints Go Marching In". As the march crossed
Canal Street and headed northward towards Bourbon Street, many
onlookers stood in stunned silence as the massive crowd Of people began
singing in unison the Christian hymn, Amazing Grace. Upon entering the
west end of Bourbon Street, Billy Graham was soon recognized by
partiers.
Soon those joining in the march began to approach those partying on
Bourbon Street with the Gospel message that they had heard preached
just a half hour before. Graham himself joined with a group of local
street evangelist in ministering to a man who had survived Hurricane
Katrina in the lower 9th Ward. Within 30 minutes the entirety of
Bourbon Street was packed with Christians and the once blaring music of
n ightcl ubs and strip joints had been replaced by weeping and worship
as people poured out their drinks and sought prayer from the Christians
who were now reaching out to them.
"I have never seen anything like this in my life," said 20 years New
Orleans Police Department veteran, Tom Phillips. "This is unbelievable!
We thought a riot was going to break out, but this looks more like a
Revival than a riot!" Two hours later, a glowing Graham sat back down
on his scooter and smiled. "Now I know how the Apostle Paul must have
felt at the end of his ministry. Do the work of an evangelist; make
full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the
time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the faith."
Hours later hundreds of Christians remained on the street ministering
to the many people eagerly waiting to receive prayer and ministry. New
Orleans will never be th e same . And the press remained mute on this
"news item?" Did anyone see it on TV/hear it on radio/read it in the
paper? Why are we not surprised? Can't have THAT just prior to a major
election, now, can we? Well, just on a whim, spread the news, anyway.
It cost our elder brother, Billy Graham, more than any of us know to
make that effort. The least we can do is publicize it."
What we need to do is share the message and be careful not to venerate the messenger.
There might be a contradiction there with my wee movie - but hey its art - well of a sort?
Posted By: Gadget Vicar On: 17 Mar 2007 At: 9:58am
Sorry, Albert, but this email is a hoax. See:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_billy_graham_new_orleans.htm