Blessings and prayers go out to Billy Graham. We got word yesterday that the 92-year-old evangelist has been hospitalized for pneumonia. Sounds like he’s recovering nicely, but still… He’s 92!
I’ve never met him, never been to one of his Crusades, never even spent much time watching him preach on TV. But when I listen to him speak, read him in interviews, or read about him, he never fails to win me over with his authenticity. He is someone in whom what you see is what you get. As the song says, he “ain’t wearing no disguise.”
At the height of the televangelist scandals of the ’80s, Rolling Stone magazine interviewed Graham’s good friend Johnny Cash, who said, “Billy wears $75 J.C. Penney suits, and he has the receipts to prove it.” That quote always stuck with me.
I’m re-posting this song from last year. It’s by a first-generation Christian rock band called the Swirling Eddies.
I don’t know about those other guys
There’s somethin’ in the back of their eyes
But Billy, you’re the man
Who don’t use sleight of hand
Ain’t wearin’ no disguise
I love you, Billy
I love the simple things you say
And you never seem to get in the way
No one is quite like you
Compassionate and true
“Just as I am,” I say
I love you, Billy
Great post! I have always admired Billy Graham. He’s the real deal. Though he may not have much more time with us, he has had a tremendous positive impact in our era.
Did you ever see “Billy: The Early Years”? Blog pimp in 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 …
http://csaproductions.com/blog/?p=1112
I haven’t, but it sounds good. Thanks for the recommendation! I wasn’t even aware that there was a movie.
Never saw him in person even though my grandmother said I should go (she was right). But one night I caught a video of one of his revivals that probably dates to the early 60s. I have never heard a more compelling argument for accepting Christ.
I’m interested in listening to his old sermons. Every once in a while I have to remind myself in my own preaching to get back to the basics: “Jesus loves me/ This I know…”