Well Done, Billy Graham

It was a very news-worthy weekend for TV watchers.  Along with the Wimbledon and U.S. Open coverage this weekend, we heard of yet more and more bombings and attacks against our troops in Iraq.  In between news about Serena Williams losing and Michael Campbell winning, and hearing about more of our troops being killed, the media reported some happy, yet bittersweet news: what could be Billy Graham's last crusade.

Billy Graham has preached the Gospel to a quarter of a billion people in 185 countries during his ministry that has spanned seven decades.  I would guess that probably many times that number of people have heard him preach through his televised crusades.  At 86, Graham has prostate cancer, suffers from symptons of Parkinsons', and has broken a hip and his pelvis; there are shunts in his brain to find hydrocephalus; and not too long ago he almost died on the operating table at the Mayo Clinic.  Yet God gave him the strength to deliver a few more sermons this weekend in New York City. 

Graham is the most influential Protestant evangelist of the modern age, and he has played a unique role in American life, a role that will most likely go unfilled once he ends his earthly ministry and goes home to be with God.  Billy Graham was like the late John Paul II - they both were blessed with the ability to profess an unwaivering faith while showing warmth, acceptance and love to the millions that heard their sermons. 

Graham started his ministry in 1949 at a crusade in Los Angeles.  He has ministered to every President from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush.  At a weekend press conference before the New York City crusade, Graham told reporters that he was close to both the Clintons and the Bushes.  Graham spent the night at the White House on the eve of the Gulf War, praying for and with senior Bush, and just days after the 9/11 attacks, Graham came to the National Cathedral with junior Bush to grieve for the dead and comfort the survivors. 

As a young child, I vividly remember watching the Billy Graham crusades on TV with my grandparents.  They would have a massive choir made up of people from the city where the crusade was being held, and they would perform a couple of songs.  Then George Beverly Shea would sing, and if I was lucky, I would get to hear the great Ethel Waters sing my favorite hymn, and her signature song, "His Eye Is On The Sparrow."  After the music, Billy Graham would take his place behind the podium and deliver the sermon.  Even as a kid, I was impressed by him.  For one, he didn't have any notes on the podium, nor was he reading his sermon from cue cards or a promptor; he delivered the sermom from his heart and soul.  Another thing that impressed me was his concern and compassion.  Even though he was speaking before thousands with millions of others watching on TV, when you heard his sermons, he had the ability to make you think he was preaching only to you. 

It seems ironic - on a day when we read about Billy Graham preaching possibly for the last time, the Supreme Court tells us all that the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in our courthouses.  Oh well.  You did all you could do, Rev. Graham.  I'm confidant that when you get to heaven you will hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant."