Posted on 06/26/2005 9:17:36 AM PDT by AZConcervative
As his final American revival meeting continued Saturday, a fragile Billy Graham was met onstage by former President Clinton, who honored the evangelist, calling him "a man I love."
Clinton spoke briefly before Graham's sermon and recalled how the man known as America's pastor had refused to preach before a segregated audience in Arkansas decades ago when that state was in a bitter fight over school desegregation.
"I was just a little boy and I'll never forget it," said Clinton, who was joined by his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. "I've loved him ever since. God bless you, friend."
Graham called the Clintons "wonderful friends" and "a great couple," quipping that the former president should become an evangelist and allow "his wife to run the country."
Graham, 86, then launched into a short sermon that was interrupted by applause five times. Organizers estimated 80,000 people had come to the crusade at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens — about 20,000 more than the opening night Friday. The rally ends Sunday.
The evangelist is suffering from fluid on the brain, prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease. He uses the walker due to a pelvic fracture and is largely confined to his home in Montreat, N.C. He had said previously that the rally "will be the last in America, I'm sure."
Despite his many ailments, he spoke strongly for about 15 minutes, in an address meant to appeal to young people. He peppered his speech with pop-culture references from Madonna to Bono to MTV. He wove a parable about bad decision-making from the plot of "Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith," in which Anakin Skywalker becomes the villain Darth Vader.
"The decisions you make tonight will effect your whole future and your eternal future," he said, before inviting people forward to accept Christ.
Graham's son and successor, the Rev. Franklin Graham, sat nearby, ready to finish the speech in case his father could not. But Franklin Graham was needed only to help his father move onstage.
Seats began filling hours before the event began, as temperatures reached into the 90s. Speakers repeatedly encouraged people in the audience to drink water to avoid fainting. Graham waited to go on in an air-conditioned tent, with aides nearby in case of a medical emergency, and the stage was shaded by a massive canopy.
Graham's pulpit has a movable seat hidden from view, so he can sit if he feels unsteady. He used the seat Saturday only after he finished his sermon.
Graham 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.
Marie St. Louis, 34, who came to the event hours early Saturday with friends and family from her New York church, called the rally "bittersweet" because it was Graham's last in the United States.
"It's sad because he's such a legend," St. Louis said. "When you think of Billy Graham, you think of a lot of things a Christian
Perhaps,he, like the new Pope will not be intimidated by the politically correct.
Really? That isn't how the MSM are touting it. Rev. Graham gave them every excuse to use that photo op and statement in a future campaign----and you can be damned sure the Liberals use it.
Mr. Graham just lost the respect of a lifetime of good work.
That's pretty crass, if true. Do you really think he's that cynical?
Billy Graham - WTH - false prophet??? - crusading for what??? - getting Hillary re-elected as president???
Democrats put money in the plate too.;)
The evangelist is suffering from fluid on the brain...
Is there a correspondence?
Don't you know that Graham is the infallible Evangelical Pope?
He has been called the "Protestant pope," but at one time at least many Baptists rejected the term "Protestant" in reference to themselves.
Well, I guess they'd have to; after all, to whom and what do they "protest"?
I agree with you, and I can't justify the 'recommendations' to the Clintons. I remember years ago when Dr. Graham appeared on the old "Jack Paar's Tonight Show", Paar asked him what his followers thought of him associating with someone like him? Graham replied, that 'Jesus didn't come to minister to the saved; He came to seek and save the lost.' I've always tried to give BG the benefit of the doubt when I've seen him with people of questionable character.
When my children were young and I felt they needed to evaluate some of their friends, I always referred them to 1 Cor. 15:33 ... Do not be misled. "Bad company corrupts good character." I plan to use this with my grandchildren when they are older, and it could serve some adults well too. I don't think Billy Graham's character has been corrupted, but when he promotes people with bad character, it sends the wrong message to others. I hope he was trying to find something kind to say, and simply misspoke.
I do - I've been looking for a source to link back too, but I clearly remember Graham placing all the blame on the women - he couldn't even manage to fault Clinton for his lack of self-control. I lost all respect for him then.
There was an immediate outcry. A lame apology. Evidently low friends in high places feed Graham's ego.
Beware of quotes which are clipped and which may have been taken out of context. Journalists do this all the time. We would have to see the complete sentences to know what Graham really meant and said.
That being said, Graham never spoke out against Clinton's crimes. I did not respect him for that. I'm glad he's won many to the Lord, but I never really trusted his politics.
I wouldn't be surprised if Graham was a socialist.
I just wonder if those statements don't come from a man from another generation that does not see the world through purely political eyes. It may not have been a reference to her running the country as a future president but a hat tip to her current position as a US senator and an acknowledgment of his ability to speak well.
In any case, I don't think it really matters. I doubt that most people are going to be swayed by a passing comment like this. If BG endorses Hillary for president once she announces, then I will be very upset. Until then, I'll just give him the benefit of the doubt.
I do wish that the Clintons hadn't been there. While I do not automatically doubt BG's motives, I always, without question, doubt their's. And I know that it really ruined it for many people who were just looking to hear the Word.
Honest.(-:
ROFLMAO. Again, I have to remind myself not to eat and FReep. I almost choked.
No cause for alarm. Billy Grahams wife Ruth wasn't there. No harm done.
It's just another photo op to help get him back into the white house. clinton is still clinton.
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