Friday night I have a date with Billy Graham! The movie, "Billy, the Early Years" hits theaters Friday night for all to enjoy.
I am in awe of this lanky country boy God chose to carry His message. In the natural, Billy seemed the least likely person in the world. He was told, repeatedly, he would never amount to anything or "go anywhere in this world." Really?
Billy Graham has been to virtually every country in the world, is on a first-name basis with every world leader, and is the most respected Man of God in our life time.
Never once was there a hint of scandal, for Billy knew Who he was representing. For decades, seminary students wanted to preach like Billy Graham. But there was, and is, only one Billy Graham. His life might have started out as a comedy routine, but God used him in ways He's never used anyone else, including his predecessor, Billy Sunday.
As a side note, Franklin Graham announced his father will be 90 years old on November 7th, and the children of Billy and Ruth Graham are asking people all over the world to send emails if their father made a difference in their lives. Emails should be sent by November 1st. For more information go to http://www.billygraham90.comwhere you can get more information.
How fitting that this movie should be released just before his 90th birthday.
Now here's the trailer that will definitely whet your appetite for the entire movie.
I'll see you at the theater! That will be me on the second row!
(c) 2008 April Lorier who grew up listening to Billy
APRIL LORIER - So. California. An award-winning poet, inspirational author and speaker. A survivor of both child abuse and adult domestic abuse, April inspires women to be all that God designed them to be! She first gained recognition as a children's rights crusader while successfully fighting for the passage of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), which was signed into law by Ronald Reagan. Her bookGod's Battered Child: Journey From Abuse to Leaderis available on her blogs and in online stores.
April, thank you so much for writing this and sharing the video. Growing up I remember my parents would always put a Billy Graham TV special on and it was a special night.
I still watch him on Saturday nights. It's called "Classic Billy Graham" and I try to guess what year it was filmed by the hairdos of the audience. :-D Yep, Billy is a one of a kind guy, isn't he? Respond to this comment
April, this was another excellent article which I appreciated. Some men have a gift for eloquent speaking and holding people spellbound as they proclaim. I never had that. I wanted to become a preacher but soon discovered the futility of it. I can lead a short public prayer and everyone goes to sleep. This man has influenced a lot of lives.
Maybe you just have a very soothing voice, Joel. Gordon Robertson has one of those, and he soothes me to sleep every time I listen to him. I think the movie will demonstrate that Billy's gift was not a natural gift, but a spiritual gift. I hope you get to see it! I'm writing a paid review of it for ChristianCinema (dot) com so I will be there on the first night. Can't wait! Respond to this comment
Move over Toots and you better share the popcorn! - this looks great! Hey, April not in Paris, did you ever think of doing reviews professionally? Thanks for sharing this so much and Miss Laura enjoyed it as well but she's asleep now...
In view of our conversation today, the question you asked really sticks out at me. And get your own popcorn, New York! I don't eat butter and I don't share! Respond to this comment
Share more of your own deeplyn profound and personal reaction to billy Graham's message! The "points" are good, but I am intrigued by why/how/when it first touched you and what that "touch" has meant over the years!
My father was also a Baptist Minister, and we always watched Billy on tv. I have a love for ministers of all kinds, and Billy Graham, along with Billy Sunday, were for this generation. His message was direct, to the point, and impassioned. I can listen to 1958 "Classic Billy Graham" now and I feel the same as I did when I was young and heard it. I'm in awe of the spiritual gift God blessed him with, and I'm sad he's alone (without Ruth) now. But such is the cycle of life. He'll go on to higher and better things and he won't be old anymore!
AND... when I think about the jewels in his crown, I wonder how he'll carry it around!
I hope you get to see the movie, Sue. As you can tell, it will be extremely entertaining, while sending the main message: God delights in taking the least likely person and raising him/her up. Billy reminds me of David. Thank goodness Billy never succumbed to the same weakness that David did! Respond to this comment
Aw, c'mon! Why does everyone want my popcorn? :-D I think it's a great birthday gift his kids are giving him. He'll spend so long reading all those mails and emails, he'll forget Ruth is gone for a while. Respond to this comment
My children and I always stop by the drug store to buy candy to smuggle into the movies. No $7.00 popcorn or $6.00 box of gummy bears for this family. I always thought it was less of a moral crime to sneak candy into the movies than to let my kids see me spend $30.00 on candy and soda.
But, the question would be, if you were going to see a movie such as the one you just reviewed, would this behavior be approprite? I mean. I don't think it is against the law and I've checked the commandments and it says nothing about this topic, what is your take on this? Oh, and great article. Also, I will email you again...lol
Oh, Myla, my drama queen! I carry a big purse and fill it with whatever I'm going to eat. I have no moral compunction about it. I don't even have any kids to use for an excuse! I'm just cheeeeep! Love you, girl! Respond to this comment
Thanks April. I really enjoyed being reminded about that great man, and indeed he
is an all time great. I can recall actual words that he spoke on radio, when I was a child. That is an example of the power of his speeches, his words stuck.
Yep, his words still stick, Joseph. I do hope you will send an email to him for his 90th birthday. He should know what he meant to you. Thanks for stopping by! Respond to this comment
Thanks, for the info, April. This is a movie I'd like to see. I had the opportunity to hear Billy Graham at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO almost 20 years ago. It was an amazing experience.
Those crusades were planned soooo far in advance! And it took the cooperation of so many diverse churches, too. Something we could use a little of now, ey? I saw him in Albuquerque years ago, and it was awesome. The altar call took forever! (We knew we were to remain silent during the altar call or get a painful pinch. ha!) Thanks for stopping by, Lorrie! Respond to this comment
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