Posted on 06/25/2005 8:37:08 PM PDT by CHARLITE
As his final American revival meeting continued Saturday, a fragile Billy Graham (search) 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 (search). "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 interupted 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."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
"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."
He's been doing this for over 50 years.
Simply an incredible CHRISTIAN!
He's a worldwide treasure.
HILARIOUS!......and quite in keeping with a FReeper bearing the name "plaintalk!"
BRAVO! Well said! It's funny. "Clinton & Swaggert" would make a great travelling red light road show act.
Thanks for your witty comment!
Char :)
When BG goes to heaven, someday soon, I believe he will be admired there too.
Those people would have tried to upstage Christ Himself on the day of His resurrection.
You're right. It really was a shameful thing to do. If Billy Graham has lost a few of his marbles, you would at least THINK that his son, Franklin, might have steered dear old dad away from hosting these reprobates on "his" stage. What an utterly dreadful message that sent. What an embarrassing way to end his evangelizing career.
He should have quit while he was ahead, because I really believe that a lot of evangelicals are going to be very upset about this.
Thanks for your comments.
Char :)
"Well, heh heh, JC, it's like this...when I was a little boy in Hope, Arkansas, I knew that you'd be coming back for me. Then I remember telling my wife about you, and we both dedicated our lives, our very beings, to making this world a better place. For the little people. 'Cause I know how you LOVE the little people."
Geez, I am making myself sick.
I think Graham was being a gentleman, but I think he should have left the politics out of it, as he has during the preceding years.
LOL!
Man, you were not kidding when you posted the barf alert. This is un-friggin believable. Of course, I've looked sideways at Billy Graham longer than I have at Billy Jeff. If Graham had his head screwed on, he'd never have allowed the king and queen of hell to share his podium. But what the heck - he's got movie star status today. I hope all of the butt-kissing politicos that use him to rub a little Jesus will stand up for him when he's called to give a few answers...in what looks to be a very short time.
I agree with you. Seeing Bill come to true repentance would probably mean that he would quit trying to manipulate the public's opinion of him through phony stunts.
As far as Bill being saved, I seem to recall something about "by their fruits, you will know them." If Bill started confessing his sin publicly and taking whatever consequences (including jail time for raping women) that might come his way, I'd consider him a changed man and praise God.
Even if Billy and Franklin Graham WERE reaching out to him, would you do so privately? I would. I wouldn't give Clinton the stage that he so clearly loves to act phony to people for his own gain.
These revivals are supposed to be about Jesus, not about the Clintons staging their next political manuever, hoping to get some red state sympathy.
lol
Honey, the fact that you admit those skeletons is positive and shows the fruit of repentance.
Not sure about the favorites deal, though. God isn't a respecter of persons; He died for everyone's sins and was raised for everyone's justification. All sin is worthy of death, but because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we are all cleansed. Top to bottom. All wrongs made right.
I'm not proud of my crap either, but I know that I am forgiven.
Another thing to keep in mind about BG is that he has been a confident to Demoncrats and Republicans. He really can't show his partiality. One thing I can assure you is that it is VERY unlikely that he voted for old Bill. It simply wouldn't fit within his Christian beliefs.
I believe Christ would have had a few pointed words for lying scum that pretend to be religious like the krintons. Going further back, I'll bet it'd be legal to stone them to death for one violation of the law or another. Too bad aging seems to destroy the spine and cajones as well as the brain in some folks.
======================================
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."
Graham called the Clintons ... "a great couple"
"He's a great serial adulterer and, my gosh, what a stunning power-drooling succubus she is!"
Just providing translation..
Look the man is in his 80's, suffering three illnesses and trying once again to spread the gospel in New York.
And, you complain because he was kind instead of hateful, vengeful, rude.
The fact the Clinton's took advantage of the opportunity - does not mean Billy Graham is at fault.
Give the man a break.
Billy Graham lived his life as Billy Graham felt the Lord wanted him to.
Of course he made mistakes as he is human - but that man gave his heart and soul trying to do the Lord's will.
And, because of how he lived his life, he is respected over all the world. He is a minister - not a politician. He does not seek to judge man, he seeks to bring the gospel to men.
Sad but true indeed, dammit.
Show me where I said that he should have been hateful, vengeful, or rude. All I said was that he should have just said "It was nice of you to be here." and left it at that.
I would bet money that the Clintons very cleverly contacted the Crusade at the last minute, making it virtually impossible for anyone in the Graham camp to say 'no'. The Clintons are master craftsmen at this kind of stunt. Then add to this the fact that Billy is 86 years old and probably a little spacy and it unfolded just the way Bubba and Hildebeast wanted.
Question is: Why aren't the Republicans and Dubya this smart?
I agree that is what I wished he had said. But, we have to admit that people do get dementia and fame does not prevent the disease.
We need to broach what we do when dementia hits Supreme Court justices.
Try this link. ("Bloody Bill Clinton; American Caligula")
http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=14
Did Bill and Hillary get 'saved' tonight? Confessions? Tears or repentence?
When Billy Graham visited Rochester, NY in the late eighties, there were no photo ops for politicians. He didn't need to do that in NYC. In the past, the guests he invited on stage added a genuine Christian testimony. Somehow, I doubt he invited any of the bunch in NYC, but was too polite to turn them down. Pity.
Leave Larry Flynt out of this.
I lived in Arkansas when he was governor, and have a pretty good understanding of who he REALLY is. Jughead was lying through his teeth, some aid found that story when asked to do background research after the Clintons decided to call and get themselves invited.
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."
I'm certain that Graham was only trying to be nice and polite, to spread goodwill, and trying to reach out to the widest audience possible so as to spread the gospel. Thus I'm sure he thought that being nice to the Clintons, who many New Yorkers DO like and voted for, would aid in that cause. He's probably right. But at what point does politeness and kindness cross the line into enabling and excusing repeated patterns of sinful behavior? We can look at the bible and see that Jesus did throw the moneychangers out of the temple, and Paul wasn't afraid to talk straight with leaders. I can't see either allowing themselves to be used for a photo op. Jesus did dined with tax collectors and the woman at the well, hence I can uderstand Graham allowing them onstage, but he would have done much better to remember how Jesus ended his conversation at the well, "Go and sin no more." Wouldn't have to be done onstage, but effusive praise as if they weren't continuing in their sinful behaviors, words, and deeds seems to be the easy way out, and ultimately destructive. Remember how Solomon got too lost in the comforts of wealth, fame, and celebrity. Sure, render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's, and Jesus didn't come to establish an earthly kingdom, but I also don't recall reading where Jesus invited Herod in front of the crowd and then proclaimed "What a great friend to children" Herod was.
After Graham had finished speaking, did Bill or Hillary mutter, "Almost persuaded?"
Posting an image with profanity is probably not the best idea in a thread about Billy Graham's religious revival meeting.
.......now that you mention it, it's hilarious. It DOES look like Larry Flynt. I'll be darned!
Thanks for the laugh, RichInOC!
Char :)
Hmmm, some of this might make sense, if a herd of newly possessed pigs were seen running into the sea immediately before the event.
THE PINGRick Warren and his church band launching into the Jimi Hendrix song Purple Haze at his stadium rally, or this?
Did that seriously happen?
----
With Rick Warren, I would not be suprised.
Of course Schummer spoke
----
What was that antiChristian smuck doing there? I wouldnt care if he was there. We all need Christ - but between that man, Biden and Hillary - every single thing Christians stand for would be ripped apart at the seems and we would begin to see the outright oppression of Christians in this nation. We already see that oppression in the selection process which he is part of.
They're really not getting away with it.
"waiting for lightening to strike"
I was hoping for it.
He said the same thing about witnessing all those burning churches .. except he was lying .. as usual.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.