Billy Graham’s 90th birthday party!

We just got back from Virginia where we celebrated the 90th birthday of Billy Graham. What a blessed time it was. Billy’s family and friends expressed their love to him and he was genuinely touched by it all.

When Billy was given the microphone, we all saw that familiar Graham wit when he invited everyone back for his 95th birthday. And why not? His longtime associate, friend, and singer George Beverly Shea is now 99 years old! BTW, Bev (as he is called) just got his driver’s license renewed!

Many friends were there

In addition to many from Billy’s family, radio commentator Paul Harvey, Pat Robertson, and Michael W.Smith came to the party. I chatted with Michael and invited him back to join us next year at some of our Harvest Crusades events.

Despite his enormous and well-deserved success, Michael is a genuinely nice and very down to earth guy. I think he is a godly man and loved having him out at our recent crusade in Anaheim. He did an amazing job.

A moment with Billy

I had a few brief moments with Billy and he expressed some surprise that I was there. Perhaps he thought that I would not make it because of Christopher’s sudden departure to heaven. But I would not have missed it for anything.

Billy so reminds me of Jesus Christ in his love and humility. He has been a wonderful ambassador for Christ to the world and we all are very proud of him.

A Prayer for Billy

I was asked to offer a prayer for Billy at the end and this is what I prayed:

Lord, we want to thank you for our friend, Billy Graham. You have called him to preach the gospel to more people than any man who has ever lived, yet we are just appreciative that he preached it to us.

We thank you for his life, his legacy, his love, and his humility. We know he is just a man, but yet, like Moses he is “a man of God.” Knowing him makes us want to know You better, because he reflects You to us.

So, bless Billy tonight. Bless his sister. Bless his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Fill him with the Holy Spirit and flood him with Your peace. And keep him ever close to You.

As the priests of Israel would say to the people, we pray for Billy: “May the Lord bless you and Keep you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.”

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Preach the Word next week!

We are excited with the approach of the Preach the Word Conference, starting this upcoming Monday. I will kick off the conference Monday night with a message entitled “First Century Principles for Reaching the Twenty-First Century.”

Then we will hear from some of our nation’s finest preachers, including Chuck Smith, Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur, Alistair Begg, Jack Graham, James Merritt, and Jack Graham.

If you still want to sign up, or find out more information, click here.