Billy Graham: 'My Heart Aches for America'

[imamomzilla]

 

July 24, 2012 - In a new prayer letter Billy Graham writes: "My heart aches for America and its deceived people. The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance."

The farther we get from God, the more the world spirals out of control.

by Billy Graham

Some years ago, my wife, Ruth, was reading the draft of a book I was writing. When she finished a section describing the terrible downward spiral of our nation’s moral standards and the idolatry of worshiping false gods such as technology and sex, she startled me by exclaiming, “If God doesn’t punish America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.”

She was probably thinking of a passage in Ezekiel where God tells why He brought those cities to ruin. “Now this was the sin of ... Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen” (Ezekiel 16:49–50, NIV).

I wonder what Ruth would think of America if she were alive today. In the years since she made that remark, millions of babies have been aborted and our nation seems largely unconcerned. Self-centered indulgence, pride, and a lack of shame over sin are now emblems of the American lifestyle.

Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone—except God.

Yet the farther we get from God, the more the world spirals out of control.

My heart aches for America and its deceived people. The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance. In Jonah’s day, Nineveh was the lone world superpower—wealthy, unconcerned, and self-centered. When the Prophet Jonah finally traveled to Nineveh and proclaimed God’s warning, people heard and repented.

I believe the same thing can happen once again, this time in our nation. It’s something I long for, and my son Franklin recently shared a vision for perhaps the greatest challenge in the history of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association—to launch an outreach called My Hope with Billy Graham that would bring the Gospel into neighborhoods and homes in every corner of America next year.

BGEA has already taken My Hope to more than 50 nations. We’ve worked in close partnership with local churches across each country, and those churches have reported millions of life-changing decisions for Christ. Carrying out a nationwide American version of this evangelistic outreach will be an enormous undertaking, but in my spirit I know God has called us to do this, and I pray He will stir your heart to join us in prayer and support.

Franklin will share more about the project with you as the planning develops. In the meantime, all this year Franklin and his son Will are preaching “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21, ESV) at Crusade events across North America—from Texas to Canada—and God has blessed the work. Already tens of thousands have heard the Gospel, and many have responded, especially young people.

As I write, I am in the middle of a busy summer enjoying visits with many of my grandchildren and other family members, but also working hard on a new book that addresses some dangerous illusions about eternal salvation that are becoming increasingly accepted in many places. I want to point the world to what the Bible says.

Although age and health restrict my mobility and my stamina, not to mention my eyesight and hearing, I am thankful for the days God has given me, and I am humbled by His continued hand of favor on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The Lord draws people to Himself daily through BGEA’s various evangelistic ministries, and I am so deeply grateful.

The next Crusade event is August 18–19 with Franklin in Green Bay, Wis., followed by two in September, in Buffalo, N.Y., and Ottawa, Ontario. Please join me in praying for the power of the Holy Spirit on the preaching of the Gospel.

May God bless you,

Billy Graham

[momof3inTN]

:-) Conservative is right for us. Though if you looked at me, you'd probably think I was Orthodox. lol I dress very modestly and keep my hair covered.

The chaplains were really wonderful with my husband. They're trained to respect all beliefs.

I lost many people I thought were friends when I converted. Thankfully my family (my mom) was supportive. My family has been through a lot the past few years, we have faced a lot of discrimination. But it is worth it to be following my heart... or as my Rabbi says, my "Jewish soul."

Quoting rccmom:

I went through Basic Training with a lady who had converted to Judaism. Though I do not believe she followed a conservative form, but I am not sure. Only so much time to talk in Basic! You are right about the military chaplains being very good about respecting the various beliefs and accomodating them.

Quoting momof3inTN:

Conservative. Most people that I've talked to didn't even know that one can convert to Judaism. lol

Quoting mehamil1:

Even more fascinating! I had no idea. Which kind of Judaism do you follow? Reformed? Conservative? Orthodox? Hasidic? I had no idea that Christianity is considered Paganism. This just makes me giggle. 

Quoting momof3inTN:

:-) I grew up Catholic, in a mostly Baptist town, I understand. LOL I converted to Judaism.

Quoting mehamil1:

This is why I need to hang out with more Jewish people. I didn't know any of this. I'm surrounded by Muslims and Catholics. It's good to have Jewish perspective in here. 

Quoting momof3inTN:

Thank you for allowing me to explain. It is not something many take the time to understand or ask about.

Quoting rccmom:

Thank you for explaining. Then I can see why my "solution" would not work for you. It would be unfair to have you and your family singled out in such a way.

Quoting momof3inTN:

In my beliefs I cannot appear to be praying and I must turn my back to avoid the appearance of prayer. This has subjected myself and my children to much criticism and discrimination and anti-semitism because it points us out as different. But to do any less than turn my back on the idolatrous prayer would be in violation of the commandments. 

[PeeperSqueak]

Thanks for the post Momzie : )

I agree Ednarooni....

Quoting Ednarooni160:

Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone—except God.

[sweet-a-kins]

 Did you respect his anti semitic views?

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/03/us/billy-graham-apologizes-to-jews-for-his-remarks-on-nixon-tapes.html

Quoting VeronicaTex:

I have always respected what this man has had to say.

 

[mehamil1]

We live in a multi cultural society. Not everyone believes the same thing. You'd think your God would undertand that. 

Quoting PeeperSqueak:

Thanks for the post Momzie : )

I agree Ednarooni....

Quoting Ednarooni160:

Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone—except God.

[PeeperSqueak]

Good thing He gives us all a free will : )

Quoting mehamil1:

We live in a multi cultural society. Not everyone believes the same thing. You'd think your God would undertand that. 

Quoting PeeperSqueak:

Thanks for the post Momzie : )

I agree Ednarooni....

Quoting Ednarooni160:

Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone—except God.

[mehamil1]

Hence me thinking that it's not possible to offend God. 

Quoting PeeperSqueak:

Good thing He gives us all a free will : )

Quoting mehamil1:

We live in a multi cultural society. Not everyone believes the same thing. You'd think your God would undertand that. 

Quoting PeeperSqueak:

Thanks for the post Momzie : )

I agree Ednarooni....

Quoting Ednarooni160:

Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone—except God.

[PeeperSqueak]

Aren't you the one that quotes scripture ?  Have you ever actually read the Bible. It's clear what offends God, He gives us freewill to obey or not to obey.

Quoting mehamil1:

Hence me thinking that it's not possible to offend God. 

Quoting PeeperSqueak:

Good thing He gives us all a free will : )

Quoting mehamil1:

We live in a multi cultural society. Not everyone believes the same thing. You'd think your God would undertand that. 

Quoting PeeperSqueak:

Thanks for the post Momzie : )

I agree Ednarooni....

Quoting Ednarooni160:

Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone—except God.

[Ednarooni160]

Quoting PeeperSqueak:

Good thing He gives us all a free will : )

Quoting mehamil1:

We live in a multi cultural society. Not everyone believes the same thing. You'd think your God would undertand that. 

Quoting PeeperSqueak:

Thanks for the post Momzie : )

I agree Ednarooni....

Quoting Ednarooni160:

Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone—except God.

I'm finding it interesting and "sad' that the majority of people going against religion and/or certain church entites were "from" some, and/or experienced them in some negative way. Why blame God for you (general you) believing  that someone did wrong to you and/or your family..  There's a few  bad apples everywhere..but that shouldn't stop us from loving the "good" ones that represent God in a "wonderous" way....

[PamR]

What does this have to do with the election?

[Ednarooni160]

Quoting mehamil1:

We live in a multi cultural society. Not everyone believes the same thing. You'd think your God would undertand that. 

Quoting PeeperSqueak:

Thanks for the post Momzie : )

I agree Ednarooni....

Quoting Ednarooni160:

Just a few weeks ago in a prominent city in the South, Christian chaplains who serve the police department were ordered to no longer mention the Name of Jesus in prayer. It was reported that during a recent police-sponsored event, the only person allowed to pray was someone who addressed “the being in the room.” Similar scenarios are now commonplace in towns across America. Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone—except God.

Your God?? Didn't you say that one church didn't go to your father's bedside but the other one (same affiliation) did?  Why blame God for what you feel someone did wrong to you.. He's your God..you may have forsaken Him but He has not forsaken you..  You have obviously made your choice..but I'm a hopeful that you will pick up that bible and read it for yourself.. and not as a "get a quote" from to poke the Christians.