Another blog backlog... ah. To use Weizhu's word: "klog"!

5:33 PM 24-Nov-2008
Billy Graham: His Life and Influence
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yesterday, I bought a book on Billy Graham by David Aikman, former TIME magazine senior correspondent. The creme de la creme of evangelists the world over, this man of God is greatly respected, not only by Christians, but even by non-Christians. In fact, he was able to meet up with the reclusive North Korean leader to explain the gospel with him!

And what makes him so loved even by non-Christians is his depth of character, especially his sweet humility, and accountable and teachable spirit.

But even though he used "fundamentalist" Christian language such as "washed in the blood", talked about the reality of hell for those who reject the gospel, and that there is only one true way... people the world over turned out in multitudes to listen for themselves to this most curious gospel.

He was also very relevant - he met up with one of his scathing critics, because he wanted to put into practice Jesus' words to love your enemies. Well, his critic gruffly responded to his warm invitation to have a drink, "Well, you drink whatever you want drink, while I sit here and sin quietly with a beer." Haha! But nevertheless, his critic was struck by how comfortable Billy was even in the middle of a bar, and his good humour too. And the simplicity and sincerity that lay behind Billy's words. He later wrote of how surprised - and touched - he was by Billy's goodness and sincerity.

Also people found him an easy person to talk with. He would keep up to date on the latest news and events, and weave these news into his gospel presentations, which struck a chord with his listeners, especially those in the weary post-war years and in the tense fallout of the Cold War.

Another thing that surprised me is how things always come in a cycle. He grew up in the 1920s, a time of prosperity, moral relativism and a growing sense of spiritualism, and the economic fall that happened after that. Which is so much like our time now. 1928. 2008. Not much difference in the human condition, actually.

Wow. Assessing my current lifestyle, I realised that there is so much more that I can be more effective in being relevant to my listeners. I may not be like Billy Graham (and I don't think God intended me to be like him!), but I can aim to be more and more the Yeu Ann that God has intended me to be. To be fully, absolutely and unreservedly His.