Graham Story

Good Friday, 2010.

Not just a good Friday. The *best* Friday.

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Billy Graham is 91 years old. The story is told of a luncheon held a decade ago in Charlotte, North Carolina, where city leaders invited one of their favorite sons to honor him. Billy initially struggled with accepting, as he was struggling with Parkinson's Disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, "We don't expect a major address. Just show up and let us honor you." Billy agreed.

After many wonderful things were said about him, Billy finally did step up to the rostrum. He looked at the crowd, paused just a moment, then said, "Today I am reminded of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century.

"Einstein was once traveling from Princeton, on a train, when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of each passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached into his pocket. His ticket wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked through the papers in the seat beside him but still couldn't find it.

"The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you've bought a ticket. Don't worry about it.' Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle, punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees, looking for his ticket.

"The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry. I know who you are. No problem. You don't need your ticket. I'm sure you bought one.'

"Einstein looked up at him and said, 'Young man, I, too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going.' "

Having related that story, Billy Graham continued speaking to the assembly. "See the suit I'm wearing? It's a brand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I've gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon ... and one other occasion.

"You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I'll be buried. But when you hear that I'm dead, I don't want you to immediately remember the suit I'm wearing.

"I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am, I know where I'm going."

[as seen in Andychap's The_Funnies]

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May you be able to say the same.

Watch for a very special announcement on Monday.

Mark

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WEB SITE of the WEEK: Our church has been making an extra effort to intentionally connect with our community lately. This is something called "servant evangelism" and you can get lots of ideas and start-up tips at http://www.servecoach.com/. It's a website that features the work of Pastor Steve Sjogren, who has launched many churches that feature the work of community outreach.

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WORDS for YOUR WEEKEND: "Your days at the most cannot be very long, so use them to the best of your ability for the glory of God and the benefit of your generation." (William Booth)