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I am about to establish a Christian Outreach organization. This is my life mission from the Lord. I would like to receive a blessing from Billy Graham. I want to talk to him for about 15 minutes, and ask him to pray for my organization and bless my organization.
How can I do this? Should I just go to Billy Graham's house in N. Carolina and knock on his door?
Frank
This might help :-
Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C. 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: BGEA: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
You would call and make an appointment to see him, or perhaps his son Franklin who handles a lot of the activities. But again remember that talking with him for 15 min may be a asking for too much, a alk in, shake hands and walk out would be closer and then be sent to see someone else to give advice.
It would be like trying to go in and see the head of General Motors or to go in and see the Gov of your state and s o on.
BGEA: Our Ministries: Rapid Response Team: Conference
If it were a blessing from God that you wanted, I would say that scripture tells us that doing the Will of God receives His blessing. Praying to God to be all He created you to be, and in prayer that you may be given His strength to do His Will.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Choe
If is Billy Graham's endorsement you are looking towards, then it is he that makes that decision, and his minister that would be endorsed.
Frank - I respect the fact that you hold Billy Graham in high regard. I think anyone who is committed to understanding and teaching the bible is a curious fellow in this day and age. But Frank, what if you never meet Billy Graham? What impact will that have on your decision to move forward with this outreach organization? If you are convinced that this is your life mission from the Lord, then you do not need anyone's blessing, yeah?Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Choe
Everyone who is called to be a servant of Jesus Christ has that authority from God himself and there is no need for anyone to confirm that authority by blessing it. Look, I'm not trying to pee on your parade, please understand that. But I guess what I don't see as being relevant is a need for a blessing if you or I have a real strong impression that the work I am desiring to put my hand to seems divinely inspired. The only way to see whether the work you desire to do is God's work for you is to get busy trying to see the realization of it. Maybe it will happen... maybe it won't. Only time will tell. But consider this, Frank... if Billy Graham were to see you and meet you, will his blessing carry any more influence with God than your own? In other words, if this work is from God, he will see to it that it be done through you regardless of whether Billy Graham blesses it or not... after all, if we believe it is God's work being carried out through us, then he is all the more committed to doing it. I think it is really important to see that distinction.
That's my opinion.
Thanks for many kind answers so far.
I was thinking about just going to see Billy Graham, because Franklin appears to be very protective of his father lately - for example, he told Obama administration that Billy could not attend the Inauguration ceremony.
For those of you who wrote that I do not need Billy Graham's Blessing: I agree with your view on the logical view. However, could you explain the following two things in the Bible?
1. Why was Jesus baptized by John the Baptist?
2. Why did Paul visited Jerusalem and met with Peter and James, after 3 years in Arabia and 3 years in Damascus (Gal. 1:18-19)?
Appreciating your response,
Frank
The 1st answer: Jesus fulfilled the act of righteousness, all that was of His Father's Will, and as spoke in scripture His Father looked upon Jesus, and was well pleased. (Mark 1:11 Matthew 3:17 Luke 3:22)Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Choe
Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
The 2nd answer: This had to do with Paul converting and the steps of separation that were taken. (Romans 1:1) Concerning the (supposed) man/flesh, Jesus Christ seed of David who was declared "The Begotten Son of God"
Called from the womb (Isaiah 49:1) predestined (Isaiah 49:5) to be a servant to God, a phophet of The Word (Jeremiah 1:5)
Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace,
Each step noted: (1:15-17 Absence from Jerusalem In Arabia and Damascus) (1:18-20 In Jerusalem 3 years after) (1:21-24 Absence from Jerusalem in Syria and Cilicia) ( 2:1-14 In Jerusalem 14 years after.
Noted the separation before birth ;2 calling, Acts 9; 3 setting apart for ministry, Acts 13:2-3 in fulfilling:
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Why? I think you can reason that out now... I believe it is all about fulfillment and God, Our Father as the Master of all creation.
Dear Sndbay:
Thanks for taking the time and responding to my questions. However, you appear to miss my point. We can take everything as God's will and fulfilling His Plan (I am using more modern terms). However, there are always worldly and functional counter part. I believe the following functional roles in both cases (for Jesus and Paul): they aligned with the right group of people for "blessing" and effective ministry. Can you imagine Jesus came and no one recognize him (John the Baptist recognized Him)? Also can you imagine Paul were trying to do his ministry and Jerusalem church were against him? In both cases, the ministry effectiveness and the support from the right groups of people were gained by Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist and by Paul meeting James and Peter.
Likewise, I feel that if I meet Billy Graham face to face the effectiveness and support for my ministry would be enhanced.
The question is how I can meet Billy Graham - which is the main question I raised. The question you raised gets into the reason or "why" for my question. I hope this would help you understand my perspective.
Frank.
And I remain stedfast knowing if the Lord is for me , who can stand against me.
1 Timothy
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.
Is the more modern day plan to exclude God from the plan?Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Choe
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Choe
Of course he did, and I can't imagine any that were believers not recognizing Him. It is shown throughout scipture that those who had faith in Him could see the light which is Christ. And it again it is God who reveals to all in awareness.
No I can't imagine that, because it is clear that the presence of God does exist, and did exist, which in every case was the difference in seeing and hearing.
That would base works done by servants of God as being effective by their own hands. I don't see it that way.. I acknowledge that from each, came the results of God's Will being done. Each were followers.. Each were servants..Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Choe
Just because I don't feel we can leave God out of the equation does not mean you must agree with me.
Comments on this post #9
Frank Choe disagrees: Simple quotation of the Bible does not help. It needs exegesis and the intent behind each verses. It sounds good on the surface, but it could mean entirely different things. Also Jesus and Paul did not ignore other people.
I did not inore you..I clearly stated: And I remain stedfast knowing if the Lord is for me , who can stand against me...That would be my direct concern in life.. Yet when you disagree with scripture, you have disagreed with The Word of God. The text within each quote that I offer, has God within my heart, and shows who I follow, and what I value "The Word from God"
If you need endorsement from Billy Graham as I said before, then you feel his bearing witness to your works would be a good endorsement. I get that...
Dear Sndbay:
You seem to imply that I have no faith as you have expect as a sincere Christian. Rather it is the opposite. I have faith as strong as anyone. I could not take out from my heart the voice I heard from God 19 years ago and 12 years ago, and also through prayers and meditations on and off ever since. Jesus said that (Matthew 10:16) "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Also He even said that (Luke 16:9 - regarding dishonest manager) "And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings."
My brother, please encourage me and help me rather than discourage me and criticize me. Please make your communication to the point by understanding where I am coming from rather than just quoting bible verses that appears not much relevant to my cause. Please think this way: If I have everything you said I should have, will it be better off for me to meet Billy Graham or not to meet Billy Graham? Also wisdom requires practicality. With it is not practical, it cannot be wisdom. For practice of my ministry, will it help my ministry or hurt my ministry if I meet Billy Graham? I know the case of William Carey. He asked the pastors to help him out for his Indian mission during the pastors' gathering, and the pastors told him that if it is God's will it will be done whether he tried or not. My brother, please do not be like those pastors who did not help William Carey. I believe that those pastors simply using the Bible not to help William Carey because helping him required spending resources and material wealth they liked.
I still think you have given your advice with good intentions. Instead of taking apart each sentence and word for criticism, please take my whole message as one message.
I am different from you. I am commissioned to do my ministry. If anything could help my ministry, I would do, starting from what is in the Bible plus any thing else including the fund raising and managing resources of people and contacting support groups and supporters. Especially the Bible says that Jesus went to see John the Baptist and that Paul went to see James and Peter. I just do not understand why you are dead against my seeing Billy Graham, when my meeting Billy Graham does not exclude what you think I should have as the Bible teaches, unless you want to just argue for argument sake.
My brother,
Please send me encouraging words instead of criticism. Please say what is wrong wrong but do not say what is right wrong. If you find something wrong, please pin point what is wrong so that a dummy like me still can understand.
Sincerely,
Frank
First of all my brother, I am a sister in Christ. And all along, I have encouraged you. I have shown from the beginning of this conversation that you are blessed, and can be all that God created you to be. That with or without Billy Graham' s endorsement, that with God strength, and doing God's will, you can be abundantly blessed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Choe
You asked Why was Jesus baptized by John the Baptist? And Why did Paul visited Jerusalem and met with Peter and James, after 3 years in Arabia and 3 years in Damascus (Gal. 1:18-19)?
I believe the authority behind scripture is God Himself, and the words of scripture are His Words to us. So in my answer, I told what I knew of those two questions. I believe the fulfillment of each were shown. And I'd like you to know that your journey, like all of His children, can be fulfilled in Him.
So go forward my brother, and rest in Christ. And should Billy Graham want to witness your work, or shake your hand, remember who established him.
~ child of God
Frank,
I fear that you will not get to see Billy G.
He is very old and frail now and seldom sees anyone but family.
But you can try and I suspect that your ministry will be of interest to the Billy Graham Ministry.
Peace and kindness,
Fred (arcura)
I have to agree with Fred.Billy Graham is 100 yrs.old and in failing health.I also suspect that there are many channels you would need to go through to see him personally.He has become quite reclusive in recent years.Quote:
Originally Posted by arcura
I don't want to discourage you from your mission but I think you may have to conference with his son,who has taken over his ministry.
Many Blessings
artlady
That is a good suggestion.
I hope he follows it,
Fred
To all those who made suggestions for me:
I appreciate all your wisdom(s). After reading all your comments and suggestions and some prayers, I decided that I am going to change my plan slightly as follows:
Instead of seeing Billy G from the start, I will try to see Franklin G. Also I was going to see Billy G before I register my organization as NGO originally, but now I will try to see Franklin G after I register my organization as NGO. I will see Billy G if Franklin G allows me. By the way, Billy G passed his 90th birth day last November (not over 100, he is still older than me), and Franklin G is a few years younger than me. Billy G has Parkinson's, but he was even preaching until a few years ago.
Again thanks for all your advises and addresses/e-mails for BGEA. This website has been a good counsel for me.
Frank.
Frank Choe.
Your plan looks good to me.
Peace and kindness,
Fred
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