It’s a “Come as you are Party”! WARNING: This is longer than usual, but it holds the keys to an EVERLASTING PARTY.

Back in “my day”, there were a lot of those “Come as You Are” parties. Here’s what that meant: You’d get a phone call from a friend and whatever you were wearing at that moment, was what you had to wear to the party. Folks would show up in their jammies and slippers or jogging suits or draw-string sweat pants, work-out clothes, paint-spattered overalls or gardening grubbies. The honor system was honored, and people, blushingly, wore what they were caught in.

Those were way before today when ragged jeans and t-shirts are acceptable almost everywhere. Back in my day “Sunday best” was the only acceptable attire for most occasions. I remember my mom making sure I wore gloves (and often a Jackie Kennedy pillbox hat) to church. BTW – you should see how many pairs of dress gloves we are selling at Mom’s Estate sale. Whew!) It was a point of etiquette and as standard for that attire back then as jeans and a t-shirt are today.

But, one of these days…..we will have a “Come as You Are” moment when our race on this earth is done and it will take our final breath. With our world in such disarray because of the enemy’s tactics to create chaos, hatred, confusion, bitterness and death, we need to be dressed in our best (spiritually speaking), to be ready to go at any moment, as sudden as a phone call or as quick as the flash of a camera.

Billy Graham did his best to get his audiences ready to meet God. Twelve years ago today, March 12, 2006, Billy spoke these words at a “Celebration of Hope” in New Orleans not long after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city:

“Tonight I want to speak on something that all of you are familiar with, John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I remember watching on television the approach of Katrina. I didn’t have any idea from what I heard that it was going to be the storm that it turned out to be. I was like everybody else. I knew it was a hurricane. I knew it was dangerous, but I had no idea the punch that it would have. In fact, I had never even heard of the levees in New Orleans; I’d never heard people talk about them. And then all of a sudden they began to tell us that the levees had given way and we saw the devastation that happened. We watched the brave, wonderful men and women in helicopters who helped carry people to safety. And we knew that a God of love was watching over us. The Scripture says, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). God loves you.

Now, the Scripture says that man has a terminal disease; we’re all sinners and we’ve all broken God’s law. It’s a terminal disease because we’re under the sentence of death. Every one of us is going to die. War does not increase death. Hurricanes do not increase death, because death comes to everybody. Every one of us is under that sentence -- not only physical death but also spiritual death.

Spiritual death means that we are separated from God forever, and the Bible calls that hell. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ. It has been said that the ultimate statistic is that “one in every one person is going to die.” Most of us in this auditorium will not be alive 75 or 80 years from now. All are subject to death.

Whether you are a young person here tonight or an old person like me, you’d better decide for Christ here and now, because you never know when your turn is coming. Some of the words that Jesus used to describe eternal loss are lost, perished, condemned, punishment, torment, hell, everlasting fire.

The Bible says that God gave His Son on the cross and made Him to be sin for us. Think of Jesus. He became sin. Not His sin, but yours and mine. God laid on Him the iniquity of us all, “Who His own self bears our sins on the cross” (1 Peter 2:24). “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust” (1 Peter 3:18), and the Bible says that if we are to ever get to heaven and have the peace of God in our hearts, we’ll have to come to Him. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Has that happened to you? What do you have to do?

First, you must repent. That’s the first sermon Jesus ever preached, the first sermon John the Baptist ever preached. “Jesus began to preach, and to say, ‘Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'” (Matthew 4:17). And tonight He says to you, “Repent.” What does repentance mean? It means that you are sorry for your sins, that you’re willing to turn from your sins.

The second thing you must do is believe. The word “believe” that’s used in Scripture means to commit. You commit yourself to Jesus. The Bible says, “God commands all men everywhere to repent and to believe and be converted to Him” (Acts 17:30), and “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is” (Hebrews 11:6). And it says, “But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

I saw in a cartoon where someone wrote to a pastor and said, “Dear preacher, what does God mean when He forgives us?” The pastor wrote back and said, “All your files are deleted.” God deletes all your files. They are totally erased.

Once in a while a newspaper reporter writes that I have Parkinson’s disease, and that’s true, but that’s a minor disease compared to what I really have. About four years ago I had four brain operations, and today I have two shunts in my brain. I can feel them here on the back of my head, and they hurt every day.
One night, I knew I was dying, and I think the doctor did as well. I didn’t think I could survive. And in my darkness, I called upon God. All of a sudden, all of my sins since childhood came before me. And underneath them was written, “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Now tonight, if you’re not sure of your relationship to God, if you’re not certain and you’d like to be certain, I want you to come and stand in front of this platform, and say by coming, “I want to know that I’m ready to meet God. I’m opening my heart and letting Jesus come in.”

If there’s a little voice speaking inside of you saying you should come, that could be the Holy Spirit drawing you. Don’t resist Him. The Scripture says, “He that hardens himself shall suddenly be lost” (Proverbs 29:1). Come.”

With those words, Billy Graham sent out a “Come as You Are” party invitation. For some time now, I wanted to throw this party, and I think Billy Graham’s words are the best I could use in this blog and Facebook post today to invite you to it. It’s time to come into the Family of God. Please come today. Pray this prayer that Billy Graham led audiences in, and believe with your heart, and you will be ALL READY when you are called to God’s “Come as You Are” party:

“Dear God, I’m a sinner. I’m sorry for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I believe He died for my sin and that You raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Jesus, I put my trust in You and I surrender my life to You. Please come into my life and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

Privileged Birds, Privileged YOU and ME

PRIVILEGED means having special rights, advantages, favored

My sweet sister knows my love for cardinals because of so many that have visited me since my dear husband’s graduation to heaven seven plus years ago. She gave me these two cardinals yesterday that were given to her years ago. It touched my heart so much that she remembered what cardinals mean to me. I’m PRIVILEGED to KNOW where my sweetheart is right now. His grave site is here in Tulsa, but I rarely visit it because I know he's not there. As Billy Graham said, “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God." I love that and that’s what I've thought since the day of my sweetheart's passing. Because I know he’s alive and well, those little cardinals which are said to represent a loved one visiting us, have been my little treat – every time I see one. I’m privileged to think that way.

I’m PRIVILEGED with happy and good thoughts daily because I choose to do so. Why am I and why are YOU so PRIVILEGED? Several years ago I was in Hawaii and eating in one of the open air restaurants. As I sat there, I watched the PRIVILEGED birds have a continual feast when someone would get up from their table. They'd sweep in and devour the leftovers. As I thought about those birds, I thought about the exquisite, yet simple lifestyle they have. They don't have to dig for worms or look far for food -- they just eat from the tables that are so readily accessible. Then, I thought about birds in other countries -- where there is abounding poverty, where there is little food to be found. Yet, those birds just stay with their "status quo", instead of venturing over to a place of blessings and abundance. They have settled for their "lot in life".

Isn't that like many of us who settle in for "I guess that's the best I can do....or the best that I can get"? As children of God, there's a place of PRIVILEGE and abundance for us, if we'll step out in faith and go for the opportunities and blessings that are just waiting for us. When we receive Christ by faith, we have the privilege of becoming His children. We are adopted into His family. "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12.

Back to those birds. In Matthew 6, Jesus put it this way “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Indeed, we are PRIVILEGED to be children of God Who daily offers us so many blessings, but maybe it’s a matter of being present to recognize them. I’m quick to recognize the cardinals. What if we started recognizing our PRIVILEGES daily as children of God? Living in a free country, having a roof over our head, running water, a warm bed to sleep in, plenty of food to eat. Matthew 6:26 again – “BUT, seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL THESE THINGS (PRIVILEGES) shall be added to you.”

The Legacy of Billy Graham

These were some of the headlines of news releases yesterday: From U.S. News: “Billy Graham, America's pastor, has died”; From CNN: “Billy Graham, whose 'matchless voice changed the lives of millions,' dies at 99; NBC News: “Billy Graham, evangelist, pastor and counselor to presidents, dead at age 99”.

No words of defamation. No words of scandal. No words of scorn. Only words of character, honor, dignity and integrity about a true servant of God who had the biggest heart for winning people to Christ. He redefined American life by popularizing Christianity's core message — Christ died for your sins — downplaying denominational details and proclaiming the joys found in faith.

The accolades inspired me to write this post today. Only God knows the number of souls that came into a relationship with Jesus of Billy Graham's life and message. My earliest memories of Billy Graham were of hearing his message of placing our lives in the hands of God, and then the song "Just As I Am" would be sung by the massive choir, and there would be droves of people who went forward to receive Christ as their Savior.

Two years ago, I was walking through the halls of Northwestern University, St. Paul, MN, while at the NCFCA National Speech & Debate Competition with my grandchildren. I passed this portrait of Billy Graham many times. I knew I needed to take a photo of it. His portrait is 2nd in line of all the other presidents. In 1947, at age 30, Billy Graham became the 2nd president there, and at the time, was the youngest person to serve as a sitting president of any U.S. college or university. He served as president from 1948 to 1952 when he resigned to become a full-time minister.

I thought about his legacy, the seeds he planted in the future generations there, and how that legacy laid the foundation of "seed time and harvest" of his future. While Billy has crossed his finish line, those young people in that university and the rest of us who were impacted by his ministry, will continue to plant seeds that will influence others for Christ. Surely this scripture applies: "Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit." John 12:24.

Billy Graham's heart for reaching out to the masses with the love of Jesus could not be confined to a university. He carried it to the world and millions came to know Christ because of his message. No doubt, the heavenly choirs were assembled and the bands were already tuning up for Billy’s grand entrance into heaven. Hearing about his passing and remembering those halls of Northwestern University, has increased my own desire to live with a determined purpose to know Christ more and to share His love passionately.

A General of Faith went home yesterday, but we’re still here to pick up the baton he left for us to run with. That baton in our hands is the same baton Christ gave us and it is to continue to spread the Good News, sow into this generation encouragement and help steer them to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Then we, too, will not only impact this generation, but the generations to come.

With all the scandalous stories of high profile individuals that seem to come down the pipe daily, it gives me such appreciation for someone (anyone) who stays the course of faithfulness to God and family, who lives what he preaches, and who lives with passion of taking as many souls with him to heaven as possible.

In his autobiography, Just As I Am, he wrote, "If anything has been accomplished through my life, it has been solely God's doing, not mine, and He-not I-must get the credit." Along with God's words to Billy when he entered the pearly gates, I'm joining in with mine, too! "Well done, good and faithful servant, Billy Graham. Thank you, God, for giving us a true and faithful role model to follow." RIP, Billy Graham.

Tell the Next Generation

Day 167 of Photo Inspirations -- Tell The Next Generation
As I've walked through the halls of Northwestern University of St. Paul, MN, while here at the NCFCA National Speech & Debate Competition this week, I've passed this portrait of Billy Graham many times. I knew I needed to take a photo of it.  It would be my photo inspiration for today.  His portrait is 2nd in line of all the other presidents.  In 1947, at age 30, Billy Graham became the 2nd president here, and at the time, was the youngest person to serve as a sitting president of any U.S. college or university. He served as president from 1948 to 1952 when he resigned to become a full-time minister.

I thought about his legacy, the seeds he planted in the future generations here, and how that legacy continues to plant seeds in young people today that are carrying the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the marketplace and the world.  Surely this scripture applies:   "Tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.” (Psalm 78:4)

And when we continue to sow into our kids and our grandkids, as well as other young people, as we cultivate their talents and abilities, take the time to listen and encourage them, as well as help steer them to be laser focused on getting to know God and His plans and purposes for them, then they will not only impact their generation, but the generations to come.

Billy Graham's heart for reaching out to the masses with the love of Jesus could not be confined to a university.  He carried it to the world and millions have come to know Christ because of his message.  And something about this last week, and seeing that photo has increased my own desire to live out this scripture like never before:  Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Let these words that I’m commanding you today be always on your heart. Teach them repeatedly to your children. Talk about them while sitting in your house or walking on the road, and as you lie down or get up. Tie them as reminders on your forearm, bind them on your forehead, and write them on the door frames of your house and on your gates.”
#UNW #BillyGraham #TellTheNextGeneration