Today is Wednesday, January 7th, 2004; Karen's Korner #213

I received this from Tanata LaRue more than a month ago. I didn't see the show; I trust that what was written is true and actually happened; sounds like Oprah and Billy Graham:

 

 

Subject: Billy Graham & Oprah

 Author Unknown

Last year I watched Billy Graham being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on
television. Oprah told him that in her childhood home, she use to watch him
preach on a little black and white TV while sitting on a linoleum floor.

She went on to the tell viewers that in his lifetime Billy has
preached to twenty-million people around the world, not to mention the
countless numbers who have heard him whenever his crusades are broadcast.

When she asked if he got nervous before facing a crowd, Billy replied
humbly,    "No, don't get nervous before crowds, but I did today before I was
going to meet with you."

Oprah's show is broadcast to twenty-million people every day. She is
comfortable with famous stars and celebrities but seemed in awe of Dr.
Billy Graham.

When the interview ended, she told the audience, "You don't often see
this on my show, but we're going to pray." Then she asked Billy to close in
prayer. The camera panned the studio audience as they bowed their heads and
closed their eyes just like in one of his crusades. Oprah sang the first
line from the song that is his hallmark "Just as I am, without a plea,"
misreading the line and singing off'-key, but her voice was full of emotion
and almost cracked.

When Billy stood up after the show, instead of hugging her guest,
Oprah's usual custom, she went over and just nestled against him.
Billy wrapped his arm around her and pulled her under his shoulder. She
stood in his fatherly embrace with a look of sheer contentment.

I once read the book "Nestle, Don't Wrestle" by Corrie Ten Boom. The
power of nestling was evident on the TV screen that day. Billy Graham was
not the least bit condemning, distant, or hesitant to embrace a public
personality who may not fit the evangelistic mold. His grace and courage
are sometimes stunning.

In an interview with Hugh Downs, on the 20/20 program, the subject
turned to homosexuality. Hugh looked directly at Billy and said, "If
you had a homosexual child, would you love him?"

Billy didn't miss a beat. He replied with sincerity and gentleness,
"Why, I would love that one even more."

The title of Billy's autobiography, "Just As I Am," says it all. His
life goes before him speaking as eloquently as that charming southern
drawl for which he is known. If, when I am eighty years old, my
autobiography were to be titled "Just As I Am," I wonder how I would live
now? Do I have the courage to be me?

I'll never be a Billy Graham, the elegant man who draws people to the
Lord through a simple one-point message, but I hope to be a person who is
real and compassionate and who might draw people to nestle within God's
embrace.

Do you make it a point to speak to a visitor or person who shows up
alone at church, buy a hamburger for a homeless man, call your mother on
Sunday afternoons, pick daisies with a little girl, or take a fatherless
boy to a baseball game?

 

Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you look when you're looking
for what's beautiful in someone else?

Billy complimented Oprah when asked what he was most thankful for; he
said, "Salvation given to us in Jesus Christ" then added, "and the way you
have made people all over this country aware of the power of being
grateful."

When asked his secret of love, being married fifty-four years to the
same person, he said, "Ruth and I are happily incompatible."
How unexpected. We would all live more comfortably with everybody around
us if we would find the strength in being grateful and happily
incompatible.

Let's take the things that set us apart, that make us different, that
cause us to disagree, and make them an occasion to compliment each other
and be thankful for each other. Let us be big enough to be smaller than our
neighbor, spouse, friends, and strangers.

Every day, may we Nestle, not Wrestle!


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