Billy Graham's Death

Billy Graham was a significant presence in our home many years ago. A televised crusade or service of his was a special event not to be missed, according to my mother's way of thinking. Hence, we missed very few of those events. I especially remember that Rev. Graham did not hesitate to tell his audiences that if they found themselves on the wrong track (e.g. in the hands of Satan), to kneel and ask God for forgiveness of their sins. After that, they were supposed to "go and sin no more," to use the words of Jesus Christ. Of course, that has never been so easy to do, so, we humans must have crusade after crusade, revival after revival. Rev. Graham was keen on this and, fortunately for many, was always ready.
Dr. Graham has not "died" at this writing. That's good and bad. It's good because he is much loved and his presence here on earth is still a joy and comfort to those who love him, not only in his family, but to multitudes outside of it. He was just as much a teacher to many of us in those days as the ones we had at school. We just didn't see him as often. He still has many followers.
His being not "dead" is bad because he's really getting old. His body is tired and, therefore, he must undergo all kinds of torture (and, of course, we can't expect to be exempted from that cross either). Additionally, his being not "dead" is also bad because when he "dies," he'll be living eternally in the presence of God, and that's good. So, actually, a better life awaits him and countless other believers after he "dies" here on earth.
This remark brings us to realize that everything nowadays is centered on living here on earth as long as one can, but, you know, like desperately clinging to it at times. In other words, diets that make us miserable, exercise like it or not, pills by the handfuls, costly operations that wipe out old people financially, etc. It was just this year when I began reading Charles Spurgeon that I realized how confusing it all is. Dr. Graham himself in one of his best books, Day By Day, comments on contemporary religion and religious leaders (pastors, et al) as being "watered down" (my words). By this I mean religion and worship being softened somewhat, made lighter, made harmless, made inoffensive, etc. There are many ways to say it. Hopefully, the reader gets the idea. But on reading Spurgeon (one of the UK's greatest ever subjects/citizens), we see the truth in its more realistic forms. In certain words, Spurgeon says be glad you got such and such an illness for it brings you closer to God, makes you spiritually stronger, and is one more step toward that final illness or accident (or whatever) which will take you into His sheltering arms. Many people today think this line of thought is crazy. Sort of "live here (on earth) but hate it." Well, not exactly, but....
Nowadays I'm hooked on Spurgeon and Dr. Stanley just as I have been hooked for years on Dr. Graham. Incidentally, Stanley's book is called God's Way Day By Day, and the Spurgeon book is titled Beside Still Waters. Good devotionals also include Lucado's and Swindoll's books. (There are much worse things to get hooked on as we all know.)
To close, no one, including me, wants Dr. Graham "dead." People want him living-- especially eternally, which includes eternal happiness. And who decides that? God will, of course, in His own sweet time. So, the title of this piece of writing, ”Billy Graham's Death”, is a misnomer because, fortunately, Dr. Graham and others like him will never know "death," but more and better living thanks to the Divine Plan. And thanks a million for reading.