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Simply surreal … It’s gotta be a God thing
By Jeremy | June 25, 2005
Saturday morning, Judah and his best friend Sammy invited Jesus into their hearts during Bible Man's altar call. Without prompting from mom or dad, Judah's arm shot up when the invitation was given, and he quickly rose to his feet. Along with Sammy, they raced to the front without so much as glancing over their shoulders to see if we were behind them. This was Judah's second encounter with Jesus in nine days!
The evening ended with Judah taking a picture backstage with (an unmasked, r to l) Bible Man, Bible Girl and Cypher.
In between, Dimas Salaberrios and I were given the privilege of sharing a stage with Billy Graham, President Clinton, Mayor Bloomberg, Dr. A. R. Bernard, and others. Dimas followed the mayor's greeting to officially welcome 80,000 people to the Concert of Hope, share the ultra-short version of his testimony (surviving a hit attempt on his life), and open in prayer. (Note to self: I realized tonight I've never heard the short or long version. We need to chill and just enjoy each other a little bit without working all the time!)
I followed Franklin Graham, who shared his testimony, and was asked to receive the offering. (The scripted version of the three-minute presentation -- which was not delivered entirely because of short-term memory lapses -- is available here.)
During Rev. Graham's message and altar call, we sat on the platform, behind Cliff Barrows and President and Senator Clinton. What a spectacular view as a sea of humanity flooded the altar area.
Afterwards, I had the privilege of introducing Diana, Judah, and my father to Rick Warren (whom I met a dozen or so time at Graham's Los Angeles Crusade in November), and catching up with Marcos Witt (who performed at the 9/11 anniversary Tribute to Grace and Hope). It's totally bizarre as a 30-year old novice to receive encouragement and congratulations from the likes of Anne Graham Lotz and Rick Warren.
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." ( Isaiah 43:18-19 )
Topics: billy graham, crusade, faith, family, fathering, judah, life | No Comments »
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