Preach the Word // Night 1
November 18th, 2008 Posted in sermons | 2 Comments »
Preach the Word Blog Video // Night 1 from Harvest Online on Vimeo.
Preach the Word begins today!
November 17th, 2008 Posted in Preach the Word | 15 Comments »
The Preach the Word conference is finally here. I am really looking forward to meeting pastors, teachers, and those who just feel called to communicate God’s Word to this generation.
We are going to hear from some of the most effective preachers alive today (present company excluded, of course). I am personally looking forward to hearing what these men of God have to say.
I will be there with an open Bible and notepad–better yet, a computer screen, ’cause I can type faster than I can write now!
Remember us in prayer. We will try to post some special video and other features for all of you in the blogosphere.
Harvest Crusades 2008 Year in Review
Harvest: Greg Laurie // 2008 Year in Review from Harvest Online on Vimeo.
We had wonderful and very challenging Harvest Crusades this year for obvious reasons. Here is our Crusade recap video that highlights some of what the Lord did in Southern California, Philadelphia and New York City. It’s a little different then our normal recap video, so let me know what you think.
Enjoy!
Billy Graham’s 90th birthday party!
November 14th, 2008 Posted in Pastor's corner, news, travel | 8 Comments »
This is a photo I took of Billy Graham being interviewed by his son Franklin Graham at the birthday party.
We just got back from Virginia where we celebrated the 90th birthday of Billy Graham. What a blessed time it was. Billy’s family and friends expressed their love to him and he was genuinely touched by it all.
When Billy was given the microphone, we all saw that familiar Graham wit when he invited everyone back for his 95th birthday. And why not? His longtime associate, friend, and singer George Beverly Shea is now 99 years old! BTW, Bev (as he is called) just got his driver’s license renewed!
Many friends were there
In addition to many from Billy’s family, radio commentator Paul Harvey, Pat Robertson, and Michael W.Smith came to the party. I chatted with Michael and invited him back to join us next year at some of our Harvest Crusades events.
Despite his enormous and well-deserved success, Michael is a genuinely nice and very down to earth guy. I think he is a godly man and loved having him out at our recent crusade in Anaheim. He did an amazing job.
A moment with Billy
I had a few brief moments with Billy and he expressed some surprise that I was there. Perhaps he thought that I would not make it because of Christopher’s sudden departure to heaven. But I would not have missed it for anything.
Billy so reminds me of Jesus Christ in his love and humility. He has been a wonderful ambassador for Christ to the world and we all are very proud of him.
A Prayer for Billy
I was asked to offer a prayer for Billy at the end and this is what I prayed:
Lord, we want to thank you for our friend, Billy Graham. You have called him to preach the gospel to more people than any man who has ever lived, yet we are just appreciative that he preached it to us.
We thank you for his life, his legacy, his love, and his humility. We know he is just a man, but yet, like Moses he is “a man of God.” Knowing him makes us want to know You better, because he reflects You to us.
So, bless Billy tonight. Bless his sister. Bless his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Fill him with the Holy Spirit and flood him with Your peace. And keep him ever close to You.
As the priests of Israel would say to the people, we pray for Billy: “May the Lord bless you and Keep you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.”
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Preach the Word next week!
We are excited with the approach of the Preach the Word Conference, starting this upcoming Monday. I will kick off the conference Monday night with a message entitled “First Century Principles for Reaching the Twenty-First Century.”
Then we will hear from some of our nation’s finest preachers, including Chuck Smith, Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur, Alistair Begg, Jack Graham, James Merritt, and Jack Graham.
If you still want to sign up, or find out more information, click here.
What to do before you die
November 12th, 2008 Posted in Pastor's corner, encouragement, family, sermons | 12 Comments »There is a book that has been very popular, titled, 100 Things to Do Before You Die, written by Dave Freeman. In the book, he offered this counsel:
This life is a short journey . . . How can you make sure you fill it with the most fun and that you visit all the coolest places on earth before you pack those bags for the very last time?
He goes on to detail some ways to “really make life count” by doing things like attending the Academy Awards, and running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. Frankly, as I have watched some of the people running from these bulls, I think that ought to be in a book called 100 Things to Do So You Will Be Sure You Die! 
The sad thing is that Dave Freeman just died at the age of 47, after hitting his head after a fall in his home. He had only accomplished Half of the items on his list.
The one thing to do before you die
But life is not just about visiting the coolest places and having the most fun. There is a place for that, but life is about glorifying God and following His will. That is the one thing we should all be doing.
The Bible tells the story of Jesus visiting the home of Mary and Martha, two of His friends. Martha wanted to make Jesus a gourmet feast and was working slavishly in the kitchen, while Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to Him. In frustration, Martha went to Jesus and demanded that He tell her sister to come and assist her.
The fact of the matter is, there is a time for work and there is a time to sit and listen to what God has to say. Mary understood that.
Seeing Martha’s frustration, Jesus said to her, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her” (Luke 10:41-42 MESSAGE).
“Only one thing is essential,” said Jesus. Mary understood that one thing was having time with God. And it also meant to glorify Him with her life.
Now, do we understand that? Because it’s not a matter of if you will die but when. So do what you need to do now, and then you can live with a clear conscience, ready to meet God at the time He appoints, whether it be today or 80 years from now.
My son, Christopher, was walking with and glorifying God when he was called home. I was proud of him then (and I told him so) and I am proud of him now.
