Bill Easums Observations

I’ve had three major mentors in my life - Nelson Mandela, Carlyle Marney, and Billy Graham. Each of them very different from my theology and political persuasions but nevertheless men from whom I learned aot.

Nelson Mandela taught me never to give up on what you believe even if it looks hopeless.  Carlyle Marney, a very liberal Southern Baptist, taught me it is okay to be a rebel. He also edited my first sermon when I was 17 and told me it was crap! And Billy Graham taught me the guarding oneself from the opposite sex while doing ministry.

 So on the 90th birthday of Billy Graham I felt the need to thank him for all he did for me even though we never met. I was privileged once to experience him in a large rally back in the 50s.  The man was larger than life then.

Did you know that when he traveled he reserved an entire floor of the hotel. Had all the TVs taken out and had guards at the elevator doors and exit entrances so there would never be the hint of sexual impropriety.

Of all the larger than life religious figures Graham is one of the very few who made it through his entire ministry without as much as a peep of scandel. We can all learn a lesson from that.

Happy Birthday Billy.

Bill Easum
www.easumbandy.com