When I was a child my grandparents had a tremendous influence on me. Probably because I lived with them a lot. My grandfather, Paw Paw, was devoutly religious and made sure I was there when the church doors opened or the revival tent was pitched.
Billy Graham was next to a saint. Or at least you would think so the way that my grandparents talked about him. On the rare occasion that he was on a broadcast the TV was blaring and like the Christmas story, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Paw Paw was a chain smoker but I noticed that when he was engaged in Pastor Graham's sermon even the cigarettes were extinguished for that brief time and his eyes were glued to the image emanating from the small black and white screen.
Later in life, I too took up the nasty habit of smoking. Never to the extent of chain-smoking but none the less puffing away with the little burns in clothing and other places that smokers are known for. But I digress.
Billy Graham has now moved into his place there in heaven and will always be one of the greatest preachers of all time. I just hope that Paw Paw doesn't let his cigarette ashes burn Pastor Graham's robes.
Over the course of his career, the Rev. Billy Graham capitalized on
modern communication technologies — from television to satellite to the
internet — to give his ministry a global reach.
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