Today on Tuesday of Holy Week as we look towards the promise of Easter, and ponder the life of Jesus with those who encountered him, I am inspired to share with you an encounter with Christ that has impacted my life deeply. It was 1969 in The Angel Stadium of Anaheim, California near my childhood home during a Billy Graham Crusade. My mom and dad had taken our family to hear Billy Graham speak. I remember the expanse of the grass field, and the tall man that Billy Graham was, rising and speaking boldly as he so passionately did. I do not remember his sermon but what I do remember was the moment he offered the invitation for the people to choose and make a commitment to follow Christ Jesus by inviting Christ into their hearts. A wave moved within me as truly felt as the mystery of the wind and my little 8 year old heart began to pound and tears ran down my cheeks. Without hesitation, I jumped out of my seat and ran down the ramps to the grass field with hundreds of others to say "yes" to Christ! My life and faith has unfolded in many ways since that day through joys and through sufferings and in the midst of all, I am deeply grateful as the profound love of God in Christ has been the anchor, the peace and the joy of my heart. The Holy Mystery of God's presence as love is among us. I pray for our communities and our world that we would draw near to God and know the peace that is our wholeness in him.
I am deeply grateful for this man’s devotion to serve Love.
Please join me in sharing a story of a time you experienced God's presence in your life. We love to hear the sacred stories. God's Peace.