Born Of The Spirit
Stories
Vision Stories
True Accounts Of Visions, Angels, And Healing Miracles
Do not be astonished that I said to you, "You must be born from above." The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. (vv. 7-8)
I attended a Billy Graham Evangelism workshop in 1982. I didn't know, when I signed up and accepted scholarship money for the workshop, that there was an obligation also to attend his evening meetings in typical Graham style. At the end of the first night, after Graham's invitation to come forward, a voice spoke to me, "Earl, it is time to go down." I was shocked! Another voice answered, "He doesn't need to go down." I didn't move and tried to ignore this happening.
The next night, after the invitation, the first voice spoke again, "Earl, you need to go down. You may not have another opportunity." Again, the second voice answered, in a sarcastic tone, "That's crazy. Why should he go down?" But this time I got up and started moving through the large convention hall, through the foyer, into the auditorium to get finally to the floor in front of Graham. All this time I was crying tears of joy and relief. A heavy load was lifted from me. And at the same time, my second voice kept trying to persuade me not to do what I was doing. I was met in front of the podium by a young man with a Gospel of John in his hand. He started to show me Jesus' steps to salvation, then he asked me what I did. When I said I was a United Methodist clergy person, he replied, "Well, we don't have to finish this." And I replied, "Don't leave one step out."
This was a turning point in my ministry and life. I would like to say everything was better after that. However, it seems like I have been tempted more and buffeted more, yet have been stronger to continue the fight for justice.
I attended a Billy Graham Evangelism workshop in 1982. I didn't know, when I signed up and accepted scholarship money for the workshop, that there was an obligation also to attend his evening meetings in typical Graham style. At the end of the first night, after Graham's invitation to come forward, a voice spoke to me, "Earl, it is time to go down." I was shocked! Another voice answered, "He doesn't need to go down." I didn't move and tried to ignore this happening.
The next night, after the invitation, the first voice spoke again, "Earl, you need to go down. You may not have another opportunity." Again, the second voice answered, in a sarcastic tone, "That's crazy. Why should he go down?" But this time I got up and started moving through the large convention hall, through the foyer, into the auditorium to get finally to the floor in front of Graham. All this time I was crying tears of joy and relief. A heavy load was lifted from me. And at the same time, my second voice kept trying to persuade me not to do what I was doing. I was met in front of the podium by a young man with a Gospel of John in his hand. He started to show me Jesus' steps to salvation, then he asked me what I did. When I said I was a United Methodist clergy person, he replied, "Well, we don't have to finish this." And I replied, "Don't leave one step out."
This was a turning point in my ministry and life. I would like to say everything was better after that. However, it seems like I have been tempted more and buffeted more, yet have been stronger to continue the fight for justice.
