Counsel to Leaders (page 2 of 2)

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Jimmy Carter, Gerald R. Ford, and Bill Clinton

President Jimmy Carter
The Reverend Billy Graham speaks with authority and compassion to both the powerful and the weak, and he ministers with equal care to all people, regardless of their color or country. I'm pleased to count him among my advisors and friends.

President Gerald R. Ford
Twenty-five years after my inaugural, I went back [home] to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in August 1999 for a commemoration. Honored as I was, I wanted the evening to be about much more than my White House years. I hoped to emphasize qualities of national character -- including our faith in God -- which enabled us to surmount the Watergate crisis.

Billy's presence in Grand Rapids that night transformed a historical anniversary into a joyous spiritual event. For him, the trip represented a very personal sacrifice. Billy's health was not what it had been. I learned later that his beloved Ruth was in the hospital, facing the prospect of surgery. How like Billy, I thought. He's one of the most selfless men I've ever known.

President Bill Clinton
I have vivid memories of attending one of Billy Graham's crusades in Arkansas when I was very young. It was held during the height of racial tensions in Little Rock. My Sunday school teacher took me and a few other kids. I had seen Billy on television and looked up to him, but I was really inspired that he refused to preach to a segregated audience in Little Rock. When Billy issued the invitation, hundreds of blacks and whites came down on the football field to affirm their faith together. It made such an impression on me that I decided to send Billy a little bit of money from my small allowance every week.

Thirty years later, Billy was back in Little Rock for another crusade. My pastor, W. O. Vaught, was dying. Billy knew Dr. Vaught well and wanted to see him. A friend and I took him to Dr. Vaught's home and watched in amazement as two great men of God talked about their lives and their faith in life eternal. Billy was so kind and gentle. His last words to Dr. Vaught were, "It won't be that long for me either. I'll see you again soon, just outside the Eastern Gate."

From Reader's Digest - January 2007

 

• Billy Graham Interview
• Billy Graham discusses the process of knowing God each day.
• 
• Life Lessons From Billy Graham
• "Life is short. We can live better."
• 
• FDR: A Voice of Courage
• During troubled times, FDR found a new way to talk to a nation.
• 
• Condoleezza Rice Interview
• The Secretary of State talks about the crises we face, and what we need to do.
• 
• Rudy Giuliani: The Leader
• New York City's mayor Rudy Giuliani: "Courage is about managing fear."
• 
• America Needs Good Leadership
• You can't lead with lies. Stop the cheating.
• 

We brought our newborn son, Adam, to the pediatrician for his first checkup. As he finished, the doctor told us, "You have a cute baby."

Smiling, I said, "I bet you say that to all new parents."

"No," he replied, "just to those whose babies really are good-looking."

"So what do you say to the others?" I asked.

"He looks just like you."

-- Matt Slot

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