Several years ago we were traveling down I-44 in Missouri. By the grace of God we barely avoided a very serious accident. We were pretty shook up so we decided to stop at the Flying J for fuel and to sleep a few hours in the 5th wheel. We fueled up but all the parking spots were taken so we drove across the interstate and parked in the Wal-Mart parking lot.
After we were settled in the trailer I walked to the Taco Bell for some food. Inside was a local Pastor and his family. His name was Pastor Dale Graham. He invited us to church the next day and after a tremendous service Sunday night he asked to stay for revival. I made some phone calls to reschedule my next revival and we stayed the rest of the week. We had a great revival. From a near miss almost certainly fatal accident to a fuel stop, a full truck stop, a Wal-Mart, Taco Bell and a great revival. Sounds like God to me!
That week was the start of a long friendship and several revivals there in Sullivan, Missouri. We fell in love with Bro. Graham and his precious wife, his sons and daughters and their spouses and his grandchildren. Bro. Graham has always stayed in touch, keeping us informed of the happenings in the lives of his family and church. Just this past Saturday he was texting me asking for prayer and then giving me a praise report.
Sunday morning while he was preaching from Hebrews 11 about Abraham looking for that heavenly city Bro. Graham stepped out of time and into eternity. While preaching about Heaven he left Missouri and went to Heaven! His son told me yesterday that when he got to his dad he was already gone.
This is the second time in less than a week that a close friend has passed away suddenly and without warning. First Bro. Loren McCoy on Wednesday 11/3 and now Bro. Dale Graham on Sunday 11/7. Bro. Loren was 41 and I think Bro. Graham was 55. These two sudden deaths remind us again how quickly we can die and how important it is to be prepared to meet God. If you are not a born again Christian with a relationship with Christ, please pray now. Tomorrow may be too late. God loves you and wants to forgive you and wash you clean from sin but the choice is yours to make. God will not force Himself on you but if you are unsaved and reading this I am sure He is reaching for you.
Please pray for Sis. Graham, his whole family and the church he pastored. They need the help of God.
Davy
Thank you, Bro. Davy, for posting this beautiful story. Bro. Graham was truly a great man of God! There's is no doubt that there is a tremendous void in our family. However, we have been given the promise of the resurrection and the soon return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Bro. Graham wanted everyone under the sound of his voice to make it to heaven. The soul-winning torch has been passed on. His favorite scripture was Leviticus 6:13 "The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out." Keep us in your prayers in the weeks and months ahead. We love you all!
ReplyDeleteTeri Graham
May God bless you Sis. Teri and all the Graham family. We are praying for you and trusting God to help you.
ReplyDeleteDavy & Kelly
Almost 8 years ago I attended a little church in Sullivan close to my home and was greeted warmly by this country pastor. I felt such a sweet spirit in this little church and formed friendships with his children. They seemed to be such a close family and when you were around them you felt part of it too. Through the years due to changing circumstances in my life I havent attended regularly, but every time I visited church or even seen them at Wal-mart there was Bro. Graham with a friendly handshake and all too ready to talk horses with me! I was blessed to know him and Sis Graham and all thier family and I know his legacy will live on in his grandchildren as I loved to watch them on the pulpit watching thier grandpa as he walked back and forth telling of Gods love and forgiveness. What an impression I'm sure he made on those babies that they will remember always. The first thing I thought when I was told of Brother Grahams passing was not only is he with his Lord, but also his little Russel, his grandson I heard him talk about many times and how much he missed him. People don't always know if they've made a difference in someones life. I just wanted to take this time to say..Brother and Sister Graham and thier family have mine if nothing else, but setting a fine example of Christian standards. Love, Chanda
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