Billy breaks a foot before Fresno crusade
Isn't the old adage "break a leg"? Before sunrise yesterday morning, while adjusting the heater in his hotel room, evangelist Billy Graham slipped and fell backwards, breaking his foot. (For you osteal-philes: he has an undisplaced fracture of his fifth metatarsal and two undisplaced fractures in his right fifth toe, or pinky toe). He's in some pain but not on medication, and says he's looking forward to his four-day evangelistic crusade in Fresno. Apparently, it's still being called a crusade. (June 2002's visit to Cincinnati is instead being called a "mission" and "outreach.") But that doesn't mean Graham isn't being sensitive to Muslims. Yesterday he tried to visit the city's mosque, but police tape prevented him from stopping as he drove by. "I was going to walk in and tell the people, whoever was there, that we love and want to be a part of them," he told reporters yesterday. "And we want them be a part of us." Fresno Mayor Alan Autry, also speaking at yesterday's press conference, said there was a rumor that the crusade would be canceled. "We are here to emphatically rebuke that rumor," he said. Added Graham, "This will be the safest place you can be. If you have that many people and the Lord here, there's not going to be any trouble here."
"This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him" (1 Peter 3:21-22).
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Romans 6:4).
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