.jpg)
Under the big oak tree, Lamb Jennifer Evans and Anne Graham Lotz
Last Sunday, was a remarkable evening at UNC women’s basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell’s home. Most of us were under a huge oak tree with a breeze; despite the humidly of the 90 degree day. This gathering was a combination of Sylvia’s bible study, The Lambs and Albert Long and Danny Lotz's combined Men’s Group. Lamb Jennifer gifted us with her personal ministry of healing and music by singing "Amazing Grace", "Jesus Loves Me", "Elijah Rock", and "He Looked Beyond My Faults".
Anne Graham Lotz was our guest speaker. She is lovely in statue with the same infinite grace and passion for preaching as her father and the beauty of her mother. Anne's AnGel Ministry is currently drawing large crowds. Her father, Billy Graham says she's "the best preacher in the family." Having last heard Anne at Phillip’s Arena Atlanta, with 28,000 attendees, Sunday's gathering was a special evening to be with her; up close and personal.
Anne Graham Lotz speaking at one of her stadium events - CREDIT: AnGel Ministries
I first met Anne when she was 17 and engaged to Danny Lotz, the brother of assistant basketball coach, John Lotz. Danny was on the ’57 UNC National Championship team. Lennie Rosenbluth and Pete Brennan, also basketball heroes, and former Duke basketball coach Bucky Waters, attended Sunday's event. Anne spoke to us without a note card. “Could have blown away in the breeze,” she humbly remarked when mentioned to her. Anne shared some personal and current information about her world-known father, Billy Graham: he is 91 and sharp of mind, but with a body in decline. As she remembered him, she noted he was not the kind of father who would tuck you into bed. He was gone much of the time, but as a Christian role model, she would not trade for any other.
Then, Albert Long spoke about our hurried nature: that we rush and scurry and don't have time to make time. All of a sudden, the breeze picked up. There was that same kind of hush when you can hear a pin drop and time, if only briefly, seemed to stand still.
The evening ended as a gaggle of geese flew over and reminded me of an excerpt from Anne's book The Magnificent Obsession about what prompted Abraham’s desire to know God. Was it when Abraham observed the migratory habits of the birds and the way the sun came up every morning and went down every evening? Abraham reflected, these things must be more than just an accident or a coincidence?
Front cover of Anne's book, The Magnificent Obsession
