When I first heard Graham's teaching about our God, it caused a paradigm shift in my thinking, how he based it on the premise of "friendship" and connecting that to "Good News". It caused me to fall in love with my God all over again.

I will always treasure the experience that I had with a group of fellow members of the Northridge, SDA Church when we spent a Sabbath afternoon with Graham at Pineknoll discussing our trip through all 66. He quoted a saying that afternoon that "No one could dive down so deep and come up so dry as a theologian." That certainly didn't describe Graham! I have never encountered anyone else in my lifetime that could dive down so deep and come up with such simple, concise, easily understood illustrations of some of the most difficult passages of scripture.

The church my wife and I now go to in Glendale, CA uses modern praise music for our worship services and there is a song that we sing often that made me think of Graham the first time I heard it, actually every time I hear it. It is entitled "Friend Of God". I don't know if he would have liked the electric guitars and drums, but I know he would have loved the lyrics!

Friend Of God

Who am I that You are mindful of me,
That You hear me when I call?
Is it true that You are thinking of me,
How You love me, it's amazing!

(Chorus)
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

God Almighty, Lord of Glory
You have called me friend

(Repeat Chorus)

He calls me friend
He calls me friend...

It was hard to accept at first that he is no longer with us. But, I know that we will meet again. And, whenever I want to I can hear his voice and his teaching, thanks to the faithful ministry of his friends at Pineknoll.

May God bless you and comfort you and his family during this time of loss.

In His Love,

Doug Warner
California