Comment from Understand the Times:

An appropriate comment on this article would take a book.

At 92, Graham can look back to 1949 when it all began. I am sure he would have done a lot of things differently. Not only would he have stayed home more and had less contact with Presidents who were Masons and the Calvary Chapel movement, he should also have had less contact with Jesuits who founded the Masons.

For more information, please watch Chris Pinto's new DVD called "Hidden Faith of the Founding Fathers" and "Lamp into the Dark." These two, three hour documentaries are available from our website and at Lighthouse Trails.

Billy Graham's Regret: 'I Would Have Steered Clear of Politics'

Article: Misc.

Billy Graham, the beloved evangelist known as "America's pastor," says that looking back on his long life and public ministry, one thing he would do differently is to avoid the political entanglements that have been one of the rare blots on his otherwise hallowed legacy.

But it was his regret over his past political liaisons that stands out in an era when many Christian figures do not hesitate to champion politicians or cheer for a particular party.

"I'm grateful for the opportunities God gave me to minister to people in high places; people in power have spiritual and personal needs like everyone else, and often they have no one to talk to," Graham said in the e-mail exchange. "But looking back I know I sometimes crossed the line, and I wouldn't do that now.

Graham has been known as the "pastor to presidents" because of his ties to nine U.S. presidents. But though he befriended Democrats as well as Republicans, he was closest to GOP politicians -- George W. Bush has credited Graham's counsel for his personal religious turnabout -- and for years he was particularly close to Richard M. Nixon.

Still, Graham has continued to serve as a kind of touchstone for presidents and would-be leaders. He remained especially close to the Bush family, and last April, Barack Obama made a pilgrimage to meet Graham at his home in Montreat, N.C., where he has spent most of his time since his wife's death four years ago.

Graham also said he has been "amazed" and gratified at the global success of evangelical Christianity, though he added a note of caution to those following in his footsteps: "[S]uccess is always dangerous, and we need to be alert and avoid becoming the victims of our own success. Will we influence the world for Christ, or will the world influence us?"