"Do You Remember Phil Donahue?"

Do you remember Phil Donahue? He was a big personality on CBS and very popular. Years ago, CBS got a scoop on a mine disaster. It was cold, late at night, and plenty of snow blowing around. At the minehead were gathered many friends and relatives of the trapped miners. They huddled around smudge pots that gave off feeble heat.

Somebody started to sing, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”  The crowd joined in. It was emotional. Fears and tears were all too common. “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”

A local pastor stepped to the front of the ragged circle and began to pray. The prayer surged from his mind and his spirit. Aesthetically, it was beautiful! Emotionally, it was profoundly moving. Phil Donahue said he had goose bumps, not from the cold, but from the emotion of the moment.

Donahue and his crew tried to capture that moment. However, the camera batteries failed. When they finally got the camera working, Donahue asked the pastor if he would do his prayer again. It would reach 260 stations – millions would hear the pastor’s prayer. The pastor refused!  “I have already prayed to God and to do it again for TV would be wrong.”

Donahue pleaded with the country preacher. No, was the answer. It was a demonstration of moral courage. The man would not show biz for Jesus! He refused to sell his integrity for TV, not even national TV, not even for CBS. Praise the Lord!

Blessings,