How to Have a Happy Home | Billy Graham Classic

 

Is your family struggling to get along? Get some tips from Ruth and Billy Graham in this 1985 message from Sheffield, England. Watch more #MondayNightClassics every Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES…

THE BILLY GRAHAM CLASSICS.

[applause]

I WANT TO SPEAK TONIGHT
ON THE HOME.

IN THE 11TH PSALM ,
THERE’S A FAMILIAR PASSAGE

THAT MANY OF YOU KNOW.

“IF THE FOUNDATIONS
BE DESTROYED,

“WHAT CAN THE RIGHTEOUS DO?”

IF THE FOUNDATIONS
BE DESTROYED,

AND THE FOUNDATION
OF ANY SOCIETY IS THE HOME.

AND THEN A VERSE
THAT GOES WITH IT,

82ND PSALM,
THESE WORDS,

“THEY KNOW NOT,
NEITHER WILL THEY UNDERSTAND.

“THEY WALK ON IN DARKNESS,

“ALL THE FOUNDATIONS
OF THE WORLD ARE OUT OF COURSE.”

DOESN’T THAT SOUND
LIKE OUR DAY?

ALL THE FOUNDATIONS
OF THE EARTH ARE OUT OF COURSE,

AND WE’RE WALKING IN DARKNESS,
WE’RE STUMBLING.

JESUS SAID, “I’M THE LIGHT
OF THE WORLD,”

AND HE COULD BRING LIGHT.

NOW THERE’S SOMEONE
THAT I’VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE

OF SHARING A HOME WITH
FOR 42 YEARS.

SHE’S THE MOTHER
OF OUR FIVE CHILDREN.

SHE’S THE GRANDMOTHER
OF OUR 16 GRANDCHILDREN.

SHE’S ON THE PLATFORM.

SHE COULD NOT BE HERE
MOST OF MISSION ENGLAND

LAST SUMMER BECAUSE
SHE’S BEEN IN AND OUT

OF THE HOSPITAL,
NOTHING TERRIBLY SERIOUS,

EXCEPT SHE HAD TO HAVE
A NEW HIP PUT IN,

AND SHE HAD TO HAVE
AN OPERATION ON HER ESOPHAGUS,

BECAUSE, WELL, SEVERAL
YEARS AGO, SHE WAS

FIXING A SWING
FOR THE GRANDCHILDREN

AND SHE FELL OUT OF A TREE
AND BROKE A NUMBER OF BONES,

AND DISORIENTED HER INSIDES.

SHE’S NOW WELL, FOR THE FIRST
TIME IN A LONG TIME.

AND SHE COUGHS
STILL A LITTLE BIT.

I’VE ASKED HER
IF SHE’LL SAY A WORD,

AND SHE’S A LITTLE BIT
NERVOUS THAT SHE MIGHT COUGH,

AND IF SHE DOES, JUST WAIT,
SHE’S GOT SOMETHING

MORE TO SAY AFTER THAT.

SO, I’M GOING
TO ASK RUTH TO COME.

[applause]

PEOPLE, MANY REPORTERS,
ASK ME, “WHO IS THE GREATEST

“CHRISTIAN I’VE EVER KNOWN?”

I ALWAYS ANSWER, “RUTH.”

SHE IS THE GREATEST
CHRISTIAN I’VE EVER KNOWN.

NO, BUT HAPPY, CARING
CHRISTIANS HAVE BEEN

A PART OF MY HERITAGE.

IN 1916, MY PARENTS
LANDED IN SHANGHAI, CHINA,

AND SPENT THE NEXT
25 YEARS OF THEIR LIVES

SERVING THE PEOPLE OF CHINA
AS MEDICAL MISSIONARIES.

IT WASN’T EASY,
THOSE WERE TROUBLED TIMES,

WITH WARS, DISEASE,
BANDITS, FLOODS AND FAMINE,

AND YET, BECAUSE OF THEM
WE NEVER KNEW WHAT FEAR WAS.

DAILY IN THE HOME,
THERE WERE FAMILY PRAYERS,

WITH HYMNS, AND
SCRIPTURE READING, AND PRAYER.

WE WERE LOVINGLY DISCIPLINED.

WE WERE CAREFULLY TRAINED.

BUT, NOT ONLY DID
MOTHER AND DADDY TEACH

THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IN
THE HOME, THEY LIVED IT.

AND AS A CONSEQUENCE,
IT WAS EASY AS A CHILD

TO GIVE MY HEART TO
THE LORD JESUS.

LATER THEY CAME
TO THE STATES,

AND WE HAD THE JOY
OF LIVING BESIDE THEM

FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS
OF THEIR LIVES.

AND BECAUSE OF THEIR
CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE,

OUR FIVE CHILDREN
WERE TREMENDOUSLY INFLUENCED.

AND, DUE IN
GOOD PART TO THEM,

THEY TOO GAVE THEIR HEARTS
TO THE LORD JESUS.

I REMEMBER THE LAST
YEAR OF HIS LIFE,

DADDY WAS ELECTED
MODERATOR OF OUR CHURCH.

NOW HE WASN’T WELL
AT THAT TIME HIMSELF,

AND MY MOTHER HAD
HAD A STROKE AND

WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR.

BUT ONE MORNING I WENT
DOWN TO CHECK ON THEM,

AND DADDY WAS ON HIS KNEES
IN FRONT OF MOTHER,

HELPING HER PUT
ON HER STOCKINGS,

AND HE GLANCED UP AT ME
OVER HIS GLASSES AND HE SAID,

“YOU KNOW, THESE ARE THE
GREATEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES.

“CARING FOR
YOUR MOTHER HAS BEEN

“THE GREATEST PRIVILEGE
OF MY LIFE.”

AND THE THING WAS,
HE REALLY MEANT IT.

AND SO, I THANK GOD TONIGHT
FOR A CHRISTIAN HOME,

AND FOR WHAT IT HAS
MEANT TO ME, TO OUR CHILDREN,

AND IF YOU HAVEN’T HAD
A CHRISTIAN HOME,

YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILDREN
A CHRISTIAN HOME.

AND IF YOUR CHILDREN
ARE ALREADY GROWN UP

AND LEFT HOME, YOU CAN
RECOMMIT YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST,

AND LOOK AROUND FOR SOME
OTHER YOUNG PERSON TO HELP.

GOD BLESS YOU TONIGHT.

THANK YOU.

[applause]

THAT’S THE FIRST TIME
SHE’S SPOKEN IN PUBLIC

IN AT LEAST A YEAR
OR 18 MONTHS,

AND I’M VERY THANKFUL.

[applause]

I THINK ALL OF US
ARE AWARE THAT SOMETHING

IS WRONG WITH OUR HOMES.

SOMEONE HAS SAID THAT
ALL WEDDINGS ARE HAPPY.

IT’S THE LIVING TOGETHER
AFTERWARD THAT CAUSES

ALL THE TROUBLE, AND
THERE’S SOME TRUTH TO THAT.

AN AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST
SAYS, “MARRIAGE IS

“A QUIET HELL FOR ABOUT
HALF OF ALL AMERICAN COUPLES.”

NOW WHAT IS WRONG?

CAN THE TIDE BE REVERSED?

BECAUSE THE SAME COULD BE
SAID, PERHAPS, ABOUT

THE UNITED KINGDOM,
OR IRELAND, WHEREVER PEOPLE

ARE WATCHING OR LISTENING.

AND I WANT
TO ASK YOU THIS QUESTION

ON THE SCRIPTURE
THAT WE READ.

IS YOUR HOME BUILT
ON A SOLID FOUNDATION?

IS IT?

WHEN FLOODS OF SORROW
COME, OR THE WAVES

OF TEMPTATION, OR
THE GALES OF ADVERSITY;

OF WAR, DEATH OR
JUDGEMENT STRIKE,

WILL YOUR HOME STAND?

IS THE FOUNDATION STRONG?

SOCIAL RESEARCHERS ARE
FINDING THAT IN TIMES OF STRESS,

RATHER THAN BRINGING
FAMILIES TOGETHER,

MANY MARRIAGE PARTNERS
FIND IT EASIER TO FLEE

FROM THE STRUGGLE,
WITH THE OVERWHELMING EMOTIONS

THAT FAMILY TRAGEDIES GENERATE.

ONE OF OUR MOST FAMOUS
FAMILIES GOT INVOLVED

IN A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY
A FEW YEARS AGO.

THEIR DAUGHTER WAS KIDNAPPED.

AND THEY STUCK TOGETHER,
AND THEY PRAYED TOGETHER,

AND THEY WORKED TOGETHER,
AND THEY PAID OUT

THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS,
AND FINALLY SHE WAS RESCUED;

AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO.

BUT SOON AFTER
SHE CAME HOME, THEY DIVORCED.

THE EMOTIONS, THE STRESS,
THE STRAIN WAS TOO GREAT,

AND THAT FAMILY BROKE UP.

NOW, THE APOSTLE PAUL
WAS MINISTERING IN CORINTH,

WHICH WAS A
HEDONISTIC CITY,

A PAGAN CITY,
AN IMMORAL CITY.

AND HE SAID THIS, HE SAID,
“LET EVERY MAN TAKE HEED

“HOW HE BUILDS, FOR OTHER
FOUNDATION CAN NO MAN BUILD,

“EXCEPT THAT WHICH IS
IN JESUS CHRIST.”

IF YOU BUILD YOUR HOME
ON JESUS CHRIST,

THE PROBLEMS OF THE HOME
ARE GOING TO BE FAR LESSENED,

AND THE PROBLEMS
OF DIVORCE MAY NEVER COME.

WE FOUND IN A SURVEY
IN THE UNITED STATES

THAT WHERE THERE’S
BIBLE READING, AND PRAYER,

AND CHURCH ATTENDANCE
IN THE HOME,

WE ONLY HAVE ONE DIVORCE
OUT OF EVERY 300 MARRIAGES.

BUT THE NATIONAL AVERAGE
IS ALMOST ONE OUT OF EVERY TWO,

WHICH INDICATES IF YOU
BUILD IT UPON CHRIST,

THAT’S THE ANSWER TO
THE BREAKING OF THE HOME TODAY.

NOW CHRIST WAS BORN
IN AN EARTHLY HOME,

AND HE LIVED UNDER
PARENTAL DISCIPLINE.

HIS FIRST MIRACLE WAS
PERFORMED AT A WEDDING CEREMONY.

CHRIST’S FATHER DIED
WHEN HE WAS YOUNG APPARENTLY,

THERE’S NO MENTION OF HIM
AFTER HE WAS 12 YEARS OF AGE,

SO MAYBE JESUS CHRIST,
BEING THE OLDEST SON,

WAS THE BREADWINNER
OF THE FAMILY, I DON’T KNOW.

BUT, HE KNEW ALL
THE PROBLEMS OF THE HOME.

AND A FAVORITE
BENEDICTION OF HIS WAS,

UPON ENTERING A HOME, WAS
“PEACE BE UPON THIS HOUSE.”

AND JESUS SAID THAT THE ENTRY
INTO THE SPIRITUAL FAMILY

IS LIKE THE ENTRY
INTO A DOMESTIC FAMILY,

IT’S THROUGH BIRTH.

HE SAID YOU MUST BE
BORN FROM ABOVE,

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN,
BORN INTO GOD’S FAMILY.

YOU WERE BORN INTO THE PRESENT
FAMILY IN WHICH YOU LIVE,

OR ANOTHER FAMILY,
BUT YOU’RE BORN

INTO GOD’S FAMILY ALSO.

IF YOU WANT
TO GET TO HEAVEN,

IF YOU WANT TO HAVE
YOUR SINS FORGIVEN,

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW

THAT YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE,

YOU MUST BE BORN,

BORN INTO GOD’S FAMILY,

BY REPENTANCE OF YOUR SINS

AND RECEIVING HIM BY FAITH.

NOW JESUS CHRIST ADVOCATED
HOUSEHOLD SALVATION.

TO ZACCHAEUS HE SAID,
“THIS DAY HAS SALVATION

“COME TO YOUR HOUSE.”

AND WHENEVER HE SAVED
OR HEALED SOMEONE,

HIS FIRST CONCERN WAS
THAT THEY GO HOME

AND TELL THEIR
FAMILY ABOUT IT.

SOME OF THEM WANTED TO
FOLLOW HIM FROM THAT DAY ON,

HE SAID, “NO, GO AND
TELL YOUR FAMILY.

“GO BACK AND TELL YOUR
COMMUNITY, GO TELL OTHERS.”

TO THE RESTORED
DEMON POSSESSED MAN,

HIS COMMAND WAS,
“RETURN TO YOUR OWN HOUSE,

“AND SHOW WHAT GREAT THINGS
GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU.”

AND PERHAPS SOME
OF YOU ARE HERE TONIGHT

JUST EMBARKING ON
YOUR MARRIED LIFE TOGETHER,

MAYBE YOU’RE
HERE ON YOUR HONEYMOON.

YOU COULD GIVE ONE ANOTHER
NO GREATER WEDDING GIFT

THAN A YOUNG COUPLE
DID THE OTHER NIGHT

HERE AT THIS STADIUM.

THEY’D JUST BEEN MARRIED,
AND THE FIRST THING THEY DID

WAS TO COME TO THIS STADIUM
AND COME FORWARD AND

GIVE THEIR LIVES
TO CHRIST TOGETHER.

THEY SAID, “WE WANT TO START
OUR MARRIED LIFE WITH CHRIST.”

THAT COULD HAPPEN
TO YOU TONIGHT.

MAYBE YOU’VE BEEN MARRIED
20 YEARS, OR 30 YEARS,

OR 10 YEARS, WHATEVER,
BUT YOU’VE NEVER DONE THAT.

NOW FIRST, A SUCCESSFUL
HOME MUST BE FOUNDED

ON A DIVINELY
ORDERED MARRIAGE.

REMEMBER, GOD PERFORMED
THE FIRST MARRIAGE.

ADAM AND EVE
HAD AN IDEAL MARRIAGE.

ADAM DIDN’T HAVE TO HEAR
ABOUT ALL THE OTHER MEN

SHE COULD HAVE MARRIED,

AND SHE DIDN’T HAVE TO HEAR

ABOUT THE WAY HIS MOTHER COOKED.

[laughter]

IF WE DISREGARD GOD’S
SUGGESTIONS AND REGULATIONS

FOR THE HOME, IT IS IN
DANGER OF ENDING IN FAILURE.

BUT, MANY PEOPLE ARE
RELUCTANT TO MAKE A COMMITMENT.

PHYSICAL LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH,
IT’S COMMITMENT THAT CARRIES

OVER THE DIFFICULT TIMES.

WHEN YOU GET MARRIED,
YOU’RE COMMITTING FOR LIFE.

IT’S COMMITMENT THAT’S
KEPT RUTH AND ME TOGETHER

IN TIMES OF STRESS,
OR STRAIN, OR DIFFICULTY.

WE WOULDN’T THINK
OF BEING SEPARATED

OR GETTING A DIVORCE
NO MATTER WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.

MAYBE SHE HAS, I NEVER HAVE.

SHE ONCE TOLD SOMEONE
SHE’D THOUGHT OF MURDER,

BUT NOT DIVORCE.
[laughter]

NOW, ANOTHER CORNERSTONE

IN THE SUCCESSFUL HOME
AND MARRIAGE,

IS A SPIRITUAL EXERCISE:

PRAYER, BIBLE READING,
FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER BELIEVERS.

IN DEUTERONOMY 6 IT SAYS,
“AND THESE WORDS WHICH

“I COMMAND YOU THIS DAY,
SHALL BE IN YOUR HEART,

“AND YOU SHALL TEACH THEM
DILIGENTLY UNTO YOUR CHILDREN.”

DO YOU SAY GRACE
AT THE MEAL?

DO YOU SAY PRAYER
AT THE MEAL?

DO YOU HAVE PRAYER
IN THE HOME?

DO YOU AND YOUR WIFE EVER READ
THE BIBLE AND PRAY TOGETHER?

AND THEN THIRDLY,
A SUCCESSFUL HOME

MUST BE FOUNDED ON
A DEDICATED HUSBAND AND FATHER,

AS WE’VE ALREADY
SAID A MOMENT AGO.

I HEARD ABOUT ONE CLERGYMAN,
BEFORE THE CHILDREN WERE BORN,

WHO WROTE AN ARTICLE
ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

FOR RAISING CHILDREN.

AFTER HE’D HAD THE FIRST CHILD,
HE WROTE AN ARTICLE

AND HE CHANGED
THE TITLE, AND HE SAID,

“TEN SUGGESTIONS
HOW TO REAR CHILDREN.”

AFTER THE THIRD
CHILD HE WROTE,

“TEN HINTS ON
HOW TO RAISE CHILDREN.”

AFTER THE FIFTH CHILD,
HE DIDN’T WRITE ANYMORE.

NOW I USED TO BE
VERY AUTHORITATIVE

ABOUT HOW TO REAR CHILDREN,
UNTIL WE HAD FIVE,

AND I LET MY WIFE
TAKE OVER FROM THERE,

AND SHE DID A TERRIFIC JOB,
LET ME TELL YOU.

IT’S A BIG RESPONSIBILITY.

WHEN A MAN LOVES HIS WIFE,
AS CHRIST LOVES THE CHURCH,

IT’S EASY FOR THE WIFE
TO SUBMIT TO THE HUSBAND.

THE IMAGE HERE IS
NOT OF A MIGHTY POTENTATE,

SITTING UPON THE THRONE,
AND RULING HIS SUBJECTS

WITH AN IRON HAND.

THIS IS MORE LIKE A CONDUCTOR,
STANDING ON HIS BOX,

DIRECTING A SYMPHONY.

DELICATE, BUT SUBDUED.

IS THAT THE KIND
OF A HUSBAND YOU ARE?

THE BIBLE SAYS, “LIVE JOYFULLY
WITH THE WIFE OF THY YOUTH.”

IT DOESN’T SAY, “GO OUT
AND GET YOU A YOUNGER WOMAN.”

IT SAYS LIVE WITH
THE WIFE OF YOUR YOUTH,

THE ONE YOU MARRIED
WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG.

BE FAITHFUL.

HOW MANY MEN
WHEN THEY REACH THE AGE OF 40,

OR 50, OR 60 WANT TO
PROVE THEIR VIRILITY,

AND GO OUT AND
GET SOME YOUNG THING.

THAT’S NOT COMMITMENT,
THAT IS A SIN AGAINST GOD.

I READ A NEWSPAPER STORY
WHERE IT DISCUSSED

SEVERAL RECENT MOVIES
THAT DEAL WITH ADULTERY

AS A POSITIVE
GROWTH EXPERIENCE.

DON’T YOU EVER
BELIEVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THAT’LL DESTROY OUR CULTURE
AS QUICK AS ANYTHING.

THE BIBLE SAYS THAT
UNFAITHFULNESS IS

THE PATHWAY TO HELL.

AND THEN FOURTHLY,
A SUCCESSFUL HOME MUST HAVE

A DEVOTED WIFE AND MOTHER.

NAPOLEON SAID, “THE GREATEST
NEED OF FRANCE WAS MOTHERS.”

ONE OF THE VICES WHICH
IS HITTING OUR WIVES

AND MOTHERS TODAY IN THE WORLD
IS ALCOHOLISM AND DRUGS.

YOU SEE, THEY DON’T
HAVE CHRIST TO TURN TO,

AND WHEN YOU’RE
REARING CHILDREN,

AND WHEN YOU’RE MARRIED,

YOU NEED A RESOURCE,
YOU NEED HELP,

AND THAT COMES FROM GOD,
A RELATIONSHIP TO GOD.

JUST AS THE HUSBAND, TO
BE THE RIGHT KIND OF A HUSBAND,

NEEDS CHRIST;

SO TO BE THE RIGHT
KIND OF A WIFE OR A MOTHER,

YOU NEED CHRIST.

AND SO MANY
DON’T HAVE CHRIST,

SO THEY TURN TO
SOMETHING ELSE TO HELP THEM.

A CHRISTIAN HOME
HAS A DEVOTED MOTHER AND WIFE.

NOW I KNOW THAT IN
A PLACE LIKE SHEFFIELD,

OR YORKSHIRE,
PLACES IN AMERICA,

LIKE IN MICHIGAN, WHERE
THERE’S GREAT UNEMPLOYMENT,

WOMEN HAVE TO GO TO WORK,
AND I WANT TO COMMEND YOU

FOR HELPING IN THE HOME
AND BEING WILLING TO SACRIFICE

BY EARNING
TO HELP IN THE HOME

DURING A TIME
OF DEPRESSION, OR RECESSION,

OR LACK OF
INCOME IN THE HOME.

AND THEN FIFTHLY,
A SUCCESSFUL HOME

IS BASED UPON DISCIPLINED
AND OBEDIENT CHILDREN.

NOW CHILDREN CAN ABSORB ANY
AMOUNT OF LOVE AND DISCIPLINE

AS LONG AS THE TWO
ARE KEPT IN BALANCE.

I HEARD A PSYCHIATRIST SAY
AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

MANY YEARS AGO IN
THE UNITED STATES, HE SAID,

“IF YOUR CHILDREN REBEL,
KEEP THEIR LOVE AT ALL COST.

“THEY’LL COME THROUGH IT,

“AND WHEN THEY COME
THROUGH THAT PERIOD,

“THE LOVE WILL BE THERE
AND YOU WON’T HAVE

“TO RE-ESTABLISH ANYTHING.”

THE SCRIPTURE SAYS,
“TRAIN UP A CHILD

“IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO.”

NOT THE WAY HE WOULD GO,
BUT THE WAY HE SHOULD GO.

AND WE’RE TO DO IT
BY SETTING AN EXAMPLE

OF LOVE AND DISCIPLINE TOGETHER
AND IN BALANCE WITH EACH OTHER.

“AND WHEN HE’S OLD,”
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS,

“HE’LL NOT DEPART.”

HE’LL COME BACK SOME DAY,
LIKE THE PRODIGAL SON.

THE FATHER NEVER GAVE UP
LOVING THE SON,

AND HE CAME BACK.

YOUR SON, YOUR DAUGHTER,
WILL COME BACK

IF YOU’VE TRAINED THEM CORRECTLY
WHEN THEY WERE CHILDREN

AND LIVED AN EXAMPLE OF CHRIST
IN FRONT OF THEM.

BUT IF YOU HAVEN’T LIVED
AN EXAMPLE IN FRONT OF THEM,

DON’T EXPECT GOD
TO DO GREAT MIRACLES.

HE MIGHT, HE WILL, AS
I’LL SHOW YOU IN JUST A MOMENT,

RIGHT HERE IN SHEFFIELD,

WHAT HE’S DOING
IN SOME FAMILIES RIGHT NOW.

YOUR SOCIAL
AND DOMESTIC RESPONSIBILITIES

MAKE YOUR INDIVIDUAL
RESPONSE TO CHRIST

THAT MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT.

ON THE OTHER HAND,
IF YOU ARE HERE WITH PART

OR ALL OF YOUR FAMILY TONIGHT,

AND THE LORD SAYS TO YOU,
AS HE INVITED NOAH,

“COME THOU, AND ALL THY
HOUSE INTO THE ARK.”

THE SCRIPTURE SAYS “COME.”

HUSBAND AND WIFE
COME FORWARD TOGETHER.

FATHER, SON, COME TOGETHER.

DAUGHTER, MOTHER, COME TOGETHER.

WHOEVER YOU ARE,

IF YOU HEAR THE STILL,

SMALL VOICE OF GOD WITHIN,

PROMPTING YOU, SAYING,

“THIS IS THE WAY,
WALK YE IN IT,”

COME AS A FAMILY,
OR COME ALONE,

BUT DON’T LEAVE HERE
UNTIL YOU KNOW CHRIST.

BECAUSE YOU CAN’T BE

THE RIGHT KIND OF
HUSBAND AND FATHER,

YOU CAN’T BE THE RIGHT KIND
OF MOTHER OR WIFE,

OR CHILD IN THE HOME
WITHOUT CHRIST.

AND ONCE YOU’VE
HEARD THE MESSAGE,

AS YOU’VE HEARD IT
TONIGHT,

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
IS SO GREAT,

BECAUSE HE SAYS,
“NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME,

“TODAY IS THE DAY
OF SALVATION.

“HE THAT HARDENETH HIS HEART,
BEING OFTEN REPROVED,

“SHALL SUDDENLY BE CUT OFF,
AND THAT WITHOUT REMEDY.”

HERE’S A LETTER THAT SAYS,
“DEAR DR. GRAHAM,

“I HAD TO WRITE YOU
TO TELL YOU,

“THIS TIME LAST YEAR MY
DIVORCE PAPERS WERE THROUGH.

“MY HUSBAND WAS
A MINER ON STRIKE.

“MY CHILDREN’S LIVES
WERE IN TATTERS,

“BECAUSE OF MY OWN SINS.

“MY YOUNG SON
WAS TURNING TO CRIME

“AT 13 YEARS OF AGE.

“MY DAUGHTER WAS
EMOTIONALLY HURT

“COPING WITH MY SINS,
AND UNEMPLOYMENT

“AFTER FINISHING COLLEGE.

“FOR YEARS I’D BEEN DELVING
INTO THE SUPERNATURAL,

“READING CARDS OF FORTUNE,
AND RAPIDLY GOING TO HELL.

“I REACHED IT
WHEN MY MARRIAGE SMASHED.

“AND I THOUGHT IT WAS MY LIFE
TO DO WHAT I WANTED WITH.

“IT WAS NOT ALWAYS LIKE THAT.

“WE’D HAD A GOOD MARRIAGE
FOR 21 YEARS.

“A BUS, WITH ‘BILLY GRAHAM
WORTH LISTENING TO’

“KEPT PASSING MY HUSBAND
ON THE MINER’S PICKET LINE.

“IT BUGGED HIM,
TORMENTED HIM,

“HOUNDED HIM SO MUCH
DAY AFTER DAY,

“THAT ONE DISMAL,
RAINY NIGHT,

“HE TOOK ME
ALONG TO HEAR

“WHAT THIS BILLY GRAHAM
FELLA HAD TO SHOUT ABOUT.

“THE DIVORCE
WAS ALMOST THROUGH,

“MY SON WAS DUE IN COURT.

“I WENT IN ANGER,
THINKING IT WAS ALL SO STUPID,

“BUT JESUS CRACKED ME
THAT NIGHT.

“I BROKE MY HEART
BEFORE HIM.

“I GAVE MY LIFE A YEAR AGO,
TO ONE OF THE RELAYS”

[SHE WAS IN A RELAY],
“AND I WAS BORN AGAIN.

“THREE WEEKS AGO
MY HUSBAND WAS BAPTIZED.

“SATURDAY NIGHT MY DAUGHTER
GAVE HER LIFE TO CHRIST

“AT BRAMALL LANE.

“MY SON DIDN’T COME,
BUT GAVE OVER HIS LIFE

“SIX MONTHS AGO.

“THIS YEAR I’M A COUNSELOR,
HOPING TO BE GOD’S SERVANT.

“DR. GRAHAM, I KNOW
THIS WILL BE THANK YOU

“AMONGST THOUSANDS,
BUT THANK YOU

“FOR GIVING GOD’S WORD
LAST YEAR ON THE BRINK

“OF THIS FAMILY’S
NEAR TOTAL DESTRUCTION.

“THIS WHOLE FAMILY IS
REUNITED IN THE LOVE OF GOD.

“IT’S NOT BEEN EASY.

“WE HAVE ALL HAD
TO HAND THINGS OVER TO HIM.

“BUT, OH MY GOD,
WHAT HE’S GIVEN US IN RETURN.”

THAT’S ONE FAMILY.

AND WE HAVE HUNDREDS
AND SCORES OF LETTERS

ALONG SIMILAR LINES
FROM LAST YEAR’S MISSION,

AND THIS YEAR’S MISSION HERE.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

I’M GOING TO ASK YOU
TO COME TONIGHT.

YOU SAY, “WHAT DO
I HAVE TO DO?”

I’M GOING
TO ASK YOU TO DO

WHAT WE’VE ALREADY
SEEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DO.

I’M GOING TO ASK YOU
TO GET UP OUT OF YOUR SEAT,

AND COME AND STAND
IN FRONT OF THIS PLATFORM

AND SAY, “I’M A SINNER,
I NEED CHRIST.

“I WANT HIM TO
COME INTO MY LIFE,

“I WANT HIM TO
COME INTO MY HOME.

“I’M READY TO SURRENDER
AND COMMIT MYSELF TOTALLY,

“WITHOUT RESERVATION
TO HIM.”

BUT WHY DO I ASK PEOPLE
TO COME FORWARD PUBLICLY?

BECAUSE EVERY PERSON THAT JESUS
CALLED PUBLICLY–OR CALLED,

HE CALLED PUBLICLY.

HE SAID, “IF YOU’RE NOT
WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE ME

“PUBLICLY BEFORE MEN,
I’LL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE YOU

“BEFORE MY FATHER
WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.”

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT COMING
FORWARD PUBLICLY LIKE THIS

THAT MAKES IT REAL
AND GENUINE IN YOUR LIFE.

SO I’M GOING TO ASK YOU
TO GET UP RIGHT NOW AND COME.

IF YOU COME FROM
THAT TOP STAND UP THERE

IT’S GOING TO TAKE
TWO OR THREE MINUTES,

SO START RIGHT NOW.

AND YOU ALONG HERE,
AND BACK HERE,

AND ALL OVER
THIS GREAT STADIUM.

YOU GET UP AND COME,
WE’RE GOING TO WAIT ON YOU,

AND SURRENDER
YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST.

MAYBE WHOLE FAMILIES
WILL COME,

MAYBE HUSBANDS AND WIVES,
OR SWEETHEARTS WILL COME.

JUST GET UP AND COME,
WE’RE GOING TO WAIT ON YOU.

RIGHT NOW;
QUICKLY.

♪

♪ JUST AS I AM… ♪

ON YOUR TELEVISION SCREEN
THERE’S A NUMBER

THAT YOU CAN CALL FOR
SPIRITUAL HELP AND COUNSEL.

PEOPLE ARE STANDING BY
READY TO TALK TO YOU

FROM THE WORD OF GOD ABOUT
THE PROBLEM THAT YOU FACE,

ABOUT THE DECISION
YOU NEED TO MAKE.

WE WANT TO HELP YOU.

IF THE LINE IS BUSY,
JUST WAIT A FEW MOMENTS

AND CALL AGAIN.

MAKE THAT CALL NOW.

♪

♪ …AND AS THOU BIDST ME
COME TO THEE ♪

♪ OH, LAMB OF GOD ♪

♪ I COME,
I COME ♪

♪

YOU THAT HAVE BEEN
WATCHING BY TELEVISION,

YOU CAN MAKE
YOUR COMMITMENT JUST NOW

AS YOU SEE HUNDREDS
OF PEOPLE ARE COMING HERE

TO MAKE THEIR
COMMITMENT IN SHEFFIELD,

IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND.

YOU THAT ARE WATCHING
IN AMERICA,

YOU CAN PICK UP A TELEPHONE
AND CALL THAT NUMBER

THAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN
IN CANADA OR THE UNITED STATES.

AND THERE ARE COUNSELORS
STANDING BY TO TALK TO YOU,

AND IF YOU GET
A BUSY SIGNAL, CALL AGAIN.

THEY’LL BE THERE ALL EVENING.

AND GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST,

MAYBE A WHOLE FAMILY WILL
GIVE THEIR LIFE TO CHRIST

TONIGHT ON THAT TELEPHONE.

WE’RE GOING TO PRAY FOR YOU
AS YOU MAKE THAT COMMITMENT.

IF YOU JUST PRAYED THAT PRAYER
WITH MY FATHER,

OR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

ABOUT A RELATIONSHIP
WITH JESUS CHRIST,

WHY DON’T YOU CALL
THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN.

THERE WILL BE SOMEONE THERE TO
TALK WITH YOU, PRAY WITH YOU AND

ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.

AND REMEMBER,
GOD LOVES YOU!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COMMIT
YOUR LIFE TO JESUS CHRIST,

PLEASE CALL US RIGHT NOW,
TOLL FREE AT

1-877-772-4559.

THAT’S 1-877-772-4559.

OR YOU CAN WRITE TO US AT:

BILLY GRAHAM

1 BILLY GRAHAM PARKWAY

DEPARTMENT C

CHARLOTTE, NC 28201

OR YOU CAN CONTACT US ON THE WEB
24/7 AT PEACEWITHGOD.TV.

WE’LL GET THE SAME HELPS TO YOU
THAT WE GIVE TO EVERYONE

WHO RESPONDS AT THE INVITATION.

ON BEHALF OF
FRANKLIN GRAHAM AND

THE BILLY GRAHAM
EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS.

YOU’RE INVITED

ON A JOURNEY
OF DISCOVERY.

AT THE BILLY GRAHAM LIBRARY.

RETRACE BILLY GRAHAM’S PATH

FROM HUMBLE FARM BOY

TO INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR

OF GOD’S LOVE,

THROUGH MULTI-MEDIA,

PHOTOS AND MEMORABILIA.

BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
IS LOVE.

TOUR THE RESTORED
GRAHAM FAMILY HOME PLACE,

BROWSE RUTH’S ATTIC BOOKSTORE

AND HAVE A MEAL AT
THE GRAHAM BROTHERS DAIRY BARN.

ENJOY SPECIAL EXHIBITS,

EVENTS AND SEASONAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

ADMISSION IS FREE SO COME,

WALK THIS JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY

AT THE BILLY GRAHAM LIBRARY.