Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Billy Graham Library

Charlotte, NC   High 82   Low 61

I want to let you know that I am feeling much better. I still have a cough that won’t go away, but I feel great. Thanks for all the good wishes.

I was reading some of the negative reviews for the Library trying to understand what could be so bad. One review said it wasn’t a library – of course not. It’s set up like a Presidential Library with exhibits and videos depicting Mr. Graham’s preachings. They have a large bookstore. But it’s not a library where you go to check out books. Another review said that it was too religious. I’m really not sure what they expected – Mr. Graham’s life was totally about religion and Christ.

20181015_141734Originally Billy Graham was against the idea of a library bearing his name. He was adamant against anything that would detract from the message he had preached for more than 60 years – a message that points to Christ alone as the way God. “When it was presented as an ongoing ministry and that people would have the opportunity to be won to Christ, I changed my mind,” he said.

The library is designed in the shape of a barn to reflect his childhood on a dairy farm in North Carolina.

20181015_133159

After entering at the foot of the Cross, Bessie begins your Journey of Faith with stories about his youth.

20181015_133456

20181015_133715 

The Library is organized around the themes of “The Man,” “The Message,” “The Ministry,” and “The Mission” with the message being pre-eminent: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

20181015_135954

“The Billy Graham Library is not a memorial, nor is it a museum. The Billy Graham Library is a ministry, prayerfully planned with the intention of communicating the unchanging, life-giving message of Jesus Christ to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year who may never attend a Crusade.”

His wife, Ruth, was married in this dress which she made.

20181015_140728

The Cross is very important in his ministry. However, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we do not use the symbol of His death as the symbol of our faith because the Savior lives.

20181015_142102

The bookstore is Ruth’s Attic and the restaurant is the Diary Bar.

20181015_144555

Both Billy and Ruth Graham are buried on the grounds of the library.

The library was dedicated on May 31, 2007. The complex also includes his childhood home.

I thought it was a very interesting experience. I have a very strong belief in Jesus Christ and I appreciated his testimony of his own belief in Christ.

9 comments:

  1. Interesting for sure. I can't believe people would go there and expect it not to be religious either. That's what he was known for. Glad you had a good time and got to check it out! Next time plan a trip to the huge Ark! I want to see pictures on your blog of that!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like a very interesting afternoon. I didn't realize he had a library but I'm very glad that it exists to share his philosophy.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I did not know about your religion not using the cross as a symbol of faith. Makes sense. Thanks for that.wisdom. always learning.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a wonderful place to visit. For me, the symbol of the cross means that through His death, burial, and resurrection, I have life everlasting. His death on the cross forever conquered the sting of death. But as you say, the Savior lives and that's the important thing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. An interesting place to visit, thanks for the tour.

    ReplyDelete
  6. We took a bunch of folks from our church there for a visit, and it was quite an experience. We thought it was well done and really enjoyed the snacks at the canteen. Food makes everything better. :c)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the big cross window. Gorgeous.
    I think it would be a great museum to visit. I like the idea of different area having a theme.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm happy you're feeling better. Being sick in an RV is just the pits.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting today. I look forward to reading your comments. Have a beautiful day.