Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well [Hardcover]

Billy Graham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2011

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

—Acts 20:24 (ESV)

Growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life,” says Billy Graham, known by many as God’s Ambassador. “I would have never guessed what God had in store for me, and I know that as I am nearing home, He will not forsake me the last mile of the way.”

In Nearing Home this man of faith—now in his nineties—explores the challenges of aging while gleaning foundational truths from Scripture. Billy Graham invites us to journey with him as he considers the golden years while anticipating the hope of being reunited with his wife, Ruth, in his heavenly home that eclipses this world. “When granted many years of life, growing old in age is natural, but growing old with grace is a choice,” says the author. “Growing older with grace is possible for all who will set their hearts and minds on the Giver of grace, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Join Billy Graham as he shares the challenges of fading strength but still standing strong in his commitment to finishing life well.

“Explore with me not only the realities of life as we grow older but also the hope and fulfillment and even joy that can be ours once we learn to look at these years from God’s point of view and discover His strength to sustain us every day.”

—BILLY GRAHAM

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Billy Graham, the world-renowned author, preacher, and evangelist, has delivered the gospel message to more people face-to-face than anyone in history and has ministered on every continent of the world.  Millions have read his inspirational classics, including Angels, The Secret of Happiness, Peace with God, The Holy Spirit, Hope for the Troubled Heart, and How to be Born Again.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; First Edition edition (October 18, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849948320
• ISBN-13: 978-0849948329
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.9 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (351 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,466 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > Inspirational

More About the Author

Billy Graham, the world-renowned author, preacher, and evangelist has delivered the gospel message to more people face-to-face than anyone in history and has ministered on every continent of the world. Millions have read his inspirational classics, including ANGELS, THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS, PEACE WITH GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, HOPE FOR THE TROUBLED HEART, and HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

205 of 207 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Bringing You Real Peace In Your Final Days October 18, 2011

By David P. Craig TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

As I read this book the words "peace" and "simple" kept popping into my mind. Billy Graham is the master of keeping things simple, and of communicating the message of the gospel leading to peace in one's life like no one else I know. In this short book Graham honestly and simply addresses the aches and pains of aging, preparing for and how to handle finances, what to focus on (what will last beyond the grave), and what to spend your time on so that you will indeed finish well. He doesn't water down the difficulties of aging, but he is helpful in showing practically what to focus on so that you can finish your life well and leave a positive legacy for those you leave behind.

I wouldn't say this is a great book, but it was definitely written by a great man. Reading the book brought tears to my eyes, because I don't know if we will ever see a Christian have the influence that Graham had worldwide in our lifetimes. Though the book is simple, and not necessarily groundbreaking or earthshaking in its message - it is powerful and carries the weight of authority because it is backed by the one-two punch of Biblical authority written by a man that has lived a life of integrity for over 90 years (and counting).

My life verse was written by Paul to a young Timothy and I know of only two people that I think can say this with powerful authority and simplicity leading to peace with God - Paul and Billy Graham - "Watch your life and doctrine closely, for if you persist in doing this, you will save both yourself and your hearers (1 Tim. 4:16)."

Billy, thanks for your faithfulness, your integrity, and for teaching people all over the world how to have peace with God in a simple and powerful way for all these years - and now in perhaps your last book.... I recommend this book for those who are aging, those who know they are nearing home. And especially for those who need to know if they are at peace with their Maker or not, because clearly this is the most important issue of all - and Billy is the best at clearly and simply letting you know how you can be at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Read more ›

115 of 116 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Words of Wisdom from Billy Graham October 18, 2011

By AH

Format:Hardcover

This book was just released today and I did in fact pick up my copy. I started reading it and even though I'm only half way through it, I find it to be a very touching book and one that has given me a lot of food for thought on my own life. As written by Mr.Graham, this book isnt just for older people. It should especially be for the younger people such as myself (age 39). I have thought a lot about aging as my parents both turned 70 this year. It is mind boggeling to think about that actually. Billy Graham starts out by telling us that we are taught how to live, but not about how to die. This book is full of his personal insights and biblical insights that are comforting to the reader. This is one of those books that you get excited to read it because it is from Billy Graham and especially at this stage in his life, but this is one of those books that make you relaize that you have been given a special gift and that gift is personal advice from one of the worlds most loved spiritual leaders. It's a book I will treasure always and will probably read from time to time. I am so impressed and moved by this book that I am purchasing several copies and giving them away as gifts to loved ones and to my church. I am thankful that Billy Graham wrote this book because unless we die young, we will all face getting older. I'm taking his words of wisdom to heart and it's my prayer all readers of this book do too. I encourage everyone to read this most heartfelt book.

79 of 80 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finishing strong October 23, 2011

By Joel Holtz VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

This book is really a tribute to two people, Dr. Graham himself, and his beloved wife Ruth who went home to be with the Lord in 2007. Dr. Graham writes about Ruth throughout the book, and it's obvious how much he misses her.

NEARING HOME is full of great advice, including the importance of reflection no matter what your age, that we should be prepared emotionally, physically, and spiritually for whatever old age brings, and how old is "genuine and authentic."

FADING STRENGTH BUT STANDING STRONG, Chapter 5, is the longest in the book and perhaps the best. In it, Dr. Graham talks about the hidden perils of aging.. fear, depression, anger, loneliness, and the subtle temptation to think of only onself.

For me, the most surprising thing about the book was reading Dr. Graham's brutal honesty about some subjects. But then, would we expect anything else from such a man of integrity? For instance, he writes at one point.. "I can't say that I have liked getting older." And that the decision to retire from crusade ministry came "somewhat reluctantly."

Geared mostly from the vantage point of a 90-something yr old man, but people of any age will benefit from this book.

Thanks Dr. Graham, for your incredible and integrity filled ministry over the years!

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Comfortable Conversation With Billy Graham About Getting Old---But Not Just Written For the Elderly October 29, 2011

By Bold Consumer TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've read most of Billy Graham's books and thought this one might be a little different. It is. It's Billy Graham as a person. It's a quiet, sensitive, practical conversation, the kind you might have with a very close friend. We might have said to him, "How did you really feel about..." and he tells us. He shares his heart with us. At the same time, it isn't a sentimental tear-jerker kind of a book. It's a book about how we can have a victorious journey. It's very much like sitting there in front of a fireplace and talking for hours, about getting older, planning for retirement, helping your parents with financial planning, helping your children face their own need for planning for the unexpected, how other faithful followers of Jesus have led by their example in old age, losing loved ones, thinking about the reunion with your loved ones at some time in the future--getting closer all the time, being ushered "into the eternal presence of my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ", and leaving a legacy.

Speaking of leaving a legacy, Rev. Graham talks about his friends that many of us feel like we know well, Cliff Barrows, aged 88 at the time of this writing, and George Beverly Shea, aged 102, who Billy Graham says "thinks of me as his younger friend." He tells about recent impressive events. Cliff Barrows directed at one and at a different event "Bev" sang, at 102 years of age. Legacy, indeed! That just makes me smile and brings (happy) tears to my eyes.

Toward the middle of the book the discussion turns to where I suspect his heart and thoughts are much of the time, on his beloved wife Ruth who died 4 years ago. I laughed out loud at what she requested to be put on her tombstone, and laughed even more when I found that that they actually honored her request. "End of Construction.... Thank you for your patience." He gave the special verses that she quoted often during the last part of her life here on earth. Having heard her lovely voice and distinctive accent, I was able to "hear" her quoting those verses from memory. Toward the end of the book I found a topic that I was hoping for, Heaven.

Billy Graham talked throughout his book about how God speaks through His scriptures. Something he wrote about that hit home with me, just a simple sentence about not letting other readings interfere with your reading of God's word, but I can't find it now and don't want to misquote it. Reading God's Word is a continuing theme throughout the book, as you'll see when you read it.

Finally, the part that will make a difference in my life is about our mistakes. "We look back over our experiences along life's journey, we may have regrets about the choices we have made, but remember, that was then...this is now." I needed to hear that. Even when we know that God has forgiven us through Jesus Christ, it isn't easy to forgive ourselves. It's easier to keep beating ourselves up, at least that's been my method, but as Billy Graham said, "that was then...this is now."

This is a comfortable personal conversation with Billy Graham. It's all about faith. Read more ›