Hear My Heart: What I Would Say to You

by Billy Graham

Millions the world over have heard Billy Graham’s evangelistic messages.

Now hear his heart…

America’s pastor has gone home. But his lifelong message, his passion for the gospel, and his compassion for people still echo in Hear My Heart. This intimate work, a compilation of articles that spans Billy’s ministry from 1955 to 2014, invites you to sit down with Billy and hear in his own unvarnished words the things that moved his heart regarding relevant issues of the day. The Biblical convictions he abided by. The reasons and regrets behind some of his decisions. And the wisdom he gained in his century on this earth.

Hear My Heart also presents stirring tributes, collected over many years, about Billy and his legacy from those who knew him best in all the seasons of his life—including his family members, his friends, and his co-laborers in ministry. Though their lives may have changed, Billy’s impact remains the same, and their words are beautifully preserved in essays that reflect the power of his ministry. This book was assembled and printed to be released upon his passing so that his final words would bring comfort and peace to the many lives he touched.

This is his legacy—the personal exhortations he left our generation and those yet to come.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Christian Living, Biography, Christianity

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2018

About the author

Billy Graham was an American evangelical Christian evangelist and an ordained Southern Baptist minister. Graham is best known for his evangelistic missions or “Crusades.” He believed God knew no borders or nationalities. Throughout his career, Graham preached to millions around the world. He met and prayed with every U. S. president from Dwight Eisenhower to Barack Obama.

Graham authored 34 books, including his memoir, Just As I Am. In 1983, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan. In 1996, Graham and his wife, Ruth, received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award Congress can bestow on a private citizen.

Graham married Wheaton College classmate Ruth Bell Graham in 1943. They had five children ( Ruth Graham, Gigi Graham Tchividjian, Anne Graham Lotz, Nelson, & Franklin Graham) and made their home in the mountains of North Carolina. They were married for 64 years before Ruth’s death in 2007. Graham died from natural causes on February 21, 2018, at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, at the age of 99.

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book BY Billy Graham but about the great man by a number of people. But it also incorporates some stories by him from various talks. I was SO impressed. Unlike some of today's televangelists Mr Graham had integrity in spades. He wrote a special manifesto that he and his staff were obliged to keep to. Some of them were financial integrity- in fact Graham set his salary below that of a normal pastor and would take no extra money from anyone at any time. And he always ensured that all these financial details were recorded in the local paper when he visited that town. He made sure he and his team were never prone to sexual temptation. He led a life of integrity with humility. No one was ever excluded – which was a big thing in those days. Black/white yellow or brown it didn't matter to him. And the list went on and on. I was incredibly impressed and look forward to reading more books about this man. Billy Graham, who preached in person to more than 200 million people and millions more on television, by satellite and film and radio, will never be replaced but God will find someone else to do things in other ways. He leaves deep footprints in a world gone awry. He was interested in only one thing – will you accept Christ?

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up at the Library for a quarter. I've always wanted to read his work...krb 3/4/19

[Lisa Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very solid book about a life well lived. Worthy of a person's time and money.

[Gail Welborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

***“Heart My Heart” captures Billy’s heart and provides an intimate
portrait of a man who loved Jesus, who lived by Jesus’ words***

Billy Graham, long known as America’s pastor, spent a lifetime preaching about his Friend and Savior, Jesus Christ, Christ’s message of salvation and life after death. His simple words of wisdom, such as “God loves you” were spoken with humility with their spirit captured in a quote Billy (as he preferred to be known) adapted from D.L. Moody.

“Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.”

“Hear My Heart: What I Would Say to You” offers a compilation of Billy Graham’s articles that were “assembled to be released” upon his death. They span his ministry from 1955 to 2014 with words that illustrate his love for Jesus, his passion for the gospel and the biblical convictions he lived by.

The legacy book is divided into six-parts. “When God Calls,” “The Power of the Gospel,” “Guard Yourself,” My Challenge to God’s People,” Upon Further Reflection,” and “The Graham Legacy.”

Four of the sections begin with a chapter by those who knew him well such as J.I. Packer, John N. Akers, William Martin and Philip Yancy. While part five features why Billy founded Christianity Today, his views on evangelism and today’s “unhealthy tendency toward individualism,” his role in the Watergate crisis and what he would do differently if he had it to do over and much, much more.

The last section is a compilation of tributes from family and close friends, such as senior news writer for Christianity Today, Tony Carnes who wrote about Billy and his wife Ruth’s friendship with Johnny Cash and June Carter. The story captures their friendship in Christ although Carnes writes, “their backgrounds couldn’t have been more different…Johnny came from the wild side while Billy…walked the straight and narrow.”

These stories and more from those who knew him best portray a humble, Christ loving man who, unlike many, walked the walk he talked. Readers learn about Billy’s passions, his regrets and what he would have done differently. What his message of salvation and being “born again” really meant to him and why it impacted so many.

“Heart My Heart” captures Billy’s heart and provides an intimate portrait of a man who loved Jesus, who lived by Jesus’ words and a man who introduced his Friend to everyone he met. It’s a book to be savored, cherished and shared.

‘Hear My Heart: What I Would Say to You,’ by Billy Graham & Those Who Knew Him Best, Howard Books, March 6, 2018, 288 Pages, 978-1476734309, $25.00


“Gail’s Bookshelf” Midwest Book Reviews: "February 2018"
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[King Rupert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good biographical book featuring contributions by several of Billy Graham's colleagues and friends. Very much a Christian book but also lots of information and advice that anybody can benefit from.

[PennsyLady (Bev) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need another preacher like Billy Graham.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tribute volume to the renowned evangelist, Billy Graham, includes a selection from his writings, and essays by several friends, such as John R. W. Scott, William Martin, Philip Yancey, and Rick Warren … pertinent even to this day, as Graham died in 2018 …

by John R. W. Stott (no photo)
by William C. Martin (no photo)
by Philip Yancey
by Rick Warren

[Jennifer Tse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read about Billy Graham's life with excerpts he wrote himself and also contributions from friends and family. What really stood out to me is his focus on God and preaching the gospel. Even more important than the message he preached, he embodied the characteristics of integrity, generosity, and humility. Although he did his best, I appreciated his chapter about his regrets and shortcomings. He wrote that he wished he studied more, more selective in his preaching, and spent more time with his family. I appreciated his daughter's honest reflection of her not being able to spend as much time with her daddy growing up, but how he still made it a point to communicate and write letters constantly. Billy Graham will be greatly missed by the faith community!

[Jeannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good discussion on evangelism and Billy Graham’s ministry. I think at times I was disappointed in the book - like to hear that Billy sort of regretted spending so much of his time in ministry and I was also disappointed with the lack of meaningful draws between him and biblical ministry of Peter and Paul. Perhaps this is helpful as it keeps Billy off the pedestal. Perhaps the people writing the book weren’t as good of Christian writers/preachers as BG or maybe it was just the time when I was reading it that it didn’t resonate. That is all to say, I’d probably just skip it. There are some good nuggets in there. I picked the book up for a dollar at a sale. Get it second hand if you are really that interested.

[Ksorb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique look at Billy Graham from his own pen, plus bonus interviews with key people after his death. It is inspiring, encouraging, and inspirational. To all accounts, he lived a life of unflagging uprightness and integrity. Hear his heart and his faith.

[Gay Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well rounded summary of Graham's influential life. How he is remembered and carried on in ohter's lives.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billy Graham always makes you want to be better at everything you do. a typical religious book from one of the best televangelists of all time.

[Kirby Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stimulating book for beginning and experienced Christians.

[Leslie McGivney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Christian I loved reading every minute of this book. All of the people who contributed to this book told and his own words make me read this book slowly over time to enjoy it.

[Sara Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful. Has so many excerpts from those that knew him best. Packed full of wisdom and insight to his life.

[Steve Sellars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reminder of the basics of the Christian faith and the importance of sharing the gospel. I am impressed with his integrity and his main focus on the gospel. Very inspiring. He was definitely used by God and there will never be another like him.