Call number
Collection
Publication
Thomas Nelson (2011), 192 pages
Description
"I never thought I would live to be this old." In this moving narrative, Billy Graham once again takes up the pen not only to share his personal experience of growing older but also teach us some important lessons on how to view our time here on Earth. He says that the Bible makes it clear that God has a specific reason for keeping us here. So what is His purpose for these years, and how can we align our lives with it? How can we not only learn to cope with the fears and struggles and growing limitations we face but actually grow stronger inwardly in the midst of these difficulties? In what may be his most powerful message of the last decade, Billy Graham speaks to all on this side of Heaven as he covers the importance of four key areas: Building strong foundations and understanding the gift of years; Facing life's transitions, including the passing of years, retirement, and when loved ones die; Making wise decisions; Understanding our glorious hope. "In this book I invite you to explore with me not only the realities of life as we grow older but 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. I pray that you and I may learn what it means not only to grow older, but, with God's help, to grow older with grace." - Publisher.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member BevFuller
"What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes..." James 4:14
LibraryThing member Tmtrvlr
Rev Billy Graham is one of the most well known and respected Christian pastors. I am so happy that he chose to write this book about how to live an honorable and useful life as we grow older. There is much useful information for those of any age, but especially those who are starting to feel the
Although he writes about failing strength, health issues, retirement, loss, and family decisions, this is never a depressing book. He also writes about the “Foundation that Lasts”, influencing those around us by our attitude and behavior, and our home in heaven, and I felt only his upbeat optimism for his heavenly future.
This is a wonderful book not only for seniors, but for every age. As a matter of fact, young adults will benefit from this book because Rev. Graham gives great insight into the need for preparing for the future. This is an easy book to read and I appreciated his message. Growing older is not easy and can easily be depressing if we focus on what we can’t do instead of what we can. Rev. Graham has accomplished so much for the cause of Christ, but he is always humble in his demeanor and writing.
I received this book for review from the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze program.
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restrictions of age. Rev. Graham shows how God used men and women from the Bible when they were in their later years of life, and, of course, how He can still use us today. Although he writes about failing strength, health issues, retirement, loss, and family decisions, this is never a depressing book. He also writes about the “Foundation that Lasts”, influencing those around us by our attitude and behavior, and our home in heaven, and I felt only his upbeat optimism for his heavenly future.
This is a wonderful book not only for seniors, but for every age. As a matter of fact, young adults will benefit from this book because Rev. Graham gives great insight into the need for preparing for the future. This is an easy book to read and I appreciated his message. Growing older is not easy and can easily be depressing if we focus on what we can’t do instead of what we can. Rev. Graham has accomplished so much for the cause of Christ, but he is always humble in his demeanor and writing.
I received this book for review from the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze program.
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LibraryThing member FergusS
This book was a Christmas gift from a friend, and I have enjoyed reading it.
Billy Graham writes as an old man, reflecting on a broad range of implications of aging. I've read a few such books - E M Blaicklock's reflective "Between the Sunset and the Stars" and the work of P Tournier, written from
His great desire is for us to finish well, which means to make sure we begin with Jesus (and he characteristically has a clear evangelistic appeal at certain points), and continue with Jesus (growing old brings particular changes and challenges, but these should all be treated as opportunities for Christians to grow in faith and maturity).
The book is very practical in many ways, with discussion of the sorts of issues that face the aging (eg decline of powers, preparing for and using our retirement, the need to sort out one's affairs, how we might properly influence the next generation, what opportunities for Christian service are available when others cease and so forth). He is eager for us to be useful and helpful to others, and able to graciously receive benefit from them.
I found it all easy to read, approachable and worthwhile. The book has its weakness (don't we all!), in particular that the material of some chapters is less focused than others, and occasional niggles, such as aspects of his view of Christian guidance.
His knowledge of the Bible is extensive and personal, and so very refreshing, although his long-standing tendency to use it illustratively results in occasional stretching of the text (for example where some spectacular experiences of the exceptional servants in the scriptures are automatically made the models of our own ordinary circumstances). But this should be no deterrent to the reader, just a caution. Indeed, I will be recommending it to people in my parish, and not just the elderly or pre-retirees. Graham writes the book with a wide audience in mind.
There are occasional Americanisms, which don't resonate with the international reader, but they don't ever jar (eg some of the references to US law or military service).
On a minor, but very nice, note, each of the ten chapters begins with a verse from the Bible and then an apposite quote from someone else. I enjoyed John Newton's at the beginning of ch6: "I am still in the land of the dying; I shall soon be in the land of the living."
Billy Graham writes as an old man, reflecting on a broad range of implications of aging. I've read a few such books - E M Blaicklock's reflective "Between the Sunset and the Stars" and the work of P Tournier, written from
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his clinical experience, "Learning to Grow Old". I'm glad Billy Graham has added to these two such an accessible work. His great desire is for us to finish well, which means to make sure we begin with Jesus (and he characteristically has a clear evangelistic appeal at certain points), and continue with Jesus (growing old brings particular changes and challenges, but these should all be treated as opportunities for Christians to grow in faith and maturity).
The book is very practical in many ways, with discussion of the sorts of issues that face the aging (eg decline of powers, preparing for and using our retirement, the need to sort out one's affairs, how we might properly influence the next generation, what opportunities for Christian service are available when others cease and so forth). He is eager for us to be useful and helpful to others, and able to graciously receive benefit from them.
I found it all easy to read, approachable and worthwhile. The book has its weakness (don't we all!), in particular that the material of some chapters is less focused than others, and occasional niggles, such as aspects of his view of Christian guidance.
His knowledge of the Bible is extensive and personal, and so very refreshing, although his long-standing tendency to use it illustratively results in occasional stretching of the text (for example where some spectacular experiences of the exceptional servants in the scriptures are automatically made the models of our own ordinary circumstances). But this should be no deterrent to the reader, just a caution. Indeed, I will be recommending it to people in my parish, and not just the elderly or pre-retirees. Graham writes the book with a wide audience in mind.
There are occasional Americanisms, which don't resonate with the international reader, but they don't ever jar (eg some of the references to US law or military service).
On a minor, but very nice, note, each of the ten chapters begins with a verse from the Bible and then an apposite quote from someone else. I enjoyed John Newton's at the beginning of ch6: "I am still in the land of the dying; I shall soon be in the land of the living."
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LibraryThing member SABC
In what may be his most powerful message of the last decade, Billy Graham speaks to all on this side of Heaven as he covers the importance of four key areas:
Building strong foundations and understanding the gift of yearsFacing life's transitions, including the passing of years, retirement, and when
"In this book I invite you to explore with me not only the realities of life as we grow older but 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. I pray that you and I may learn what it means not only to grow older, but, with God's help, to grow older with grace."
Building strong foundations and understanding the gift of yearsFacing life's transitions, including the passing of years, retirement, and when
Show More
loved ones dieMaking wise decisionsUnderstanding our glorious hope"In this book I invite you to explore with me not only the realities of life as we grow older but 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. I pray that you and I may learn what it means not only to grow older, but, with God's help, to grow older with grace."
Show Less
LibraryThing member hazel1123
I am a Catholic Christian who has the greatest respect for evangelists like Reverend Graham but at the same time never having much interest in reading his books. I bought this on a whim - I think I liked the title (and maybe God was leading me a bit). The value for me was Reverend Graham's thoughts
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on the value the elderly have for the world now. We may not be able to do the things we could in the past that helped bring about God's Kingdom. However, the way we live as we get older is valuable and is worth much to others. Our prayer and our example can make us 'leaders' - in a different way than before - but still very valuable. Show Less
LibraryThing member debs4jc
Billy Graham takes what could be seen as a burden by many--the trials of aging--and turns it into an opportunity to encourage others in this marvelous book. He goes through several topics related to the aging process, sharing stories and tidbits of wisdom he's learned along the way, but most of all
P.S.: The audio version had a narrator that captured some of the "down home" quality of Grahams voice, so even though it wasn't Graham himself speaking it felt enough like him that I felt like Graham himself was speaking to me, which made reading/listening to this book even more special. So I'd definitely recommend the audio version. Whether you read it or listen to it please consider treating yourself to hearing these words of wisdom from a great servant of God.
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expressing his views on how he thinks God would have us handle these matters. Even though I am younger and not personally facing these issues I found myself mulling over the spiritual lessons about life and from life that he shared. I highly recommend this as a great read or listen, especially to anyone interested in spiritual matters and/or living life well. P.S.: The audio version had a narrator that captured some of the "down home" quality of Grahams voice, so even though it wasn't Graham himself speaking it felt enough like him that I felt like Graham himself was speaking to me, which made reading/listening to this book even more special. So I'd definitely recommend the audio version. Whether you read it or listen to it please consider treating yourself to hearing these words of wisdom from a great servant of God.
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LibraryThing member Robin661
A Conversation with Mr. Graham
This book was a conversation. It was a unique perspective from a man who has lived a unique life and has known a wide variety of people. This was a book that provided a wealth of history and the present that people do not think about - getting old. His discussion on
This book was a conversation. It was a unique perspective from a man who has lived a unique life and has known a wide variety of people. This was a book that provided a wealth of history and the present that people do not think about - getting old. His discussion on
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never thinking about getting old whether it was himself or anyone else is how disconnected our society is from those who have limited connection to our aging relatives. He mentions people in his past that were aging he acknowledges that he never gave aging much thought. His grasp of the fear, and inability to keep up with this world is a reality that all of us will make. Even when technology was limited changes in the last 100 years are staggering. It is a comfort to remember that Jesus is all that matters. He has written about his wife in a way that was extremely personal and yet very respectful. It is a sober reminder that everyone will die one day and yet what you believe can dramatically impact how you finish. I am extremely thankful to book sneeze for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for a free reviewer copy. Show Less
LibraryThing member birdsmath
A biblical view of aging and preparing for death. Easily read with lots of brief example stories and supporting scriptures. This book is well worth the time it took to read it!!
LibraryThing member LadyD_Books
How do you prepare for unexpected twists and turns of getting older and do you like growing older? Do you or someone you know is now facing infirmities and uncertainties that are a part of this maturing process? I can relate to these timely questions and thought of so many dear people that surround
Throughout the pages of the book perspectives on life and faith are sprinkled through the ten chapters. The author focuses on "old" as genuine, valuable and beautiful. God used so many people in the Bible in their later years. Are you willing to be used by God regardless of being bound by physical ailments, financial constraints or the loneliness of growing old?
As a grandma of five, I heard a repeated theme or call if you will, to invest the fruit of your experience in the lives of others. Billy Graham is passionate about legacy and leading other generations by example. Life is a journey of many steps and growing older is a gradual process. Burdens and disabilities become our companions. Are you willing to be used by God?
I love the book and plan to get copies for gift giving. Get the book, you'll be blessed.
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my life with these same thoughts and feelings. Billy's writings encourage and inspire us to live bravely in the midst of difficulty and shows us how to be content.Throughout the pages of the book perspectives on life and faith are sprinkled through the ten chapters. The author focuses on "old" as genuine, valuable and beautiful. God used so many people in the Bible in their later years. Are you willing to be used by God regardless of being bound by physical ailments, financial constraints or the loneliness of growing old?
As a grandma of five, I heard a repeated theme or call if you will, to invest the fruit of your experience in the lives of others. Billy Graham is passionate about legacy and leading other generations by example. Life is a journey of many steps and growing older is a gradual process. Burdens and disabilities become our companions. Are you willing to be used by God?
I love the book and plan to get copies for gift giving. Get the book, you'll be blessed.
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Awards
Christian Book Award (Winner — 2012)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2011
Physical description
1 inches
ISBN
0849948320 / 9780849948329