The Journey: Living by Faith in an Uncertain World - eBook

Billy Graham, world-renowned preacher, evangelist, and author, delivered the gospel message to more people face-to-face than anyone in history and ministried on every continent of the world in almost 200 countries and territories. His ministry extended far beyond stadiums and arenas, utilizing radio, television, film, print media, wireless communications, and thirty-four books, all that still carry the good news of God’s redemptive love for humanity.

Billy Graham is 89 years old and is in the advanced stages of Parkinson's disease. So, in reading his new book, The Journey: How to Live by Faith in an Uncertain World, we need to assume that this book has the endorsement, spirit, and theology of Dr. Graham, even if it is doubtful he had much to do with the actual writing of the book. The book gives credit to Dr. John Akers as the book's researcher and editor, and to Dr. David Bruce for doing preparation of the manuscript. Enough said on that.
As with previous Graham books, everything presented here is biblically based, with plenty of specific references to Bible verses, stories, and lessons. The book speaks to the fact that in the 21st century, there is a sense of dread in the world due to terrorism, rampant inflation, new diseases that are resistant to modern drugs (bird flu, AIDS, mad cow), the breakdown of the family, and plummeting moral standards. But the book insists that the Bible continues to have answers and solutions to help overcome fears and worries now so prevalent.
Many times, people bring on the worst of their calamities. So, one section of this book is dedicated to helping people face, resist, and overcome the temptations that lead to sins. When Dr. Graham was speaking once in Australia, the book recounts, protestors charged into a meeting he was having with university students. The protestors carried signs saying, "I am the devil. I've come to destroy you." Dr. Graham only chuckled and said that Satan was far too cunning to be that confrontational. Instead, he likes to find a person's weak spots and to attack from behind, hitting a person unawares. To that end, it is important to admit one's own temptations and to strategize how to resist them.
My favorite chapter of this book is Chapter 12, which goes deeply into the power of prayer. It begins by telling the story of Ruth Graham Bell's father, a missionary surgeon to China and later editor of two Christian magazines. Even if he had to rise at 4:30 a.m., this doctor would insist on starting his day by reading his well-worn Bible and praying earnest prayers to God. The chapter goes on to remind us that Jesus was faithful in prayer. Prayer is "talking with God," gaining new strength from Him, sharing our needs with Him, offering praise and thanksgiving to Him, and confessing our sins to Him.
Any person who watches the news today knows that we are living in troublesome times. That is why this new Graham book is oil on troubled waters. It assures us that God is, indeed, still in control of His world, and that we, as His redeemed children, are under His watchful care. It shows us how to use prayer, service, witnessing, Bible study, and Christian living as ways to dispel anxiety and fear. We can make The Journey together with the Lord. – Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, Christian Book Previews.com