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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I find it easy to make money and have several revenue streams. If I give up some side hustles, can I find favor with the Lord? – S.H.

A: Giving up something to follow Christ is not earning salvation. When we hold on to something that is dearer to us than receiving the greater gift of salvation in...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I listen to a podcast that is distinctly about exercising self-control, something my generation doesn’t know much about, but I’m glad I at least try to exercise this muscle (though I can’t find out where the muscle is). Does the Bible talk about how to have self-control? – G.J.

A: Self-...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I do volunteer work along with many others who say they’re Christians, but their language and humor sure don’t reflect it. Are these things overlooked by God? The Biblical phrase “by their fruits you shall know them” means to many people to feed the hungry and give to the poor, while ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Freedom of speech has been a hallmark of our nation, but I’m afraid to say that it is taking the place of truth. Can there really be freedom without the real truth? – F.T.

A: “The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God” is a familiar oath. It precedes a sworn ...Read more

Q: I am the daughter of Holocaust survivors who both recently passed. I was brought up in a very conservative home where we went to synagogue every Saturday. We kept kosher and observed all the holidays. As an adult, I have become much less religious but maintained all of the Jewish traditions with my children. Although I maintain ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My daughter moved her children from a public school to a private Christian school. It’s costly, but she and her husband decided they would give up vacations and take other cost-saving measures to get their children into a better academic environment where the Word of God is taught and honored, and...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I attended one of the largest churches in the nation a few weeks ago while in Texas and heard the pastor say that God intends for every person to be successful and be a winner. He said that God has never destined anybody to live a mediocre life. This is troubling because I wouldn’t say that my ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My son was excited to start college and received a baseball scholarship to a Christian school. We were so thrilled that he could pursue his dream in this type of environment. But even he has been surprised at how watered down the Bible classes have become. How can this be? Never did he think he ...Read more

Growing up in a religious family, Florida Republican state Sen. Alexis Calatayud has seen how many church communities are no longer anchored to a single building in the way they used to be. Her small prayer groups take place over chats these days, not necessarily in person or sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in pews.

With churches in her Miami-Dade...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: People are getting away from funerals these days, saying that they are too morbid, too time-consuming and too costly. Instead of burying people as traditionally done, the new fad is cremation, filling an urn with ashes, and then eventually scattering the ashes across gardens and bodies of water (...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I’m a writer of poetry, and some of it has been published. I’ve been asked if Biblical poetry has influenced my work. I had to answer that I’ve never studied it. Is it considered holy Scripture, or does it simply reflect human emotion, pride, and humility? – P.V.

A: The psalms teach man how...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Feeling empty has got to be one of the weirdest feelings in the world. As I write this, w; there’s something not quite right? – E. H.

A: “Why am I so empty?” This is a question many people ask. We’re taught to be independent, to make it on our own. We admire those who appear to be ...Read more

Q: Dear Rabbi Gellman, several weeks ago, you had a column in our Patriot News in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Lilith. I accidentally threw out the paper without cutting that article out. Several times I have tried to access it, but I cannot remember the date and also tried to Google your column on Lilith, to no avail. Could you please send ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I saw a T-shirt that said J is for Jesus and Joy. Most of my friends see J for Jesus as Judge. Where does the joy come from? – G.J.

A: People saw in Jesus a quality of life they had never seen before, and they wanted to experience it for themselves. When they looked at Him, they saw joy and peace...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: What does it mean to be alive, but dead? – A.D.

A: There’s a Scripture passage where Jesus told about a rich man who said, “Soul, take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry” (see Luke 12). The man thought he had many years, but God called him a fool. Many people think they have many years to ...Read more

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: While God looks down on sin, he doesn’t look down on people, right? It is clear that God will judge those who take another person’s life; murder is obviously wrong, but I’ve never read where Jesus said it was wrong when a man and woman find happiness through intimacy with each other outside of...Read more