In the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina a haven of rest is being established. Turning off of the hectic streets and highways, frustrated minds are abruptly led into an oasis of peace as we enter the grounds of the newly opened Rev. Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC.

Walking in from the parking lot, the neat little home that Rev. Graham grew up in meets our eye. Everything is immaculate with newly growing plantings. We are told that the house is a farm house, and a really nice farm house it is.

Out back of the farm house is the "barn" which houses the Library.

This is a rather extraordinary barn as all enter through a cross.

Once inside the barn one is greeted as might be expected ... by a cow . . . .

. . . . who explains a little about what the Library is and how to take the tour. The lobby area has an information booth, a bookstore, and a neat, little cafe as well as some keepsakes from the Graham farm and business.

You then are led into room after room of memorabilia where you can look to your hearts content and wonder at the vast accomplishments of this great man of God.

The first room is a replica of the living area of the Graham home. Perhaps you might be able to translate the sentence above the fireplace.

The next room is dedicated to Ruth Graham and has some relics from her childhood in China. (See http://www.billygraham.org/RBG_Default.aspfor further info on Mrs. Graham.) Her Bible is also there and fittingly is open to the Acts of the Apostles. We will have a little more to say about Mrs. Graham when we visit her grave outside.

The next exhibit starts with Billy and Ruth in Wheaton College.

Billy Graham started right out as a called man of God, and thankfully, he listened intently to the call. Every case and every video speaks volumes about this man's allegiance to the cause of evangelism.

He preached the Gospel wherever he was permitted and to all who would listen.

The next exhibit brings us back to the cross, "For Christ sent me to preach the Gospel-for the message of the cross is . . . the power of God (in Christ Jesus)." He never forgot the power in the message of the cross.

One case had Dr. Graham's Bible appropriately opened to John 3 which emphasizes "God So Loved the World" and "He must Increase, but I must decrease," tenets Billy Graham preached throughout his ministry.

I thought it interesting the mail he received, at least the addresses of some of the mail that was delivered. One letter from Australia had the simple address, "Dr. Billy Graham, Evangelist, America," and it was delivered with no problem.

Leaving the room exhibits, we again pass through a cross; once more we have the feeling that we are in the cross, a living part of the cross.

After exiting the exhibits one can have a snack and perhaps buy a couple of books in the surprisingly fine bookstore before going outside to see the boyhood home and visiting the grave of Ruth Graham.

The home has been excellently restored to about 40 - 50 years ago. It gives you the feeling that it would be fun to live in this house.

Outside, the grave of Ruth Bell Graham beckons. Ruth and Billy were married for 64 years. She died in 2007 and lays in peaceful repose in a forest blanket of overhanging oak leaves, plants she loved so much.

Her grave stone is a simple flat piece of rock with a grateful assertion,

"End of Construction/Thank you for your patience"

When God calls Billy, he will be buried beside his beloved wife.

We left the grounds wanting more.

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RePmZz15t3w