Billy Graham

Billy Graham lies in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda today.

Regardless of one's religious beliefs, there's no doubt he was quite the human being.  The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was a ministry that touched millions all across the world that spanned decades.  Yet rarely, if ever, was there hint of any kind of scandal.  Why not?

The reason is fairly simple:  He planned what he would (or wouldn't) do in various situations before those situations arose.  Those plans, or rules for living, eventually became known as the, "Modesto Manifesto."

For example, regarding the opposite gender:  

Billy Graham decided he would never be alone with a woman other than his wife.  No eating alone with another woman, no traveling alone with another woman, nothing... unless either his wife or other people were present.   (Vice President Pence adopted a similar standard in his life, as well).  Such a standard, if strictly adhered to, makes staying on the straight and narrow fairly easy to achieve and has the added benefit of avoiding even the appearance of evil.  Plus gives one's spouse confidence and security in the relationship.

Billy Graham's Modesto Manifesto Rules included many other scenarious, including areas such as telling the truth, how to treat others, financial accountability, and even crowd size accuracy to avoid exaggeration.  

Such a high-quality personal integrity is one of many foundational reasons Billy Graham is being justifiably honored in our nation's Capital Rotunda today.  He is only the 4th civilian to receive such an honor.  

May God continue to bless people's lives through the work Billy Graham dedicated his life to living.