UPDATED: Billy Graham Hospitalized: Pastor Being Evaluated For Lung Treatment

Updated 12/5 12:00pm
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The Rev. Billy Graham's recovery from pneumonia is looking better after a restful night in a North Carolina hospital.

Officials at Mission Hospital in Asheville say Monday that Graham had a restful night after a busy Sunday visiting with family and friends.

Graham was admitted Wednesday night after suffering from congestion, a cough and slight fever that was later diagnosed as pneumonia.

The 93-year-old evangelist was visited over the weekend by his son, Franklin Graham, and daughters, Gigi Graham and Anne Graham Lotz and her two daughters.

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Evangelical pastor Billy Graham has apparently been admitted to a North Carolina hospital for treatment of his lungs.

Reuters tweeted that the hospital confirmed the pastor's admission. Graham, who is 93, was previously hospitalized in May for a pulmonary condition. Graham seemed to be in good spirits following that incident, and it's currently unclear if he has now been admitted for a similar condition.

No discharge date has been set, though according to Fox News, he was said to be "alert, smiling and waving" when he arrived.

Graham spokesman A. Larry Ross told USA Today that Graham went to the hospital with "a cough, congestion and a slight fever...After initial tests and X-rays, he was admitted at least for overnight observation and treatment of suspected pneumonia."

"Given his age, this is more of a precaution," Ross added.

Updated 4:06.. This story is developing...

Comments

[lastwarning2earth rev14]

02:00 PM on 12/16/2011

People are going to hate me for saying this but I wouldn't want to be Billy G on judgement Day.
He is a false teacher that has an outstanding amount of respect among men. ( as most false teachers have)

The Bible says something different. Isa. 18 : 20 " If they speak not to the law or the testimony there is no light in them" and Matthiew " Whosoever doesn't do the least of these commandments and teaches others not to will be called Least in to the Kingdom ( that means your not going)

Billy taught people to break the 4th commandment remember the Sabbath, which the Bible states is the 7th Day, not the 1st.
You can hate that statement all you want, and you'll get to argue about it with God someday.
"They've made the word of God to none affect" Jn. and in vain they worship me teaching the traditions of man over the Word of God.

[GinaNsocal]

11:29 PM on 12/11/2011

is living his life.

[GinaNsocal]

11:28 PM on 12/11/2011

Prayers for a speedy and full recovery for Rev Graham. About 25 years ago, a large inter-faith group of churches from my city went to see Rev Graham's Crusade. There were thousands of people there. Although I didn't get to shake his hand, I can still hear his distinctive voice loud and clear, proclaiming the gospel of Christ, and I'll never forget that experience of a lifetime!. There is no doubt in my mind that Dr Graham has lived his life doing the Lord's work.

[oldwarhorse]

01:51 AM on 12/08/2011

A man for the ages. A true christian warrior/soldier. A speedy recovery to him. He is in my prayers.

[Neil20]

10:45 AM on 12/06/2011

That's exactly the problem with you evangelicals. Instead of focusing on the here and now, you dwell on the hereafter. Jesus' mission was very much about the here and now. If Graham focused on issues like the environment he would have brought not a new and a much needed message of salvation. Only in your opinion only do you consider saving the earth as a secular and humanistic issue. It is unfortunate because you fail to see the spiritual aspect of protecting the planet. Why do you think in this so-called Christian nation there is so much destruction of the environment. Billy Graham was unable to address or convert those in the corporate sector who are exploiting the environment for profits. Look at the amount of cruelty on farm animals and puppy mills in the country? If a person is truly spiritual would he or she condone such practices? Sadly so-called born-again Christians like Rick Perry, Sarah Palin, George W. Bush and Mike Huckabee are all advocates of gun rights and hunting. You talk of divine destiny.

[oldwarhorse]

02:10 AM on 12/08/2011

Hmm an interesting take on evangelicals. Apparently the are all republicans? Hmmm

[lamontstone]

01:30 PM on 12/08/2011

i wish no one ill. billy was an influential minister and if a president had a face to face with him he would build a stronger following. but the truth is he was very conservative and highly favored by republicans.true he wasn't much for our enviornment

[surferlaments]

03:58 PM on 12/05/2011

i am so happy to read..... so many good postings about billy graham. in many ways, i feel he was indeed, a gift to the world.

[Freddie27]

02:50 PM on 12/05/2011

Never been a fan of the Evangelicals of Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell's ilk, but have always respected Rev. Graham for his repudiation of the narrow mindedness of the "Moral" Majority and the Christian Right. I hope he recovers.

[gradyp]

12:55 PM on 12/05/2011

I have come to appreciate his candor about dealing with aging and his declinging health and the anticipation of his own death. He know's he's terminal, whether today or a few more miles down the road.

[monk6272]

09:10 AM on 12/04/2011

Many years ago, around 1970, when I was a young Lay-Brother member of a Catholic missionary community based (at the time) in Geneva, IL, I had an opportunity to attend a session of Dr. Graham's Crusade at McCormick Place in Chicago. The experience of that service and hearing Billy Graham's preaching in person was not just eye-opening, mind-bending and uplifting; it was, in fact, simply awe-inspiring. This man spoke (and prayed) with the inspiration of God almost palpably radiating from him. Although I left the community not long thereafter and returned to secular life, (I'm a married (33 years) man and proud father and grandfather), I still recall that experience vividly and with gratitude. Thank you, Dr. Graham! May God continue to bless this troubled world through your life among us; and know that I'm grateful to you for the simple lesson you taught me on that occasion: that I've never been wrong in accepting the truth that I can always approach my Creator and my Savior "just as I am". I hope - I know - that when, in His time, you are called to meet Him face to face, you'll remember all of us still waiting, and continue to represent us in His court, "without one plea".

[surferlaments]

03:55 PM on 12/05/2011

indeed. i felt the same way as i many times listened to bill graham. he was moving and inspiring to say the least. he was, in my opinion, a gift.

[Bystander]

05:36 PM on 12/05/2011

Well said, monk6272!

[Neil20]

09:59 AM on 12/02/2011

Billy Graham is the greatest evangelist of the modern era, no doubt. He is very persuasive and charming. Millions of people have heard him and millions have been convicted by his message of the Gospel. However, I was his fan for many years especially during my youth. But as I matured I felt his message of being 'born again' was not convincing to me. Some one said this was like instant coffee where you instantly found Christ from his altar call. Even though Graham is considered to be America's pastor, yet he is a Republican to the core. He never speaks up against Republican passions like guns, hunting, big business and profiteering. He speaks little of humanitarian works. (Please don't talk about Franklin Graham's charity, The Sojourners). What is really the need of the hour in this current generation is an evangelist with the same humility, charm and power of speaking like Billy Graham but with another more vital message which is 'SAVE PLANET EARTH- an evangelist that preaches the message of and for the environment. This is what the world needs today. Such a person will obviously not be a Republican because his message will certainly not endorse big business, gun control, hunting and anti-environmentalism. Rather his message will be that of peace, humanitarian aid, and care for the planet, the habitat and all living creatures, someone who will be closer to St Francis than Billy Graham. Is there a potential environmental evangelist waiting in the wings?

[Intelligentia]

01:06 PM on 12/02/2011

But, he spoke up agains racism! That is the begining of all humanitarian advocay in my view. He respect him and you're right, he "is the greatest evangelist of the modern era, no doubt."

[Bystander]

05:35 PM on 12/05/2011

Billy Graham has identified himself as a Democrat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXbJAJi8lI0. His focus has always been on salvation though faith in Jesus Christ. Everything else, including politics, "save the earth," and other secular / humanistic matters rank way down the list. As an evagelist, Rev Graham correctly focuses on individuals' divine destiny in eternity.

[LisaHall15]

08:29 AM on 12/06/2011

Those things are better left to politicians. Rev. Graham is not looking for votes or acceptance from anyone. He is who he believes God wants him to be. You want to see the environment at its best, go to Asheville. You might not want to leave.

[Neil20]

10:45 AM on 12/06/2011

What is divine destiny? Let me remind you that the destiny of an individual is determined by his actions while he is alive. Don't you believe that good deeds bring good rewards in this life itself? There's ample proof all over the world for this. The Bible says 'Faith without works' is dead. What Americans need now is a man who would preach spirituality and not religiosity. I've seen plenty of born again Christians whose lives are bad examples for the future generations and not worth emulating. You don't know what 'divine destiny' means or even eternity means. A true believer in Jesus Christ would not only follow the words of Jesus but would be like him in his deeds and actions in every way. This, sadly, is lacking in those who listen to Billy Graham. They are born again only in the heat of the moment and emotionally but not spiritually and intelligently.

[season555]

09:00 PM on 12/01/2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmrjfuv6E10&feature=related

Are these men part of his missionary?

[arabianway]

06:03 PM on 12/01/2011

A righteous man and a great orator. I went with a friend years ago to hear him and was awed by his power. A life well-lived.

[grandmammy]

11:55 AM on 12/02/2011

I agree with you...I have also been to see him and always came back refreshed and knowing that I was a child of God and assured of a Life after this life..Blessed Assurance...!!

[simon Bar]

01:07 PM on 12/01/2011

The Christian god can easily be pictured as virtually the same god as the many ancient gods of past civilizations. The Christian god is a three headed monster; cruel, vengeful and capricious. If one wishes to know more of this raging, three headed beast-like god, one only needs to look at the caliber of people who say they serve him. They are always of two classes: fools and hypocrites.
-- Thomas Jefferson, popularly alleged to have been in a letter to his nephew, Peter Carr. Our editor, Cliff Walker, checked "by hand" every letter to Peter Carr included in the Multomah County Library's reader copy of Jefferson's Works and found nothing along these lines in any such letter.

[billnritahouse]

11:32 AM on 12/01/2011

I would like to recommend that our federal government set aside Billy Grahams birthday as a national holiday and also a postage stamp in his memory, after he passes away. In all of modern history or even the history of our great country, has there ever been a man of God like Dr. Billy Graham.
If all of you out there feel the same, let it be know to our leaders in Washington DC.

[billnritahouse]

11:20 AM on 12/01/2011

Billy Graham is possibly the most loved and respected man of God since the days when Jesus and his followers walked the earth. His simple way of preaching the Word of God has lead many thousands of people world wide to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. When God calls him home to Heaven the world will miss this man of God more than we can realize. Hopefully his son and daughter will carry on where he's left off. I believe God is ready to call one of his favorite sons home to Heaven where Billy will be received with open arms of our God and Savior. God bless you Billy Graham!