Homecoming
This afternoon I we got word that Dr. Jerry Falwell died. I know that he is rejoicing in heaven now, but I have to say that I am sad. I cannot really put into words how I feel without sounding "sappy," but I will try. For the those of you who are LU grads, I think you will identify. If you were not part of the LU family, it may be hard to grasp just the kind of man he was.
Liberty University was a great place to go to school. I learned so many life lessons there, maybe sometime I will post about them. I even have to admit that one of my few claims to fame (if you even want to dare to call it that :) is that I was in the Miss Liberty Pageant! Okay, do not laugh...it was all about the scholarship...and world peace :). Do not get too impressed, I did not win but was 2nd runner-up (which was big for my family because they all said that was the equivalent of a bronze medal. You gotta love my family :). ANYHOO, every Wed. during chapel, Dr. Falwell would speak. In the four and a half years we were there, of course there were times we heard some of the same messages. We practically had his testimony memorized! But, the cool thing is that we could always count on to him to keep us up to date with what was going on in the world, in politics, etc. This was from 1989-1993, so technology and internet were nothing like they are today. Many times, it seemed like we were in our own little world in the mountains of Lynchburg, VA. But we could always count on Dr. Falwell to keep us well-informed :).
What we (husband & I) always respected about him was the fact that 1)if he believed in something, he would take a stand AND 2)the man had such a vision for his church/town/university, plus he had the leadership skills to make it happen. I know so many times the media has just blasted him. Please do not think I am saying he was perfect. I know there were times he made mistakes, but he was a man to be respected. He believed in and loved Jesus Christ and did not waiver in his faith.
Graduation for the students is this Saturday. If you have a minute, please pray for the students and the faculty, but especially for his wife Macel, his children, & his grandchildren.
He was a great man and I know his homecoming in heaven was a special one!
Liberty University was a great place to go to school. I learned so many life lessons there, maybe sometime I will post about them. I even have to admit that one of my few claims to fame (if you even want to dare to call it that :) is that I was in the Miss Liberty Pageant! Okay, do not laugh...it was all about the scholarship...and world peace :). Do not get too impressed, I did not win but was 2nd runner-up (which was big for my family because they all said that was the equivalent of a bronze medal. You gotta love my family :). ANYHOO, every Wed. during chapel, Dr. Falwell would speak. In the four and a half years we were there, of course there were times we heard some of the same messages. We practically had his testimony memorized! But, the cool thing is that we could always count on to him to keep us up to date with what was going on in the world, in politics, etc. This was from 1989-1993, so technology and internet were nothing like they are today. Many times, it seemed like we were in our own little world in the mountains of Lynchburg, VA. But we could always count on Dr. Falwell to keep us well-informed :).
What we (husband & I) always respected about him was the fact that 1)if he believed in something, he would take a stand AND 2)the man had such a vision for his church/town/university, plus he had the leadership skills to make it happen. I know so many times the media has just blasted him. Please do not think I am saying he was perfect. I know there were times he made mistakes, but he was a man to be respected. He believed in and loved Jesus Christ and did not waiver in his faith.
Graduation for the students is this Saturday. If you have a minute, please pray for the students and the faculty, but especially for his wife Macel, his children, & his grandchildren.
He was a great man and I know his homecoming in heaven was a special one!
Comments
I was so glad to read this about Dr. Falwell. Thank you for sharing your experience "knowing" him. I wish I had gone to a school like LU, really. Thanks for this post!