Tribute to Dr. Jerry Falwell
Dr. Jerry Falwell has died!
Some of you may think "oh well didn't agree and don't care." That is your opinion but this is not your post. Jerry Falwell was a great man of God who knew what he believed and stood for it. How many of us can say we stand for what we believe? Yeah, we may be adamant on certain issues but what about those "small" beliefs we find not AS important? How many times do we bend on those? Dr. Falwell stood on those "small" beliefs also. I still remember in 2002, a friend was able to arrange a lunch meeting with him and a group of us. He came in and sat down and started talking to us like he had always known us. To make it even better, when his drink arrived he took the straw paper and blew it at us. He had great aim and got one of the guys in the side of the head :)
Dr. Falwell has always been controversial but whether you agreed with him or not, you have to respect him for the stance he took. He was a visionary and in his life he saw much of his vision accomplished. He was a friend, pastor, chancellor, counselor, and so many more roles he fulfilled and fulfilled well. He was willing to go out and meet people. Just ask any of the LU community about this. Most have stories about him trying to run them down in his suburban just to say "hi and what is your name." Before I went to Liberty, I was told that students felt like Dr. Falwell was a grandfather figure. I could not figure out how this was true. The school is not all that small and there was no way, in my mind, he could meet all the students. Then I started in 2000 as a student and it became quite clear. His personality is one of reaching out and concern to others. He could be speaking to the massive but you feel like it is more personal. Until you become one of "Jerry's Kids" you cannot possiblyunderstand the connection. I am proud to say I am a "Jerry's Kid" and I will greatly miss this wonderful man. Instead of mourning the loss of a giant in the faith, I am celebrating the life and vision that so many of us wish we could have or the faith to see it accomplished.
Some of you may think "oh well didn't agree and don't care." That is your opinion but this is not your post. Jerry Falwell was a great man of God who knew what he believed and stood for it. How many of us can say we stand for what we believe? Yeah, we may be adamant on certain issues but what about those "small" beliefs we find not AS important? How many times do we bend on those? Dr. Falwell stood on those "small" beliefs also. I still remember in 2002, a friend was able to arrange a lunch meeting with him and a group of us. He came in and sat down and started talking to us like he had always known us. To make it even better, when his drink arrived he took the straw paper and blew it at us. He had great aim and got one of the guys in the side of the head :)
Dr. Falwell has always been controversial but whether you agreed with him or not, you have to respect him for the stance he took. He was a visionary and in his life he saw much of his vision accomplished. He was a friend, pastor, chancellor, counselor, and so many more roles he fulfilled and fulfilled well. He was willing to go out and meet people. Just ask any of the LU community about this. Most have stories about him trying to run them down in his suburban just to say "hi and what is your name." Before I went to Liberty, I was told that students felt like Dr. Falwell was a grandfather figure. I could not figure out how this was true. The school is not all that small and there was no way, in my mind, he could meet all the students. Then I started in 2000 as a student and it became quite clear. His personality is one of reaching out and concern to others. He could be speaking to the massive but you feel like it is more personal. Until you become one of "Jerry's Kids" you cannot possiblyunderstand the connection. I am proud to say I am a "Jerry's Kid" and I will greatly miss this wonderful man. Instead of mourning the loss of a giant in the faith, I am celebrating the life and vision that so many of us wish we could have or the faith to see it accomplished.
Labels: Dr. Falwell
posted by Jewell at 11:26 AM
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