THE RIGHTEOUS ARE REMEMBERED
At last! Front Line, our SpiritLed Woman blog, is up and running. You're probably saying, "It's about time!" OK, you're right. This blog is only one of a host of new features you'll be seeing in the weeks ahead.
We have always enjoyed the richness of a vibrant online group. With God’s help and your input, we’ll find better ways in which to serve your needs. I’ve resolved to keep in touch with you and listen to your thoughts and ideas on the things that matter most to you. The Web offers us the luxury of addressing pressing issues in a timely way. I’ll share my heart, but I’ll need you to weigh in as well.
Like so many of you, I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Rev. Jerry Falwell. In my book, he was a great man of God, a preacher’s preacher, who spoke and taught with tremendous conviction and authority.
Many of you will remember that I was a part of the PTL Television Network when Rev. Falwell stepped in to help the ministry survive after the departure of Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker Messner. There are a host of different interpretations of what exactly transpired during those incredibly dark days, but it is undeniable that Rev. Falwell risked the solvency of his own ministry in attempt to help us and, unfortunately, paid a very high price for his involvement.
Now, more than 20 years have passed, and Jim and Tammy have long since made their peace with Rev. Falwell. In fact, they were some of the first people to issue public statements regarding his death and the tremendous sense of loss the body of Christ must be feeling at this time.
Although he was not a perfect man, during Rev. Falwell’s time in Charlotte, N.C., in my estimation, he exhibited incredible courage and integrity. Even under those trying circumstances, he was sensitive to the plight of the ministry’s partners and employees.
He was one of the most famous preachers in the world, yet he was accessible to those of us who had been shattered by this turn of events. He took the time to talk to us, but he also listened. The situation was grim, yet he was most often in good humor around us. I’m sure I need not mention his trip down the jumbo water slide in a business suit. (E-mail me if you need details.)
rev. Falwell’s outspoken nature often engendered extreme reactions from his critics. (Do you think he knew that?) You either respected him or threw things at the television whenever he came on, but absolutely everyone had a point of view.
One of the things I respected most was his ability to admit when he was wrong. He acknowledged and repented of the racist feelings he had held previously, and he sought God’s forgiveness. He chose to allow the love of God to change his heart, and I believe the changes in him were permanent. Today, Liberty University and Thomas Road Baptist Church bear evidence that his transformation was real.
Let’s pray with all our hearts for the comfort of the Lord to visit the family in Lynchburg, Va., and all those around the world who were touched by Rev. Falwell’s ministry. No doubt the coming days will be difficult. But I recall a verse God gave me when my own precious father went to heaven; I think it applies here. “The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance” (Ps. 112:6, NKJV).
I’m so glad I had an opportunity years later to express my thanks to Rev. Falwell. Perhaps God brought someone your way whose influence made a big difference. If you can still tell him or her, why don’t you do that? But if you can’t, you can tell us. Who, in your eyes, is a righteous man or woman, worthy of remembrance?
Brenda J. Davis, Editor of SpiritLed Woman
We have always enjoyed the richness of a vibrant online group. With God’s help and your input, we’ll find better ways in which to serve your needs. I’ve resolved to keep in touch with you and listen to your thoughts and ideas on the things that matter most to you. The Web offers us the luxury of addressing pressing issues in a timely way. I’ll share my heart, but I’ll need you to weigh in as well.
Like so many of you, I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Rev. Jerry Falwell. In my book, he was a great man of God, a preacher’s preacher, who spoke and taught with tremendous conviction and authority.
Many of you will remember that I was a part of the PTL Television Network when Rev. Falwell stepped in to help the ministry survive after the departure of Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker Messner. There are a host of different interpretations of what exactly transpired during those incredibly dark days, but it is undeniable that Rev. Falwell risked the solvency of his own ministry in attempt to help us and, unfortunately, paid a very high price for his involvement.
Now, more than 20 years have passed, and Jim and Tammy have long since made their peace with Rev. Falwell. In fact, they were some of the first people to issue public statements regarding his death and the tremendous sense of loss the body of Christ must be feeling at this time.
Although he was not a perfect man, during Rev. Falwell’s time in Charlotte, N.C., in my estimation, he exhibited incredible courage and integrity. Even under those trying circumstances, he was sensitive to the plight of the ministry’s partners and employees.
He was one of the most famous preachers in the world, yet he was accessible to those of us who had been shattered by this turn of events. He took the time to talk to us, but he also listened. The situation was grim, yet he was most often in good humor around us. I’m sure I need not mention his trip down the jumbo water slide in a business suit. (E-mail me if you need details.)
rev. Falwell’s outspoken nature often engendered extreme reactions from his critics. (Do you think he knew that?) You either respected him or threw things at the television whenever he came on, but absolutely everyone had a point of view.
One of the things I respected most was his ability to admit when he was wrong. He acknowledged and repented of the racist feelings he had held previously, and he sought God’s forgiveness. He chose to allow the love of God to change his heart, and I believe the changes in him were permanent. Today, Liberty University and Thomas Road Baptist Church bear evidence that his transformation was real.
Let’s pray with all our hearts for the comfort of the Lord to visit the family in Lynchburg, Va., and all those around the world who were touched by Rev. Falwell’s ministry. No doubt the coming days will be difficult. But I recall a verse God gave me when my own precious father went to heaven; I think it applies here. “The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance” (Ps. 112:6, NKJV).
I’m so glad I had an opportunity years later to express my thanks to Rev. Falwell. Perhaps God brought someone your way whose influence made a big difference. If you can still tell him or her, why don’t you do that? But if you can’t, you can tell us. Who, in your eyes, is a righteous man or woman, worthy of remembrance?
Brenda J. Davis, Editor of SpiritLed Woman
posted by Brenda Davis at
11:17 AM
2 Comments:
My grandmother, Georgianna Boyer Hall, was a righteous woman of God. When she married my grandfather, he was a widower. She adopted my father, and cared for him as if he were her own. I didn't even know that we weren't related by blood until I was almost 10! She was a woman who stood for the things of God, and wasn't afraid to pray and praise as the Spirit led her. Although I wasn't a Christian while she was alive, I believe that my faith is definitely part of the legacy she left behind. She is greatly missed on this side of Glory, but we who love her will rejoice when we see her again.
I have been so blessed as to have at least a dozen Righteous to remember as my heritage. However the Righteous I'd like to acknowledge here are people I've never met and in-all-likihood, won't meet until we're seated at the feet of Jesus. They are who the Yad Vashem title the Righteous Gentiles. These men and women are heroes of World War 2. They put themselves and their families at risk by helping Jews escape Hitler and his Nazi death camps. Israel recognizes 21,758 such gentile heroes to date. I feel so honored to work in the Kingdom of God partnered with such an assembly! If you want to know more about the Righteous Gentiles you can Google them or you can read the 'Jerusalem Post Christian Edition' (May 2007). These Righteous remind me of the truth in Paul's words found in First Corinthians 4:20 which says,"For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of Power!" The more we remember the actions of past Christian heroes, the more we will want to follow them. Thankfully, God has given us Power for action through the awesome Holy Spirit!
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