This is kind of a tough one. Was Jerry Falwell good for evangelicals or bad? Probably a mixture of the two. Good in that Christians did get truly more engaged in the political process when he came to the forefront back in the 70's. Bad in that he then became the face of the evangelicals anytime an issue came up and it was always him that appeared on all the talk shows. He occasionally had good things to say and would also say stupid things (i.e. saying we deserved 9/11 or the gay Teletubbie).
One of his biggest legacies is probably a supreme court case he lost. Larry Flynt won his case that his ad parody (tasteless as it was) was protected by free speech. Flynt famously said that "If they'll protect a scumbag like me, then they'll protect all of you." He has a point, and maybe that resonates more today in a post 9/11 world.
Falwell had really shrunk from prominence over the last 10-15 years. You just didn't hear as much from him, particularly after his misadventures taking over the PTL Club. I remember him saying he was going to shed the political limelight and focus more on his church and university, and that's basically what he did. There was brief commentary here and there after his death, and it could be that his legacy is a bit overrated.
But probably his most lasting legacy is what has become a very successful university. It's not easy building an institution of higher education from scratch, but he did it with Liberty University and it continues to grow and has even begun standing side by side with the big boys in the NCAA. Besides, the singers from DC Talk went to Liberty, so you gotta like that.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Cam Turns 5
Cameron was very excited about today. He's been talking about it for a long time. He turns the big FIVE today. Something about that he thought was really cool. Today is Dorene's last day of school, so Cameron gets to spend the day with Sarah, the pastor's daughter who often watches Cam. He especially likes this because then he gets to spend time with his best friend Lydia (and they are best of friends, they get along so well, it's amazing).
We had a birthday party for Cameron last Saturday, as Aunt Dee Dee came from Chicago and stayed with us. We drastically scaled back the birthday festivities and amazingly enough, Cam was okay with it. We're slowly catching on as parents that kids don't need a big blow-out affair.
Cameron loved all his presents, which included $$ from Grandma and Grandpa Dennie, some beach toys from Aunt Dee Dee, a chair from Lydia, a Dollar Tree giftcard from Marcie, and a "Cars" costume from us. He's at the stage where birthdays, holidays, etc. are all extra special as he gets so excited about all of them.
We rounded out the weekend by going to Ohio and spending the night with Tom and Paula in their new but soon to be former house. The next day, we went to Stu and Joyce's soon to be former house and had a cookout and had our usual fun time playing volleyball.
A fun weekend, but today is the big today. My little boy is 5, and so very proud of it.
We had a birthday party for Cameron last Saturday, as Aunt Dee Dee came from Chicago and stayed with us. We drastically scaled back the birthday festivities and amazingly enough, Cam was okay with it. We're slowly catching on as parents that kids don't need a big blow-out affair.
Cameron loved all his presents, which included $$ from Grandma and Grandpa Dennie, some beach toys from Aunt Dee Dee, a chair from Lydia, a Dollar Tree giftcard from Marcie, and a "Cars" costume from us. He's at the stage where birthdays, holidays, etc. are all extra special as he gets so excited about all of them.
We rounded out the weekend by going to Ohio and spending the night with Tom and Paula in their new but soon to be former house. The next day, we went to Stu and Joyce's soon to be former house and had a cookout and had our usual fun time playing volleyball.
A fun weekend, but today is the big today. My little boy is 5, and so very proud of it.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
We missed it . . .but l guess life does go on . . .
In the transition with moving to a new house, we had to cancel are cable t.v., which also meant we were basically without any local channels too. I have been completely out of the loop as far as news goes. For all I know, Brittney Spears could have announced her candidacy for president.
We've also not been able to keep up on some shows that one or both of us watch. We finally got cable back up (satellite this time . . .which is much cheaper), but the move has made us miss quite a bit.
Survivor - We missed last season, but got back into it this season. Watched pretty much every episode. But then missed a couple, then realized on a Monday that the previous night was the season finale. Oh well. (for those that watched, and not many did, Earl won; we were hoping for Yau-Man).
American Idol - Last night was the final, but I was out mowing my lawn, which desperately needed be done. Tonight is the finale where the winner will be announced, but this is also Dorene's concert at her school. So, even though we've basically watched every episode since January, we'll have missed the final two episodes.
24 - I missed the last seven episodes and then was able to catch the last half-hour of the season finale on Monday. Wow, they need to get this show back on track. I felt I was watching some kind of soap opera. Bill and Karen have their life back, Chloe gets domesticated, and Jack tearfully confesses his love for his girlfriend. It was the lamest closing this series has ever had. They need to retool for next year.
NBA Playoffs - Completely missed the Suns drive through the playoffs, which yet again was cut short. I would like to see Utah and Cleveland in the final, because neither team has ever won it all. I'll probably be able to tune in for the finals.
NHL Playoffs - Yeah right, like anyone in the country is watching these. I heard that a dramatic overtime game on Saturday was cut short as the network switched over to pre-race coverage of the Preakness. When talk about a horse race an hour away trumps coverage over an overtime playoff game, you know a league is in trouble.
We've also not been able to keep up on some shows that one or both of us watch. We finally got cable back up (satellite this time . . .which is much cheaper), but the move has made us miss quite a bit.
Survivor - We missed last season, but got back into it this season. Watched pretty much every episode. But then missed a couple, then realized on a Monday that the previous night was the season finale. Oh well. (for those that watched, and not many did, Earl won; we were hoping for Yau-Man).
American Idol - Last night was the final, but I was out mowing my lawn, which desperately needed be done. Tonight is the finale where the winner will be announced, but this is also Dorene's concert at her school. So, even though we've basically watched every episode since January, we'll have missed the final two episodes.
24 - I missed the last seven episodes and then was able to catch the last half-hour of the season finale on Monday. Wow, they need to get this show back on track. I felt I was watching some kind of soap opera. Bill and Karen have their life back, Chloe gets domesticated, and Jack tearfully confesses his love for his girlfriend. It was the lamest closing this series has ever had. They need to retool for next year.
NBA Playoffs - Completely missed the Suns drive through the playoffs, which yet again was cut short. I would like to see Utah and Cleveland in the final, because neither team has ever won it all. I'll probably be able to tune in for the finals.
NHL Playoffs - Yeah right, like anyone in the country is watching these. I heard that a dramatic overtime game on Saturday was cut short as the network switched over to pre-race coverage of the Preakness. When talk about a horse race an hour away trumps coverage over an overtime playoff game, you know a league is in trouble.
Monday, May 21, 2007
20 Years Ago Today . . .
This past weekend, IU South Bend welcomed 200+ incoming students at our first orientation of the summer. I then realized that, wow, I just hit a milestone. I have now been out of college for 20 years. Yikes, when I was graduating from college, those that attended orientation this past Saturday weren't even born yet. I'm really that old? I guess so. Probably time for some sort of depression to sink in.
So, maybe this fall I need to make the homecoming pilgrimage to Huntington U. to see if anyone attends the 20 year reunion. The Class of '87 was pretty small, so not likely to see all that many, but who knows. I haven't been to a homecoming for about 10 years. The campus is so radically different now then when I attended, so it always feels odd to be back on campus. Yes, it's progress with how the campus looks now, but it's just so different.
So, maybe this fall I need to make the homecoming pilgrimage to Huntington U. to see if anyone attends the 20 year reunion. The Class of '87 was pretty small, so not likely to see all that many, but who knows. I haven't been to a homecoming for about 10 years. The campus is so radically different now then when I attended, so it always feels odd to be back on campus. Yes, it's progress with how the campus looks now, but it's just so different.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Our New House
Last Friday, we met with our mortgage lender and title company and closed on the house. On Saturday, we loaded up the moving van and headed out to North Liberty, Indiana, home of . . . . nothing really, just us.
We had 3 couples from our church helping us move. Not sure when was the last time we were in a church that took an interest in what we were doing. With all the help, it didn't take all that long to get the big stuff moved out. We still have final clean-up to do in our old house, but the new owner doesn't take possession until June 8. We spent our first night in the new house on Saturday and that's where we'll stay now.
We really are glad we made the move to the country. It is so quiet and so peaceful. The kids have a huge back area to play in. We have a cow for a neighbor instead of a grumpy old man. It is just wonderful. We look forward to many happy memories there.
Mom and dad visited over the weekend and were also very happy for us. Of course, my dad already offered to help with different projects.
We had 3 couples from our church helping us move. Not sure when was the last time we were in a church that took an interest in what we were doing. With all the help, it didn't take all that long to get the big stuff moved out. We still have final clean-up to do in our old house, but the new owner doesn't take possession until June 8. We spent our first night in the new house on Saturday and that's where we'll stay now.
We really are glad we made the move to the country. It is so quiet and so peaceful. The kids have a huge back area to play in. We have a cow for a neighbor instead of a grumpy old man. It is just wonderful. We look forward to many happy memories there.
Mom and dad visited over the weekend and were also very happy for us. Of course, my dad already offered to help with different projects.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
Facing the Antichrist
On Friday night I bought a used copy of "Facing the Giants" from a local Hollywood Video store. The cost was . . . . $6.66
Ooohhhhhhhhh!
Ooohhhhhhhhh!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Helen Welker: 1914 - 2007
This past weekend we traveled to Ohio for the visitation and funeral service for my grandma. This was not an unexpected passing and was in fact very much desired by grandma. Her body had been shutting down for the last week and she finally passed away last Thursday afternoon, moments before she was headed to hospice care.
So there weren't really many tears at the funeral, except those of people looking back at some fond memories of grandma. She lived a wonderful life and together with Grandpa Welker, raised 4 great kids.
All 6 of her brothers were Nazarene ministers, which is pretty amazing. Her last surviving sibling, Doyle, is in his late 80's and he spoke at the funeral. I could have listened to him all afternoon. He was really good and indicated he's not done on this earth yet. With the energy he still seems to have left in abundance, I believe him.
Many other family members from Oklahoma, Arizona, and Colorado were there. It was nice seeing everyone again. The last time was in 2002 for my Uncle Dick's 90th birthday celebration/reunion. Not sure when we'll all gather together again. I guess it'll be for a funeral again, but I'd rather not have to think about that for now.
Once the funeral was over, we all waited out in the lobby or outside for the casket to come out. I was one of the pallbearers, along with five other cousins. As I was waiting inside, I stepped back into the place where the service was at and looked at grandma one last time. I watched as the funeral home employees with great care placed the coverings over Grandma, lowered here into the casket, and then finally closed the lid. Hmm, I realized I was the only family member in there during this time so it struck me that I was the last to see her face on this earth.
We drove out to the gravesite for the internment and then everyone stuck around for a while. When you only see family members once every several years, you don't necessarily want to get up and go too quickly.
I don't have as many memories of Grandma because we moved out west when I was in Kindergarten. But what struck me on this day was a sense of gratitude for the life she lived. You see, she raised her kids in a loving, Christian home. One of those kids was my mom, who raised us in a loving, Christian home. I am now raising my kids in the same way.
That's quite a legacy, Grandma, and I just want to say thank you.
So there weren't really many tears at the funeral, except those of people looking back at some fond memories of grandma. She lived a wonderful life and together with Grandpa Welker, raised 4 great kids.
All 6 of her brothers were Nazarene ministers, which is pretty amazing. Her last surviving sibling, Doyle, is in his late 80's and he spoke at the funeral. I could have listened to him all afternoon. He was really good and indicated he's not done on this earth yet. With the energy he still seems to have left in abundance, I believe him.
Many other family members from Oklahoma, Arizona, and Colorado were there. It was nice seeing everyone again. The last time was in 2002 for my Uncle Dick's 90th birthday celebration/reunion. Not sure when we'll all gather together again. I guess it'll be for a funeral again, but I'd rather not have to think about that for now.
Once the funeral was over, we all waited out in the lobby or outside for the casket to come out. I was one of the pallbearers, along with five other cousins. As I was waiting inside, I stepped back into the place where the service was at and looked at grandma one last time. I watched as the funeral home employees with great care placed the coverings over Grandma, lowered here into the casket, and then finally closed the lid. Hmm, I realized I was the only family member in there during this time so it struck me that I was the last to see her face on this earth.
We drove out to the gravesite for the internment and then everyone stuck around for a while. When you only see family members once every several years, you don't necessarily want to get up and go too quickly.
I don't have as many memories of Grandma because we moved out west when I was in Kindergarten. But what struck me on this day was a sense of gratitude for the life she lived. You see, she raised her kids in a loving, Christian home. One of those kids was my mom, who raised us in a loving, Christian home. I am now raising my kids in the same way.
That's quite a legacy, Grandma, and I just want to say thank you.
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