When I first arrived at Biola University as a junior transfer student back in 2001, I was damaged goods. I'd been through a lot. I was hurt and dealing with several issues including bitterness, anger, and resentment. The path I was headed towards was a destructive one. I knew I needed help.
Dr. Talley is a Bible professor at Biola University. From the moment I arrived on campus he took an interest in my life. We got to know each other through campus activities, classes, and having lunch together. He was always concerned with the state of my soul and how much time I was spending reading God's word. During our talks he would help me walk through some of the most difficult things I ever had to deal with. Dr. Talley always showed grace and compassion through my failures. He also showed great wisdom as I came to him with questions ranging from topics like Old Testament Theology and church government to basketball and "Why are women weird?" What I found truly amazing was his understanding. We both come from extremely different backgrounds. Dr. Talley loves his Alabama roots. His outdoor rugged "I'd rather be hunting than in an office" exterior is well balanced with his pastoral care and keen interest in lives very different from his own. His constant direction and always pointing me to Jesus was what I need to combat the floodgates of emotions I was dealing with at the time.
Strangely, I don't feel sadness that he is now stepping down as a pastor at Grace EV Free La Mirada. He's still a Bible professor at Biola and will continue to attend Grace as a member. The reason I don't feel a sense of sadness is because I feel this is the right decision for him. During graduate school, Dr. Talley was still meeting with me on a regular basis along with two of my roommates (Jordan Wessling and Chris Hunt). I remember when the three of us would get together and compare notes about our meetings with Dr. Talley. One time, Jordan told us, "I love Dr. Talley but I would never want his life." What he meant was the amount of time Dr. Talley would work and spend time investing in the lives of young men. There's a tipping point in everyone's life when you can only go so hard for so long without your body, mind, and spirit eventually breaking down. I hope this is a time of rejuvenation for both him and his family.
Today, the knucklehead undergraduate dealing with a host of issues while at Biola is now a faithful husband, loving father, leading a Grace Group (home bible study), leading a Financial Peace University class at church in order to help people with their finances. The Lord has done a work in my life and Dr. Talley had a big hand in that. And that's all Dr. Talley is ever really concerned with, namely, the Lord's work in the lives of His people (that and fishing, hunting, and Alabama football).
I enjoy seeing him every Sunday and him smiling at me saying things like, "Wow. Look at Junior chasing his kids around!" with the satisfaction of a father watching his child grow up before his eyes. It's been years since I've graduated from Biola but he still takes my phone calls, and now that he finally has text message, he texts me back too. As much as he's poured into my life, it's inspired me to do the same for others.
Yes. These are the types of people I attend church with. What a great time to be alive and be in fellowship with God's people.
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