Erasing the Past

President Obama seems intent on erasing everything that President Bush put into place over his 8 years in office. I think we all knew it was coming, but at the furious pace that the erasures are happening, I think we are all a bit shocked at the vengeance and ridicule it seems to portray.

I am saddened by the lack of respect shown to President Bush. I pray for President Obama to do unto others as he would have others to unto him.

The final thought is that God is the only one who can really erase the past. He alone rubs out our sin with His eternal eraser. He knows none of what we have placed in His nail scarred hands. For this I am deeply thankful.

I Have a Dream

I have a dream that I think is Gods' vision of the world. It isn't that I see everything as God sees it, but when He shows me bits and pieces I get excited and imagine how the world would be if God's vision was fulfilled.

This dream I have today is one of the equality of mankind. What would the world be like if presidential celebrations or other accomplishments are not focused on the color of the persons' skin or their gender but of their character, beliefs and deeds?

Certainly today's inauguration is historical, but the overwhelming message has been that President Obama is African American. My dream is that it would not be his heritage but his person hood that would be the standout message. This black and white mindset keeps the racial divisions alive. We the people do not need to be reminded of our differences. Rather, we must seek our common core to make us truly be the United States! Our unification is in a people "Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Maybe for the next president this will be so!

"For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." I Samuel 16:7b

I See You

Last night I attended a memorial service. My eye was drawn to one woman who was moving chairs for the crowd that had exceeded their expectations. She never said a word, never asked for help. She simply moved one chair after another to serve the needs of the mourners. Then there were those quiet ladies who prepared the reception for the family. They were mourners who spent their grief in serving those closest to the deceased.

This morning I was able to watch a small portion of the inaugural proceedings and was again more interested in those servants who followed behind and who are making the day run smoothly.

When I see these quiet helpers I am reminded that God's word tells us that if we desire to be great in the kingdom of God we must be the servant of all. From what I heard at the memorial service I believe the woman who died was a servant to her family and those to whom she worked. I do not know, yet, what role President Obama will take.

My prayer for President Obama is that he will serve more than rule. I pray he will be a great president and surprise me. I pray he will not be the president who would be king but a true public servant. I pray for his protection and that he finds wisdom from a greater source than himself, God.

I am a cautious observer to President Obamas' administration. I watch to see if he serves all Americans not only those who put him in office. Whatever his policy, I will choose to do the right thing. I hope he does also!

Free Speech

As I listened to the presidential debate last night I was struck by something that hit a note with me. Maybe you heard it too.

I do not know anyone who likes others to speak for them if they are able to express their thoughts themselves. It was a bit disturbing that Obama seemed to answer every question only partially for himself but wholeheartedly for McCain! He would offer a vague answer for his reply and then go into great detail as to McCain's' stance on the issue.

I was looking for Obama's true message and it seems he does have one. He is ready to tell everyone what everyone else is doing wrong. His message is I am right because I don't do anything!

I don't like all the politics going on right now. I fear for our country. I have been praying for God to turn the hearts of our citizens back to Him and away from the god of money and fame. I know of many who like Obama and even consider that he is our last hope. I think he even thinks so. I am drawn to McCain's' humility. I am repulsed by Obama's pride. I need no other king but King Jesus!

I am taking a stand right now. If Obama is elected as the next president I will not bow down to his reign as if he were a king or a god. He will be given presidential acknowledgements and I will of course pray for him and the decisions he will make, but I will not allow him or any elected official to rescind my rights without a fight.

This is my humble (or maybe not so humble) opinion. I do not agree totally with McCain but I will stand against anyone who seems to think he speaks for everyone. I do not want others to speak for me! God, Himself, offers me that freedom!