Well, I can't say that last night wasn't a disappointment. However, I am so glad that God is sovereign and that there is nothing that happens that doesn't happen because He ordains it to be so. For reasons that I don't understand Barak Obama is the next president of our country. I don't know what kind of president he will be and I fear for my country in some ways but several things I do know.
1. God is in control of all. Say it again people, God is in control of all. Don't forget that.
2. I will pray for President Obama, for his family, for his safety, for wisdom in doing this job.
3. I will continue to pray for this country and for all of our elected leaders.
4. I am very glad that we have elected a black man for President. Never again do I want to hear that a black man (or woman) can't be anything that they want to be in this country. They can if they strive just like the rest of us. He isn't the black man that I would have wanted (that would have been Michael Steele or J.C.Watts or Ken Blackwell) but it is still a good thing. Gads I sounded like Martha Stewart there for a moment. Sorry.
5. I am SOOOOOOOO glad that this election is over. Can we go on to other things now?
6. Campaigning as we do it here in America is something that should be changed. After this election cycle that seemed to stretch on forever I am more and more convinced that too much money is spent on the race to get elected to political office. Both candidates talk about change but all the money that is spent could be put to better use actually helping someone. I would really like to see the laws changed so that there is NO CAMPAIGNING until 8 weeks before an election. Then you can bombard me within reason but not before. Other countries (like Britain and Canada and Australia) seem to be able to do this. Why can't we. Just a thought.
Now back to our regularly scheduled lives.
Today's commentary by Dr. James Denison is worthy of posting:
ReplyDeleteCelebrating history
Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States of America. On this Wednesday morning, 62 million Americans are thrilled; 57 million are disappointed with yesterday's results. Whichever way you feel, three facts are worth celebrating today.
First, President-elect Obama's campaign and victory have made a major statement about racial issues in our country. Our 44th president was dismissed as a serious candidate by most political experts just two years ago. Then Iowa gave Sen. Barack Obama his first victory in the Democratic presidential primaries, elevating him overnight to front-runner status. That same state helped vote President-elect Obama into the White House. Note that Iowa's population is 91% Anglo, only 2% African-American. In many states, Mr. Obama polled better among white voters than John Kerry did four years ago. According to ABC News, only 11% of the voting public considered race to be an issue. Today we are a more inclusive nation, and that is good news.
Second, both campaigns targeted young voters in new and creative ways. As a result, there was broader participation in yesterday's election that we have ever seen, helping to produce the greatest turnout in history. The more our citizens take part in their democracy, the stronger our democracy will be. Political observers will spend months dissecting all the ways this race has changed the electoral process. Today we are a more engaged nation, and that is good news.
Third, the support Sen. McCain received in the election was much stronger than current events would warrant. Only 9% of Americans believe the country is headed in the right direction. The economic crisis strongly favored the Democratic Party. And yet 47% of Americans voted for the Arizona senator, one of the most heroic soldiers and political servants in our nation's history. While Sen. McCain did not win the presidency, he won the respect and admiration of a country which owes more to our military than we can ever repay. Today we are a more grateful nation, and that is good news.
This morning, we are not blue states or red states but the United States. Our new president will confront the gravest challenges since the Great Depression. Christians owe our new president our consistent and passionate intercession. We are commanded to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and to support their leadership (Romans 13:1). I will be praying fervently for President-elect Obama every day of his administration, and urge you to join me. Our new president concluded his remarks last night with the prayer, "May God bless the United States of America." Let's join his prayer today.