Going into January 20 2009 I woke and thought "Lord, please don't there be any mess on this day." I know several people who went to Washington DC to the inauguration. I could have gone myself except it was the first day of work at the new job. Goodness knows how things can be when a buncha folk get together, standing on opposite sides of an issue. There's sure to be "incidents" and many of them.
It was pleasing to know that as of 6PM the evening of the Inauguration there were no police incidents. NONE! ZERO! ZIPPO! NADDA!
I think much of the words "UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL." I was able to watch the swearing in at the new job although there were opposites in the room, there was a coming together of unity.
At this point it doesn't really matter what you think of the new president. It doesn't do any good to badmouth, slander and criticize. It didn't do any good with president Bush. It would sevice our country better to find ways to support the President.
I liked the swearing in. That's really all I saw of the Inauguration. I loved Aretha Frankling in her "church lady hat" singing "My Country Tis of Thee." I've heard some people say she butchered it, but I don't think so. It's how a member of my family would probably sing it. I thought it was very fitting.
I loved, Loved, LOVED the prayer by Dr Rick Warren, of the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA.
I think he set the tone, at least for swearing in ceremony. Many people, Christians were upset as his reading or reciting things of the Koran, and the calling of Jesus by the many names he's known by in different religions, cultures and so forth. I happen to pray to God. I don't pray to Jesus, However I pray in the name of Jesus Christ because he is the mediator. No one can come unto the father except through Jesus Christ.
"I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, Esa, Jesus, Jesus—"
Were we not a nation founded on religious freedoms? Religious freedoms are just that, freedom to practice who, how and what you believe without forcing or having it forced upon you. I think the invocation reflected the diversity of the country as well it should have.
Also what I liked about his prayer:
"Help us, oh God, to remember that we are Americans. United not by race or religion or by blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us.
When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ."
How much greater would the country be if we could remember these things and actually seek forgiveness and live in such a way we wouldn't have to ask forgiveness.
He ended in away that we should probably all begin our day:
"Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet and every one of our freely elected leaders."
Why wouldn't we pray for our families, religious leaders and political leaders each day? Trust me, they need it as much as we do individually.
I'm not so sure what was up with the actually swearing in of the President. Who flubbed up? They both flubbed up, The President seemed a bit anxious. Shoot, who wouldn't be. And then Chief Justices seemed a bit nervous. They both probably wanted to get it over with. I No matter. What's done is done. No turning back now.
I liked Bishop Gene Robinson's prayer as well. What alot of people don't know is that Bishop Gene Robinson is openly Gay. I believe that alone, without him having uttered a word, probably dismissed him to alot of people. Not me. I believe the Lord hears and answers every prayer from every one of his children who utter a prayer.
I'd be missing out on a lot of great things in this world if I decided not to do something because I don't approve of a person. I guess there's an art to knowing how to use with is applicable and disregard what is not.
Bishop Robinson said what alot of us want to say:
"Bless us with anger – at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Bless us with discomfort – at the easy, simplistic “answers” we’ve preferred to hear from our politicians, instead of the truth, about ourselves and the world, which we need to face if we are going to rise to the challenges of the future.
I fear for this country, not because of the man we've elected to lead it, but because of the burdon we've put on his shoulders, the repair we're asking him to mend, and the lack of support, patience and respect I hear in those around me. We are a nation full of citizen hoping and expecting him to fail. It says more about us as citizens than anyone we've elected to run it.
How about the President and First Lady walking a portion of the Parade route? People think all presidents do it. Not so. Jimmy Carter was the first, not that long ago.
Since then Presidents : Reagan and Bush Sr were the only one's until President Obama. I think it was a needed thing. To show courage. To remind the Nation that the United States in the land of the Brave. I like the confidence it gives the man. It gives me more confidence in him and hope it gives us confidence and courage as well.
I also was impressed with President Obama's speech. I didn't show a pretense or fales hope, I believe it was very realistic. It was straight forward ofthe issues that need to be dealth with and he pressed upon the american people there wouldn't be quick easy fix. I think he also brought forth that importance of being a great citizen and our nation being a friend to other countries with the ability to be humble leaders. I think that's new. I know we as Americans strut around in our arrogance at being the worlds greatest and most powerful nation. We need to bring respect and dignity back to being a country that leads. We've lost our confidence in ourselves and so have other countries.
I think the inauguration as a whole was pretty reflective of the majority of the nation. We're all fearful of what this man Obama has in store for us as a nation. I'm hopeful and anxious just as I believe most of us are.
If the Inauguration is an indication of what's to come I've very optimistic and hopeful for the country and our new President.
