Candidate Obama vs. President Obama

I Just Have One Question ...

Many say that a President is defined by his first 100 days in office. Obama is just past the 50 day mark and has definately been busy. That said; I would like to ask the following question of those who voted for him last November:

Is this what you voted for ??

Obama Comes to Town

Later today the President of the United States will be in my town, Elkhart, Indiana. A visit from a President, especially a sitting one, is almost always an honor. No matter your politics or personal feelings about the individual. As proof, a great number of our largely Republican voting neighbors in the County waited 12 hours or so outside over the weekend to get a chance to have their 2 tickets to the event.

What brings our newly seated leader to town is not something to celebrate. Elkhart County had the highest increase in unemployment for the month of December in the entire country. Now standing at an almost staggering 16%. Not surprising when you consider that the bulk of the jobs lost were in the RV industry, which in a world where not to long ago gas was $4 a gallon and now the economy is in the doldrums people do not have money for extras and toys. Many of the other jobs are manufacturing jobs that support the RV industry or the struggling auto making industry. Kind of a perfect storm in an area that had in the not so distant past been noted as a place that had per captia as many millionaires as anywhere. People are in rough times and they are looking for answers.

Barak Obama is using his visit to our city/ county as a backdrop to push his "stimulus" plan forward. He will no doubt mention his visit later tonight when he returns to Washington to address the entire nation on the plan. A plan that almost all who have looked at it objectively agree cannot truly stimulate our hurting economy. A trillion dollars. Can't fathom how much money that is? Then check out: What You Could Buy with a Trillion Bucks and you might get a feel for it.

We have placed in authority men and women who largely, whether Democrat or Republican, have not governed with basic common sense. We need to pray for our leaders. Their job is immense and very difficult. At the same time when they do not act in our best interest we need to fire (read vote out) them and hire someone who will. Insanity can be defined as continuing to do the dame things the same way and expecting a different result. Our debt based economy/ society is not working. Spending trillions to promote the continuation of that is insanity. More to come on this soon as I now hear that beyond this spending bill is a proposal to give the banks more money... yeah that worked well.

My Duty to Barak Obama

No matter my personal politics, feelings, insight, or beliefs I have a duty to our new President. Paul spelled this out to believers very clearly in 1 Timothy 2:1-4:

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

A few things jump out at me about this passage:

• my duty of prayer is not reliant on the politics or religious affection of the one being prayed for


• whether I voted for him or not I am to be thankful for the leadership that has been placed over me -- this may be a big challenge for me.


• God wants ALL men to understand the truth, Presidents included (quite possibly especially)


• this passage is directly in front of direction on proper worship. This can only mean that if I am not doing these things I am not doing all that I can to worship God in the way He desires.

I begin this very day committed to praying for our new Presidential Administration. I pray first and foremost that they hear and know the voice of God in truth. And that action follows that knowledge. Obama claims to have a saving knowledge of Jesus as Savior. I pray that he leads under His guidance.

No earthly kingdom will ever meet all expectations. The bar has been set VERY high for a number of reasons for this President. It behooves everyone to support him in prayer. The people of America (just as the Israelites in the Old Testament) have made their voice heard and have chosen a leader. It is now our duty to give support where we can and hold also to the Truth that sets men free.

Obama Victory Speech

Short, and to the point. Typical Obama verbage. I hope he can follow through on the good that he says he can bring.

Obama speak on the Freedom of Choice Act

"The first thing I'll do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act"