President Obama's Inaugural Speech

Look out! Here comes my "train of thought" on President Obama's inaugural speech!

This is evidence of me being more like a crock pot than a microwave ... thank you for indulging this idiosyncrasy and reading on.

On Tuesday I said, "There was nothing I didn't like about the speech the President gave on Tuesday." Which is true to a point; it definitely set a tone, inspired, and motivated. It elevated our thoughts to things above and beyond ourselves as individuals, put us in touch with our heritage as a nation, and gave a clear direction for us to focus on and move toward. It even instilled a sense of responsibility to the listeners for making concerted efforts to move in the stated direction. He even quoted many of my favorite historical figures!

BUT, he kept saying that he had faith in the American people, in our potential, our drive, our history, our ability, our competence, our strength, our American way. Not once did he reference our past or present dependence upon God for any of these character qualities or favorable outcomes. Not one hint. The absence of this could be chalked up to political correctness but, I don't think that's likely.

Everything about the speech was absolutely deliberate, specific, purposeful, intentional. Rick Warren's inclusion in the day's events, at first glance, seems only a token of "inclusion" (translate: appeasement) for those perceived to be "the intolerant, radical, right" and nothing more. But looking more closely, with eyes and hearts in tune through our relationship with God in Christ, we can see the LORD's glory revealed in that same inclusion! The truth of the good news about God was proclaimed and prayed without apology and broadcast to the world to the glory of God!

This is the truth: our hope is found in Christ Jesus alone. Without Him we are merely building another Tower of Babel and inviting God to intervene for His name's sake. He is a jealous God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished. There is no other and He is good.

With that, I step off my soap box.