A Word From The Pastor

This week our nation experienced a historical moment.

We inaugurated our 44th Commander and Chief and, for the first time in history, have an African-American as our president. I think all Americans, party lines aside, should be proud that the needless racism and bigotry of our past has given rise to a new era where we see equality achieved in the land’s highest office. Our Declaration of Independence says,

“We hold these truths self-evident that all men are created equal…”

It’s good to hear those words. It’s even better to see them come alive. My father grew up in an America where blacks could not go to the white restaurant, go to the white store, or go to the white schools. But, thankfully, my children will grow up in an America where any man, white or black, can go to the White House.

Since God created, loves, and died for all people (“red and yellow, black and white”) I think this new chapter in our history is a reason to give thanks to the Lord.

Additionally, as I watched the TV coverage, I was impressed, like never before, with the peaceful transfer of power that took place. I even found myself praying, “Thank you Lord that we live in a nation where political transition is peaceful.” There are places all over the globe, like Cuba, Kosovo, Sudan, and Iraq (to name a few), where they long to see a day, as Senator Feinstein said, where power is transferred by “the ballot instead of the bullet”. Surely we can all be thankful for this as well.

Nevertheless, even with these reasons for thanksgiving, I do think there are reasons for great concern.

I greatly fear that the…

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