What a day! I have never been as hopeful or optimistic about our country's future as I am on this historic day.
I am so happy that my prediction 4 years ago that Barack Obama would be our nation's first black President has come true so quickly.
It was amazing seeing so many throngs of people from all across America come together on the National Mall. I was there with over 1,000,000 christian brothers in 1997 for the Promise Keepers Sacred Assembly, Stand in the Gap. It appeared that there were even more people there today.
At Stand in the Gap we prayed together for reconciliation and redemption for our nation. 11 years later those dreams have been answered as a reconciled nation came together today.
During the ceremony, I absolutely loved President Obama's Inaugural Address. There were so many highlights in a relatively brief speech.
The President set a clear distinction between our future and our past saying "Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake."
Goodbye torture, preemption and privacy invasions.
He pulled the country together. Telling us "the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."
Goodbye partisan shenanigans, petty bickering and fighting amongst ourselves.
He was a strong presence for our enemies saying "for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."
Yet, he showed his willingness to do more than rattle his sword saying "we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
Then he concluded with a great call to action for all of us to follow the example of those who came before and carry forth. "With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."
Is is a truly great day for America and beyond. What a great beginning!
I am so happy that my prediction 4 years ago that Barack Obama would be our nation's first black President has come true so quickly.
It was amazing seeing so many throngs of people from all across America come together on the National Mall. I was there with over 1,000,000 christian brothers in 1997 for the Promise Keepers Sacred Assembly, Stand in the Gap. It appeared that there were even more people there today. At Stand in the Gap we prayed together for reconciliation and redemption for our nation. 11 years later those dreams have been answered as a reconciled nation came together today.
During the ceremony, I absolutely loved President Obama's Inaugural Address. There were so many highlights in a relatively brief speech.
The President set a clear distinction between our future and our past saying "Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake."
Goodbye torture, preemption and privacy invasions.
He pulled the country together. Telling us "the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."
Goodbye partisan shenanigans, petty bickering and fighting amongst ourselves.
He was a strong presence for our enemies saying "for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."
Yet, he showed his willingness to do more than rattle his sword saying "we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
Then he concluded with a great call to action for all of us to follow the example of those who came before and carry forth. "With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."
Is is a truly great day for America and beyond. What a great beginning!
Photo credit: Colin Miller
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