I’m really moved to see so many Americans joined together in Washington for a common purpose. I love patriotism and any time I see millions of American flags waving around I’m going to get choked up.
I am, however, disappointed that so many people are wearing shirts with Obama’s face on them and hats that say “Obama.” Why not just a shirt that says “America?” I am so tired of hearing this person be glorified and tired of hearing people talk like he is the savior they’ve been waiting for. He is a man. Just a man. I just think it’s really unhealthy to treat a human being this way. He has big shoes to fill and really high expectations to meet and I think Americans are making those expectations bigger and bigger every day as they build Barack Obama up to be this savior.
As I saw all of the flags waving around this morning, I thought, “Wow. Wouldn’t it just be incredible if that many people got together to glorify Jesus Christ? What if that many people got together and instead of shouting ‘OBAMA’, they shouted ‘JESUS?'”
Can we have a $150 million celebration on Easter Sunday?
I heard Oprah say the other day about inauguration day, “What a day of rejoicing that will be!”
I’m sorry. Those are the words to a hymn. It goes, “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.”
I’ll be praying for our country, for the Obamas as a family, and for our new President. I hope these next four years are the best our country has seen. But I don’t plan to praise Barack Obama after that happens. I will surely thank him, but I’ll be praising Jesus.
well said 🙂
Oh gosh, agreed x 100,000!
Great Post! I totally agree.
amen!!! Thanks for saying this!
I could not agree more…very well said!
Very well stated…
I agree completly with you! Well said 🙂
~Elyse~
I totally agree! And very well said I might add
Amen! Just heard Rick Warren’s prayer. I love that he did the invocation despite the “controversy” around him. He’s great!
I agree 100%!
very well said, we are all america now. not just obama!
It’s like you read my mind! Couldn’t have said it better myself!
I agree 100%. I posted a link to you on my blog. I hope you don’t mind?!
I echo your sentiment. Very well put!!!
DITTO! I want America to succeed and prosper in these next 4 years and like you said I will thank Obama, but I will not praise him! He is just a man.
Wow. That was fantastically put.
Thanks, Erin!
-E
This is a beautiful post.
Very well put!
AMEN! What a great post. People are “praising” Obama like it’s Christ’s second coming. It’s quite disgusting. Not to mention the money spent on this inauguration is excessive. Great post!
I agree 100%..very well said! Love your blog btw 🙂
What a powerful post! You definitely have me thinking and I hope it has that same effect on everyone who reads it.
Amen.
Girl, you are a girl after my own heart. I couldn’t have said it better. (Yeah, the amount of money they put towards this inauguration while our economy is in the bucket…I think that’s just craziness!)
Even though I voted for McCain, God has allowed for Obama to be the next president and I will obey God in respecting the president.
I still think it’s crazy…but maybe this is the time that American’s will open their eyes.
Just keep praying.
Your post deserves a million + gazillions of kudo points!
I agree 10000000%. Great post!
Amen!
I said almost the exact same words to my mom last night on the phone. I hope that people come to realize that this man is an elected official and not a rock star, not a celebrity, not the second coming. He is the president.
Well said and I’m glad someone else echoes my thoughts!
Couldn’t have said it better myself!
I could not agree more and have been thinking the exact same thing!! May the Good Lord be with him and our country through these next 4 years!
Amen!!! I could not agree more.
I could not agree with you more.
Well said!
Great post!! Such wise words!
Amen! Could not agree more!
It’s nice to find bloggers who express their dissenting opinion to popular sentiment in a respectful intelligent way. I won’t be signing up for the Church of Obama anytime soon either.
Completely agree. I could not have said it better! Good job!!
I agree—well said. At church this past weekend, the priest said that yes, there is a new president, but you have to remember—he’s not god. I think people need to remember that.
i was a bit bothered that they kept chanting “OBAMA! OBAMA!” It was like it was a rock concert or something.. I thought it was sorta… i can’t really think of the word… Ya know though.. like they’re treating it more like a rock concert or treating him more like a celebrity than the president of the united states and an inaguration.
AMEN.. completely agree with you!
I couldn’t have said it better!
very well said my sweet friend!
ps- that is one of my favorite hymns of all time and truthfully it disgusts me that Oprah said that.
Love your thoughts! It gives me chills to think of that many people chanting Jesus… I guess all we can do is pray like you said…
Again, well said!
Although I agree with some of what you say, please keep in mind that “praise” and “rejoice” are not solely religious words. To “praise” someone is to express approval, and to “rejoice” is to take delight in something…both things that can certainly apply to a day like today (for some people anyway). Wearing a t-shirt or hat with someone’s name is merely a show of support for that person…not unlike wearing a sweatshirt that bears the name of one’s favorite football team.
I can’t help but wonder if McCain and Palin were being sworn in today, would you be disappointed in those who were wearing the pink rhinestone “Palin” pin you posted about this fall?
I hope you don’t take what I have to say the wrong way. I merely wanted to offer another point of view.
You read my mind! I’ve been trying to put the words together all morning bc felt it was necessary to post about the day (respectful). I’m going to link to your post! 🙂 What a wonderfully powerful message! xoxo
I could not agree more. Well put!
I could not agree more. Well put!
I could not agree more. Well put!
I could not agree more. Well put!
I could not agree more. Well put!
All I can say is “AMEN!”
I’m with rksquared. I love your blog but I think that some of the things said were taken out of context. No one is asking you to “praise” Obama. As Americans, we all have the right to vote and make a difference. As a people black, white, brown, or green, we have to be proud of that. This is a great accomplishment and it should be seen as such. You totally have a right to your opinion but it’s not that serious.
I’m with rksquared. I love your blog but I think that some of the things said were taken out of context. No one is asking you to “praise” Obama. As Americans, we all have the right to vote and make a difference. As a people black, white, brown, or green, we have to be proud of that. This is a great accomplishment and it should be seen as such. You totally have a right to your opinion but it’s not that serious.
I’m with rksquared. I love your blog but I think that some of the things said were taken out of context. No one is asking you to “praise” Obama. As Americans, we all have the right to vote and make a difference. As a people black, white, brown, or green, we have to be proud of that. This is a great accomplishment and it should be seen as such. You totally have a right to your opinion but it’s not that serious.
I’m with rksquared. I love your blog but I think that some of the things said were taken out of context. No one is asking you to “praise” Obama. As Americans, we all have the right to vote and make a difference. As a people black, white, brown, or green, we have to be proud of that. This is a great accomplishment and it should be seen as such. You totally have a right to your opinion but it’s not that serious.
I’m with rksquared. I love your blog but I think that some of the things said were taken out of context. No one is asking you to “praise” Obama. As Americans, we all have the right to vote and make a difference. As a people black, white, brown, or green, we have to be proud of that. This is a great accomplishment and it should be seen as such. You totally have a right to your opinion but it’s not that serious.
I completely agree!
I love this post, especially since my candidate did not get elected so I have decided to focus some of the time I used following politics on religion.
Well said! I am with you 100% 🙂
agreed, and you put it so eloquently! 🙂
AMEN!!! I agree 100%
Amen! I completely agree. It’s like a mania, we need to remember he is just a man.
I will be standing right beside praying for the frist family and this great country, but also glorifying our God! He comes first and the day our nation as a whole sees this we will rejoice! Oh, and as for Oprah I have NEVER been a fan!
Thank you for this! I just found your blog and I am becoming a follower asap because of this post. You captured my sentiments perfectly!
Not everyone believes in Jesus here in our country… maybe we should just all chant U-S-A? That sounds far more uniting than chanting Jesus. You forget that we are a nation of DIVERSE people and that’s what makes us great and that maybe not everyone WANTS to chant Jesus… it’s time to support our new president and everyone will have their own way of doing that.
You wear your Palin pin and I will wear my Obama shirt. U-S-A, U-S-A! Because to me, Obama is the hope of our country.
I couldn’t agree with you more. They are hyping this up WAY too much! He is NOT God. If people would only be that excited about Jesus!
o.m.gosh! I love reading your blog, but this has been my favorite post so far! I see where a few other bloggers have disagreed with your post and I can see where they are coming from as well. But, I just think we Americans need to remember that he was put in his position to hopefully change our country in a positive way. He is not our newest flavor-of-the-week performer! Praise God for living in a free country for all to have different opinions! I will be praying for the Obama family. The whole family is in for a big change.
Well said, Erin- I obviously missed this earlier when reading your blog.
That was so well put, Erin!!!!!
Yeah, it kind of scares me the way people sort of “worship” him…
Well said!
While I understand and appreciate your views on today, I don’t totally agree with your statement. You cannot ignore that this man, our now President, has moved people to action, and an action I hope continues. He inspires people to believe in a better tomorrow and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Do people think he is a GOD? No not at all, but people can rejoice and celebrate. You can rejoice in a time of happiness and that doesn’t mean something purely religious. People can feel change coming and that excites them, you can’t hold that against them. People loved and adored JFK, people flocked to him. Catholics embraced him and came out in droves to support him. Today is a huge day of progress for America, and I don’t see anything wrong with rejoicing in that progress.
I pray for him, his family, our country, and the world as a world. I pray that change comes and that progress happens. It will be hard and painful at times, but I have faith that it can happen.
We live in an America that is diverse and beautiful, that allows us to have a discussion like this, and for that I am incredibly grateful.
I couldn’t agree more!
And I was dumbfounded when the crowd was *cheering* during the prayer when Warren stated that Obama would be the first African American President.
The focus is all wrong.
Wonderful post – put everything I was thinking into words! I love reading your blog.
Excellent post! Ditto times a million!
I think it’s important to remember that hymns are not Scripture. Based on and inspired by Scripture? Yes. The infallible word of God? No – that is reserved for the 66 books of the Bible (according to my faith and beliefs).
Rejoice means to find joy in. Jesus was all about reconciliation – reconciling people to each other and most importantly, reconciling people to God.
In the Bible, people are admonished/encouraged to rejoice not only when referring to God or Jesus, but in other life situations as well when something good happens (the story of the prodigal son comes to mind off the top of my head) or when mercy triumphs over injustice (all the stories of corruption in the Old Testament).
Today marks an important step in making amends for the ugly scar of racism and injustice in our country and hopefully moving forward in more reconciliation. That is reason to celebrate and reason to rejoice.
There are plenty of people praising God today – you just won’t see many of them on TV.
Kudos!-great post
Hey girl,
I completely agree to the extent of not praising Obama – we should praise our country. I wouldn’t go as far to say Jesus Christ, but instead I would say that we should chant whatever we believe in because of our diverse cultures and religions. I am, too, disturbed about how they are pretty much worshiping this guy… it’s only setting the American people up for disappointment.
Great post! 🙂
Julie
No, Obama is NOT a G-d, at all. But I don’t think there is ANYTHING wrong with individuals celebrating the person who has succeeded to unite this country more than many thought would be possible at this point in time.
Today is about the celebration of diversity and universal acceptance. I was on Capitol grounds today cheering for Obama, but as I am Jewish, I would never cheer in support of Jesus. You, of course, are welcome to do so… just like I am welcome to cheer for Obama.
Very well said, I agree!
Ditto! I couldn’t agree more!
I hope you are focusing on how many people in this post that support and appreciate you for being open and honest about what you believe… From personal experience, it’s too easy to focus on the negative ones…and let that get to you!
I think what you said was great and we are to be respectful of our leadership, but are not to revere them as a deity of any sort. Obama is still a man and will make his own mistakes – and have his successes – during the course of his presidency. Every one should remember that and not put any person on too high of a horse. I personally would love to see the day when we all shout Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
great post girl!
I couldn’t have expressed this better if I’d written it myself.
And for the pp implying that BEB wanted everyone gathered at the inauguration to be chanting Jesus, I don’t believe that was her intent. Rather wouldn’t it be amazing to have a million gathered to praise Jesus.
I agree 100% with what you said, and you said it very well.
I think the people with negative comments are not seeing the whole picture. As a McCain supporter, watching the inauguration and hearing people chant the name of the person that I didn’t vote for over and over made me feel completely alienated and like it was something that I am not a part of. If they were chanting USA, I wouldnt have felt that way. It just seems like a lot of people are portraying this as a victory for one man, and not for the country as a whole.
I have to say I agree completely. I really didn’t want to post about the day today, but I’m so glad you did. I agree about being proud of America, but it does scare me how many people are putting him up on a messiah-like pedestal. When you have reporters saying they get tingles up their legs when he speaks and congress people claming he has come at just the right time to save us and is a gift from God, I think it should all makes us stop and question what is going on. I too will pray for him and our other new leaders, but he is not my Savior.
Excellent post, Erin – and very gutsy to post when there are so many who do not agree with you (and me).
The level to which so many are deifying this man scares me.
My best girl friend and I were JUST having this conversation at lunch.
I will not add anything else to your perfect post!
Sorry, I somehow deleted my comment above. I have been reading your blog for a while now and just thought I would introduce myself. This is a great post!
Amen! Well said.
Amen Sister! Great post and I am joining you in prayer for our country and the spiritual battle we are fighting here.
Amen Sister! Great post and I am joining you in prayer for our country and the spiritual battle we are fighting here.
Amen Sister! Great post and I am joining you in prayer for our country and the spiritual battle we are fighting here.
Amen Sister! Great post and I am joining you in prayer for our country and the spiritual battle we are fighting here.
Amen Sister! Great post and I am joining you in prayer for our country and the spiritual battle we are fighting here.
I couldn’t agree with you more. The saddest part is how many people are making money of off the illegitimate merchandise.
I think that the level of what could be a significant amount of needed patriotism is being dwarfed by the Obama-fanaticism.
I am so happy about Obama being President.
The shirts say “Obama” and not America because he is the first African American President. I am not African American and I do not understand the magnitude of the feelings of this, however, those who are, do. It’s empowering, and life altering to know that this man is President of the United States.
Needless to say, after the last 8 years, a lot of people lost hope in “America” especially after the way African American’s felt they were treated (mainly Katrina) (And no, it wasn’t just black people..however..this is the consensus.)
150 million dollars, of course it is a lot of money, and that being spent on Easter? Well, as much as I am a huge Christian, I go to church every Sunday, and bible study on Wednesday. I am a Christian through and through. HOWEVER. Not every one in America is. This is why people come to America, to believe in what they want to. So as to not offend others.
Simply said, this is America, the land to EVERYONE.
I feel like mrs.leah.marie made a good point in her comment above. I started to write a length comment to add but after thinking about it more I feel the best thing I can say is – Go USA!
Wow…. I couldn’t agree more. I am so glad I read this post. Kudos to you girl!!!!!!!
Amen girl. I couldn’t have said it better.
I feel the same way that you do. At work today I went down to the cafeteria to watch the inauguration at lunchtime. There were tons of people glued to the TV in there. Right after the swearing-in several of them shouted “AMEN!!!” and they all applauded. It was surreal and a little scary. He is not the Messiah.
I think for some it was like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and a day to be proud – whether it’s for his race, his political side, his family values. Many people can actually relate to this man. Many people see hope in their future. It’s a day – one day – for people to celebrate (or not depending on what “side” your on) But I think we all need to see every point of view. There are so many different religions, beliefs, backgrounds. We need to repect every one of them. Although I don’t agree with your post, it was beautifully written 🙂
You go, girl! Perfectly said!
I think this is the best post I have read – EVER! I found your blog linked through another and I am so glad I did! I emailed this post to my mom; I hope that’s ok!
Very well said. Thank you for putting into words what I’ve been unable to.
I agree 100% to this post!!! It makes me sick to hear everyone glorify him when he hasn’t done anything (yet)!!
Amen! 🙂
I’m so over everyone who thinks that everything will “change” tomorrow because Obama is President. (Yes, pun intended.) I will also pray for him and his family, but will not praise him but the Lord who works through him. I agree with you 100 percent and commend you for stating your opinion openly and honestly.
Amen. Thank you for a tactful and truthful post. I am linking to yours in my blog so others can read your wonderful words.
I'm totally with you in your prayers. And I'm excited to see the way God moves during Obama's presidency, just as I am no matter who the president may be. I also pray that we are able to end the focus on judging each other's reactions to this president, and just unite behind America, behind God, and behind the man that is now leading our nation!
PS- I love your tact 🙂 And your heart. Awesome <3
For some people, this inaguration is more than just another election. People of color, especially, have reason to rejoice because today, their hope has become that much more of a reality. Imagine looking at the television and seeing someone who looks nothing like you in the most powerful office in the world and then one day, someone breaks history’s hold on race and transcends the prejudice which has for so long been rampant in our country. Oprah was not praising Obama, she was rejoicing for the freedom he represented. This truly is a day on which to praise God for the grace he has given us to elect a Black president only 60 years following the civil rights movement. Let’s go a little deeper people…
I couldn't agree more! Though I did not vote for President Obama, as a Christian I feel that it is now my obligation to not only pray for him but to pray for his family & the challenges that they will inevitably endure over the next 4 years. It breaks my heart to see people blindly follow him as though they are anticipating that he will save the world. If the world is saved, it won't be because of President Obama; it will be because of Jesus Christ. Great post!
THANK YOU!!
Very well said.
Well said!!!!
very well said!! thank you!
AWESOME POST!! I might just have to start following! 🙂
Great post!
Outstanding post! The new employee has been welcomed with wide open arms. Now he needs to go do his job.
Wow! Thanks for this.
wow-amen sister!! i could not have said it better myself!! i agree 100%!
It was great to read this post– keeping the focus on Christ– amidst all the Inauguration news glorifying Obama that’s swirling around!
Love the blog! 🙂
My hubby and I totally agree! Thanks for sharing how you really feel because obviously you aren’t alone.
I totally agree.
Separation of church and state. It’s what our founding fathers guaranteed we would have when writing the Constitution. And Obama does represent the culmination of the Civil Rights movement and the progress our country has made. Think about how over one million people filled the national mall. It speaks volumes about the country and feelings we now have with him as president.
Amen sister!
I agree. Well said!
I do not think ppl look to him as a savior nor Jesus. When I look at my grandmother who is a Southern Baptist who can quote scriptures in her sleep look at the television screen and cry, it obviously means more. Ppl are rejoicing because they feel like their vote counted. They feel like America has really changed and opened up its heart. These same ppl that tear up when they see their new president on stage is thanking God and praying to Jesus that he will remain safe and through God’s guidance help turn the country around. I have seen more unity and positive things happen from this election and will continue to focus on that. I do not agree with all his policies, but you will never agree 100% with an individual. Those 1.5 million people that gathered together on Tuesday prayed together in unison and hugged one another regardless of race. If you cannot see that God might be working through him to bring a nation together, than you might not understand the power of God . He works through the smallest child to the oldest adult. He is everywhere. Instead of tearing him down, pray that God will use him and help bring more people towards him and inspire other people to be kind to one another. That is my prayer as well as my grandmother’s.
Yes! I could not agree anymore with each word in this post! If only the millions of people on Tuesday could read this as well! America is at the forefront here, not the person who has filled the president’s seat for the 44th term… I will pray every day for this country as my former president did…and I will pray for him as well…
Just found your blog and have to comment about this post.
Here in Canada, we LOVE President Bush. Our country is thankfully lead by a conservative Prime Minister and Canada’s majority is conservative.
Contrary to what many people in the States think, not everyone is happy about Obama. That might be all it shows in your media but here in Canada we see how many people around the WORLD are disappointed that he is president because of many things….inexperience, his top agenda being helping abortion and gay right laws and his socialist agenda too. Nothing to do with color as race is not a big deal here in Canada as it is in the States. Infact were always wondering what the big deal is about having a black president. Its not like its a big deal. Here anyway.
With his top priority being gay and abortions…talk about DIVIDING your country. Scary stuff.
My point is I agree with your post 🙂
Yes, it DOES come across like people worship him. Its just like how people treat dictators in communist countries….they frame his photo in their home and church!!! They wear tshirts with his face on it etc etc Just like people are doing to Obama.
There hasnt been even one attack on the states since 9-11 thanks to Pres Bush’s leadership.
For those who dont agree with me, please know that there are more people who loved Pres Bush than what your media showed. And many are NOT happy about Obama.
And its not just Canada, its most countries. Your media just doesnt cover it unfortunately. Your media makes you guys believe that all countries are jealous of the US and all countries think US to be the most powerful country. Nothing could be further from the truth! From what we have always seen and heard, everyone feels the same way about their own country…they love it and think its the most powerful country in the world. I know we think that here in Canada about our own country.
So it goes to show you how your media really does a number on you guys by covering only one side.
Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.
God bless NORTH America 🙂 and the rest of the world.
Thank you for sharing this I posted it on my blog as well. I applaud you for standing up for what’s right. Not to many people out there do anymore.
I think this is a great post. I enjoyed reading all of the comments too and trying to see other’s perspectives. But I agree with you. And even if he turn out to be a GREAT President (which I hope he does) he will fall off this pedestal people have placed him on. No human is perfect.
Thank you for having the guts to post what obviously a lot of people were thinking.
Beautifully written…I commend you for putting yourself out there and being vunerable – writing about politics is so very difficult. I enjoyed your post and will certainly add you to my reader.
-Sarah-
I loved this post and totally agree!!! It doesn’t matter who you vote for, but we’re all in the same country. The things we go through, we’re going through them together.
Wow-this is exactly how I feel! People have been glorifying Obama as if he is some sort of Messiah.
Great post!
I agree.I voted for Obama but Obama worship is crazy. I think people are in love with what he stands for when it comes to the change this country will experience but they need to leave the worship for Jesus Christ, who is worthy of ALL OUR PRAISE. BTW, love the blog and you’ve got a new follower in me.