Prayer for Barack Obama

God,

You told us in 1 Timothy 2: 1-2 to pray for our government leaders and today we pray for the next President of the United States, Barack Obama.

We ask that you give Obama wisdom, courage, humility, strength, and compassion in the days, months, and years to come.  In the trying times that he (and the U.S) will face, help him lead us well by following you.  We pray that he would surround himself with a strong team that will provide sound counsel, accountability, and resolve to do what’s right for our great country.

We ask that you bless his marriage and that he and Michelle have a solid relationship centered on Christ and rooted in love.  Allow our next President to be a good daddy to his girls and we ask that they grow up knowing they’re loved by their parents and inspired to the live the lives they are meant to live.  Keep the Obama family from harm and may joy fill their new home.

As for our country, we ask that we will unite and be the nation you’ve called us to be. That we not look to Barack Obama as the enemy or the savior, but as an imperfect human being, like all of us, who’s been chosen to lead our country at this critical moment in human history.

We hope and pray that Obama will be a great president.  May we give him the grace you’ve given us.  May we not disrespect him as we’ve done with past Presidents. May we never take for granted the freedom we have to choose our leaders.  May we remember that you are in control and your will always prevails.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Tags: Barack Obama, God, politics, prayer, president

A Sign of Division

I saw a dude holding a sign this morning that said, “Vote McCain, not Hussein” and it disappointed me. On the day of the most historic election in our lifetime, that sign was itself a sign of division.

Regardless of how this election turns out, my hope and prayer is that we be unified. That we not look at either candidate as the anti-Christ or the messiah, but as imperfect men who will lead our country during a critical time in our nation’s history.  That we all would pray for them to have wisdom, courage, compassion, humility, and strength to lead us well.

As for today’s election, remember these three things.
1) Vote your conscience 2) Pray for God’s will, 3) Remember that Christ is still on his throne.

And should things not go so well in the next four years, be thankful that we get to vote again. Yay democracy!

Oh, and don’t forget to go to Starbucks, tell them you voted, and get your free cup of coffee.

Tags: Barack Obama, Election, john mccain, politics, president

Never Gonna Give You Up

This video cracked me up!

Tags: Barack Obama, rick astley, video, youtube

Sweet Links

Relevant Magazine posted a Q & A  with Barack Obama

I absolutely love this project (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer) by Switchfoot frontman, Jon Foreman.  Simple, beautiful music.  I hope he plays some of it when Switchfoot comes to town in a couple of weeks.

I’m eating lots of watermelon this weekend.

A couple of my southern friends, Jay and Lloyd, let their respective cats out of the bag this week.  Very excited for them.

If you live in Rapid City or are visiting this summer, visit this place.  A movement may begin there soon.

Tags: alternative fuel coffee house, Barack Obama, Church, Church Planting, hills alive, Jay Hardwick, Jon Foreman, Lloyd Owens, Music, politics, project church, Rapid City, relevant magazine, switchfoot, watermelon

T.D. Jakes On Church

On CNN.com, Bishop T.D. Jakes gives his take on the issue of politics, church, and race.

This is a very timely piece considering the effect Barack Obama’s pastor has had on his campaign.  In the midst of Jakes words, I thought there were some insightful takeaways related to church.

“It is a breathing, living testament to God’s love and grace. It serves its community where it is located and is aware of the needs and nuances of that community. However, its relevance and vision must go beyond its community and reach the world for which Christ died.”

“I personally wish the distinctions of the church by ethnicity would one day become an antiquated idea.”

“I am afraid that once again our churches will be victimized by stereotypical ideas and opinions that are based in whole or in part by the extreme and not the norm.”

“…the core message is not one that enrages, but one that encourages people to change and grow, and any other depiction is distorted and inaccurate.”

“Let’s get back to listening for leadership strategies from our best and brightest before there is no country left to lead. My hope is that the church remains a vibrant part of our process, sounding the alarm that warns: America, please wake up out of our sleep!“

Tags: African-American Church, Barack Obama, Church, Current Events, Jakes, T.D. Jakes

When Politics and Pro Wrestling Collide

Genuine - [gen·u·ine] adj
Definition: Presidential candidates reciting lines to appeal to the cynical 18-34 year-old male demographic called professional wrestling fans.

Tags: , Barack Obama, Current Events, hilary clinton, Humor, john mccain, Sports, wrestling, wwe

Friday Picks

Here are some picks as we head into the weekend:

Sports- Patriots will win the Super Bowl. No me gusta NY Giants. (I’m a Philly fan)

Movies- Let’s see? U2 in 3D or Hannah Montana in 3D? Hmmm.

Politics- As things stand right now, my bet’s on Barack Obama becoming our next president.

Podcasts- The “Ask Anything” series by Mark Driscoll (pastor @ Mars Hill Church), is off the hook. But then again, I have the proclivity to dig most everything from Driscoll.

Books- Reading “Made to Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath. Vision is so important in church planting. So far, this book is dynamite!

Tags: Barack Obama, Current Events, Made to Stick, Mark Driscoll, Neato!, New England Patriots, Patriots, Sports, Super Bowl, U2, U2 3D