A Very Presidential Beginning

I totally agree with the On Faith author's assessments of our President's Inauguration address. I was truly inspired by our President's comments as I stood on the National Mall on January 20th. The crowd around me was just as inspired. We cheered together as the president spoke optimistically and we all soberly accepted the truth that he gave us about our future and our responsibilities. I join with the author in prayers for our President, his family and all those that surround him.

I was there for the event and I agree with your assessment of President Obama's speech. He addressed the nation with directness and truth. He did not mince words about the state of our country and what lies ahead for America.

As you eloquently stated, he addressed everyone not based on race, culture, or religion, but on the state of the nation and that we must continue to pray for him, his family, and the administration. I am in total agreement, he is our President and we must continue to pray and know that change has come.

Pastor Dukes, I speak with the up most respect. Yes, President Obama is an eloquent speaker and he brings hope to people. But my heart is sadden and I am torn, . I know we can not legislate morality but, the ideologies of your leader is the direction where the people and its culture will go. Optimistic, I can‘t. Change but at what cost. As expected, less than one week in office the President signs an executive order to repeal the Mexico City Policy. It comes as no surprise. President Obama made it clear during his campaign where he stood on issues like abortion, alternative life style, embryonic stem cell. Yet we put him there. He is my President and I will pray for him. His heart is in the hand of the Lord and it too will change.

Thank you Bishop Dukes for capturing the essence of what is really important to our nation at this trying time. We need truth and hope not rhetoric. Our president delivered the message for the people because understands what matters most to the people that elected him to office. Good on you President Obama! God bless you Mr. President. Bishop Dukes thanks again for keeping it real. My family and I really appreciate your words. God bless you, your family and ministry.

I agree with Pastor Lyle Dukes comments about the President Obama's Presidential speech. Mr. O'bama really very candid to the American people in regards to the shape of the economy that we need to dust ourselves off and get to work as a people and how we can make America great again. I like the fact that the President addressed all of the issues that we face today, the economic conditions, war, the treat of terrorism, education, stimulus packages, bailouts, education, etc. This article also encouraged me as a citzen of this great country to pray more for our new President and family, his cabinet members and all of our leaders in government because they have a enormous job to do and they can not do it alone!!!

Bishop Dukes, you hit the bull’s eye. As I listened to President Obama’s speech, the first thing I thought was that inaugural address was not like his past speeches (campaigns, Convention, etc.). I stated to my wife that this was a different and unusual speech. However, the speech was fitting for a nation with numerous daunting challenges. President Obama’s speech, though somber, conveyed that we, as a nation, must address those challenges for the sake of our children and children’s children. If we don’t address the problems now, then when? He motivated my household that “Yes We Can” do it. There will be difficult decisions and some pain along the way. However, if there is “No Pain”, then there will be “No Gain”. We must continue praying for President Obama, his family and administration, and Congress.

Pastor Dukes I totally agree with your assessment of President Obama's inaugural speech.
This speech spoke to "real issues" that we as individuals and as a nation are facing today.
President Obama dealt with the issues head on and he spoke directly to the areas that should
have been addressed and he did not stutter about making dramatic changes that would get this
country where it should be.

Pastor Dukes you are so right on your comments "A president is to govern a nation of people -
of all ideologies, religions, creeds, classes, races and ethnicities." When I think back to
the tone of the words of this speech, President Obama not only spoke to this country but he
reached out to countries, cultures, ethnicities and religions world wide with a message of
hope, coming together and working together to make this a better and safer world for all of
us to live in.

Thank you so much Pastor Dukes for sharing such great insights with us. God bless you, your
family, and your ministry. And let us all keep our new President, his family and the new
administration in our prayers.

I would have to agree with Pastor Dukes. This speech touched the "real" issues that are being faced today. Our President did not try to ignore the topics at hand. He addressed the problems head on and gave this nation a sense of hope that the future will be bright. I hope that the love and brotherly-comradery that was experienced on that great day will continue to prevail and turn the hope into a reality.

Yes, Bishop Dukes, so true! We must pray for our new President and his family. I thought President Obama's speech was very realistic about what it will take to change the state of affairs in America. What a great day last Tuesday was with the history-making moments, the optimism in the air, and the heart-felt support of so many Americans of different ethnic groups, races, and backgrounds who came out to witness that unforgettable event. I am very proud of our President and believe he will be successful.

I appreciate the time you took to share such great insights with us. God bless you, your family, and your ministry.

As I stood with my mentor at the Capitol, President Obama said, “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America.”
Inspiring yes, the right time and season, most certainly and as he stated, “God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.” Yes, I agree that it is time for America to “set aside childish things” Our new President throughout his campaign told us that we all still owe something to the next generation to be better, to do better, to serve better and to love better. Greatness is not measured by self importance, ambition or a title but it is measured by useful service to God and His creation of all people in this country and the world.

Thank you Pastor Dukes for your commentary and continued prayers for President Barack Obama, his family, the Administration and the nation.

I agree Pastor Dukes. President Obama did a very good job in directly addressing the issues that we face as a nation. The thing that I like was that he didn't make broad vague promises so not to offend anyone. In fact, he was very clear in the fact that it is time to work and everyone will need to take a part. As a nation I hope that WE CAN begin to 'grow up' take back our rightful place.

I strongly agree with Bishop Dukes’ comments. I found his commentary to be very wise and insightful. I believe he captured the essences and significance of this moment in history and its impact on America and the World.

Thank your for taking the time to address this subject. God Bless you, your family and your ministry.

Pastor, I totally agree with you. His speech was very matter of fact with no false implications or false promises. I am afraid that some people may expect miracles (not that it is impossible) but we must have the understanding that change take time. I believe that God is preparing the President and his Administration for the task at hand, but we as a nation must keep them in our prayers to make the right decisions.

As always, I enjoyed your comments and look forward to reading more in the future.

Pastor Dukes, You are soooo right! I was there and will never forget the synergy of optimism that flowed through the atmosphere in DC on Tuesday. Yes, his message imprinted hope in our hearts and challenged faces of every shade, young and old, to step up to the plate and work together in getting this nation back on her feet. I love him cause he's humble enough to say he needs our help, brave enough to stand against opposition, and wise enough to seek good counsel to get the job done!

Thanks Pastor, as always - I enjoyed your commentary.

I agree with Pastor Duke's comments on President Barack Obama's Innaugural Address. His words were very sobering and evoked reflection by all. He is the president of the people and he took the time to address all of the people with sole searching words about the way ahead instead of using flowery rhetoric. Thank you for your insight Pastor Dukes.

Pastor Dukes' comments on the inaugural address hit a bull's eye. The address pointed out the realities of what this nation is facing yet it was a message of hope. It has provoked a greater level of pride and unity in this great nation. It reminded us that "Yes We Can!" but also reminded us that we have work to do so we have to "Grow Up!" We have to continue to pray for President Obama, his entire family as well as the entire administration.

I am in absolute agreement with this assessment.
Although, this is not a religious assignment, it is an assigment that is meant to bring unity and change among all the people and the entire the nation. Hope and strength ared necessary to make change. I will make it a point to keep President Obama in my prayers.

What a great commentary! President Obama has brought a “New Presidential Beginning” to this Nation. As a watcher on the National Mall, one could feel the sense of change and unity in the air. People from all walks of life stood in joy, amazement and unity while listening to such an inspiring speech.

I agree with Pastor Duke's reference to President Obama's charge for Americans to "grow up". We need to take responsibility for who we are and what we do. It's not about us but about our children and their future. We can all agree with our President on that regardless of where we came from. Thanks Pastor Dukes for pointing that out again.

Pastor Duke's comments were on target. Our new President has the weight of a nation on his shoulders at a time when things are not "picture-perfect". As Pastor Dukes alluded, presidents deal with a varied list challenges. The American people are looking for a leader with fresh ideas and the vision to know that we, as a country, can do better.

President Obama hss challenged the American people to "grow up" and take responsibility for the actions of our country. I noticed that even my son who is only 10 asks questions about our President and our country as a whole. America is on the brink of "change" and I am excited about it. Way to go Pastor Dukes!

President Obama's inaugural address was realistically inspiring. It was not what most "expected" and that's a good thing because the time has come for the unexpected - for change.

I agree that President Obama's inaugural address was indeed inspiring and very "presidential". I believe that it was a serious message for a serious time. He did not dance around the issues. He spoke directly to areas that needed to be addressed. I believe that there is a renewed sense of hope in our nation. "Change Has Come".

Your commentary is right on point and reveals the sensitivity President Obama has towards the "real" issues our country and everyday people are facing. I agree that we need a good dose of hope, optimism, unity of purpose and stength that the President spoke to inspire and invoke confidents in us individually and collectively to take an active role in making positive change happen. I agee with you that the President's address went well, and yes, I surely will continue to keep the Obama family and administration in prayer.

oh yeah - I like the note re: the job of the President..."Just a note: being a president is not a religious assignment although it has spiritual implications. A president is to govern a nation of people - of all ideologies, religions, creeds, classes, races and ethnicities"

yes...I agree. There are a lot of challenges ahead and he probaly didn't want to go too positive. He did come back with the hope angle. I agree that it was a fitting presidential speech.

I definitely agree with your assessment of President Obama's inaugural speech. I felt that it was very inspirational, a challenge to our nation to grow up and position ourselves to be the change that we so earnestly desire. I am excited about the momentum that is already building - and I am excited about our new president!

Pastor Lyle Dukes was right on target with his comments. I was fortunate enough to attend the Inauguration Ceremony and I felt very proud of our nation and especially President Obama. I agree with Pastor Lyle Dukes' comments regarding our new president's speech. President Obama displayed a strong sense of humility and deep concern for our nation. He is not taking his position lightly and I believe he fully understands the weight that is on this nation. I especially like the note that Pastor Lyle Dukes talked about that a president has to govern an entire nation no matter what their religion, nationality, etc is. Let's continue to pray for our new president, his family, and his administration. Great article Pastor Dukes.

Well said! I totally agree that his speech was on point. As inferred, it seemed to contain all of the right elements and issues - and yet expressed with the perfect mixture of realism and "YES, WE CAN" idealism. The last thing that I wanted to hear was another (let's face it - boring) political speech filled with meaningless rhetoric. So YES, a Very Presidential Beginning indeed!

I watched the presidential inauguration from the beginning as people gathered for the ceremony through the inaugural balls. Throughout the entire day, I noticed that the nation responded in joy because of the very reasons you expounded on in this posting.

I totally agree that people felt such a sense of hope and even pride in our new national leader. Even greater, the world responded in the same way. Instead of dealing with little petty political issues that politicians get stuck on, President Obama spoke to the nations. His inspiration expanded our vision and outlook of this great country. He spoke to countries, cultures, ethnicities and religions world wide. Thank you for conveying in writing the feelings we all shared through this historic moment.

I agree!!! I heard a lot of negative comments regarding his inaugural address, such as it being lack-luster, and void of inspiring rhetoric. But it was perfect for the time and the season that we are in. I felt even more excited and inspired after hearing the speech. And even more importantly, I feel a strong sense of hope.