My Faith in America's Promise

It is true that we are living in a new day. This country that has always told me that I was not good enough because of the color of my skin changed. This country that told my son's and grandson's that they were not go enough because of the the color of their skin has changed. I am excited to see what is to come. I watch the news and read the paper more now because I do not want to miss a thing.
I thank God that I was able to witness this historic change in our country.
I am for the first time in my life proud to say that I live in the United States. I have always been proud to be an Americain but not very proud of the country and some of the things that it has done in the past. But today I say with a new since of pride that I was born in America.

Amen!

At 11 o'clock on November 4, 2008, psyche-shackles fell off of my sense of being--a relief I had not felt in 58 years. Years of having been existentially challenged shifted to existentially changed and charged! I actually now can and will wear a flag proudly on my lapel--finally my country tis of me! One of the CNN commentators said, "America is growing up and the world will notice."

You are right, the seething anger that existed in me and so many others has dissipated. There is now no excuse for persons of color to say that we cannot--yes we can! However, in the midst of celebration there seems to be a laser-like scrutiny afoot the likes of which we have not seen. There seems to be some who want all wrongs righted now, but as president Obama said at a recent roast, "Contrary to popular belief, I was not born in a manger." I pray that cool heads will prevail and the critical mass of the impatient will understand that 43 terms, considered particularly with the past 8 years will require more than one-term to part the Red Sea of our current economic woes. Racism does still exist but has been delivered a punishing blow of as you term Biblical proportions. This election had the feel of a last night in Egypt! I believe America is growing up and pray that the growth will be sustained. The cloud of witnesses present and in glory sent up a sigh of relief on November 4th. We the people is now a possibility that this nation has not seen in 400 years. To God be the glory for what God has done!

Ozzie Smith

Nice.

Thanks and keep up the good work.

:-)

aa

BO's election brought tears but they were for the 35+million womb-babies who have been killed in the last 35 years and the fact that this killing resulted in the election of a president:

i.e. the fastest growing voting bloc: The 70 million "mothers and fathers of aborted children" whose ranks grow by two million per year. They easily put President-elect Obama in the Blood-Red House!!!!

This election has been a milestone for black Americans. Our children now have a role model of color. No more white Superman, or white Captain Marvel, no more "If you're black, stay back. I thank God for what he has done. He has given hope to the little black child.
Tyrod3

The expanse of my vocabulary fails to produce words or phrases or sentences to articulate what the choice of America's electorate means to me, personally. I am so many things at once: Elated. Hopeful. Anxious. Proud . . . No, those words just won't do. Manic. Giddy. Awe-struck. And thankful. Still, those words don't do it. I will resign myself to say "Ashe' and Amen." For such a time as this.

Dr. Smith
I believe Obama winning the presidency gives America hope for a brighter future and a development of a new generation of people and a new energy of unification. Life’s experiences obviously shape our perception of the world around us. As a child through out my adolescents years color wasn’t an issue to me. I played and socialized with people who were nice to me regardless of race or gender. We learn to be suspicious and guarded due to bad experiences we may have had with an individual and then all of a sudden we start to generalize and stereo type people of the same race,gender,orientation etc. Obama's emphasis on change is so necessary because we were heading to complete destruction of the world. Love thy neighbor as they self. Learning to love yourself makes it easier to love your neighbor. It’s a process, but we are truly heading in the right direction with our new president and "our" philosophy of change. Its high time for love and unity of everyone.

OKKK...So if anyone saw the first season of 24 you might expect the worst. But since I'm optimistic I'm expecting the best leadership this country has witnessed. Kinda like Jodan in the NBA. However, as the establishment waves Obama into position remember that they always put who they want there. So is Obama really our hope manifested of just the face of "THE NEW WORLD ORDER" being ushered into effect??!?!

Just my thoughts...Just my thoughts

Marchino:

"Fact: Barack Obama voted against the lifesaving Illinois Born Alive Infant Protection Act (BAIPA) which requires a surviving late term aborted child to receive the same rights as a newborn infant."

Well, you can call that a fact, but it's not *honest* to leave out the *fact* that that law added nothing to existing 'born alive' protections and was merely a way to get certain Unconstitutional language into precedent.

The protections you claim Obama was 'against' *already existed.* The bill added nothing but an agenda and was a political move to try and smear future candidacies while making bad precedents to erode women's rights.

"Fact: Mr. Obama favors homosexual civil unions and same sex marriage and calls for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act."

Not fact on supporting gay marriage. He's against that, at least against pursuing it.

He *is* for civil unions, which is *good,* because not having at least that hurts innocent people, and the 'Defense of Marriage Act' is a bigoted legalizing of discrimination against innocent people.

Like me.

Yes, everything has changed.

Just watch: The media will start reporting on how the economy is really looking up. And the Iraq war is suddenly taking a positive turn. And the social divide is being healed by Dear Leader (the proof will be that there are no more reports of division).

The media is already at work writing stories for January 21st: The seas will begin to recede. The hurricanes will be better behaved.

Even now, our media masters tell us, the awful darkness of the Bush years is being to be swept away by the radiant future.

Now that President-Elect Obama has issued the clarion call, those of us with ears to hear must rise and heed the call and begin to bring healing to our lives, to those we love and to our communities. Like Pastor Smith, I am encouraged and deeply grateful - and I weep.

Amen! As of Tuesday night, I can actually wear a flag on my lapel now!--I haven't in 58 years because of the deferred hope prior to 11/4/08. I have never felt the way that I do now about this country. As former Secretary of Education Bennett said on Tuesday night, "This country is growing up." I believe the divides created by either-or dichotomous thinking are coming down. When the Berlin Wall came down, America did not have a clue that so many years later its own wall of inequity would do the same.

Barack Obama brings a fresh voice not known to Washington since its beginnings. For once things will have the possibility of exceeding the height of the monument there. When President-elect Obama closed that speech with, "Yes WE can!" I heard that loud and clear! It is time for the partisan categories to die and for inclusive progress to begin. Our children, all of our children, can now feel like "All In the Family." It is still amazing that now the pundits and others are wanting to know what Barack is going to do about things, when they never seemed to ask what Bush, the "decider" was going to do about things. Nevertheless, as one of our seniors said, "Rosa sat so Martin could march, and Martin marched so Barack could run."

Only God could do what happened on Tuesday night! Only God could take a bi-racial child of Moses proportions placing him in the Nile kairos of destiny, raising him in Pharaoh's house to lead "people" up to where they all belong--cared for, remembered, loved, and positively regarded. There has not been a campaign with such intellectual rigor known to humankind since the cherry tree fell.

For once in my life I cry tears of joy to a USA that may be on the path to becoming united under an anointed "uniter." Finally, as Condoleeza Rice said, "We the people perhaps now means all of us." Yes, America is now growing up and gorwing up is not always easy to do. Thanks Rev Sue for amking it plain.
Ozzie Smith

Today I could feel myself actually stand a little taller. This piece is right on the money. Last night as they declared him the winner, I could only think of my two grandmothers who left this earth over 10 years ago. I could feel their smiles.

Excellent piece, Pastor!

Marchino - give it a rest. The election is over. Time to come together. If you care so much about stopping abortions, here's your chance to offer a solution to help reduce unintended pregnancies, or provide health care to pregnant women. If you don't want to work on a solution, then STFU.

Thank you Rev. Sue for your piece today. I understand the tears and I, too, am relieved and thankful this day has come, for many reasons. I also shed a few tears last night, not really for the historic moment, but for what it means for my eight-year-old child. He has been intrigued by the election process and what it means. He is now talking about being the first Indian and African American president. For him, now life's possibilities are endless and there is no ceiling on his dreams. And I,now, can tell him dreams do come true, with at least some honesty tinged with a healthy dose of hope.

This is a monumental day in our history not only because this country has elected an African American to the highest office and held him in the highest esteem, but because of the change that Barack Obama wants to bring not just to African Americans, but to ALL Americans. Obama put a charge out not only for himself and his administration, but to "us", regardless of race, gender or background. He put a charge out to "us" whether you chose to vote for him or not. He put a charge out to "us" in the spirit of unity when so much of our history has been about breaking down unity and uplifting superiority. And THAT was a powerful moment for me. I am a person who rarely lets my emotions show, but I found myself crying after his speech at the implications of such a major event in history. It not only restored my faith in this country but in its people. This country, who elected an African American as our president, is the same country who took part in the vicious discrimination of African Americans during the civil rights movement less than 50 years ago. This country is the same country who reelected President Bush in 2004 for another 4 years of failed policy. This country is the same country who has not had equal rights for women to vote within this same century. I heard a quote from Hillary Clinton this week that was said during the primaries, saying that her mother was denied the right to vote, but now her daughter was getting the chance to vote for her mother for president. And again, it struck a chord with me that this country has come so far. I was a skeptic during the election, and I felt for sure that something was going to go wrong; there would be various polling issues, people would get denied the chance to vote, ballots would not be properly handled, or any number of issues. But when Barack Obama was announced as the president elect, I wanted to jump up and down and shout. Thank you God for hearing so many of our prayers and cries, thank you Jesus for letting us know that "trouble don't last always", thank you God for assuring us that although we've had to endure decades of suffering and discrimination, you are an "on time" God and you have heard our cry! I have restored faith in America and it's move towards the eradication of racism. And I have complete faith that we have just chosen any African American to lead our country, we have chosen an agent of positive change for ALL americans, and that change starts today.

Caroline

Marchino :

You are a big fat liar. Why don't you take your ugly and malicious lies elsewhere?

In short, get lost.

Rev. Sue,
when I look at what has taken place over the last couple of years I think of a couple of things 1) it is not about Obama it is about God; Isa. 51; God heard the cry, felt the pain of the people his people. 2) Dr. King and the promise land (Moses) and President Obama(Joshua)God has given him a assignment with also support. We as Americans need to step up and stop looking for something to disagree about, complain about and get our Nation back on track. It is time for the churchs to step to the plate and accept our responsibilities in our Communities Nationwide. Stop the tearing down of each others character and rather than see what we can take from our nation; we need to see what we can bring to. Yet, some of us want to continue to focus on what keeps us in forever lasting ignorance, hate. Last, I had the opportunity to volunteer and although I did see skin color I did not feel skin color for The Spirit of The Living God was upon us all. God through President Obama reminded us all that we are victors not victims; now it is time to get to work for Faith without work is dead! Oh before I forget we all are for something or against something President Obama deal a Godly hand based on truth! With Him we do not have to wonder! Praise Be To GOD!
Much Love,
another lamb
Sister Chynia

You are right, Pastor Smith. To see little black boys with hope in their eyes for the first time is a "kairos" moment. I thank God for this moment and I thank God for your insights!

Paganplace comments: "These things you and the GOP say [regarding abortion and gays] were never true, and if you think otherwise, you can complain when they are actually proposed."

Actually proposed? Wishful thinking on your part. Pro-Life advocates and traditional marriage supporters are always going to voice opinion while the lives of millions of children are at stake and traditional marriage laws are in jeopardy.

Fact: Barack Obama voted against the lifesaving Illinois Born Alive Infant Protection Act (BAIPA) which requires a surviving late term aborted child to receive the same rights as a newborn infant. State transcripts record that Mr. Obama stated that babies who survive abortions should be refused rights because, "... this would be an anti-abortion statute."
Fact: Mr. Obama favors homosexual civil unions and same sex marriage and calls for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.

It is clear that your comments are insipid, and devoid of sense and reason.

Why give the credit to the invisible Skyfairy?
Because as far as we know there's nobody up there.

It was the people who did it; thinking people...who stood for hours in the rain, and changed America for the better.

When we grow up a little more, we can dump silly ancient superstitions, and the outrageous religions that exploit them. It's just a matter of time, like finally getting an African American in the White House where once upon a time it seemed it could never happen.

PP- Not insipid in the least. I watched his speech last night with tears streaming down my face and my fist in the air. Haven't felt that way since Bobby Kennedy was killed.

(I hope that didn't come off too insipid. Really was from the heart.) :)

Great Goddess All-Mother, we at last. :)

In his speech last night Barack Obama used "you" 31 times, "I" 31 times, and "we" 66 times. "We".

By the Lady, it's nice to be considered an American again. :-)

"Mr. Obama favors the killing of unborn children regardless of the term of the pregnancy and endorses sex and marriage between gay men and women. Both of these issues are considered abominations by God, and they are not to be condoned by political laws that Obama supports."

OK. Listen.

The. Election. Is. Over.

Done deal.

These things you and the GOP say were never true, and if you think otherwise, you can complain when they are actually proposed.

You'll be *waiting* a long time, but I'm sure that's no problem for someone as dedicated as yourself.

Yes history has been made!

It is time now to move from the politics to the policy making and I believe that "we" are up to it!

President Elect Obama mentioned the founders and the crazy notion they had about "we the people". It was great to sit and hear those words and think, for once in my life, someone speaking those words from the highest office in the land, is including me too.

God is not partial and I would venture to guess frowns upon the divisiveness of so many political moments. I think we can be pretty sure that for a few moments we his earthly children, made God smile.

You are right, it doesn't get any better than that!

What a wonderful thing to see people vote their pocket books and not color.
When a forced $700 Billion tax is put on people that live in apartments and that are loosing their homes and loosing their jobs; makes them vote for something better.

I don’t think many American understand that what happen in this election was not just putting a Black Man in office but putting a bean counter, someone to understand Wall Street, CEO’s and waste.

The economy is what chose the President. He just happens to be black.

I'm sorry, and feel it is very ironic, that you feel that God has brought us to this time and you quote from Ester 4:14 to attempt to prove your point. It is a misuse of the scripture, and it misrepresents what God and His scripture intend.

Mr. Obama favors the killing of unborn children regardless of the term of the pregnancy and endorses sex and marriage between gay men and women. Both of these issues are considered abominations by God, and they are not to be condoned by political laws that Obama supports.

Based on the immorality of the issue between the Jews and their occupying enemies (the Medes and Persians), Queen Ester, a Jew, was called by God to oppose the threat to the sanctity of the Jew's life and the Jewish nation's existence. God, and her foster Father, Mordecai appointed Ester to stand-up for the sanctity of life threatened by Haman by stating, "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

The election of Barack Obama, a man of a mix of african american and white, although a landmark event in America, is not brought on us by God. God does not endorse someone that will violate his own scriptural principles of holiness and godliness.

Also. This. Was. Awesome.

I actually live in a neighborhood and area that is mostly African-American.

I just waved at a school bus full of cheering, *happy children.*

Gods, I haven't seen much in life to beat that. :)

"Mr. Obama's acceptance speech kept the focus on "us," the Americans who must know each other and live together and help each other if this country is to be the great nation he dreams and desires it to be."

This is what makes him something we really haven't seen in a while. Not like this. A *leader.*

It's what we needed. :)

I just hope your 'Gospel America' has room in it for a few good Samaritans. :)