I really wanted to write this post yesterday after watching the President's final press conference.
First, I have to respect someone who has led a country. As someone who leads people, I thank God regularly that it is not my responsibility to lead all 50 United States of America. After leading a church (with slightly fewer than 305 million people), I'm not looking for the headaches of that kind of leadership.
George W. Bush has made mistakes. I've made a couple myself the past 8 years. As far as I know, none of my mistakes have cost anyone their lives. Probably some of Mr. Bush's mistakes have. That's a really hard reality that he and every president will have to go to bed at night facing.
At times President Bush has not been the best politician in the room. This statement is not meant to be offensive. I think some of Mr. Bush's criticism has come for this very reason. I think many people who voted for Mr. Bush four years ago were tired of being led by career politicians. George W. Bush was a businessman before he was a politician. He was a different kind of choice for president. I think this is part of the reason for the derision Mr. Bush has received related to his speeches and his occasional political incorrectness.
It's time for a new president. That's one reality about our nation. Every eight years it's time for someone new in the Oval Office. We are a nation built on the idea that no single person should have too much input. In just a few days we will have a new Mr. President. I think Mr. Obama shares many good qualities with Mr. Bush. He is a confident man with many good ideas. He loves his family. I believe, like Mr. Bush, he will make the United States a better place. Mr. Obama also has a lot of problems to deal with. He has a war to fight. An economy to work on. And, I think when he leaves office in four or eight years, we'll ask him why he couldn't bring peace in the Middle East, either. (I don't think that headache is going away any time soon. Ask the last several presidents about how well their plans worked.) Mr. Obama will make mistakes that will cost people their lives. Sometimes it's good to be the president. Sometimes it's not. I'm pretty sure it's always a hard job.
I know. Not exactly hard-hitting political commentary. Thank you, Mr. Bush, for working hard for me and my family. Thank you, Mr. Obama, for taking the baton for at least the next four years. I will be praying for you both.
Here are a couple thoughts from our brother, Paul:
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:1-7 NIV
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV
First, I have to respect someone who has led a country. As someone who leads people, I thank God regularly that it is not my responsibility to lead all 50 United States of America. After leading a church (with slightly fewer than 305 million people), I'm not looking for the headaches of that kind of leadership.
George W. Bush has made mistakes. I've made a couple myself the past 8 years. As far as I know, none of my mistakes have cost anyone their lives. Probably some of Mr. Bush's mistakes have. That's a really hard reality that he and every president will have to go to bed at night facing.
At times President Bush has not been the best politician in the room. This statement is not meant to be offensive. I think some of Mr. Bush's criticism has come for this very reason. I think many people who voted for Mr. Bush four years ago were tired of being led by career politicians. George W. Bush was a businessman before he was a politician. He was a different kind of choice for president. I think this is part of the reason for the derision Mr. Bush has received related to his speeches and his occasional political incorrectness.
It's time for a new president. That's one reality about our nation. Every eight years it's time for someone new in the Oval Office. We are a nation built on the idea that no single person should have too much input. In just a few days we will have a new Mr. President. I think Mr. Obama shares many good qualities with Mr. Bush. He is a confident man with many good ideas. He loves his family. I believe, like Mr. Bush, he will make the United States a better place. Mr. Obama also has a lot of problems to deal with. He has a war to fight. An economy to work on. And, I think when he leaves office in four or eight years, we'll ask him why he couldn't bring peace in the Middle East, either. (I don't think that headache is going away any time soon. Ask the last several presidents about how well their plans worked.) Mr. Obama will make mistakes that will cost people their lives. Sometimes it's good to be the president. Sometimes it's not. I'm pretty sure it's always a hard job.
I know. Not exactly hard-hitting political commentary. Thank you, Mr. Bush, for working hard for me and my family. Thank you, Mr. Obama, for taking the baton for at least the next four years. I will be praying for you both.
Here are a couple thoughts from our brother, Paul:
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:1-7 NIV
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV
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