"Once our eyes are opened, we cannot pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act." Proverbs 24:12



“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.”- William Butler Yeats





Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A Difficult Defining Moment in History

Against what I thought I'd be doing today, I sat through about 2 hours of the Presidential Inauguration this morning. I admit it was so very bitter-sweet. Part of me was filled with pride in looking back through the 200+ years of this country's existence and seeing what a remarkable journey it has taken.

I was moved to see that Obama took his oath with his hand above the very same bible that Abraham Lincoln swore upon when he became the 16th President of the United States on March 4, 1861. I admit though, that the portion of the inauguration ceremony that moved me the most, was Rick Warren's invocation. I loved ending it with the Lord's prayer.

But amidst the $170 million affair, the hoopla of our first African-American President, and the controversial issues that have been pounding our living rooms for the past year during the most expensive campaign in this nation's history, it remains a very sad day. A day when all I can think about is what a bleak future we are headed into with Obama as president.

My only consolation (and truly the only one I need) is that God remains on the throne. Half of the nation is holding onto the promises made by a man who has shown the world how our country can move from segregation a mere 40 years ago, to a country whose highest position is held by a black man today. Yes, we should be proud. But, we should also remember that it is God that has allowed these things to happen. It is the prayer of His people and the wisdom that He has given so many to fight against the unjust that led Obama to that platform this morning.

It is now more than ever that we are called to pray. As God's people we must continue to remain on our knees. We must continue to fight the battle against the weakest of our nation. We must continue to be the voice for those that cannot be heard, the unborn. May God forgive and have mercy on us for the infanticide of His babies. The infanticide that we are allowing in our very own backyard. As much as I am against everything this new president believes in, I must continue to pray for God to fill Barack Obama's heart with wisdom, integrity and honor.

I was asked recently if I will ever support Barack Obama. My answer? NO! I absolutely cannot. Morally, I cannot. But, most importantly as a believer and servant of my one true leader, Jesus Christ, as a Christian, as a Catholic, and as a mother, I cannot and will not support this man! But, that said, I can and I will pray for him, for our nation and for the unborn fervently.

One of my favorite scriptures is on my sidebar.

Proverbs 24:12

...once our eyes are opened we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act.


I try to live by these words. God has opened our eyes to what this man (who now is deemed a legacy by mainstream media, celebrities and those who are desperate for a "Savior" but instead have been handed a false prophet) has planned for His unborn. God has made us aware that wealth and the economy, not life, is first and foremost in this man's agenda for this country. It is our duty, our obligation, to pray for this man and for us to reject evil in every sense of the word. Supporting him is enabling him. Obama supports abortion. Abortion is evil. Abortion is murder. Period. You don't have to be the abortionist to have an innocent child's blood on your hands. I am not a judge, nor will I ever judge anyone who does such a thing because I know there is a God in Heaven who knows our hearts, but I will not support a man who claims to be a Christian yet cannot live by those words because it is more important to further his political career and to fit in what today's liberal society claims is oppression of women's rights.

I shudder to think of the kind of world my children and grandchildren will be living in. Will same-sex marriages be as common as traditional families? Will abortions be performed without hesitation or thought? Will God be eliminated from every aspect of our nation's government, although our country was formed by our founding Father's as "one nation UNDER GOD"?

During his speech he threw in a few jabs towards President Bush's leadership the past eight years, which I felt was very unfair. Contrary to popular vote, I continue to commend and thank our previous President for his undaunting efforts in keeping our borders safe and our soil free of terrorist attacks. Mostly, I thank him for standing up for his beliefs in protecting the sanctity of life, regardless of circumstance. I truly believe the reason he is so disliked is because he did not give in to political rhetoric. He stood by his principles. He did not cave into what so many others do in order to further their careers, something that has been so evident in Obama's short political career. Thank you, President Bush.

President Obama, your words today, "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear..." ring very true. My hope is not in you though. My hope is in the real Savior. My hope is in the one that died on the cross so that I could have hope.

I choose to end this post with positive thoughts and believing that there is still good in this world. Below are President Bush's words as he declared January 18 to be "National Sanctity of Human Life Day."


By Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 15, 2009
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) --


President Bush today declared Sunday a national pro-life day to foster respect for human life and his declaration may be the last one with pro-abortion incoming president Barack Obama taking over the White House next week. Bush has declared an annual pro-life day every year during his tenure.

In one of his final actions as president, Bush declared January 18 to be "National Sanctity of Human Life Day."

"All human life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique, and worthy of protection," the presidential proclamation read.

"On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world," the president added. "We also underscore our dedication to heeding this message of conscience by speaking up for the weak and voiceless among us."

"On this day and throughout the year, we aspire to build a society in which every child is welcome in life and protected in law," the president continued, using the now-famous wording given to him by recently-deceased Father Richard John Neuhaus.

The declaration includes a good explanation to Obama for what he should do as president when it comes to respecting human life both before and after birth.

"The most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent," he explained. "We also encourage more of our fellow Americans to join our just and noble cause."

Bush also continued a steadfast defense of the pro-life actions he's taken as president.

"My Administration has been committed to building a culture of life by vigorously promoting adoption and parental notification laws, opposing federal funding for abortions overseas, encouraging teen abstinence, and funding crisis pregnancy programs," the proclamation continues. "In 2002, I was honored to sign into law the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which extends legal protection to children who survive an abortion attempt. I signed legislation in 2003 to ban the cruel practice of partial-birth abortion, and that law represents our commitment to building a culture of life in America," the president continued."Also, I was proud to sign the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004, which allows authorities to charge a person who causes death or injury to a child in the womb with a separate offense in addition to any charges relating to the mother," he added.

Bush also talked about promoting the value of human life when it comes to new science and research."America is a caring Nation, and our values should guide us as we harness the gifts of science," he said. "In our zeal for new treatments and cures, we must never abandon our fundamental morals. We can achieve the great breakthroughs we all seek with reverence for the gift of life."

The president closed the declaration with an optimistic tone.

"History tells us that with a cause rooted in our deepest principles and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens, we will prevail," he said.The president urged all Americans to "recognize this day with appropriate ceremonies and to underscore our commitment to respecting and protecting the life and dignity of every human being."


21 comments :

Amy said...

Ohilda, I was filled with many of the same conflicting emotions today. I thank President Bush for his service to our country and for the sacrifices he and his family have made over the last 8 years. And although I don't agree with President Obama on so very many fundamental issues (protection of the unborn being cheif among those), I pray for him and his family. And I continue to pray for this country that we are so blessed to live in.

Sassy Pants Freckle Face said...

I agree with you 100% I am sickened by the mass that cannot see what this path leads to. It didn't matter if he or she was pink purple or blue, what matters is the safety of our children and our faith, all of which now, hold no stock in what America is now. I didn't watch anything, When he speaks my stomach ties its self in knots. I don't care what other people may think, I know how I feel. All people should be treated equal but no one should be put so high that it is easy to fall off. He is a man, and he is Black, there were many before him and many after, I am sure. He is NOT the Almighty and shouldn't be treated as such~ but when you give a man THAT MUCH POWER he'll start acting like it! That is my 2 cents.

sara said...

ditto that!!!

Amy said...

I agree! Great post!

Anonymous said...

I agree! Great post.

Tracy said...

Nicely said! Amen and Amen.

Anonymous said...

I agree. I sent your Cd out today via first class mail, so you should have it by this weekend. Enjoy

The Byrd's Nest said...

Thank goodness Christians do not put their hope and faith into human beings. We DO only have ONE Savior and Lord Ohilda....I love your passionate heart.

cheepette8 said...

Amen.

RamblingMother said...

I agree the only hope we truly have is God and I hope He changes the heart of the new president to one loving and accepting all live as sacred!!

Michelle R Photography said...

Thank you, Ohilda, for always being so honest and so full of passion!!

Lisa said...

I agree. I am proud of President Bush, he did what he had to do and he did it well without compromising his values. God Bless Him. I am very uneasy with Obama, but I trust in the Lord and in Him in our hope.

Rach said...

You have really touched me throughout this election season. It is such a blessing to read your thoughts and convictions. You express them so passionately. I myself have been praying for Obama. That he will ask the Lord for guidance and direction that he will make choices and decisions for our country that are pleasing to him. We can Pray Pray Pray as the Lord instructs us to do. I as well watched some of the inaugaration today. As our former President flew away in the plane. I was filled with tears. He was a great man. Lastly, thought you might like to know how I came across your blog. My sister in law is Katie over at this crazy life.

waiting4Isabella said...

All I can say is that contrary to popular belief, I too believe that president Bush rocked. He stood up for moral beliefs and most importantly honored Our Lord and Savior above all things.

As Christians we must continue to pray for Obama and his family. Always remember if God brings you to it he will get you through it. Keep your eyes focused on JESUS.

Peace.

Sally-Girl! said...

I prayed with tears in my eyes for both Bush and Obama as they waited for the helicopters to take them to their new residences. I thanked God for the eight years of service Bush gave even though some of it has been difficult for me with two sons on third deploys each to Iraq. But the grace that man can exude is amazing! I truly believe in my heart he was taking care of the nation like it was his own child wether I agreed with every decision or not. He did his best with what he had. I desperately asked our Father to change Obama's heart, and to let his actions in office be those of a man following Christ and let that radiate for the world to see. Nothing great is going to happen in this nation until people start putting their faith in Christ our Savior not some man in office who spent $170 million on his inauguration. Every knee shall bend and every head shall bow to our Father in heaven asking Him to guide our new national leader when that happens this crisis in America will no longer be a crisis.

Susan said...

I was especially offended when the crowd jeered and in public mocked our sitting President Bush as he entered the inaugural area. The crowd cheered loudly as the Clintons marched in, but in stark contrast those that "preach" tolerance chanted nah nah nah nah... good bye (after the old 60's song) at President Bush. I found this to be most disturbing and of course I haven't heard any comments about it on the news channels.

I appreciate your post and agree we should uphold Mr. Obama in prayer as the new leader of our nation. Only God can change his heart and this is my strong desire.

betty said...

I so totally agree with what you wrote Ohilda; I too was moved with Rick Warren's prayer; I had been praying for him and the words he would say and I thanked the Lord after hearing his words; I too loved how he ended with the Lord's Prayer because in the end, that is what I want, the Lord's will; his kingdom come, not the kingdom of a man that so many have so much hope in. My hope is in our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

I told the Lord today that I was so sorry for not praying for President Bush; I hardly prayed for him and I told the Lord I'm so sorry that there was a Godly man in office and I didn't appreciate it fully and lift him up in prayer. I've prayed more for Mr. Obama than I ever did for Mr. Bush and that saddens me. I'll continue to pray for Mr. Obama but I also pray he will fully commit himself to the Lord and lead as the Lord would want him to lead

and you are right, the Lord is still on the throne and still in control; I will trust in Him and wait on Him; He's never disappointed me, He's always kept his word and he gives me hope

betty

Sherri said...

I so agree with you. I will never support a politician who goes against what the Bible says.

I'm in a Bible Study on Esther and last week we talked about how God has allowed leaders to come into power who think they have their OWN agendas....but ultimately things will be just exactly the way God wants them to be.

I'm waiting for my free house, free car, free money, and for the diamonds and gold to start falling from the sky now........

sherri

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Ohilda, I am so proud of this post. You so very eloquently covered what I think as well. I watched too, even though I secretly wanted to be vindictive in some way! I want my children to see me pray and support this man as he is NOT ultimately in charge but GOD IS!! That is such a comfort to me!
One thing that touched me deeply today is that Madeleine came home from school and said what a PROUD day it is for African Americans and for minorities (and she said "like me") and I teared up hearing my tiny 7 year old say these words. Even though I do NOT trust Obama I do trust God!!!!

Anonymous said...

I will pray for him as our leader and as The Word tells us to pray for our elected officials. I will be blogging about this later tonight when I have some time (or later this week). I think it was a good day in history as a country who holds such a sordid past (don't all countries have a pst?!).

mommy24treasures said...

Ohilda Thank you for posting. Thank you for sharing that note about Pres Bush I did not know he did that every year. I find it so sad how the news never shares these wonderful things that are important to so many of us.

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