Is Barack Obama a hero?

I have heard numerous people recently suggest that tomorrow when President elect Barack Obama is inaugurated he will become a hero and our country would have accomplished something great. Tomorrow will certainly be a historic day, but how much have we really accomplished? Is Barack a hero?

It is true that Barack has accomplished something great by being elected President of the United States. We demand more from our president than simple being elected. We demand leadership, wisdom, and strength. I expect a list of more specific things, what those things are is less important than the reaction many people in the united states are having towards Barack Obama.

Perhaps we should be careful in suggesting that President Elect Obama is a hero before he has done anything and perhaps we should be careful in suggesting that our country has accomplished anything. The progress we have made from the days of slavery is significant, and on Martin Luther King Day this is something we should celebrate and remember. We have not, however, come far enough. For historical reasons we should acknowledge the color of President Elect Obama's skin, but before we crown him the greatest president in US history perhaps we should at least let him move into the White House.

Perhaps we should consider again the words of Martin Luther King Jr. when he dreamt of a day when a man would not be judged by the color of his skin, but the content of his character. I hope our new president makes decisions that will be good and Godly. I hope he makes decisions that will benefit the American people. But I will refrain from judging him until he makes some decisions and I would suggest everyone else do the same thing.

A New Year with New Challenges

While I don't really think Christmas itself is stupid, I do grow tired of it by Thanksgiving every year. It seems the holidays are not as peaceful as the Christmas Carol would suggest. The new year in many ways brings peace. Life becomes normal again at least to some degree. A new year brings many things most of them I am looking forward to.

New challenges. I like most challenges. This year I am looking forward to getting my broken 35 year old body in better shape. I am looking forward to skiing some deep powder, the kind I haven't had the opportunity to ski in about six years (that was when I hurt my knee), I am looking forward to Elk Hunting in 10 months (for the first time). Challenges are not always pleasant, but they usually bring growth. New solutions bring additional wisdom and additional wisdom brings success.

I am also looking forward to my kids continuing to grow up and learn through there own challenges, developing some momentum in our ministry, new friends, and all of those things. I am looking forward to another year with my beautiful wife!!

A new year brings new life in some ways, but only Jesus brings THE new life. I look forward to growing in Him.