A Change Is Gonna Come – Part 2

I do believe Barack Obama when he speaks about change coming.  Let’s be honest, he’s made a lot of promises.  He’s carrying the hopes and dreams of a lot of people on his shoulders.  People are expecting change to come and I hope that he’s able to deliver it.

Regardless though, I’m excited about change that is gonna come.

Assuming Obama’s first term as President is not a complete disaster.  He’ll more then likely be president for the next 8 years.  And by that time the Republican party will have to make some serious changes in their approach to politics if they want to reclaim their lost seats of power.

That’s one thing I think this election proves.  That people are tired of the same Republican party and tactics that have given us George Bush, Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, James Dobson, The Moral Majority, Right Wing extremism, Conservative Christians, and most importantly of all THE CULTURE WAR.

I’m hopeful that Change is gonna come to the Republican party and they will be forced to rethink their policy and politics.  And I think this will be good for them and good for America.

I’m even more hopeful that in the next eight years The Church, The Body of Christ, Christian brothers and sister across America will continue to struggle and wrestle with the best ways to live out our faith, the best way to be the hands and feet of jesus, the best way to be Kingdom people.  People that bring the life, liberty, and freedom of God’s Kingdom to the sick, the hurting, the poor, the oppressed, those on the outside and underside of our communities, our country and our world.  And Yes I believe the church is changing.  And Yes I understand people are very scared of that.  But I believe change in the church is a good and necessary thing.

So I’m very hopeful today and I willingly choose to believe the best is yet to come for America, for the Church and for the World.

It’s been a long time coming…   But Change Is Gonna Come.

A Change Is Gonna Come – Part 1

This morning I heard a portion of this song being played on the radio.  And as I watched the events of last night replayed and witnessed the celebrations and emotions of my fellow americans displayed in sobs and tears and shouts of joy.  I was very moved.

In one aspect at least for now, Change has come.  Change that has been a long time comin’.  Change that’s long overdue.  

I’m very proud to be an American today.  I think America has come a long way, we’ve got a long way to go, but we’re moving in the right direction.

For me this is a historic occasion today.  I’m proud of the fact that my children have the opportunity to see an African-American man hold the highest office of our land, maybe even the world.  I’m proud that racism, hatred, ignorance and bigotry were defeated in this election.  I hope my children never forget this day.  I hope it has a lasting affect, maybe unseen, maybe unknown but like a deep current moving beneath the surface – real, powerful and true.  And hope their lives, how they view their community, their country and even the world will be forever shaped by this.  I believe change is gonna come.

I’m also excited for all African-Americans, that have been oppressed, that have felt held back, that have felt held down by a system, a government, a white majority for so long.  (This goes without saying I’m sure but…)  I’m hopeful they will feel and understand the importance of this moment and they will grasp hold of the change that has been a long time coming.  And I hope this is just the beginning of change.  And that change in our country will continue to move forward and we will become one nation with a shared hope a shared future and a shared vision for tomorrow.

A Change is Gonna Come

As Performed Sam Cooke (1964)

 

I was born by the river in a little tent

And just like the river, I’ve been running ever since

It’s been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

 

It’s been too hard living, but I’m afraid to die

I don’t know what’s up there beyond the sky

It’s been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

 

I go to the movie, and I go downtown

Somebody keep telling me “Don’t hang around”

It’s been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

 

Then I go to my brother and I say, “Brother, help me please”

But he winds up knocking me back down on my knees

 

There’ve been times that I’ve thought I couldn’t last for long

But now I think I’m able to carry on

It’s been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

I voted

Well I finally got a chance to cast the most important ballot in my lifetime.

I wanted to get it over with so I went first thing this morning before work. I arrived at my voting destination 15 minutes before they opened up and was greeted with a long winding line of anxious voters like myself.

My wife and I stood in line together freezing our butts off.

2 1/2 hours later I fed the ballot through the machine. The longest wait I’ve ever experienced.

At times I seriously considered walking away. But as an American I feel this is one of the greatest rights and responsibilty we have so I stuck it out.

I heard today on the news Michigan is expecting 75% voter turn out…. Craziness.

I hope there is a great turn out and I hope people do not become so frustrated with lines and inefficiences that they simply walk away.

(well unless they plan on voting for McCain of course)

I’m glad I did my part though. Now all that’s left to do is sit and wait.

And I can’t wait till it’s all over.

Get out and vote.

In case you’re wondering what I voted.

Democrat
Yes
Yes