Today is a beautiful day. Today is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.

I got an early start this morning because I had a meetingto atend first thing upon arriving at work. Ed and were getting together for our weekly planning sessions for worship services and other things at Vineyard UMC. So, I got up, got dressed (I showered yesterday pretty late so I skipped it this morning), and headed for the car. As I walked outside I yelled back to Casey and said "Hey, it snowed a little last night. Look at our neighbor's roof." And that was that. Beautiful start. I then proceeded to get in the car, and as is my tradition, I turned on NPR to listen to the political commentary and news on my drive in. Here is where the tears begin to happen.

Snow is beginning to come down. It is a sight rarely seen in Memphis and I am beginning to think like a school child of how much fun it would be if it snowed and snowed and snowed. But my revelry gets interrupted by a sickening story.  One of the news anchors happened upon a protest at the National Mall. No doubt there would be a few today. I believe it's a sign of a healthy democracy that we can do so freely. But this one brought tears to my eyes as I heard their chant: "Obama is the anti-Christ, Obama is the anti-Christ." The anchor said there were 2 dozen or so people there, "Christians" no doubt, chanting these awful words of hate. Obama is no savior, and he's certainly not mine. He is a man, just like you and me, and is a sinner guilty of falling far short of the glory of God every day, just like me. But he is also not the anti-Christ. Jesus, the one we claim as Savior and seek to be like, would never scream these awful hurtful phrases. Jesus is one who offers hope, love, peace, and forgiveness. So let me say this to the world on behlaf of my foolish brothers and sisters: Please forgive us Christians for our pride and arrogance. Please forgive us for our lack of humility. Please forgive us for not being like Jesus. We fall short too and want nothing more than to see Jesus lifted high and His love known to all. 

This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I will rejoice alongside the men and women who fought for equality and made this day possible.