Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Where Were You...

When history was made with the election of America's first African-American president?

I was in an elders' meeting until about 11:45pm and missed all the election night activities. I think perhaps my time was better spent than most. But for those like me who missed the presidential acceptance speech, a video of the full speech is here?

So where were you when Sen. Barack Obama became President-Elect of the United States?

27 comments:

obsessiveskier said...

in my living room, tv on, with my wife, my 10 year old daughter, and newborn son

Anonymous said...

I was studying Galatians with our small group.

(So looking forward to your reflections, Pastor Anyabwile!)

Yours,
Tara B.

David said...

Driving into Chicago to become a part of the madness. Totally worth it.

Unknown said...

I had just finished leading a Bible Study in the book of Galatians, and watched the election from home. We live in Chicago, so it was cool to see Grant Park filled with so many colors and hues!!

I am so excited. He is the first African-American president. America still has a long way to go.

Stephen Ley said...

I was sitting on my couch watching history unfold. Both candidates performed magnificently, but of course the night belonged to the young Senator from Illinois. Truly an amazing night.

Anonymous said...

Online on facebook (well, that was right after I guess). I heard about it downstairs on T.V.

LaRosa Johnson said...

I was in my bedroom reading Chafer's Systematic Theology. It was definitely time well spent.

lj.

Eric S. said...

At a pastor/deacon's meeting until about the same time!

Laura said...

Eating and fellowshipping with friends from my community group, one of whom said, "Now when people ask you where you were when the first African American president was elected, you can say, 'I was at Josh and Tracy's!'"

Exciting times, Pastor T.

S.D. Smith said...

I was on the couch trying to reconcile the mixed emotions I had over human dignity being simultaneously affirned and rejected by this election.

Anonymous said...

Am I the only one who read this post and thought "Wow Thabiti sure as late elders' meetings?" :)

Anonymous said...

Alone in my apartment, praying that the members of Christ's Body (especially black and white believers) would not be divided by the results of this election. i fell asleep on my couch. Apparently i woke up just 10 minutes after the election was called for Obama.

Anonymous said...

In my living room... humbled by God's judgment and our national wickedness. Mourning over this low-point in our nation's history. Grieving over the holocaust on the unborn that is ignored while people celebrate an apparently "historic moment." Praying for 2012.

E. McAllister said...

7:30-8:30 Chillin' and chatting with my caregroup. Talking about the election, watching some of the returns, sharing about my 4-hour wait to vote early in the morning.

8:30-9:00 Looking at what scripture (1 Tim 2:1-4, Prov 21:1, Rom 13:1-7, et al.) says about politics and our role as Christians, and seeing how the Gospel should inform political involvement BEYOND the election with my caregroup.

9:00-9:30 Praying for our nation (Presidents: elect and lame duck, other elected officials, cabinet members, judges, public servants, our Christian brothers and sisters)
with my caregroup

10:50 arrived at home just in time to see the official results and watch my family's reactions.

Today-Reminding myself that this isn't an episode of 24, we do have a black president?!

JAI said...

My wife and I were in Grant Park. Incredible!

Anonymous said...

Praying for the unborn and little ones that will be harmed under this man's presidency.

Hayden said...

Thabiti,

In an meeting with the men of the church I am about to go to as their pastor.

I spent time listening (for the 2nd time) to your t4g message Thabiti on the plane on the way down. My heart was refreshed and I was ready to think biblically whatever may happen.

Even though I am disappointed about president-elect Barak Obama's policies (on life, on marriage (He is against DOMA)) I am excited for the possibilities of discussions on the mythical category of 'race' that we can all have.

During the day, I was on the campus of UF and saw thousands of young people energized and even getting others out to vote. (there was even a Hollywood star on campus encouraging them to vote for the ONE (their term))It was electric, and I thought, "I wish they were this excited about the real Messiah" and also grieved. Thankfully, there was a man with about 50 people around him, presenting the Gospel and introducing these students to the King of kings.

It was a full day for me with mixed emotions but a reminder that God is sovereign. I am not saying that as a flippant throw up prayer, but a reminder to me of where I put my hope in.

I am very happy for the historic nature of this day. For this young president and the energy he has brought. I will be on my knees for him and those around him. I will also endeavor to be the best citizen that I can be so that he would see Christ in me and not my political affiliation.

Joseph said...

I was out shopping with my family, getting a winter jacket for my one-year-old daughter... Our family time was more meaningful than staring at Television or computer monitor, knowing God is sovereign.

Beams of Light Ministries said...

The night is a blur. I had just finished a prayer and went upstairs to watch the rest of the coverage from there when I heard the news!

Incredible night!

-sanya!

Anonymous said...

Thabiti,
My dear friend. You who are wiser than I, You of the good training in pastoral ministry - no one needs to be in an elders meeting until 11:45.

Anonymous said...

at home, cooking dinner and watching tv.

David said...

Praying for mercy on my country,that God would grant repentance and spare us from his judgment, and thanking God the Obama is only the President, and Jesus is still Lord.

Anonymous said...

I was just getting home from my small group, which had discussed John 5 that night.

Lauren said...

I was asleep in my bed in Harlem, NYC when I awoke to an eruption of joyful sound. It was followed by bursts of cheer and laughter and shouts and stray fireworks throughout the rest of that historic night.

Anonymous said...

Steve,
What do you mean when you say Obama's election was an "apparent" historic moment?

Rachael Starke said...

At home, lamenting that we still do not live in a day when a man is judged by the content of his character, but by the color of his skin.

And weeping for the American church, whose light has been so dim for so long that the society in which it operates now looks to a mortal, flawed and potentially dangerous savior, rather than the Immortal Savior.

For the record, the only distinction my children have ever made about the two candidates was the color of their hair. And the only concern they had was for which candidate would do the most to care for and protect children like them.

Anonymous said...

all over DC wishing i was in Chicago. thinking that God cares just as much for Iraqi babies being bombed to smithereens (any judgment for that?) as he does for the unborn of this country,, wondering how the evangelical church will react if/when Roe v. Wade is overturned, will we call it 'a day', will we call it 'historic' will we love our neighbors then, not the one next door, the one who can't afford an illegal abortion.
there was a lot to think about, still thinking