Of Presidents and Royalty

Today the baton passes from Barack Hussein Obama to Donald John Trump. With the changing of the guard we will see differences in rhetoric, communication style and outward focus on the public side of Washington. Away from public view, because of the bureaucracy, some things will remain same.

Program near the steps of the Capitol in Washington, DC

Eight years ago I looked at the name of our President: Barack Hussein Obama. Barack is Hebrew for blessing (or lightning), Hussein is Arabic for a good or beautiful child. It is also a name for kings, such as the King of Jordan and former king of Iraq. Obama is a family name.

Parade in Washington, DC

Our new President also has an interesting name, Donald John Trump. Donald from the Gaelic Domhnall means ruler of the world. John or Johannan comes from the Hebrew word (יוֹחָנָן) God has graced. Our new President’s last name is a shortened form of an occupational term, Trumpeter. This is appropriate because twittering can be seen as a different form of trumpeting.

Constitution Hall in Philadelphia, PA

Today in Washington D.C. we transition from the reign of “Lightning beautiful child Obama” to the ascendancy of the “Trumpeter who is by the grace of God a Ruler of the World.”

Statue of Liberty welcomes immigrants to the USA

So, what will the administration of Donald John Trump look like? I borrow a line from Fiddler on the Roof, “I tell you, I don’t know.” For the time being I just observe. In four years we will know, and in fifty years historians will decide what “really” happened during Trump’s tenure.

What a fractured world looks like from World Trade Center

One thing we do know (and that we have already seen), promises will be broken. This is true of all Presidents. They can not be blamed, especially a man like Donald Trump, for he comes with no experience in government. And even if he had experience, there is no way to anticipate future events which will torment or bless his dynasty.

Festival on the Mall in Washington DC

A second thing which our new President will discover is that the office of the President changes a person. Contrast the philosophies of Barack Obama eight years ago with what we see in him today, there is change. This can be said of any President. During each year of our President Trump’s sovereignty we will see changing strategy. And if his hairdresser does not mess with it, we will see the graying of the hair which comes with wisdom.

Changing of seasons in the mountains

My prayer for our new President is that he will bring to pass the self-evident truth “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” By this I mean that all people: Black, White or Brown; Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Agnostic or Atheist; Rich or Poor, Democrat, Republican or Libertarian; Inner City, Suburban or Rural, will come to have value.

A street in New York City

The scripture tells us, “When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20)

The President should defend the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and love the foreigner residing among within our land. (Dt. 10:18)  He should guard the common laborer and make sure they receive a fair wage “because they are poor and are counting on it.” Our bankruptcy laws should be overhauled to make sure workmen and small business owners are always paid for work performed. (Sorry about the rant but too many Christians have told me there was no problem with Donald Trump’s declaration of bankruptcies in order not to pay small businesses because the law allows it). “Otherwise they may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.” (Dt. 24:15) The President (and all of his men) should not murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false testimony or send wrongful tweets. (Exodus 20)

Lincoln Monument and Reflecting Pool in Washington DC

We are to “be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1) and submit to the king as the supreme authority.” (1 Peter 2:13) Paul wrote, “that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Many approach the next four years with great hope. Others move forward in great trepidation. I pray that in the end we will find unity, prosperity and peace.

Culture and Heritage

This week has been interesting. God has placed us in a fascinating world full of people – each with their own culture.

Chelsea was given an assignment relating to racism. As we talked we thought about issues of racism, for we belong to a persecuted people group. One of my grandfathers changed his name – possibly to blend into his new country. Another grandfather was refused lodging in North Carolina because he was Jewish.

My grandparents came to America in the late 19th century and early 20th century in the hopes of a better life. They were poor and persecuted in their home countries, (My great grandfather Tbatznik punched a Cossack during a pogrom, which is why he had to leave Russia – traveling through Romania, Italy and France before immigrating to the United States) and came to America, the land of opportunity.

We talked about a friend of Chelsea’s who immigrated from Mexico. After eight failed attempts, she finally successfully entered the United States on her ninth crossing of the Rio Grande. Her family has made a life for themselves in the United States and successfully become productive members of their community.

Sarah is working on our new Hagaddah, which shares the Jewish custom of Passover so gentile Christians can cross the culture barrier and understand the world in which Jesus lived. We want Christians to understand the story of the Exodus which is central in our faith. Hopefully it will be publish “A Christian Passover in the Jewish Tradition” next week.

Tonight during a scout meeting aimed at earning the God and Country badge we looked at heritage. Among the group were people born in North Carolina, Mississippi, Florida and Kazakhstan. We shared from Baptist, Catholic, Jewish and Orthodox backgrounds. Our experiences were diverse. But we had one thing in common – Christ.

Christ helps us overcome differences, appreciate culture, and work together for a higher goal … to reach our world with the Gospel. The name Jesus means “Salvation” (one of the answers in tonight’s meeting). We are to reach all people with the message of Salvation.

I work with all ages of adults from college to Senior Adults. One of the cultural things that comes up from time to time is music. Each group enjoys music from their generation and culture. We are to rally around the name of Christ – and enjoy the variety God gives us in life.

Jesus said this, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”