KevinChilds.com

Dear President Obama,

Inaugurating you as our 44th president says something incredible about our nation. The American Experiment stands on the self-evident truth that all men … ALL men … are created equal.  Our past includes too many years of racism and bigotry.  That we have moved from slavery to this historic inauguration is remarkable.  It highlights our willingness to repent of past wrongs and dream with renewed hope.  Your own optimism and hopefulness have already lifted the spirits of millions of Americans.

I’m not an economist. I’m not a military strategist.  Not a political theorist.  Just a pastor.  But being “just a pastor” is a calling I wouldn’t trade for your job.  And my vantage point gives me a crystal-clear view of the human condition in America.  Because of that view, I am a free-market, pro-gun, pro-military, pro-cop, low-tax advocate of individual liberty and very limited government.  But I just want to make a couple of requests and offer you one promise.

Please don’t sell out preborn children to a political agenda. I know that some of the folks who got you elected argue that those babies aren’t actual human beings.  But there were “experts” who – not all that long ago – stupidly argued that Blacks were not citizens and had no legal standing.  At Saddleback Church, you claimed to be a follower of Christ.  But when asked when human life begins, you said that issue was  “above your pay grade.”  Well, you make more than me.  But even I’ve figured this much out:  We require Bubba – that orange vested good ole boy in a deer stand – to be 100% certain that what he’s shooting at is NOT human. 100%.  Shouldn’t we demand that doctors meet a standard at least equal to Bubba’s?  And please, please, I’m begging you … don’t sign any laws that force me to pay for abortion with my tax dollars.

Don’t emasculate our military. Don’t socially engineer it.  Don’t make it a subsidiary of the United Nations.  Don’t hamstring it with any utopian pipe dreams of some who inexplicably forget this:  There are bad guys out there. Real ones.  They aren’t just misunderstood freedom fighters.  They are evil, and it is OK to kill them to protect innocent Americans.  I don’t expect the President and the government to do everything for me.  I DO expect government NOT to get in the way of our military protecting my family from the bad guys.

Let me make you a promise:  I am going to pray for you – privately and publicly.  God demands it.  And you’re dang sure going to need it.   You’ve been dealt a tough hand.  One expert said that we are in “economic Pearl Harbor.”  That might be overstating it, but things ain’t good.  I believe God is the “king-maker,” and He has a purpose for your presidency.  I will regularly be praying that God will be your protector … and your closest adviser.  We’re a divided nation right now.  With some boldness and a heart attuned to God’s truths, you can be the man who unites us.  I vote for that.