The writer of this article was the Chaplain at my college when I attended. He is also a Lincoln scholar.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-white17-2009jan17,0,6751335.story

I think it's cool they used the same book. That must be great for Obama, being able to do that.

I also think he's demonstrating the very best of religion. As a nation, we seriously need that reminder that it's not all issues, fire and brimstone.

Good on him for that.

Missing-

I had a chance to visit with a long time friend of mine this evening prior to going to the Blazer game with him. He was at the inauguration and tonight I had a chance to hear his take.

First off he is an African-American man and was given tickets to the inauguration through a long time working associate. All he had to do is find a place to stay and buy airline tickets for his wife and himself.

To keep this short he said outside of the inauguration and the Ball he attended, the best part was talking to all the people in line for tickets and waiting to get into the grounds. People had one great story after another about why they wanted to attend.

The most profound story was that of a schoolteacher from Michigan. He had been teaching for 20 years and said this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring back to the classroom.

Then this teacher shared a story that took place in his classroom. They were discussing the attacks of 9-11 and students were going around sharing their thoughts. This one rather quiet gal finally spoke up. She said 9-11 changed her life. The teacher somewhat taken back and curious about how this could have changed her life asked the girl in what way did it change your life? The girl let the teacher know that both her parents worked in the military and on the morning of 9-11 not only were her parents at the Pentagon; she was too, when the plane hit. Her parents and she survived but the emotional wounds are still being attended too.

It was these kinds of stories that my friend found himself involved in. He also mentioned that the people coming to the inauguration were patient and understanding even with long lines and everyone was courteous towards each other.

His final thoughts were that of President Bush. He mentioned that at no time did Bush really acknowledge the throngs and seemed distant and aloof. My friend reminded me that this was Bush's 4th inauguration. Bush Sr., and his own two and now Obama's. My friend said that the combined crowd of the Bush's inaugurations were probably 10-15 percent of what Obama drew.

And if you hadn't read Aretha Franklin gave the Obama's 17 recordings of her father's sermons, her father's Bible and Franklin's young nephew gave the Obama girls some recordings of gospel music. Talk about giving something deeply personal and spiritual.

As the Rev. Jim Wallis often preached, we need better religion that goes deeper. He called it the moral center.