Obama In The 'Hood

My hometown is all abuzz this weekend because the POTUS and FLOTUS are in town. (President Of The United States and First Lady Of The United States - I had to learn these acronyms in our local paper.)

"Any Obama sightings?" was the common first sentence after "hello!" P&F dined a local BBQ joint ("12-bones"), hiked on the nearby Mountains to Sea trail (access to which is 5 minutes from my apartment!), played golf at the Grove Park Inn, had a personal tour of the Biltmore House, took in some hoops-jumping and a spa-treatment, and enjoyed dinner at the Corner Kitchen - which is where many of my church-mates enjoy brunch on Sunday after service.

This morning, after playing tennis at the nearby Inn, they visited Billy Graham in Montreat - just two exits up the freeway - to bring greetings, have a word of prayer, and wish each other well. (He continues to reach across both aisles, so to speak, and have conversations with many voices... liberal and conservative, and those who escape categories. I like that in a POTUS.)

All this buzz... it was quite exciting. Every time we heard a siren, there was an expectancy in the air... would he show up at our church? ought we to save him a place in case he arrives?

I wonder what we could learn from shifting this type of reaction to his presence just a shade.

I'm curious if we read about the wonders of God's works in the news ("Lillies bloom in gardens all over the world today!" or "Green shoots emerge from scorched forests following last summer's fires!" or "Mother forgives son for his violent behavior and son helps teach others how to deal with anger!") What kind of buzz might we create if every time we hear a siren, we think about sending healing light into that space, pray for traveling mercies, recklessly love the parties involved in whatever was afoot?

I sometimes get overwhelmed at how God continues to show up. I don't know if I could hold that anticipation over an extended period of time. I am inspired by what Christ's God-consciousness was able to do - to just be so in tune with God's world that everything he saw and experienced sourced out of that Love.

Everyone there was incredulous, buzzing with curiosity. "What's going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and sends them packing!" News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee. - Mark 1:27 (The Message)

How are you abuzz with God today?