Examiner Neighborhood Inaugural Ball for Sanford, Florida

January 21, 3:47 PMOrlando Christianity ExaminerConnie MacLeod

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Examiners from major cities across the country participated in Neighborhood Balls on Inauguration Day. Below is one Examiner's experience:

Living Water Community Church delivered an all American celebration! The hall adorned with flags and banners in the fashion of patriotic days gone by was complimented with beautiful ladies in elegant gowns and dashing well dressed gentlemen, who more importantly were wearing faith and hope for America’s future.

The Sanford Presidential Inaugural Ball was sponsored by Living Water Community Church of Sanford, FL. This warm and wonderful multi ethnic church family just celebrated their 2nd anniversary, so this was a double celebration of sorts. Pastors Jim Timmons and Chris Bodley had a divine appointment at a Rick Warren church planting conference, took the leap of faith to bring their church families together and are making strong disciples that will be part of the revival God has planned for Sanford!

These are people who love Jesus, love their country and were marking this festive day by raising their voices in praise and joy. They are not expecting President Obama to walk on water, only to live up to his promises as our new president. Prayers for wisdom and protection of President Obama, his family, our nation, and peace in our world were a strong theme from everyone I spoke with.

ANALYSIS: From the moment I entered the building, I was greeted with a warm welcome from many of the guests…they made me part of their celebration of this historic event, which included sharing a meal, connecting via Skype to the National Inaugural Ball and enjoying the music of Thomas “Mr. Brickhouse” McClary founder of the Commodores who is also a member of LWCC. There was music, dancing, praise and a feeling of joy and anticipation for the future of our nation. These are a few of the prayers offered up for our new president and America.

~ Briann Barnes  That he will always keep God first and everything he does will be directed by God so he makes the best decisions for the country. For his family’s safety, for the safety of our country and that people will be open to listening to him and his plans as long as they are in line with what God wants us to do. I’m very excited about his opportunity, not for any other reason except it’s a change and a new direction.

~ Alisha Ellis  That he can live up to what he preaches…practice what he preaches ethically, morally and hopefully he has the support that will embrace the ideas he has and be able to make a change. “What do you consider change?” 1st of all the economy, getting people back to work, education, I’m big on education, health care, all the areas in the last years have diminished. My idea of change is bring about prosperity to the people of the United States of America. And end the suffering from the war. I have mixed feelings (on the war), because some people say it’s necessary, some say it isn’t. I’m still kind of confused if we did the right thing on it or not. I would like to see the suffering end and maybe there could be some sort of peace made so that we wouldn’t have to have our service men and women over there. I would like to see the Secretary of State that would be Hillary, go over and make some relationships so we don’t feel the need to have to be there.

~ Onethia Burford #1 I pray that President Obama will go forth and do a good job, that he will be safe and sound. I know he’ll do the right thing because we’re gonna pray that the Lord will keep him in whatever he does. I’m praying that.

~ Ralph Feinez I really pray that he has strength, guidance and good vision. He’s seen the future for what lays ahead in leading our nation, his overseas policies are strong and he’s already lifted people up in so many ways, so hopefully this momentum stays with him all throughout the next 4 years. (Picutred Left)

~ Marlin O’Brien That God would bless him and guide him and protect him to make wise decisions. I hope he is a praying man because he has a lot ahead of him and if he is the man I think he is, which I know he is, he will go down in history, not because of color, but because of his work. (Pictured Right)

~ Thomas “Mr. Brickhouse” McClary Founder of the pop group, “The Commodores” and first black student to integrate the school system in the state of Florida in 1964 always felt he would live to see this day, he just didn’t know what year it would be. Back in Eustice, Floirda, "population 5000, if you counted the chickens, the integration was a pretty big deal". Today was another!

My prayers are very simple. We can do just so many great things by coming together, by putting aside partisanships, and working together as a nation. Getting back to the basics, understanding our neighbors are not foreigners, as we come together and work together, we’ll find that no only will we be able to move mountains… (We were joyfully interrupted by a very cute young girl who let us know, “the boys are in the girls bathroom!” Off the record of course!) When you look at the various milestones, there’s still a way to go, but we have certainly come much further than we were.

~ Pastor Chris Bodley That people would embrace a spirit of unity at every level and that there would be authentic dialogue and ways implemented. Then at the same time for everybody to have doors open, dialogue across the world as we look at our relationships with other countries that there would be more respect as opposed to the typical “we’re going to just do it our way.” Open dialogue is going to be very important here and abroad.  (Pictured Left with his wife Shikina) 

~ Pastor Jim Timmons To see a new political system in place that actually benefits the people of the country and to see that being successful. That’s my prayer for the country. (Pictured Right with his wife Sherry) 

I also asked the pastors if they had opportunity to give President Obama a personal message, what would that be? Here’s what they said.

~ Pastor Chris - Surround himself with Godly people, so that in the midst of a very secular society, that he would have people who encourage him to do the righteous thing, not just the politically expedient thing under pressure. Then at the same time make sure that those things that are very much a part of who we are, are brought to freedom of expression. In regards to religious beliefs, that they are not in anyway jeopardized in light of the things that other people also hold as right. In regards to definition of family and God’s definition for life, how you do all that, I think democracy allows for that to take place without one person loosing their footing.

~ Pastor Jim - I would say to keep in mind there is one true God and that He establishes everything through relationship. And that, number one, not to forget his relationship with Christ. Number 2, not to forget that that’s who empowers him and put him in office. And probably, Number 3, to keep our Christian moral values in mind in the things that he does, that would be it for now.

Living Water Community Church are American’s filled with hope, filled with a sense of unity and inspired by the word of the Living God, Jesus. Let’s all do our part so that God will bless America!

Special Report: Inauguration Day 2009

• Official Inaugural Events
• Neighborhood Inaugural Ball project
• Examiner.com Inauguration Roundup
• Examiner Coverage: Inauguration Day 2009
• The Obama Administration at a glance