21 Jan, 2009
Senate Confirms 6 Obama Cabinet Secretaries
The Senate pushes off a vote on Hillary Clinton as secretary of state until Wednesday, over the objections of one senator.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
President Barack Obama won approval from the full U.S. Senate for six of his Cabinet nominees Tuesday, just hours after he took the oath of office.
The Senate unanimously confirmed the Cabinet members with a single voice vote, though the vote for secretary of state nominee Hillary Clinton was postponed until Wednesday over the objections of a single senator, Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Cornyn said he still had concerns about foreign donations to the foundation headed by Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton.
But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spokesman Jim Manley said Clinton would nevertheless "receive overwhelming bipartisan support."
Among those confirmed Tuesday were Obama's pick for energy secretary, Steven Chu, homeland security secretary, Janet Napolitano; agriculture secretary, Tom Vilsack; education secretary, Arne Duncan; interior secretary Ken Salazar; and veterans affairs secretary Eric Shinseki.
The Senate also approved Peter Orszag, recently the director of the Congressional Budget Office, to head the White House's Office of Management and Budget.
Obama signed nominating papers for his Cabinet choices about an hour after he took the oath.
The Senate traditionally moves quickly to affirm the new president's Cabinet.
(Story provided by: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/20/senate-confirms-obama-cabinet-secretaries/ )
(Picture provided by: Whitehouse.gov)
Don't Try this Alone
13-14 The next day Moses took his place to judge the people. People were standing before him all day long, from morning to night. When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, "What's going on here? Why are you doing all this, and all by yourself, letting everybody line up before you from morning to night?"
15-16 Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me with questions about God. When something comes up, they come to me. I judge between a man and his neighbor and teach them God's laws and instructions."
17-23 Moses' father-in-law said, "This is no way to go about it. You'll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you- you can't do this alone. Now listen to me. Let me tell you how to do this so that God will be in this with you. Be there for the people before God, but let the matters of concern be presented to God. Your job is to teach them the rules and instructions, to show them how to live, what to do. And then you need to keep a sharp eye out for competent men- men who fear God, men of integrity, men who are incorruptible- and appoint them as leaders over groups organized by the thousand, by the hundred, by fifty, and by ten. They'll be responsible for the everyday work of judging among the people. They'll bring the hard cases to you, but in the routine cases they'll be the judges. They will share your load and that will make it easier for you. If you handle the work this way, you'll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people in their settings will flourish also."
What does God's Story scripture teach us about the importance of working with others?
You've probably heard people make jokes about their in-laws, and how much they wish their spouse's parents would go away. This story is one instance when the father-in-law made things much better and easier for his son-in-law.
Moses' wife and kids had gone for a visit to grandpa Jethro, but when they returned, Jethro came with them. He had heard about the great stuff God was doing through Moses and wanted to see him in action.
Jethro liked what he saw except for Moses doing it all himself. He was bothered that his son-in-law was being a "lone-ranger" leading Israel. Jethro stops Moses and tells him, "You should not do this alone. It isn't good."
Paul gives similar insight in his letter to the Romans (Chapter 12). He reminds the church in Rome that they are many but form one body, and that they each have different gifts to use.
Jethro and Paul might say it like this. "You aren't meant to do life alone. We need each other for support and to carry each other's burdens. If you go at it solo, you will end up tired and less effective for the Kingdom."
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our daily lives?
If you're like me at all, you try and do whatever is in front of you alone. You tell yourself, "No one else would want to do this anyway." "Why should I burden other people?" "If I do it myself I know it's being done right." That is sometimes my justification, anyway. Maybe this describes you, too. If it does, think about trying some of these suggestions.
- Ask yourself a few questions and answer honestly. Do you know anyone more passionate and gifted for the job than you? Can the task be broken into smaller task so that others can participate? Can it be done better with input from others?
- Ask God about areas in your life where you can let other people step in and help you.
- Invite others to help you on a project or task you have to finish.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
This is where the journey of Jethro's wisdom starts, because our friends are the people we are most likely to go to for help. This also allows you a chance to share with them how God built us for community. Here are a few ideas...
- For the next several days, the inauguration and secretary appointments will be front page news. As it naturally comes up, you can give insight into how we shouldn't carry burdens alone and why those positions are important.
- Invite a friend to help you do a chore or go with you on a service project. As you work, talk about how the labor seems easier when you don't have to work by yourself.
- Share Jethro's story with a peer and ask them what they think of his advice to Moses.
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