On this July 4th weekend I have taken an opportunity to review “the rock from which we were hewn.” In these times of an ever aggressive ACLU, a toleration for every view imaginable…except Christianity, courts pondering whether “one nation under God” is constitutional in the Pledge of Alligence or not, and where “In God we Trust” fits into a secular and post-modern world view, take just a moment to review statements from the constitutions of our states!

Alabama 1901, Preamble .. We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.
Alaska 1956, Preamble . We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble .. We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution…
Arkansas 1874, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government…
California 1879, Preamble . We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.
Colorado 1876, Preamble . We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble . Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
Florida 1885, Preamble . We, the people of the Stat e of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution….
Georgia 1777, Preamble .. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution…
Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance… Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings…
Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil l, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings ! establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties…
Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity … And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty…
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We…the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe… In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction…
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings: Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Al mighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness … Establish this Constitution.
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the
blessings of liberty establish this Constitution…
Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom. Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty
New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those
North Dakota 1889, Preamble . We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain…
Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty…. establish this.
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble . We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience…
Texas 1845, Preamble . We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ..
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility
Wyoming 1890, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties … establish this Constitution.

So, before the weekend is over just take a minute to thank the One who in His providence guided the founding of this nation, its philosophical and legislative roots and the foundation on which we were built. It has served us well for 231 years!

Atlanta and the wrestling world were shocked this last weekend. World Wrestling Entertainment’s Chris Benoit, killed his wife and 7 year old son, and then took his own life. Chris was a favorite to the crowds…but sadly, evidently his wife and son came face to face with the fearsome strength that had led to the moniker “Canadian Crippler.” . Wife and son were reported as strangled by Benoit, and then he hung himself in the basement.

A truly bizarre finding was a Bible by each of the bodies, intentionally placed there. Obviously, the family had “the Good Book” in the house. But, I have been reminded by this senseless tragedy that while it is so easy to be “around the word of God,” it doesn’t necessarily penetrate our lives –getting to know the God of the Word so that He might change our behavior.

The day in which we live makes it easy to use religious items like the Bible, crosses, and crucifixes more as good luck charms in our lives than of symbols of transformed lives Somehow people can feel that “having them around” is all that is needed. But having God’s Word around, but not within, doesn’t work. Hebrews 4:12 tells us “the Word of God is more powerful that a two-edged sword—able to discern the thoughts and intents of the hear.” Perhaps if Benoit had allowed God’s Word to truly penetrate his heart things would have been very different. How many tragedies of all kinds have occurred with a Bible in the house, but not in the heart?

What a reminder to be sure we never settle for being around the Bible…or for that matter, even in the Bible…but stopping short of getting the Bible into us. That is where it makes a difference!

Don’t forget to pray for the extended family of the Benoit family!

by: Bob Reccord

I was reminded this past week just how fortunate I am…and how much I take for granted. I found myself for the first time on the continent of Africa. Nairobi, Kenya to be exact. Approximately 5,000,000 people crammed into a developing city. Streets that make our pot-hole winter aftermaths look like luxury highways. Crowded conditions. And a slum area called the Marthare Valley that is home to some 550,000 people, many of whom are children.

I sat in a school, sponsored by Convoy of Hope, ministering to 1st through 8th graders. These kids had ONE decent pair of clothes ( a uniform provided by Convoy of Hope) and ONE pair of shoes (also provided by Convoy). There were 486 kids…all very poor…all very happy…all having been touched by the love of Christ…and all soooooo thankful. The school is the Mathare Children Development Center and, get this, the teachers mostly teach for food!! Are we spoiled in this country (USA), or what?!?!

I then went to the Kenya Kids Home that takes in homeless kids. I have never seen such neat quarters, orderly kids, polite manners, grateful hearts, and overflowing joy. These kids didn’t have a chance…but local Christian leaders in Nairobi and Convoy of Hope are changing their lives. You can imagine how that impacted my life since my biological mother died when I was 11 months old, my father was an alcoholic and threw me a my two brothers out. Had it not been for the couple who finally adopted me…I wouldn’t have had a chance. So, the kids in Kenya GRABBED my heart.

And, before I go, I’ll share Asa with you. He’s a young boy approximately 18 months old who was taken to a home for young aids victims. He is gaining strength and recovering against the odds. I was blessed to hold him, and hug on him…and get hugs from him. It was worth the trip!!

For the kids of the Mathare valley? For the abandoned kids now living at the Kenya Kids Home? And thank God for all you have.