When we hear that question our thoughts usually go to the subject of money. And we figure someone is about to lecture us on “having too much,” “spending too much,” or “wanting too much.” But let’s don’t go there this time. Let’s look at this question from an unexpected slant.

A friend, John Grant, recently sent me his insightful news letter, in which a section stopped me on this issue. Let me share it with you….

ENOUGH
A father and son had their last moments together at the airport. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the father said, “I love you and I wish you enough”. The son replied, “Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your support and love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.”
They hugged and kissed and the son left for his flight. The Dad walked over to the window near where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy but he welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?” “Yes, I have,” I replied. “Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?” “I am old and he lives so far away. I have health problems and the reality is – his next trip back will likely be for my funeral,” he said.
“When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, ‘I wish you enough’. May I ask what that means?” He began to smile. “That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.” He paused a moment and looked up trying to remember it in detail and then he smiled even more. “When we said, ‘I wish you enough’, we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.” Then he recited the following:
 I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
 I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
 I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
 I wish you enough spirit to know that you are connected to things beyond your control.
 I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
 I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
 I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
 I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
( Written by Jack Levine )

So how about it, do you have enough? And, what did this story mean to you? Thanks John, for challenging me!

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!

Author:Joyce Howard Price

Original Article: Washing Times

Article Date: March 16, 2006

Southern Baptist volunteers plan to rebuild more than 1,000 houses in New Orleans

Members of the evangelical men’s group Promise Keepers will assist.”We’re hoping for a minimum of 52,000 volunteers” between the two groups, Mr. Reccord said. The work will resemble those of the international relief group Samaritan’s Purse, headed by the Rev. Franklin Graham. Samaritan’s Purse has contributed $25 million to the area’s rebuilding effort.

Read more about this Bob Reccord article

Author:By Lillian Kwon
Original Article Location:The Christian Post

Promise Keepers have unleashed their final group of thousands of men, completing their 18-city tour for 2006.

The end result after this past weekend: more than 132,000 attendants; more than 3,000 first-time decisions for Christ and another 3,000 rededicating their lives to Jesus; and a bunch of men across the nation fired up to impact their family, church and community.

Completing their 16th season of conferences, Dr. Tom Fortson, president and CEO of the men’s ministry, commented: “It is an awesome privilege to encourage so many men with such a spiritually effective weekend experience. These men are telling a compelling story with their lives. Any man who is a passionate follower of the Lord Jesus Christ will impact his family, his church and his community in powerful ways.”

The final two-day conference this past weekend drew 6,500 men to the Glendale Arena in Arizona where a send-off message charged pastors, laymen and sons to release “the raw power.”

“It’s hard and it’s scary,” said Rodney, a Phoenix area teen who committed his life to Christ at the conference, “but I know he has a calling on my heart and I want to answer that. Tonight I made my choice to stick it out and keep on following him, whatever it takes.”

Senior Pastor Steve Vincent of Scottsdale Christian Church who brought 25 other men with him said, “I’ve seen the impact [Promise Keepers] has made on people. PK reminds us to do what we already know, but in this atmosphere, it helps us follow through. I look forward to seeing the impact it’s going to have on our church.”

Promise Keepers has been on the move nearly every weekend for the last five months, inspiring men to “unleash” their full potential. Keynote speaker Dr. Bob Reccord, former president of the North American Mission Board, helped tens of thousands of men identify their struggles turn their lives around for a promise-filled future.

“Getting together with a few thousand of your friends just never gets old,” highlighted Steve Chavis, director of Communications for Promise Keepers. “Seeing men make a bold change in their life’s direction, repenting and committing to Christ, by the hundreds every weekend, never gets old.”

Last year’s Awakening conferences involved more than 176,000 men in 20 cities. In 2007, Promise Keepers will hit 16 cities and feature specially focused shorter events called “PK Select.”

“Promise Keepers is a stepping stone – a way to promote spiritual greatness in men,” said Steve Okamura, a conference attendant and leader of the men’s ministry at Desert Christian Fellowship in Phoenix.

Support raised during the 2006 conferences included 170,000 pounds of food donated to local Christian food banks and 213 units of blood donated at just four conferences.

Introduction

Bob Reccord being a Christian and a loving father knows what it is like to be alone as a child and because of his life experiences has not only published books around raising children, he has spoken at several conferences supporting the Christian Youth Community. Following is an article after a Louisville event at Freedom Hall.

Author: Katya Cengel – (502) 582-4224 Original Article: The Courier – Journal

Since its founding more than 15 years ago, Promise Keepers has held conferences around the nation encouraging Christian men to become better husbands, fathers and neighbors.

Today and tomorrow the organization will bring its latest message, “Unleashed: Releasing the Raw Power of Your Heart,” to Louisville’s Freedom Hall.

It is the third time the organization has come to Louisville. At least 10,000 men have registered, the biggest turnout for any of this year’s conferences, said Steven Chavis, the organization’s director of communications.

The two-day conference has attracted men from Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and other neighboring states.The event will feature speeches, concerts and skits to help men reach their potential, Chavis said.

“We believe every man is called. We want to help him discover that, plug into it and go for it.”

Performers include the Alabama-based band Big Daddy Weave, which Chavis likens to the rock group Dave Matthews Band, and the PK7 worship band.

The conference also features a talk on overcoming the odds by Georgia-based evangelist,who was abandoned as a child and ended up in foster care.

While the conference won’t tell men what their calling is, it will ask the questions that will help them find the answer, Chavis said.

The conference is geared toward men, but Chavis said, “we take all comers,” which means women, skeptics and nonbelievers are welcome.

Author: Associate Press

Original Article: Washing Times

Where the government stumbled, churches rushed in. That’s the message religious disaster-relief groups already are bringing to Capitol Hill, hoping the dramatic example of how they quickly got aid to Hurricane Katrina survivors along the Gulf Coast will build new momentum for President Bush’s drive to expand federal funding for faith-based groups.

“There’s always an emotional sensitivity in times of crisis. If that’s what it takes to get it passed, so be it,” said Maj. Gen. George Hood, a top official with the Salvation Army, a lead agency in Katrina relief.

Critics are alarmed by this latest push, saying the work of churches after the natural disaster — while heroic — does not resolve the complex constitutional questions surrounding Mr. Bush’s faith-based proposals. But religious leaders contend that, with such overwhelming need, lawmakers must act quickly.

Bob Reccord, who is coordinating the massive relief operation for the Southern Baptist Convention, plans to lobby federal lawmakers and last week testified with Mr. Hood before a Senate subcommittee on behalf of the CARE Act. The legislation would provide tax breaks and other incentives to Americans making charitable donations, and is part of a broader campaign to ease restrictions on federal grants for social service providers with a religious mission.

Bob Reccord and Mr. Hood told lawmakers about volunteers who put themselves at risk along the Gulf Coast to save others, and about church members serving millions of meals to evacuees. Except for a few government supplies, the costs were covered by private donations alone.

Other religious leaders deeply involved in the relief effort say barriers to federal funding are hurting the most vulnerable storm victims.

Bishop T.D. Jakes, who gave the sermon Friday at the Washington National Cathedral service marking Mr. Bush’s day of prayer for victims, has told the president that more money should be channeled directly to religious groups responding to the tragedy.

“I felt it was incumbent upon me to share with him that the faith-based community is working with 10 percent, or a tithe, of people’s income, while the government is working with 30 percent of everyone’s income,” said Bishop Jakes, a best-selling author and pastor of the Potter’s House, a 30,000-member Dallas church.

Opponents, however, say it would be a mistake to set policy based on the Katrina response. James Dunn, who served in Washington for more than two decades with the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, which works to protect the separation of church and state, said that among the unresolved constitutional issues is Mr. Bush’s desire to allow church groups to consider religion in hiring, even if they receive federal grants.

Critics say that’s discrimination.”I think what’s happening is they’re trying to dismantle the civil rights program without saying it,” said Rep. Robert C. Scott, Virginia Democrat, a member of the House Judiciary Committee.

Bob Reccord – New York Times

Author: Joyce Howard Price

Original Article: New York Times

“We’ll be putting on a lot of new roofs and installing a lot of exterior siding. There will be houses that have to be totally repainted, and flood damage inside that has to be repaired,” said Bob Reccord , NAMB president and chief executive officer. “We’ll be looking to the people who live right there to determine where the help is needed.” Members of the evangelical men’s group Promise Keepers will assist.

“We’re hoping for a minimum of 52,000 volunteers” between the two groups, said. The work will resemble those of the international relief group Samaritan’s Purse, headed by the Rev. Franklin Graham. Samaritan’s Purse has contributed $25 million to the area’s rebuilding effort.

“So far, we have worked on 7,139 homes, with help from 5,571 volunteers,” Samaritan’s Purse spokesman Jeremy Blume said yesterday. Also, the Lutheran Church is sponsoring a volunteer program called “What a Relief,” where more than 1,000 college students will spend their spring break helping the area rebuild.

Project NOAH is earmarking $5 million for the rehabilitation of houses and churches in New Orleans . The gift, Bob Reccord said, is part of the $22 million that Southern Baptists — the nation’s largest non-Catholic denomination — contributed in the aftermath of back-to-back Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which ravaged the Gulf states. NAMB immediately sent half of the funds raised to the state Baptist conventions in areas hardest-hit.

While Bob Reccord said he is confident more than 1,000 homes will be repaired, he said he cannot give a precise total. “It will all depend on the manpower and resources,” he said.
Jim Burton, NAMB’s director of volunteer mobilization, told the Baptist Press that while Project NOAH will concentrate on the greater New Orleans area, Southern Baptists in Mississippi and Florida are conducting similar rebuilding programs in those states. “Work also needs to be done in eastern Texas and Alabama ,”Bob Reccord said.

Mr. Burton estimates the value of the in-kind contributions of volunteer labor needed for Project NOAH to come to more than $36 million. Those wanting to contribute to Project NOAH or to help out with the labor may go to the Web site, www.namb.net.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita killed about 1,300 people, displaced more than 1.4 million others and damaged 217,000 homes and 18,000 businesses along the Gulf Coast . In a report last week that assessed disaster response, the White House commended Southern Baptists and other faith-based organizations for their aid to storm victims.

Southern Baptists have been at the heart of feeding efforts. To date, they have cooked and served 14.5 million meals for victims and volunteer workers.
“We’ll cross 15 million meals very soon,” Bob Reccord said , adding that the group’s feeding efforts in the New Orleans area are not winding down. “We just opened another [mobile] kitchen in St. Bernard Parish.”