We are approaching what I think may be the most important election of my lifetime. The choice is very clear to me. The two men are poles apart in what they believe, the ideology they hold and promote, the outcomes they want and the plans they have.

In a nation that has lost its moral moorings one of the choices Americans will make is what they are going to do regarding the sanctity of life. While we proclaim the horror of the German holocaust, we have created our own. in the late 1930 and early 1940s over 6 million Jews died tragically in the Nazi concentration camps. But here in our own nation we have seen an estimated 49+ million babies aborted! What must God be thinking?! How his heart must be grieved.

This one issue alone ought to determine the vote of any person with a moral conscience. And if you want some more info take a look at a video clip that ses forth the choice well.
Americas Choice Now – Video

http://americaschoicenow.com/

One of the things I LOVE to do is speak to men about stepping up the the plate and being the men, husbands, fathers and leaders God meant for them to be. I’ve been doing a conference titled BECOMING A MAN OF VALOR in a number of cities with multiple churches involved in each. The conference is Friday night and Sat. morning followed by 6 weeks of small groups in which the men deal with continually applying what we covered at the conference. THAT’S WHERE THE ACTION REALLY HAPPENS!!!!!

One of those was Spartanburg, South Carolina a few months ago. Recently Ken Mayfield who is part of the leadership team at First Baptist North Spartanburg wrote me concerning the difference and impact the small groups are making. He can say it better than I can , so here it is….

“Bob –

It was my extreme pleasure to speak with you Thursday. Thanks for your time.

Again, let me express how good the study “Becoming a Man of Valor” has been for our guys. We attended the conference with 100 men from our church and now we have two classes involved in the expanded ongoing study.

I keep hearing reports from men as they tell me how they are seeing growth in their walk with Christ. Many have begun praying with their families daily. Others have started a short time of devotions with their wives. Some have even been transparent enough to tell me that they weren’t involved in a quiet time at all and now they are. A few have shared how they have struggled with pornography and through God’s deliverance, they are being made new. I am challenging each one to have a godly man or men in their lives who will hold them accountable and they are responding positively.

This study has lent itself to the everyday real life analogies that bring the message home. As I mentioned, session 3’s exercise Scripture from Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” To drive that point home, I told my guys about the events surrounding Steve Irwin’s death.
I hardly ever watched “The Crocodile Hunter”. But his fame was much bigger than his audience. I really liked him, though, because his life was marked by enthusiasm and a marvel and love for God’s creatures. With his trademark “Crikey!” he was a “character.” I have no idea if or not he was a believer.

His death was ironic. He spent so much of his time around deadly crocs and snakes, but the stingray is very seldom lethal. He knew how to protect himself from the things he knew to be life-threatening. But he let his guard down at something that has more of the characteristics of being benign and even playful. Jack Hanna, the well-known director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio, (he’s the one who brings lots of exotic animals on the talk-shows), says that “It’s like me being killed by a poodle.”

The thing that got him was that the ray flung its tail into Irwin’s chest, between his ribs and into the heart. The venom that would have been a nuisance in the leg or arm brought instant death when it was released into his heart.

It reminds me of the insecurity of daily life; he was only 44, and was brought down by something that should have been so easy to control. He was just going to work, he wasn’t planning to die.
And it reminds me that we can be wise and possibly even equipped to defend ourselves against the “big things” that Satan puts in our way, but it can be the little things that he actually uses to bring us down… The thoughts, the things we allow to take root in our lives that at first don’t look very threatening. Above all else, guard your heart…

The session 5 theme could be described as “Ending well.” This summer’s Olympics stand with Michael Phelps versus Milorad “Milo” Cavic in the 100 meter butterfly is a perfect example of a race well-run (or swam).
For Michael, it is his attempt at making history, going after his 7th gold medal and equaling Mark Spitz.

In the race, Michael, with a last second half-thrust touches the wall. Cavic, thinking he had the race won, made the decision to glide to the wall after his last full stroke. Everyone thought Phelps had come in second. The camera on Phelps’ mother showed her mouthing the word, “Second.” But on the official board, the number “1” pops up beside Phelps’ name. Cavic is second. Everyone is stunned. Americans are elated. The announcer immediately tells us that the Serbs will file a protest with FINA. As the tape was being reviewed, they had to look at frames broken down to 1000 frames per second to determine that Phelps actually did touch the wall first. They confirmed what looked impossible if you study the pictures from the previous 2 seconds; that Phelps touched only 1/100 of a second before Cavic.”

Writing the six weeks of follow up for the conferences was one of the best things I’ve done because it turns out to be an impact that just keeps on giving…and making men who are making a difference, right where they live and work!