One of the passions of my life is hunting. I don’t care what it is…quail, turkey, deer, pheasant. It doesn’t matter. If it is able to be hunted, count me in!!!

I reacently had a blast of joining a friend of mine at his wonderful ranch in the Hill Country of Texas. I have had the honor and privilege of taking some wonderful deer there in the past, including my pride and joy (a 13 point!) and a Big Bruiser 9 point just last year.

This year I received a different kind of assignment from Bud. He had a 10 point who was a fighter and “Ruler of the Roost” in one of the main areas in his ranch. The problem was that this Big Boy was fighting off some other Bucks, which had even better racks, from mating. When you’re managing game correctly in a ranch you want to make sure that you are allowing the strongest gene lines to florish so that their racks can be spread in the future throughout the ranch providing increased trophy deer.

So, that brings us to my assignment. Bud asked me to take the Bully out of commission. Now it’s one thing to go into a stand and just look for a good deer…any deer. But it is another thing to be hunting a specific deer with a specific assignment!

We had spotted the Big Boy the previous evening, ruling the roost as usual. Bud had seen him driving a beautiful 8 point, with a Great rack, away as he hoarded the does for himself. But deer are notorious for NOT showing up where you want them, and when you want them to be there. So the next morning, I made my way out in the dark to the area Bud had seen our Boy roaming the night before.

Settling myself in the stand I began the scan the dark at 6 am looking for moving shadows. It was 6:15 when I saw two moving images. One was large…and one smaller. Could this be him?! Was he with the doe Bud had said he had been courting the night before? Could I possibly be so fortunate that he had returned to the area giving me the chance to accomomplish what Bud as said would help him most.

They began the graze about 88 yards from me…but the light was far too dim to clearly see his rack. I knew from Bud that he had damaged his right side in some fights…so at best, in the dim light, all I could do was look for a high left side and a non-symetrical right side. That made things even tougher…as deer don’t have as their primary plan hanging around until full light so any hunter can have a fully illuminated broadside shot!

They grazed a while, and I kept willing the sun to hurry and broach the eastern horizan so that I could see clearly. The more time went by, the more they started to drift away. They he crossed a dirt road, then walked down its center away from me and began to move toward heading into the brush and out of sight. The opportunity was fleeing and the sun wasn’t hurrying. I had been able to establish in the shadows, however, that his left side was bigger that his right. It just HAD to be him. But it was now or never.

As he walked away from me he wasn’t even fully quartering away and was now about 95 yards. Sighting on his left side I pulled the trigger trusting the shot would enter his left side and hit the heart/lung area as it plowed its way through. With the sound of the shot, he took off in a run, around trees and into cactus and brush, and out of sight in a flash. Now I had to wonder, “Was it indeed him? Was it a hit? Where did he go?” And the wait began.

The last thing you want to do is drive a hit deer away from you by getting out of the stand too quickly. He could travel for a significant distance, even hit, and you could never find him. So, having waited 15 minutes, I made my way down quietly and struck out in my search. At first, I couldn’t find any sign of blood or blood trail. And the direction I had seen him dart was empty. Had I missed?! Did I not see it clearly? What was the deal? So I circled back to the right. What if he had bolted left, and then–out of sight–wheeled back right to radically change course? After walking 20 yards…sure enough…there he was! And sure enough, the right side of the rack was scarred from fight damage and the left side was higher. He was the 10 point Bud had pinpointed as the focus of my hunt. And the MISSION WAS ACCOMPLISHED.

What a hunt. And what a different kind of hunt. I have been privileged to get a number of animals in the course of my hunts but this was the first time the goal had been a specific target for a specific reason. The experience brought me back to realize that there are many similarities to effective living. It is always more satifying when you know where you are going, have a focused and concrete goal, and then follow through to the accomplishment of the plan. Yet research shows us that the vast majority have no specific goals in their life toward which they are moving. So, how will they know when they get there? Of if they miss?

How about you? Do you have some focused goals for 2009? Did you for 2008? How many did you hit? Why did you miss some? What have you learned? What could be done better? How’s your follow through? There’s no better time to do an evaluation of the past year…and to make some specific goals for thecoming one. So sit down at your computer, or pick up a pen and some paper, and get busy. You’ll be glad you did!

In the Fall of 2007 I received an invitation for which I had no idea of the joy and celebration it would bring. I was invited to join with my great friend Jay Strack and serve as Teaching Pastors of a new congregation in the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. area. The first time I spoke at the church was in the summer of 2007 when it was meeting in a Women’s Shelter in Ft. Lauderdale and there were 44 in attendance that Sunday. When we began the relationship in the early Fall of 2007 they were running in the mid 60s. The group were going by Ft. Lauderdale Community Church at that time.

In this calendar year of 2008 we have continued the journey with a great a loving group of people that has grown significantly and become a joy of which to be a part. Last year a church that had been significantly declining and running only a handful, Wilton Manors Bapist, gave Ft. Lauderdale Community their facilities on 24th Street in Wilton Manors. At that time we changed the name to North Star Church. Since the we have seen some remarkable things happen. Just a few of the exciting results this year (2008)have been…

1. NorthStar has grown 300%, with 173 new members
2. 61 professions of faith, with 33 being baptized
3. Because of a grandmother’s prayers for over 20 years, her 13 yr. old grandson came to know Christ as Savior, then his Jewish mother received Christ and his dad rededicated his life to Christ. Now all three are in small group Bible study each week. LIVES ARE BEING CHANGED!
4. Average of 350 meet in small groups weekly
5. New ministries God has blessed us with this year:
Celebrate Recovery, Worthy Creations, Urban Village, Wilton Manors Elementary School, Immanuel Baptist Food & Clothing Ministry, Foundations 101, Truth Project, Vacation Bible School, & more.

This past Sunday we had groups in two maximum security sites in South Florida taking a Christmas Celebration to incarcetrated prisoners and next Sunday, Dec. 20, we will be feeding hundreds of homeless and economically struggling folks through our Christmas in the City ministry. This has indeed been a key part of making this year such a great year for Cheryl and me. God is alive and well and still changing lives, one person at a time.

I was recently asked to write the following article for the CHRISTIAN SPORTSMEN FELLOWSHIP magazine. It wraps up an important lesson in life which I was recently reminded of. Hope you enjoy it…

“Real men hunt with bows!” Some of my hunting buddies had ridden me with the fact that I had never hunted with one before. Now I had taken down quail, pheasant, chucker, turkey, deer and even elk with a gun. But a bow…not yet.

Well, this August I took the plunge. I picked up a good bow, carbon arrows, 100 grain practice field tips and broad tips for the hunt. With target in hand, I headed for some secluded land and began to hone my skills. And for good reason. I was headed for Colorado for elk! After all, why start small?!

Arriving at the north Colorado ranch I quickly changed and headed to the field. My friend and guide, B. J., was an experienced hunter…far beyond his 28 years. “Remember, Bob, anything you get with a bow is a trophy,” B. J. counseled. “This is your first hunt, so if you get a shot at anything, I would take it.” I heard his counsel…it went in one ear and out the other. I was there to bring home a 6X6, first hunt or not.

The morning was crisp, the stars bright, and the anticipation high. The Aspen trees were beginning to morph from their canopies of green to brilliant coats of shimmering gold. And the bulls were bugling. Look out world (and bulls)…here I come!

The next morning was dreadfully quiet. What happened? Where did the bugling bulls go? Maybe there heard “trouble” was in town. Not to be deterred, I wasn’t even considering a midday break. With only 4 days to hunt, I was making every minute count.

And it paid off. At 3:30 on the second day, as I sat in a ground blind, the earth trembled with a bugle only 75 yards behind me. I almost came out of my skin! Peering through the brush I saw the mass of the powerful bull stomping and pacing …60 yards away. Hunching down, quiet as a mouse, I waited for the moment when he would give me a shot. Time seemed to stand still. My heart was exploding in my chest. Then he whirled and stood broadside, a perfect target…still 60 yards away. No shot. Unperturbed he snorted, looked my general direction, and strolled off over the ridge. And my hopes went with him.

The following morning saw us up before dawn and positioned in timber adjacent to a large bed of willows, where we suspected some elk had been bedded over night. Sounding a bugle call, we received 3 answers in return. Listening closely we picked out the one which sounded like it was headed toward the same area I had seen the bull in the afternoon before. Hurrying through the timber we made our way parallel to the willows and into the blind. The more we called, the closer he came. My heart was playing calypso music. I KNEW he would steer our way…I’d draw my bow…he’d step out…and down he’d go.

As the bull nudged the cows with him into the sparse timber around me at 40 yards, B. J. whispered, “You’ve got to decide…cow or bull.”
“I’ll try for the bull,” was my confident reply. By now, at least 5 cows had moved their way across our visual path, coming in on the one side of the blind with the least cover! We could hardly breathe. And then I saw the dark brown mass and antlers of the bull appear on the edge of the timber. Drawing back, I labored to not make a sound. With the bow drawn and sighted in, I waited for the fatal step. And that’s when the cows spooked. We’d been busted…and my heart was shattered.

Defeated and disgusted, I released my draw and slumped to the ground muttering “What did I do wrong? What stupid mistake did I make? What does it take to succeed at a bow hunt?!?!”

That’s when B. J. stopped me in my tracks. “Bob, we worked 2 ½ hours this morning to pull those elk in. The weather was great. They responded like a storybook. We got to see the whole small herd up close and personal. You had a clear shot at the lead cow and could have had her easy. And many a man and woman hunt elk for years and never experience what you have this morning. And remember, this is your first hunt.”
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“Bob,” B. J. continued, “you need to remember that there is more to the hunt than getting a bull. Everything leading up to that moment is 80-85% of the hunt, and you seemed to have missed it all, being so focused on just bringing something down. If you’re going to be like that, maybe you ought not to hunt. You’ll miss too much, and savor too little.” With that, my 28 year old friend voiced the wisdom of a 70 year old veteran. Wisdom I needed to hear.

And not just for the hunt. For life in general. Looking back, I fear I’ve too often focused on the ultimate accomplishment desired…and missed significant portions of the journey getting there. It can happen at home, at work, on trips, with relationships…and on a hunt. How about you? Are you as good at listening to wisdom—even from unexpected sources–as you are at listening for animals?

Real men (and women) listen…even when it’s uncomfortable!

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!

It is said that if we “sow to the wind we reap the whirlwind.” And that’s exactly where we are! In 1973 our nation’s highest court tragically handed down the decisions that legalized abortion (Roe vs. Wade) and made it on demand for any reason (Doe vs. Bolton). That was approximately 49+ million abortions ago in our land. That means we’re seeing an abortion every 26 seconds!

An now we are facing some 78 million Boomers starting to retire with a Social Security system ill prepared to meet the needs before it. Some studies show that Social Security used to have 6 or 7 to 1 workers to retirees. Today it is 2 to 1. An impact of the abortion tragedy! The labor market has shrunk due in skilled workers…another tragic outcome of the abortion tragedy. And how many future teachers, doctors, laborers, nurses, lawyers, bankers, military leaders, etc. have we lost?!? Not to mention the fact that the leading edge of aborted babies would now be 35…and what beneficial impact would all those driver aged young adults have had on the reeling automotive markets in America?

49+ million murdered children…and yet we rail against Germany for the Halocaust! We have created our own Halocaust.

I thank God for wonderful organizations like the ComfortCare Women’s Health Care Centers of Waynesboro and Staunton, Va. where I had the privllege of speaking this last week. They are working hard to aid women facing unplanned pregnancies in making the decision for LIFE and having their babies and the joy and fulfillment they bring.

Today, we are faced with very clear decisions in so many areas in the presidential race. One favors the support of Roe vs. Wade and Doe vs. Bolton. The other stands for a culture of life and its sanctity…from the point of conception. I pray Americans will prayerfully enter the voting booth as they fulfill their voting obligations. How long will God withhold His judgement
on a nation that has treated life so poorly?

There are times when we think just maybe we’re too old to make a difference. But trust me, nothing could be further from the truth!

Cheryl and I were recently invited to Virginia to speak at a senior adult conference. Now some might think….boring! But we had a blast. They were great to be with and so open to be challenged to be everything God still wants them to be.

Cheryl shared a powerful story from our past regarding a girl named Taylor whom we had seen radically changed from a tragic life scarred and marred by sinful living, and who had wondered if God could ever love her and, even more, use her. Yet God did change her, transformed her horrible past, and gave her a brand new beginning which has made a hge difference in the lives of so many.

A precious lady in attendance at the conference sat listening, realized God still wanted to use her-even in her senior years-and set in motion the follow through. She had a friend in another city that she had wanted to share Christ with, but had always talked herself out of it, assuming she couldn’t make any difference. But challenged by Cheryl’s message, and not being willing to put it off any longer, she set her actions in motion. Since the lady lived in another town, and since the participant wasn’t able to get to that town in the near future, she called her daughter who happened to live in the same city as the person she was concerned for. Asking her daughter to carry the message to her friend, she described exactly what she desired her daughter to communicate.

Imagine the amazement mother and daughter experienced when the lady who had been the objuct of their efforts accepted Christ as her saviour! So, for anyone who is ever tempted to feel, “I’m too old to make a difference…!” NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!

Just take the initiative. Step out in faith. And leave the results up to God. And you’ll be amazed what happens.

A week ago I had the privilege of speaking to a men’s conference in Iowa. There is nothing I love more than seeing men discover that God has an amazing plan for their lives and wants to make them “men of valor.” Valor is described in the dictionary as having the strength of spirit and heart to stand firm in the face of overwhelming opposition. And in today’s world men are striving to find how to stand firm in the face of overwhelming pressures at work, at home, in the communicty, and beyond.”

It was super to have the privilege of speaking to over 400 men and to challenge them to make their life count, and to challenge them to let Christ take His rightful place in their lives…as Master and Lord. To see the light come on in their eyes, the dawning of what they were created for, and the impact it can have at work, home and beyond is INCREDIBLE.

And it made the weekend unforgettable when 40 men attending the conference place their faith in Christ, entering a personal relationship with him. It makes the day worth living!

And life doesn’t get better than that!

The House of Representatives voted down a bill this week that would have given significant relief to the crumbling U. S. economy. Sadly, spokesmen in both Congress and the media have been labeling this as a “Bail out” as though the only purpose was to “bail out” multi millionaires on Wall Street. What a tragic gaffe in communications and some of the poorest communications and public relations I have seen in my lifetime. The effort must be bi-partisan and it’s focus is Main Street…not simply Wall Street. And if something isn’t done soon the crumbling will continue.

Nancy Pelosi exhibted poor leadership, in my opinion, when approaching such a critical and historic vote, she decided to take the opportunity to air her personal opinions and send verbal rockets hurtling toward the present administration and its party. Totally leaving the script she accomplished that which was extremely difficult…alienating potential votes to help assure defeat.

Without doubt there is much blame to go around. Deregulation. Greed. People not minding the store. Government oversight responsibilities that were ignored. Both parties not stepping up to the plate at least two years ago when leaders such as McCain sounded a warning alarm. But pointing fingers will not get us out of this mess and onto the road of correction.

A close Washingto insider friend was talking with me yesterday and when I asked him if the vote surprised him he quickly responded NO. When I asked why I was grieved with his answer. “Bob, all politics are local. Many representatives are approaching re-election. This vote was about politics. Many Representatives will now be able to say they bravely stood against the rush of the bill, the over-reaction, the unpopularity of the ‘Bailout’ and thus proved their leadership.” He then went on to add, “Most likely a bill will come close behind that is not substantially different but will still allow them to say the voted AGAINST the first one. I think the next one will pass.”

So this is where we are, is it? Playing the politics of perception in order to assure the security of a position! How broken hearted our Founding Fathers would have been.

Later this week the Vice Presidential debate comes up between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. I can’t wait to watch it. Not for Biden as I know I’ll just hear more of the Washington insider line…but for Palin. What a fresh perspective and authentic personality. While she may not be an insider of the Beltway…she has shown her ability to chart the way, even when it is not popular. The Politics of Perception does not seem to be what drives her. And it is clear to all with an open mind that when comparing executive decision making responsibility she leaves both Biden and Obama a long way behind. I along with Mark DeMoss and other recently had the privilege of sharing with the Atlanta Journal Constitution what we were seeing and hearing within our travel and communications regarding this lady (http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/news/stories/2008/09/05/georgia_evangelicals_palin.html. The event should be a show no one wants to miss.

I’ll see you there. It will be good to hear reality for a change!

In recent weeks I have had the privilege of serving as key note speaker a men’s conferences in 4 different states. In every one I have had the thrill which I love so much…challenging men to step up to the plate and stand up and be counted spiritually.

We have seen 80 men boldly ask Christ into their lives…standing up in front of their peers, and most often with tears streaming down their cheeks, unashamedly acknowledging Jesus Christ as their Lord. There is NOTHING more exciting than that. And to hear the hundreds of other men present break into spontaneous applause and cheers makes goose bumps crawl up and down my skin even as I type this. What a joy.

But equally exciting is to see men whose marriages are in trouble, or not as strong as they could be, go home and make things right and step into the lead…however nervously…as spiritual head. This last weekend I was speaking on Saturday morning when a man burst out of the worship center and toward the door to leave. My wife Cheryl was in the foyer and asked if everything was ok. “No it’s not, ” he replied, “God has gotten the message to me loud and clear, and I’m headed home to make things right!” Now that’s a GREAT reason to leave a conference early!!

A well known community leader told me Sunday morning, “Afte 42 years of marriage I realized I had never prayed with my wife one time. I remedied that last night. For the first time ever we prayed together and I thanked God for her in my life. And it’s because of this conference.” Numerous other men would tell me similar reports. I was amazed to listen. It is AWESOME what God can do when we just stick with what He says in the Owner’s Manual (the scripture) and do it!

I’m off to do another one this coming weekend. This time in west Tennessee…and I can’t wait!