Archive for the ‘Speaking for Impact’ Category

« Older Entries

Amazed By How Good God is – Bob Reccord

Sunday, March 25th, 2007

by: Bob Reccord

This weekend I have been in a semi-rural church in the Salisbury and Winston/Salem area of North Carolina. Great folks! Salt of the earth! And the backbone of faith in America. This is what constitutes the foundation of our land.

One man has imprinted himself on my mind. His name is Larry, 61 years of age, who walks with a cane. But as he told me his story, I stood amazed…

When Larry was growing up his step-father was an alcoholic constantly beating Larry. Many were the days when Larry wore a jacket just to cover the blood that seeped from the wounds left by the attacks. But it was as a young teenager that, in a drunken rage, he placed a .22 caliber gun between Larry’s eyes. In fear Larry turned his head as the gun discharged, hitting him in the temple area. He would lay for hours before being discovered and rushed to the hospital. He showed me the entry wound.

For 32 days he would be in a coma. When he came around it was his faith in Christ, whom he had accepted at age 9, that got him through. BUT…he lost his right eyesight. As a result he never learned to read…until he had a daughter, who couldn’t read either. When asked by a teacher to help his daughter learn to read he had to embarrassingly admit he could not either. So…at 53 years of age Larry entered the battle to learn. After starting in 1999, four years later, he had won the battle. Not to coast, he began his GED, and in 2004, to the pride of his daughter—and Larry himself—he graduated. Now, at 61, Larry’s next goal is to go to college! At 61 years of age!!! You’ve got to love it!!

Now he speaks at schools and events telling his story and encouraging others that, with faith in our Lord Jesus, there is nothing that is impossible. And speaking of Jesus, Larry says the best part of everything is that he can now read the Bible for himself.

So, what do you know that God is calling you to do—but you’ve been telling yourself, “it’s too late,” or, “I’m too old… too young….too ill-equipped …to do? Maybe, like Larry, you just need to get started, and see what only God, through you, can do!

Thanks Lord, for the hope found in a story like this. I trust it has been a HOPE PACKAGE for you, today! How about it?
(For the complete story be sure and visit www.salisburypost.com and look in archives for article titled “What a Diploma Means”)

Posted in Bob Reccord, Made To Count, Speaking for Impact | 4 Comments »

Mentoring – Bob Reccord : The Key to the Next Generation

Sunday, March 25th, 2007

by: Bob Reccord

Driving through the green pastures and rolling hills of central Georgia in the early fog-drenched morning Friday, I couldn’t wait to arrive at my destination. A bucolic retreat center that is also a working ranch, would serve as our home away from home for the day.

I was meeting with leaders from well-known programs that build into the lives of kids, student leaders and adults through programs such as camps, marriage retreats, student leadership programs…just to name a few. They were being pulled together by my friend John White. And the topic: mentoring the nest generation. A topic I love and try to actively participate in as much as possible.

As we gathered around a conference table with a view through the windows of hundreds of acres of cattle, deer, wild turkey and goats it was like escaping to another world (especially from the norm of car-clogged Atlanta!!!!). We dove into 2 Timothy 2:1-5. There Paul implores Timothy to pour his life into the lives of others, just as Paul had poured his into Timothy. Then, in context, Paul reminds him that this is not easy work. He likens it to the discipline needed by a soldier, the tenacity and focus of a trained athlete, and the perseverance of a farmer. Above all, mentoring has to be intentional…it doesn’t just happen.

And I was reminded how glad I am that people like Bill Hogue, Roy Fish, Bill Bright, Leighton Ford, D. James Kennedy and Jack Johnson intentionally invested in me.

So, here’s my question. Who are you intentionally investing in according to the instruction of Paul? And if it takes you a while to answer….then why not start now? After all, all you need to mentor is a heart for God, an intentional focus, a person who is hungry…and for you to be only a step ahead of where they are in their journey. Try it….it’s one of the best experiences you’ll have.

More tomorrow.

Posted in Bob Reccord, Bob Reccord's Career, Made To Count, Speaking for Impact | 4 Comments »

Finding Your Sweet Spot – Bob Reccord

Thursday, March 22nd, 2007

by: Bob Reccord

If you play athletics, you’ve heard the term. Sweet spot. In Tennis, the sweet spot is the area of the string bed that produces the best combination of feel and power. In life, your sweet spot comes when your gifts, passions, calling, and opportunities come together and you feel as though, w/ God’s help, you are operating in “your zone.” You sense that you’re doing what you were born to do.

This weekend, I had that kind of experience. It began in the small town of Jessup, Ga where I spoke to a fund-raising dinner for the local CareNet Crisis Pregnancy Center. I realized anew as I spoke that helping women make the choice for Life is so incredibly important. We were thrilled to see that this center will probably make their goal—which will enable them to continue to minister to women in crisis and literally see lives saved…both babies and mothers. That’s worth everything.

From there, I traveled to Asheville, NC, and both spiritually and literally had a “mountain-top experience.’ Speaking to and engaging with almost 500 men from the eastern part of North Carolina and surrounding states about core issues that every man deals with absolutely energized my soul. I readily admitted that I was not one who had all the answers, but had found THE ANSWER as a fellow struggler, in Jesus Christ.

Sunday morning was capped by a Lord’s Supper remembrance. Following this celebration, we invited every father and son present together to come forward so that Ken Smith, a wonderful friend and fellow speaker, and I could pray for them specifically. I wish you could have seen it. Men poured forward. Some were three generations together!! I’ll never forget one man helping his dad out of a wheel chair and helping his dad make his way down the steps to the front…leaning his weight on his son. What a picture. Tears flowed down my face…and Ken’s…and it was one of the most powerful times of commitment I have been involved with in a long time.

And, God in his kindness had some of His own be an encouragement for me–, here are some excerpts from the emails in my inbox:

Subject: Thank you for this weekend!

Bob,
Yes, God was the highlight of this weekend. Yet, I have come to know and Love Him again with all my heart through your works. I am SO excited about my renewed desire to grow in love and worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for providing me with the message that rearranged my priorities……

It is rare to meet one who really connects to your heart immediately. You do. I will always remember this weekend and the words and emotion we shared. Perhaps we met so that I can connect and feel a pull that I can serve God fully again. I was overcome with powerful emotion last night when I recalled the Payne Stewart illustration last night….. I sat back and reflected a minute while they were playing and felt I am finally heading back in the right direction.
Love, your new brother in Christ!

-Mark

From: Andy
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 11:13 AM

Bob,

This email comes with many thanks and prayers that God will continue to use you in a powerful way as He did this past weekend…… Bob, you are truly a gifted speaker and a powerful communicator, and God has used you to touch and move others in ways that you’ll never know about.

Thank you Bob, for allowing God to use you in a mighty way to change the lives of many, including my own. (1 Cor 1:9.) I pray that your ministry will be blessed and that we will share some time together in the future.

-Andy

Posted in Bob Reccord, Bob Reccord's Career, Endorsements Bob Reccord, Letters To Bob Reccord, Speaking for Impact, The Joys and Junk of Leadership | 2 Comments »

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE

Wednesday, March 21st, 2007

by: Bob Reccord

This last weekend I found myself in one of the most beautiful after of the country…Ashville, North Carolina. And at a beautiful and breathtaking retreat center. And men from across eastern North Carolina, and several states (including California) flooded into a Spring Men’s Conference led by two of the finest men I know…Leon and Joel. Just under 500 of them.

And we got down to business. We dealt with issues like “When Your Outgo Exceeds Your Intake” in life, and “Forgiveness.” Issues that men struggle with all the time. Going, going, going….and not taking time to refuel. And holding hurts, grudges, wounds, and memories that have left the soul battered and bruised. The need to forgive fathers who hurt us…intentionally or unintentionally. Forgiving business colleagues who let us down. Those who threw mud with us as the target. Family members who left us hanging on broken dreams and hopes…which they had helped fracture.

And we focused on Finishing Well….making it to the finish line so that the Master can say “Well done!” But that takes some intentional decisions now…so that we can be standing strong then.

And men responded overwhelmingly. One said, “I have be able to forgive others but this weekend I have been able to forgive the hardest person to forgive…me!” Another said, “I almost didn’t come…just due to some last minute tension in my family. But I came any way…with some of them…and accepted Christ’s invitation to be part of His family. And that’s going to change my family.” And a doc said his whole priority system experienced an “extreme makeover” and that is already impacting his family!

The hills were indeed alive…with the presence of God impacting lives. How has He impacted you lately? Even if you haven’t been in the hills!

Posted in Bob Reccord, Bob Reccord's Career, Speaking for Impact | 11 Comments »

Challenging Men for the Race….

Monday, March 19th, 2007

by: Bob Reccord

One of my favorite places to go is the North Carolina mountains and one of my favorite things to do is speaking to men. Last weekend I was able to do both. I’ll be retreating with several hundred men in one of the most beautiful mountain settings I know. A group I had the privilege of speaking to 2 years ago…and they asked me back!!! I pray God will meet us on the mountain! I’ll let you know what happens next week.

Posted in Bob Reccord, Bob Reccord's Career, Speaking for Impact | No Comments »

Bob Reccord Endorsement – Danny Singleton

Wednesday, March 14th, 2007

by: Danny Singleton – Pastor Easthaven Baptist Church

This note is to affirm the ministry of my friend Bob Reccord. Recently the Lord prompted me to lead our church to Get Ready for Easter by moving our Sunday’s to Monday nights leading up to Easter. Bob Reccord was our first guest preacher in these five meetings. The people in our church as well as the many who chose to honor us by attending from the churches in the
surrounding five counties are still raving about the evening. The song says it better than I could…surely the presence of the Lord fills this
place.

Monday night was awesome, but Tuesday morning, Bob volunteered to stay over and host the pastors of the area for a special challenge. Our pastors still phone me and beg for more of that type of teaching. Few men have loved me like Bob has in his giving to the church I serve and the community I am trying to reach for Christ. What a partner in the gospel ministry he has
been for me.

Great preacher, wonderful communicator, dynamic storyteller, humble giving servant…all are attributes of this faithful servant. However, nothing I could say would surpass that this man loves his Savior, his wife, his children, his call and his friends. What a joy it is to be a friend of Bob Reccord’s, but that doesn’t make me special…every pastor and church leader is his friend. I am just one of thousands and I am so glad to be one.

Posted in Bob Reccord, Bob Reccord Testimonials, Endorsements Bob Reccord, Speaking for Impact | No Comments »

I NEVER CEASE TO BE SURPRISED BY GOD

Thursday, March 8th, 2007

by: Bob Reccord

I recently returned from Brookhaven, Mississippi where I had the delight of meeting D. D. The first moment I met him I thought I was meeting someone from The Greatful Dead. But as I road back with D. D. and four other guys who had flown to pick me up in Atlanta for a speaking engagement an amazing story unfolded.

D. D. sat on the plane with me, and his friend Chris who is a bank president, Kenny who is an executive for the electrical company and Keith who owns several businesses. What a great group of guys. But it was D. D. who captivated me. He obviously loves the Lord, yet if many folks would have simply seen him on the street, the traditional church goer would have probably not thought so. Dressed in jeans, a shirt that was like a cross between a T-shirt and a football jersey, and hair down to his shoulders….while balding on top…D. D. left the impressing that he didn’t take life too seriously. Or anyone…or anything.

As the story unfolded I discovered he had only been a Christian for 6 years. Prior to that he had been an alcoholic…drinking often and heavily. But amidst a life that was anything but a poster card church member, he was invited to church for a special event. A amazingly he went…and the rest is history. Christ captured D. D. during that visit, and today…D. D. is a leader in the church! What a story. What a Savior!! And I’m a better, and blessed man, for having shared a plane flight with Chris, Keith, Kenny…and a guy they love, and so do I now, D. D.

So do you ever find it’s easy to jump to mental conclusions just by appearances? Be careful, they can really throw you for a loop!

Posted in Bob Reccord, Speaking for Impact | No Comments »

DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT

Wednesday, March 7th, 2007

by: Bob Reccord

Ronald Reagan was one of my heroes…and everyone of us need those. I well remember when he died, I was sitting at home watching the funeral procession moving through the streets of Washington where he would lay in state at the Capital, and suddenly I realized that tears were rolling down my cheeks.

I realized we had lost a man who, regardless of the circumstances, always had a smile in his heart…and usually evidenced on his face. And a man who looked at even the toughest of circumstances through the eyes of humor.

When an assassination attempt was made on his life he was rushed to the hospital and whisked into emergency surgery, where looking up at the surgical teams he quipped, “I hope you are all Republicans!”

Another time he would share with a smile, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.’”

He must have understood Bill Cosby’s maxim: “If you find humor in anything, you can survive it.”

How about you?

Southwest Airlines found that “happy” customers are repeat customers…so, they added humor and fun to the job descriptions of all their employees. Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream has a “Joy Gang” that is responsible for finding ways to make the store and company atmosphere “light and fun”.

So try it—humor—you’ll like it! It will release endorphins and thus improve your immune system. But, it will also relieve stress and draw positive people to you like a magnet.

Posted in Bob Reccord, Speaking for Impact, The Joys and Junk of Leadership | No Comments »

Amazing Grace Sunday

Sunday, February 11th, 2007

February 18, 2007 has been designated Amazing Grace Sunday. SermonCentral.com encourages all churches to participate by singing “Amazing Grace” on this weekend. Below you will find a variety of ways you can participate in this great celebration. Join with churches around the world in the singing of Amazing Grace.

We encourage you to register your church’s participation on the Amazing Grace Sunday website

Posted in Bob Reccord, Marriage and Family, Speaking for Impact | No Comments »

Where Has The Civility Gone?

Tuesday, January 16th, 2007

by: Bob Reccord

William Wilberforce has two consuming passions: (1) the abolition of slavery, and (2) the restoration of manners. The first is self-explanatory… the second leaves some question when placed against the backdrop of today’s semantics. In today’s lingo we could better say a return to civility.

And I’m thinking more and more that we need a modern day Wilberforce desperately. For civility seems to be a vanishing commodity …especially when it comes to those who wield “the pen.”

For example, Chan Gailey has been the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, and assistant coach for the Denver Broncos, Pittsburg Steelers and Miami Dolphins. Presently, he serves as head coach of the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech. But they didn’t win a bowl game, and he didn’t meet the expectations of the Jacket’s moneyed alumni.

Thus the story by Atlanta Journal sports columnist Mark Bradley titled “Gailey haters hope NFL lures him.” The second paragraph proclaims, “A lot of Tech fans hope Chan Gailey leaves.” It later goes on to say “…he has worked here five years—never having a losing season, never failing to grace a bowl game—without having won over his constituency. And if, having just completed the best of the five seasons, he hasn’t done it by now, there’s little chance he will.”

Chan Gailey is a fine gentleman…a Christian gentleman. A man of character and integrity. Whether he has met some expectations of wins and bowl games or not, no one deserves to be dealt with in the public press like this. It is humiliating and demeaning. In other words, it is a lack of civility.

I’m sure that Mr. Bradley is a good man. I have no idea of his faith orientation. But I firmly believe this type of article is out of bounds in a society that is screaming with a need for a return to a civil approach. And there are increasing occurances, it seems, when those who call themselves “Christian” write similar styled articles, blogs or books. Criticizing, castigating, judging and slamming others. Setting themselves as judges liberally pronouncing indictments to put others “in their place.”

Whatever happened to “your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35)? Now that is civility!

Where is a William Wilberforce when you need him? We are in desperate need of, not one, but many.

Posted in Bob Reccord, Bob Reccord's Career, Marriage and Family, Speaking for Impact, The Joys and Junk of Leadership | 1 Comment »

« Older Entries