OTM - Tri-Lakes

Summertime is finally here! I pray that this season finds you thriving in the light of our Lord and Savior. It is indeed a rejuvenating time of year. Here at On Target Ministries we continue to reap a great harvest for the Kingdom. God is so faithful, and we are so delighted to be able to share His goodness with you.

Last month, I shared an idea with you about a special Presidential proclamation. In essence, we are asking President Bush to support a campaign that would declare 2005 as the year for "Men of Character and Integrity". As I draft this letter, the President is speaking to the Air Force Academy graduates right here in Colorado Springs, just a few miles away. We have recently heard that members of the President's staff have seen the proclamation and believe that he will support the initiative…a truly exciting prospect!

We pray that today will be the day that this important document will be handed to our commander-in-chief, and rely upon the Lord to do the rest! I hope that you will join us in believing for our President's partnership and support in this initiative. On the back of this month's TargetPoint, I have included a rough draft of this Presidential proclamation. I think that you will be blessed in reading it.

This past month also ushered in a new season for On Target Institute. During one of our opening meetings thirteen men accepted the Lord! We continue to be thrilled with the ministry results of this tremendous outreach, and look forward with a grand sense of anticipation to what the Lord is going to do with this resource in the days ahead.

I am also pleased to report that New Man magazine has commissioned us to write an article for their ten year anniversary edition. Amazingly, this event will coincide with the ten year anniversary of On Target Ministries! The New Man article that I submitted will challenge the reader to examine where they were in their spiritual journey 10 years ago and compare that condition to the condition that they are in right now. The piece will be tied to an interactive resource on our web site titled, "Road Work." Our goal is to give the reader an easy way, via the internet, to evaluate themselves and come up with a life changing plan for future spiritual growth. You may check it out at: www.otm.org/rwinteractive_index.asp.

Towards the end of this last month, I was asked to return to our home church, Woodmen Valley Chapel, to lead all four weekend services. My message was entitled, "Real Christianity in an Unreal World." This particular teaching is one that I find to be extremely critical and timely for the body of Christ, as walk together through these uncertain times. I am always honored by the warm reception of my own congregation, and their eagerness to hear what I have to share. It was a powerful weekend, and I believe that hundreds of men and women left with a new sense of how to share the life and love of our Lord to a dying world.

Finally, I wrapped up the month by meeting with members of Focus on the Family's leadership team about the possibility of my helping them with their fifty plus program. We were thrilled to hear that they may want to use some of our material to minister to this group nationally. In addition, next month, I will be reporting the results of two radio tapings that we will be conducting with Dr. Dobson on "Ministry to Men in America." We are looking forward to this incredible opportunity to share our passion with this very genuine man of influence.

I hope that you have been encouraged by all of these new developments. Please continue to pray for the lean months ahead, as well as our upcoming golf tournament fund raiser on July 19th. We are hoping for a great turnout! As always, your support during this time is so appreciated and Cindy and I are ever thankful for you and your faithfulness!

Rejoicing in His service,

Vince D'Acchioli

Founder

TargetPoint

Spring up, O well! Sing about it. (Num 21:17)

This was a strange song and a strange well. The children of Israel had been traveling over the desert's barren sands, and they were desperate for water, but there was none in sight. Then God spoke to Moses and said, “Gather the people together and I will give them water” (Num 21:16).

The people then gathered around with their rods. As they began to dig deeply into the burning sand, they sang, “Spring up, O well! Sing about it.” Soon a gurgling sound was heard, and suddenly a rush of water appeared, filling the well and running along the ground. As they had dug the well in the desert, they had tapped the stream that ran below and that had been unseen for a very long time.

What a beautiful picture this is! And it describes for us the river of blessings that flows through our lives. If only we will respond with faith and praise, we will find our needs supplied even in the most barren desert.

Again, how did the children of Israel reach the water of this well? It was through praise. While standing on the burning sand and digging the well with their staff of promise, they sang a praise song of faith.

Our praise will bring forth “water ... in the wilderness and streams in the desert” (Isaiah 35:6), while complaining will only bring judgment. Even prayer by itself may fail to reach the fountain of blessings.

Nothing pleases the Lord as much as praise. There is no greater evidence of faith than the virtue of genuine thanksgiving. Are you praising God enough? Are you thanking Him for the countless blessings He has bestowed on you? Are you boldly praising Him even for the trials in your life, which are actually blessings in disguise? And have you learned to praise Him in advance for answers yet to come?

You're waiting for deliverance!

O soul, you're waiting long!

Believe that your deliverance

Does wait for you in song!

Complain not till deliverance

Your fettered feet does free:

Through songs of glad deliverance

God now surroundeth thee.

From Streams in the Desert

DRAFT

A National Call for Men of Character and Integrity, 2005

By the President of the United States

A Proclamation

Men of character and integrity have been among America’s greatest assets since the very beginning of the nation. Commencing this year, we recognize the importance of fostering a greater awareness of the need for our institutions, at all levels, to focus on building men who will reflect the best values of our great nation.

Over the past three decades, there has been a noble effort to direct intellectual and financial resources toward helping women. This campaign was necessary when it was first introduced, and it continues to yield positive results today. We applaud ongoing efforts to strengthen and empower women. In announcing a new focus on men, it is not our desire to minimize the myriad contributions that women have made, and continue to make, to American society.

Men of character and integrity refuse to cheat or compromise for personal gain, and they routinely look out for the well-being of others, resisting the temptation to be self-centered. In addition, they make their wives and children a top priority. Finally, they are aware of the profound impact they can have in developing a healthy and prosperous business climate that contributes to a stable economy.

In recognition of these facts, my administration will immediately begin looking for ways to promote initiatives that will help foster strong moral values in young men. We will be communicating to civic organizations, schools, the entertainment industry and places of worship the importance of supporting this endeavor through strategic activities beginning in 2005.

In addition, the Department of Education will use federal funds to work with national youth organizations, community groups, and local agencies to develop, expand, and strengthen school-based programs that teach our young people the importance of character and integrity as they relate to a healthy and vibrant society.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby issue a national call for men of character and integrity in 2005. May every American citizen recognize the importance of this initiative, encourage it in their respective communities, and celebrate it with appropriate activities and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ____, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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