Stories of Influence- Man Puts The Panther To Death

May 10, 2013

InnerChamberCome on in. Have a seat and relax. Listen to a story of how God is meeting men through The Journey and taking them to new heights. We are truly part of something special that God is doing, and we need to tell the stories. "Every man has a story and every story is worth hearing." In addition to the Influencers Weekly Devotional, you will receive a "Story of Influence" each week. Be encouraged. If you would like to submit a story, email it to [email protected]. Gorden was born in the deep South into a blue collar family. His Dad was a tough man, from that World War II generation. These men were strong in discipline and dependability, but weak in love and grace. It seems Satan used the hardness of life and the devastation of battle to chisel this generation of men into soldiers, even as fathers. Gorden yearned for his father's approval and love, but his father didn't really know how to give it. Gorden began to take his frustration and hurt to the football field. He soon found that within him was a capacity for ferociousness that served him well in football. Not only was this fierceness an emotional release, but it also gave him the approval of man as his coaches and his father applauded his performance. He came to call this alter-ego "The Panther." He and The Panther did very well, making it all the way to Division I SEC football. Gorden was a follower of Christ, and he was somewhat conflicted with his desire for fame and glory and approval and his desire to serve the Lord. Gorden nearly made it to the NFL, but a career-ending injury forced him into the business world. He hated to leave sports, but he found that he could perform just as well on the field of business. He also took The Panther with him wherever he went. Just like he could crush a man who got in his path on the football field, he could also crush a man who got in his way in business. The conflict between The Lord and The Panther still existed. Over time, Gorden was forced to endure a series of serious health problems and multiple surgeries, some due to the aftermath of his football career and some due to unexpected disease. He was forced to endure much pain and suffering. In this season, he asked the Lord for answers and guidance. No answers were immediately found. Later, he was betrayed in a business deal by a close friend and prayer partner. The emotional pain of this betrayal and rejection was nearly more unbearable than all the physical torment he had endured. One day, in the midst of his turmoil and his pain, Gorden came to two realizations. First, he had a Daddy in Heaven who loved him more than he could ever imagine and nothing he could ever do on earth was going to make God love him any more. Second, he realized that The Panther had to die. From this moment, Gorden moved into new territory with God. No longer did he feel the need to perform at work or at home or at church. His life became an expression of the Father's love, built on a deep trust. He was so on fire for the Lord, he left his business career and moved to California to go into full-time ministry. He used The Navigators' discipleship material and lead many men's groups. He wanted them to find the freedom in Christ he had found. Over time, a dissatisfaction led him to contemplate his ministry position. In a moment of truth, one of his mentors encouraged him to go back to the business world. He told him God had gifted him as a businessman and had given him a great harvest field in corporate America. Gorden took the man's advice and moved to Northwest Arkansas, where he went back to the insurance business. However, his passion to help men would not go away. He wanted to help men learn how to walk with Christ and trust Him with their lives. He began to feel like all the Christian materials and tools he had used thus far had kept men in a performance-based mentality. He read John 15, where Jesus talked about "abiding" and "bearing fruit". He personally longed to learn how to abide and how to bear the fruitful life Christ desired. He wasn't exactly sure how to get there, and he knew it would be a journey. He asked six other businessmen to join him on this journey. These men found an abiding relationship with Christ like they had never experienced before. They wondered how many more men would benefit from this experience. They began to take other men on this Journey, and they began to see the "fruit" and "influence" grow right before their eyes. Gorden also discovered a hidden gift of writing, and God blessed him as he wrote stories which would help men see the new life God wanted to give them. Journey groups spread throughout Northwest Arkansas and into California and Oklahoma and many other cities. The curriculum was even translated into Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, with others in the works. By now, you have figured that Gorden is Gorden "Rocky" Fleming. This strong, young competitive man dreamed of being significant, perhaps playing football or baseball at the highest levels. God had a bigger plan. He is using the simple, humble man's journey to go deeper with Christ to influence hundreds of thousands of men. All of Rocky's pain has been turned into a sacrifice of praise as other men are being set free from their quest for performance. It is truly a move of God which is creating a revival in the body of Christ. We thank God for Rocky and how God has used him. We join him in the harvest fields, wherever God has placed us, and we go after God's men. We may not get the applause of man, but if we listen closely, we can hear the applause of Heaven.