WEEDLESS SHAD DART INVENTOR FROM BETHLEHEM (STEEL TOWN) SHINES - RONNIE GOTZON, VIETNAM VET, FISHING LURE KING.

AN INSPIRING STORY OF REDEMPTION, FAMILY, FAITH

U.S. Army Veteran Ronnie Gotzon with his
 inventions at one of his many shows  

For RONNIE GOTZON, a Vietnam era veteran and his very close 18 year old cousin Tommy Becker it was a day that would change both their lives and subsequently affect their families forever. Then tragedy struck and life was never the same.
Now, years later, Ronnie has never gotten over the death of his friend (his close cousin) for 46 years. He has carried this guilt for all these years because his unit went, his friend went, his cousin went and he was passed over to go to Vietnam. He could not speak of the loss of his unit, friends and cousin for all these years. He would just break down and get all choked up. He ended up in a hospital in the spring of 2015 because of all of this. At the hospital one of the nurses helped him get through all of this. She said you were spared because God needed you to share this story. This has helped him so much he doesn’t break down as much telling his story. 

My friend and fellow minister US Marine Corps Captain John S. experienced the same guilt when he felt he should have been part of the huge contingent called up to Beirut in 1983, where we lost 241 servicemen in a horrific attack on October 23, 1983. Marine John S. later became a chopper pilot during the infamous Blackhawk down incident in Somalia, and once told me he tried everything he could to get himself in extreme danger as, the guilt (from Beirut), being so overbearing. John went on to be led to Christ by a little African pastor in Somalia, and is now also a pastor.

Ronnie went on to build a family of three, two girls and one boy. Everyone lives in Pennsylvania and has prosperous positions. Marcus is an world wide distributor selling and opening many franchises of fine eye glass wear. Jennifer* is an Actress from LA. (www.jenngotzon.com) Michelle is a model and has tried out for the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader’s. Jennifer and Michelle Gotzon are now models on the main packaging for GotzonGetzit “Hooked 2 You 

Ronnie with his girls Jenn and Michelle
 (Father's Day 2015)

Earrings.”line and fishing lures.  Ronnie’s life  still continues to be productive. He said, "One can be productive but your soul may not be at peace and could continually haunt you everyday. Unless one has served in the service and lost a family member or fellow soldier friends, there is no way to fully understand what a active or non active soldier would feel".  Like my Marine corps brother above, the overwhelming sense of “ it should have been me” overtook Ronnie Gotzon, almost to the point where it seemed like he often thinks not to live anymore from the guilt.
Ronnie drove that point home in a wide-ranging interview recently. He said “we really don’t know (the physical pain is, the horror, the knowing etc.) of getting shot at or getting shot....or what it’s like to see a buddy get killed or wounded. We don’t really know what these guys go through losing their fellow soldiers to snipers or (booby-trapped) explosives or being in a true firefight knowing you could be killed or hurt very badly ...we have no idea!”

Patriotic and other lures are tournament hits!

The Veterans Administration is famous for getting a lot of these past and current military personnel to psychologists and psychiatrists for “professional assessment and treatment” most of which never works. Pastoral psychiatrist Keith Meador is different in his approach to dealing with this sort of “it should have been me” sort of guilt. In the program he runs at the Durham, N.C. VA Medical Center, he said that vets biggest step toward healing is to be honest and say “I am suffering”**.

Ronnie over all those years suffered in silence, at times mentioning this to others. Daily thinking of his other troopers and his cousin who are MIA or who were KIA. Only service men and woman and their families would truly understand the honest feelings a serviceman and woman can feel. On the surface, all seemed well with the Northampton Pennsylvania man, but he suffered in silence all   these years. He was close to what many call it now “ the dark night of the soul” today.

Ronnie worked as an operating engineer for Lucent Technologies for 30 years as he    continued to manufacture Shad Darts and only two spinners in the land where the Bethlehem Steel defined an era, in that part of Pennsylvania. Jenn Gotzon said "my dad has many skills which God blessed him with.  He likes to save money fixing things around his house because he was blessed with talents that he does not have to pay anyone to do that job. I’m so proud of him and his skills. My dad can cook a meal,  landscape the pool area from scatch, take a transmission out from an engine and be a #1 encourager to his family. I’m so proud of him and his skills.  He tells me he will need to do this or that and minutes later it is already done.  He waste no time getting his ideas done. One day he had an idea for a fishing lure. I watched him create the lure, go upstairs and create the advertising, the packaging and within one hour he was off to the post office to mail an order."

All Gotzon Getzit lures are handmade in the USA

The Shad fish is a popular game fish which swims up most of the eastern rivers after it leaves the ocean to spawn. When fishing for them back in 1984 the fisherman would use a dart called a Shad Dart. Ronnie has a machine shop in which he made 29 different mold styles of Shad darts with every color possible out there for every fisherman. His biggest creation was the Weedless shad dart. Ronnie applied for the Guinness Book of Records in 1992 with his 200 pound shad dart and his tiniest shad dart of 5 grams with a number 28 fly hook.

Even though the fisherman made fun of him back then and even today because there were no weeds in the river, he knew that this guard would save your dart from getting caught, he exploded from this into building and inventing 60 different lures. The smallest being a Lady Bug lure to the biggest the Striper Flutter Spinner Lure. He sells to stores and does shows weekly. Today after the plant he worked at closed, he continues manufacturing lures and selling all over at every show or possible store. He even has a store in Alaska which took a order of Spinners and Weedless Shad Darts.

  

GotzonGetzit lure and earring manufacturing is done in Pa. His products are in

some movies and his daughter Jenn who is an actress has made contact with

Duck Dynasty were he sent 35 pairs of earring and 20 different lures for

Jenn wearing GotzonGetzit "Hooked 2 You"
 pearl earrings in one of her recent movies

evaluation. Jo-Ann his wife is the accountant for the business. She has the job of all the financial work and is the head of the packaging division. If you feel comfortable and would like to see the newest American made fishing lures and some earrings, Visit his website here to view and order these new beautiful fishing lures and earring’s here at www.Gotzonfishinglures.com

However, what Ronnie, Jo-Ann, Jenn, Michelle and Marcus are really pleased about is his Newest lure for the Troopers (SERVICEMAN OR SERVICE WOMAN). He made a spinner in honor of all the service people who served or did serve our country. He calls this new lure the USA PATRIOT SPINNER. Back during Desert Storm, more than 20 years ago he also invented another lure. He built all the molds for this new lure in his machine shop to honor our troopers. He called this lure the Patriot Scud Buster. A missile spinner bait which looked like the Patriot missile which shot the Scud out of the skies. The propellers spun, the body spun the back clevis spinner spun. This lure would peal line off reels and not get tangled. He made them red, white and blue. He then made them in all colors.

When His USA Patriot Spinners are sold, GOTZONGETZIT LURES DONATE 10% TO THE WOUNDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION. He and his family feels so good when a fellow soldier or customer purchases these products so he could donate and help others.    This OUTSTANDING AND UNIQUE BUSINESS, ALL AMERICAN MADE, ONE AT A TIME custom fishing lures or earrings with the highest quality still hid all the pain and “survivors guilt” Psychologist describe this Survivors Guilt as a response typical to those who work in small groups  (for instance (basic training/boot camp) and then go into combat or other similar environments. When one loses a member a small group unit like this depression can stay with the survivor for a lifetime… if not dealt with. Like everything in life, spiritual healing from creator God is the only answer.

Michelle Gotzon (right) and  Jenn
with new line of earrings 

What happened with Ronnie Gotzon is that, it dealt with. By October 2014, he could not deal with this inner turmoil anymore. Even his wonderful family life was going through some rough waters. "It took direct pro-active intervention from his wife, his family, a family friend's recovery pastor David, Jenn's power prayer circle and the direct Hand of God to put an end to this, once and for all." Listening to Jenn talk about this is stunning as the epiphany from this life-changing event last Fall, really broke the dam of tears, fears and all the years.

“That Thanksgiving was the best ever”, said Jenn Gotzon. “I felt as if I got my dad back…and our home has never been better. I have never seen my mom and dad so happy, full of joy and looking forward to the future!” A complete change of healing direction among members of the US Military from the Viet Nam era to now is a very rare thing. The main reason is the treatment, for the most part, leaves out the One Who can really heal – the Lord Jesus Christ.

Speaking with and listening to Ronnie Gotzon is to listen to a man reborn with a new mission in life. We spoke of now using his fishing business and all his shows to converse with, assist and even minister to fellow veterans. With the influx of Afghan and Iraq US veterans returning with PTSD, survivor’s guilt and trauma, it will not be too difficult to find a US military vet from 26-76 years old, in any part of the United States.

“God gave me new lease on life, so maybe I can help somebody else”, he said. “Veteran speaking to veteran has a lot of credibility and….you know what? From now on, instead of just asking a fellow soldier “how are you doing” ….which is the usual with its automatic response (incorrect or not), I am going to start asking them: ‘how are you REALLY doing?’ as a way to start talking with them about their experiences and how we can help…..I think this is what I am going to do.

“I will also tell them that God (kept me around) and gave me a new purpose in life so I can help someone else. My goal is to make them feel comfortable enough to share and not create more pain and guilt.” I mentioned to him that more and more US military personnel coming back from the wars which began with the Iraq invasion in 2003, are committing suicide. I asked Ronnie Gotzon if he had any advice for helping soldiers cope with all the PTSD, Survivor’s guilt and this alarming growth in young veterans suicides. He said “I would tell them to think about what you’re going to do….and the pain and guilt. you will cause your family. We can’t tell these guys NOT to do something because we cannot understand what they are going through.

“What I would like to do is speak with some of them, one and one in a room for one, maybe two days. At first, there would be no talking until they are ready to open up and then, I can share with them and (show) what God has done in my life.“ said Ronnie Gotzon. His daughter Jenn agrees. She has just begun a new ministry to take comfort, joy and the saving Truth of God, through Christ to many. But her dad, the happy fishing lure warrior – Ronnie Gotzon – still has miles to go, and promises to keep.

Whether it is Father’s Day, The Fourth of July, Veterans’ Day or Thanksgiving Day, we still have men and women in uniform who need a loving listening and friendly ear…who still need to hear that life is still full of possibility and joy…who still need to be shown they matter and their families love them…who still need to know that Jesus loves them and wants to give them an abundant life, on earth and in eternity…who still need us to pray for them – without ceasing. This is the takeaway from this great Viet Nam veteran and father, Ronnie Gotzon. It is a testimony that new phases in life and within reach, even at age 65.

Gotzon-Getzit Fishing Lures & Sportsman Jewelry 

www.GotzonFishingLures.com

Telephone: 610-217-1687  
Email: GotzonGetzitLures@gmail.com
*(Jennifer is the well-known and well-loved Christian movie actress Jenn Gotzon whose career took off after her role as Tricia Cox (President Nixon’s daughter) in Ron Howard’s Academy award nominated “Frost/Nixon) in 2009. Jenn is in huge demand for several current and future films, but is well known for her roles in God’s Country, Doonby and the upcoming sequel GOD’s NOT DEAD 2.) 

**Source: *http://aeon.co/magazine/psychology/how-do-soldiers-live-with-their-guilt/

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SHOULD CHRISTIANS DO SECULAR REALITY SHOWS?

The most recent controversy involving an American reality TV show and its Christian “reality stars” seem to be the most serious of all. It surrounds Josh Duggar, the large and hugely popular (in Christian and pro-family) circles – Duggar Family of Arkansas. As we all know, there are 19 Duggar children and like most TV reality shows, this one involves the daily ups and downs of its participants, on full display for the cameras and world to see. What the dysfunctional Kardashians are to the secular celebrity culture, the Duggars are to our Christian families everywhere. That is, until the recent scandal broke about Josh Duggar.

This post is not about the details of this situation, but whether authentic Bible-believing Christians ought to be on mainstream secular television at all. We ponder whether young minds should be pridefully sharing their personal lives with a world that desires to bury anything to do with God and the Bible,  and in some religions, literally cut the heads of the still-growing Body of Christ. There are so many things in Scripture that argue against all of this and maybe, now is the time for true believers to re-evaluate the wisdom and propriety of getting involved in these types of shows. 

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Before the current Duggar Family 'scandal', there were two prominent Christian-based Reality shows on secular TV which went through their own trials and tribulations. The Benham Brothers on HGTV lost their construction-based reality show there, when it was discovered that one of them had taken a public Biblical stand on same-sex marriage in North Carolina years before. They were already successful in their private small business and have since gained for standing up for strong Biblical beliefs across the nation. 

The large Robertson Clan of West Monroe, Louisiana are a different kettle of fish. Not only were they a "from-the-ground up" successful family business, but they actually already had a popular cable TV show on The Outdoor Channel (Buck Commander etc...) before A & E made a reality show out of them. Led by the always outspoken and bible-carrying Phil Robertson, the Duck Dynasty Robertson family’s foundation was their Church of Christ home Church, the business and each other. The loss of any airtime on a channel which nobody watched before the Duckmen came on, would mean nothing to them, as their now lucrative Duck empire has spread into speaking engagements, Bibles, devotional books, apparel and more. Technology has created so many other opportunities to reach millions of people at low cost, that should they also lose their A and E program for praying in “Jesus’ Name”, or preaching hard verses from Scripture or defending the Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4 definition of marriage, they will prosper even more.

But even with this group – the Duck Dynasty folks, there are things during the

show which should not be coming out of the mouths of mature Christians. This brings us to how a Christian should really conduct oneself, where the private life lines up with the public persona.  Now, none of us know of any authentic Christians who did not have a past: whether sordid or not. Every person whom Christ calls into His Kingdom was bought at a Price paid in full on Calvary, and had sins forgiven through Repentance and Faith.   Because nobody is perfect, and we were saved by the One Who is, we, most of all, are specifically instructed to be humble and full of grace.

Jesus said “Let your light so shine before men, that they will see your works and glorify your Father in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16). When the Lord said that, He was not speaking of camera lights, but the Light which emanates from the sold-out believer whose talk and walk line up with what the Savior expects. What He expects is written in His Word, via His own personally chosen emissary, the Apostle Paul. Scripture is full of statutes, commands and precepts to trust and obey, but these stand out for now as they are short, plain and easily understood. 1 Thessalonians 5 says in part (from the King James Version):
- Let us who are of the day, be sober (vs. 8)
- Comfort yourselves together and edify one another (vs. 11)
- Be at peace among yourselves (vs. 13)
- Warn them that are unruly (vs. 15)
- Comfort the feeble-minded (vs. 15)
- Support the weak (vs. 15)
- Rejoice evermore (vs. 16)
- Pray without ceasing (vs. 17)
- Quench not the Spirit (vs.19)

All of this represent just a few of the guidelines which the maturing Christian should adhere to. They are not just suggestions. Neither is the following verse from 1 Corinthians 8:9 “but take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a STUMBLING BLOCK to the weak”! In another place, the Word of God tells us that all things may be legal for the Christian to participate in but NOT ALL THINGS ARE UPLIFTING…or “edifying” as 1 Thess. 5:11 exhorts! There is absolutely nothing uplifting about Willie Robertson using the word “cr*p” five times per show. Or female members of the Duggars speaking about female issues or whatever. What value is there in Uncle Si(las) Robertson using a GoPro Camera to record himself going to the bathroom after drinking his umpteenth gallon of sweet tea? We love and admire these guys and do not want them to go away, but come on, man, we’re making the Savior cringe at some of this stuff.

American Christianity has already been dumbed down enough by celebrity preachers who basically chased the last two generations of young people out of the church with their fluff and unbiblical movements.  When Hybels and others admitted that their “Seeker-sensitive” movement failed miserably to make Disciples of Christ (and thus fulfill the Great Commission), they admitted something horribly scary! When they asked rich folk in expanding US suburbs what they want from a church, and then marketed it that way…when they took the Crosses off their church walls to make the “seekers” think they’re sensitive to their “needs”….when they stopped talking and singing about the Precious Blood of Jesus shed on that Cross they just took off their mega-church walls….when they did 30-40-50 or days of purposeful nothing and thus nothing of Eternal Consequence resulted, they set the stage for a generation who think they can go on TV and be the cleaner versions of the Kardashians or the Bachelorette or whatever other sleaze is out there on network TV.

Given all the admonitions from the Word of God about conducting oneself in a manner which will not bring reproach to the Holy Name of God and the Savior Jesus Christ, it would seem that it is now high time that people who call themselves by His Name, pull back.  Most of the supporting evidence, from the Word of God, to make such recommendations were not even examined here. But future participants of American reality shows, whose “schtick” is that they’re Christians, would be better serve to blow the pound of dust off their bibles and start reading them instead. It is imperative, that before embarking on another worthless adventure, in terms of eternity, that God's people come to Him first, for counsel.

Ps….this blog stayed away from the even more controversial reality show “Preachers of LA” on purpose. That show speaks for itself, and is not even worth discussing in the same sentence as Authentic Christianity.

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FIVE STAR READING - HUCK FINN MEETS DUCK DYNASTY?

FROM THE HEART OF SWEET HOME ALABAMA - QUEEN AND HER TROUBLE

As America drifts further away from the God-created institutions which defined her greatness, every once in a while a gem comes out of the coal mine of post-modernism which just warms the heart, puts a smile on your face and inspire you to go have a group hug with your wife and kids! Such a gem is “QUEEN AND HER TROUBLE” – the first ever book written and published by a preacher from Shiloh, Alabama who is now pastoring a church about 530 miles northwest of his hometown, in Atteberry, Illinois.

Based on some of his true life experiences as a young boy growing up in rural Alabama in the 1970’s, Danny Heath Yielding’s  179 page book is fact-based story telling at its finest, simplest and full of authenticity.  Coming from the heart of a Pastor who uses the same technique as Jesus to communicate Truth,  this page-turner grabs you right off the get-go and never lets up. “Queen” is the kind of book which one can read and find yourself in the story, rooting for the underdog.

Danny Yielding’s main character in “Queen and her Trouble” is also named Danny, who is

AUTHOR DANNY H. YIELDING

an 11 year old growing up in the hard poverty-stricken towns of rural Alabama of 1955. Danny’s strong family is led by a good man of God, who owns the only General Store in their small town which is more like a credit agency which gives grace to all its customer, most of whom could never pay. The store is owned by a mean godless banker, who obviously wants to be paid his mortgage.  In the meantime the adventurous young Danny discovers the joy of raccoon hunting (or “coon hunting”) and develops a friendship with a stodgy old man named Banner, who is the sworn enemy of Danny’s grandfather. Of course, they became enemies over a girl, who chose Danny’s grandpa over Banner! 

Over a period of time, Danny becomes obsessed with coon hunting and wants to have his own coon-hunting dogs, so Banner paid him to do odd jobs. One thing led to another as Danny’s selfless act to save the family store led to a reconciliation between the two lifelong enemies and Danny getting two fine young hunting puppies. The ensuing adventures of Danny’s molding and training these pups into hunting dogs were vividly described. Someone like me, a suburban cowboy, looks at raccoons differently than say, a country boy in West Monroe, Louisiana or Arab, Alabama. However I can relate to the earthy and downhome experience described by Author Yielding in his book,  since my own mother-in-law grew up in similar circumstances in the same era, in which this book was written – 1950’s Alabama. She grew up on a farm run by her dad, another tough God-fearing man and the atmospherics described in “Queen and her Trouble” are perfectly aligned with the kind of town where Danny and his parents lived.

What makes this book so fascinating, appealing and downright funny is the author himself.  Daniel Yielding is a colorful forty-something preacher from Alabama whose own boyhood experiences are interwoven with those of 11 year old Danny in the story and his dog Queen. The dog who ends up winning the State wide Coon Hunt, down in Birmingham is named Trouble. Pastor Danny’s dog in real life was named Trouble and was quite the handful as Trouble was in the book, from what he told me.  

Without giving away the storyline, let’s just say that a surprise turn of events for both the family (in an almost tragic way) and the blessings of God, for those who live right and persevere through trials, tribulations and even near tragedies, are the hallmark and underpinnings of this wonderful book.  For a person who reads and sometimes reviews good books for a wide spectrum of authors, I would classify the feel of “QUEEN AND HER TROUBLE” as one with a Huck Finn/Tom Sawyer meets Duck Dynasty sort of tale,  except it is based, in part, on the real life of one man set  in one of our favorite parts of the country, where Faith, Family and Fellowship still reign supreme!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PURCHASE OPTIONS FOR “QUEEN AND HER TROUBLE” BY DANNY YIELDING

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WHY AMERICA LOVES DUCK DYNASTY

This week, the A & E Reality Series "DUCK DYNASTY" became the most watched television show in America - on both network AND cable TV! It blew out anything else on NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox and all the other well-known cable nets like USA, TBS etc. The viewership of the Bearded Dudes from Da Bayou of Monroe, Louisiana has been rising steadily since February. This past week, it more than doubled the viewership of the perennial ratings giant - American Idol!

So why is a show about a family of self-confessed "rednecks", who don't shave and live faithfully and happily with their God-given wives; shoot guns and thank Jesus for their food so popular? I will tell you why - this is how the average traditional-minded American lives (or wished that he/she lived)! The Duck Dynasty concept is based on the true lives of the Robertson family, who worked hard, prayed hard and played by the rules. As a result, they did build it! They built a million dollar business based on selling one hand-made custom-made duck call, at a time!

With their hard-earned wealth, this family of rugged married family men, live lives which the average working man and woman can identify with. They face the same routines of middle-class America: teenage daughters dating; what to eat for supper; maybe lose a little weight and going to church on Sunday. They even have a midlife crisis once in a while, but instead of sinning, they join a gym or buy a powerful motorbike, which they can't ride!


The values of the Robertson Family are what the loud minority of liberals have been attempting to destroy in America for decades. These are: Biblical Marriage (Genesis 2:24 - between a man and a woman); the 2nd Amendment (the Robertson's loves them some powerful hunting firearms); Capitalism (everything about this family is free enterprise American) and Family (they're united and love being around each other). But the most scary to the average modern day liberal who drives around with a "CoExist" bumper sticker on their cars, but want everything under the sun to exist except Christians and our Bible, is the Robertsons' Faith! Si; Phil, Willie and Jace are bold, blatant and bounding in praise for the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They proclaim Him every chance they get. They even talk about Him openly on the show and as their popularity increases and spreads outside the zone of Christians like us, more and more folks are inviting these well-informed and well-spoken men to speak at their events!

Willie Robertson is the keynote speaker for Christian Day at the great former World Series Champion St Louis Cardinals baseball team, in St Louis, Missouri this summer! This has not been announced yet, but he follows Coach Tony Dungy, who a few years ago, had many make a profession of Faith in Christ when he invited them to surrender their lives to Christ. I have worked a Christian Day at the Cardinals (2011) and over 10,000 sometimes stay back after the game to hear the message! Many of my friends in ministry use Willie's evangelism video in youth group and watching the faces of teens, who never knew Willie was a fired up Christian, is priceless! This video enhanced generation can be reached a lot easier if more and more celebrities would testify to the Transforming Power of Jesus Christ like Willie and the Duck Dynasty gang. This sort of thing then opens the door for folks on the ground like us, to then come around these youth and train them in the way they should go - the Way of the Cross!

So, as the guys get ready to start filming Season 4 of the most popular TV show in America, we celebrate the return to traditional values; faith, fun and family. Who needs to watch that perverted pap on the networks when we can DVR or watch the Robertsons on Xfinity or any of the many various ways we can now. They are a joy to behold above this rising cesspool of American culture.

DUCK DYNASTY'S WILLIE TALKS ALL ABOUT JESUS!

DUCK DYNASTY is not just one of the most popular shows on TV but is at least one thing... something you can feel good about, in today's culture! The most unlikely of success stories for a mainstream television network- Arts and Entertainment (A & E), the every day activities of the Robertson family down in Louisiana. The family became multi-millionaires at the family business (DUCK COMMANDER) and started off as a show on, of all places - iTUNES!! Yes, iTunes! It is easily recognizable by the use of the theme song of some other bearded wonders ZZ TOP's Sharp Dressed Man!

It is the most beloved and fasting growing - in popularity and following - of any show on American television, since it was first aired on regular TV in March 2012.  What makes this show appealing though, is not what you see on other reality shows....what makes this show the most watched show on US TV is the family values and Bible based underpinnings of it. Even with the crazy stuff you see on it, it is all in good nature, fun and geared towards the love of family and others! 

Also, what most of their almost 5 million viewers (even more than the O'Reilly Factor) don't realize, is how serious these men are about their faith in Jesus. Here is just a taste from Willie, as he gives a brief testimony to his old college audience at Harding U, a couple months ago -