On Sunday, August 20, I am going to begin a brief series (right now only three weeks in length) on, The Holy Spirit and His Supernatural Power.

I am believing God to use this series to really ignite a new passion to understand your potential personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. There is so much in Jesus that is ours. The three week series will break down in the following way:

• August 20: “Preparing for the Holy Spirit and His Supernatural Power”
• August 27: “Experiencing the Holy Spirit and His Supernatural Power”
• September 3: “Sharing the Holy Spirit and His Supernatural Power”

We cannot let our lack of study or knowledge, as well as our past or fear, keep us from the reality that is ours through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture is clear; therefore, join me.

This will be a great opportunity for each of us and our church which is facing our greatest days in our history this fall. Yes, I am expecting great things from our great God. It has been planned for, prayed for, prepared for; therefore, now, let’s experience it. Only the Lord releases His supernatural power.

We are Jesus people. We belong to Him and all He is lives in us. All He can do represents our potential. Let’s seek Jesus and we will experience His supernatural power.

Join me Sunday in one of our four services on both of our campuses.

Today, August 14, would have been my Dad’s 77th birthday, had he not died suddenly last November. By this time, I would have called my Dad and wished him a great day. I would then call again in the evening and talk with him about the celebration.

Dad and Mom always made birthdays a big deal with our family. It was a part of the Floyd culture and I am so glad it was, and still is. Jeana and I have tried to do the same with our immediate family.

The first thing I thought of this morning was it being Dad’s birthday. Yesterday morning was the same, thinking “tomorrow would have been Dad’s birthday.”

Grief has many firsts for families who lose loved ones. The first holidays, the first anniversaries, your own personal firsts like your birthday, the first of memorable moments, their first birthday, and then the first anniversary of their death. Mom has walked through almost all of those after today. Dad died on November 17 last year so that will be the last first for all of us.

I asked Mom yesterday, “How are you dealing with it?“ She said she is doing well, thinking of various tough things that Dad now does not have to encounter since he is with the Lord. The toughest is with our family’s little Macy. Mom reminded me that Dad was a worrier, and he was. He would have been so upset emotionally with Macy’s forthcoming heart surgery. Mom also shared with me that every one who has had a dream about Dad, always sees him as laughing and smiling; therefore, she takes that as God’s way to communicate Dad’s happiness in heaven.

Mom’s conversation does put it in perspective. For the believer, heaven knows no pain and happiness is the agenda for the day. How can it be otherwise since you are with the Lord Himself personally?

Whether it is for me, or maybe God will do it for me, but I asked Him this morning, “Lord, please wish Dad a Happy Birthday for me today on his first birthday in heaven.“ Only the Lord knows how and even if He will handle that; perhaps in heaven it does not matter. I do not think we will know until we get there.

Pray for Mom today … going to call her now.

Make this Sunday great by being in worship. Oh what a great opportunity we have to learn from the Word of God and offer worship and praise to God. Oh what a great opportunity we have to learn from the Word of God and offer worship and praise to God.

Facing change or transition in any area of your life? Any area? Life is full of continual transitions and changes. NOTHING stays the same. The Lord speaks to this in the Scripture. This Sunday I am speaking on the subject of, “We Are In Transition.” This is where people live life daily and live life with God.

Come prepared to hear what God may want to say to you. Pray for many things. If you will go back to my blog of August 2, I listed several things we should pray for daily to prepare to see God move in our lives and in our midst in worship. Please scroll down, read it again, even though the message for this week is different. We are praying for a visitation of the mighty presence of God.

Make this Sunday great with me by bringing someone with you or inviting people as you go through the rest of life this week. This is serious business…people need help…they need encouragement. They will come if they are invited.

On our Springdale Campus this Sunday, we will honor Bruce and Pam Perkins for their five years of leadership to Shiloh Christian School, which is a ministry of our church. Bruce has had a very difficult assignment, but God has used him and his leadership continually. I hope you will bless them with me this week. They have been friends of ours since 1974 and I am so grateful to God for them and love them.

On August 20, I am beginning a 3-week series on “The Holy Spirit and His Supernatural Power.” I believe it is going to be special and will be a tremendous foundation for your life and our church for this fall. Please do not miss it.

Again, pray for Sunday … pray for me … pray for yourself.

One of the most unique challenges in my life as a Christian and Pastor is to witness the direction of church life today. I am concerned with many things I witness, listen to, and watch within our own congregation. Some say we have the privilege of being a part of a great work of God in Northwest Arkansas. If that is so and I will let others deem it as so, rather than me, then it verifies my concern.

Church life today involves checking in and checking out. It is like people are saying, “Okay, I will come when I can and I do not want to do something else or have something with the family, my son has a tournament he plays in on Sunday, or my daughter’s basketball team is at a camp.” In other words, “my spiritual life and the spiritual life of my family is really not that important.” I hear this often, “Pastor, I just need to be away. We have been running for so long, we just need to be away.” Away from what? Perhaps our running is towards the wrong thing. Perhaps our running is towards the desires of our flesh. Perhaps our running is away from God. Listen: every one needs rest and refreshment, but my call is to be reasonable about it. When is enough, enough?

Church life today equates church attendance, service, and giving with accusations of being legalistic. Is it legalistic for you to be faithful to the church Jesus died for? Is it legalistic to attend, serve, and give to the church of which Jesus believes in with his life and even His death? Legalism is adding to the gospel and the Word of God. The centrality of the local church is all over the New Testament. Service to others and ministry to others permeates the New Testament. Giving of resources and life demonstrates where the heart really is and is personified all over the New Testament. I would never want to “add to” anything God says, but understand, God has been very, very clear in His Word about those kinds of matters and so many others. It is time we listen to the real music being played around us. The real music is a church life that is moving people away from God and others, all in the name of self-centeredness. Wow, pretty strong Ronnie? You got it! I shudder to even think what Jesus would say to His church today. What He would say to me! As a Pastor for 30 years this September in local churches and 20 years in October in one church, I have never felt so responsible, but so helpless about anything.

The only answer to church life today is a mighty supernatural moving of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people. What I have related in previous paragraphs is only a glimpse into the reality of today’s church in America. What is even sadder, it is sprinkled and being led away even farther by erroneous Bible teaching or misinterpretation of texts for the purpose of accommodating self-centeredness. It breaks my heart, moves me to prayer, and motivates me more than ever before to declare God’s truth regardless, and believe God for a mighty Holy Spirit movement in the American church, beginning with the church I lead, of which we are the chiefest of sinners. My final words to you today…

The gospel of ACCOMMODATION is NOT a 5th gospel.

Life rolls quickly … Peyton is almost 11 months old. I had several people on this past Sunday inform me they were more than ready to see updated pictures on “the man!” Well, the above tells the story … here he is. Ready and equipped in his Razorback shirt, with the ball in hand. Some of you will say, “He does not have a chance!” Congratulations, you are right!

Peyton will be one year old, September 22, on a Friday night! Guess where Peyton will be on his 1st birthday? You are right again … a Friday night football game. God is so good when your first birthday is on a Friday in football season.

One of my associates, Drew Tucker, informed the entire church Sunday of how great he was in Fantasy Football that is upcoming and how bad Pastor was. I want all of you to do me a favor. The next time you see Drew, ask him two questions: (1) How many fantasy football championships have you won? (2) Has Pastor Floyd ever won a Fantasy Football Championship? When and IF he tells you the truth, which he probably will not, just walk away. Just look at the facts folks…the facts tell the story. Even though I have not told very many people, I did win the inaugural season of the Fantasy Football League at Pinnacle Hills. I just wanted to make sure, even though I never talk about it, I have won, one of the three years.

Oh yes, football predictions will be forthcoming from this blog. I did this last year some, especially during the playoffs and bowl games, and quite honestly, was wrong most of the time! My error-prone predictions will continue in this year’s season.

Sure is a beautiful day here in Northwest Arkansas!

Let me give you a general list of information I just want to share with you. These are matters about several things. This is why I am calling the today’s blog, “FYI”.

1. Macy’s heart surgery has been delayed. She is the daughter of my niece and her husband, Kristy and Rodney. They received a call on Thursday the surgery has been delayed due to another major surgery needing to take place on a previous patient. The surgery should be rescheduled real soon. Macy was born with Down Syndrome, and is in need for at least one major heart surgery. Continue to pray for her.
2. Jeana’s mom has been with us for about eight days. She will leave tomorrow to return to her home in Bridgeport, Texas. She was the wife of a pastor who served churches for 50 years. As the widow of a minister, her life has changed definitely. She is active in a fellowship in that town located just one hour northwest of Fort Worth.
3. Nick and Meredith completed their last Sunday of ministry on the MAIN CAMPUS of Prestonwood Church. They will now be surging out with others to begin this ADDITIONAL Prestonwood Campus in Prosper. As Minister of Young Adults, Nick will be leading ministries to and for Young Adults (Singles and Married) under 30 years of age.
4. Josh begins two-a-day football practices today. He delayed practice for one week due to his team having such a strenuous schedule and in reality, does not have their first game until Friday, September 1.
5. A BIG GAME: SHILOH CHRISTIAN AT PRESTONWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY ON FRIDAY NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 1, IN DALLAS/PLANO, TEXAS. In the words of the beloved “Voice of the Razorbacks” who died last week, “Oh my!” This is going to be one exciting night with kick-off at 7:00 p.m. Prestonwood Christian has only lost one game in two years, winning the State Championship in their division last year, after losing only the championship game the year before. Prestonwood Baptist Church is the leader of this ministry is one of the largest and greatest churches in America touching 15,000 people a week and growing rapidly. Dr. Jack Graham and I have wanted to do this ballgame for about four years and we have a “home and home series” with them that begins this year in Dallas. Think about this…this is:
• Prestonwood Church -vs- Springdale/Pinnacle Hills Church
• Texas football -vs- Arkansas football
• Prestonwood Christian Academy -vs- Shiloh Christian School.

This will be one fun night as two great football teams from two great academies, ministries of two wonderful churches, compete against one another. Let me give all of you an insight: Dr. Graham is much more competitive than I have ever thought about being and you had better believe me on this one! He will have his team so “psyched up” it will be incredible. Come to Dallas for the day and night! It will be fun and yes, we will keep it that way. I have as much respect for the Prestonwood Church as any church in America. Hey, I just thought about it: I wonder which team Nick will go for? A former Shiloh Christian Saint, his brother now the Head Coach of our school, but he is employed by Prestonwood! Oh my!…again.

6. Following that game, our team and support groups, including me, will come back to Arkansas that night to SUPPORT OUR RAZORBACKS ON SATURDAY AS WE TEE IT UP AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. On that evening at 7:45 p.m. Arkansas will STOP! That will be one fabulous night, the finest in our most recent history with a record-breaking attendance. I cannot wait!
7. Life is good: Football season is in the air!

Jeana and I have been so blessed with our two sons, Josh and Nick. It is by grace alone they are living the way the live and doing what they are doing. All through the years as our people asked us, “How can we pray for your family?”, I would always respond in the same way: “Pray our sons grow up loving Jesus and His Church.” God answers prayer and we are so very blessed!

Josh is the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director of Shiloh Christian School in Springdale. In his two years as a head coach of a very young team, each team has gone to the State Quarter-finals. In Arkansas, private schools play in the public school league, which we love to do. This young team is now “senior-led” and two weeks ago won what some believe the most prestigious 7-on-7 National Tournament in America that took place in Hoover, Alabama. They were undefeated in eleven games, defeating some of the highest ranked teams in America, including Sports Illustrated #1 High School team this year, Hoover High School. Shiloh Christian defeated their varsity team not only once, but twice; both times in a profound manner. In Thursday’s edition of USA TODAY’s Sports section, Shiloh Christian was referred to as a premiere team in America. Shiloh Christian is a ministry of our church. As well, this year’s team is the #1 Ranked Pre-season Team in Arkansas in our division. Just turning 26 years old, Josh has been blessed with these great young men and their ability. As well, he has a great coaching staff of men committed to God first, academics second, and football third in our school.

Nick has just moved from an assistant status to the Ministry Staff Team of the Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas. He has just been asked to be a part of the first ministry team of Prestonwood’s new campus in the Prosper, Texas, region. This region, just north of Frisco, is forecast to become the “shopping mecca” of Dallas within the next five years. The church owns over 100 acres of land at Hwy 380 and the future North Dallas Tollway. In three Sundays, Nick and the Ministry Team of this campus will begin at the Prosper High School. Nick has become the Minister of Young Adults, which means married and single adults under 30 years of age. As he continues to move forward in his seminary education, please pray for him this fall as he faces enormous challenges in schedule and responsibility. He and Meredith live in Plano, so this will be a travel challenge for them as well, as she works downtown in Dallas. Nick has been blessed and favored by God to lead in this way. At 22 years of age, the Lord has been very good to him. He has 36 hours of Master’s work behind him after one year, has worked full-time, and has to complete 94 total hours to graduate with a Masters of Divinity degree from Southwestern Seminary. He will be so fortunate to not only be under the great leadership of Dr. Jack Graham, pastor at Prestonwood, but also outstanding other men who are a part of that team. Yes, Nick is very, very blessed.

Josh and Nick are products thus far of prayer and grace. Please continue to pray for them. They are young men who for years have been committed to walking with Jesus daily, loving the church, and giving their lives to impact our generation. Even though the way they do it is different, they do it under the calling of God. Josh and Nick have been so blessed with Kate and Meredith, two great and godly young women. Now, Josh and Kate are challenged with their almost 11 month old Peyton. Pray for all of them.

We are so blessed and I just wanted to say these words:

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!!!!!!!

I am excited about the message for this Sunday morning. I have entitled it, DESIGNING FOR THE SEXES. Do not miss it! That is all I am telling you, but I really believe God is going to use it dramatically. Pray for this coming Sunday morning. How should you pray and what should you pray about?

• For the glory of God’s presence to fall upon His people. Without this happening in a new and fresh way in our midst, all is in vain.
• For God to prepare you to hear and experience what He wants you to at this point in your life. This is critical as we gather. We must hear the Lord individually.
• For me to be under God’s powerful anointing, even double-anointing of God’s Spirit, as Elisha experienced. Pray the words of 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 for this Lord’s Day. When you see me walk to the platform pray, “Oh God, anoint our Pastor powerfully today.”
• For Josh Stanbery as he begins to lead both campuses during our transition time at Springdale, to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs unto the Lord. Pray for all persons who involved in preparation this week this help this coming Lord’s Day what God wants it to be among us.
• For our other ministries that meet on Sunday morning or serve on Sunday morning. The Sunday morning Connection Ministry (our Bible Study ministry) is pivotal to each Sunday’s success and blessing at Springdale. Oh my, how we need, leadership touched by God, but new leaders and servants mobilized for the glory of God. Even though we are not meeting Home Fellowship Groups at Pinnacle Hills during the summer, we must pray for leadership and expansion for the coming days. We must not forget to pray for the people who serve our people and the Lord each Sunday in preschool, children, and welcome ministries as well as others.
• For people to come to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This should always be on our hearts and be our passion.
• For people to join the family of God at Springdale and Pinnacle Hills. Oh, how we need people to come on board with our fellowship so we can reach our mission more effectively.
• For God to unleash the Spirit of God during our public invitations. In the name of Jesus, may no sin or Satan or selfishness win those battles in any of our hearts.
• For God to call people into full-time ministry and missions. This needs to be on our hearts as well. May God raise up an army of people to be willing to sell-out personally and sell-all if needed to follow God.
• For God to provide major needs we have NOW in our SUMMER PROGRAM OF GIVING. People, we must see God lead our people to come through right now towards our Ministry Budget Summer Program of Giving. It is pivotal to not only the rest of the summer, but the entire fall. Please join me before God over this need.
• For our Staff Team to be real servants to our Lord and His people on this coming Lord’s Day. We need them to be all God wants them to be not only on Sundays, but everyday.

Join me in prayer for Sunday! You may even want to print this out and place in your Bible or somewhere you will not forget.

Jeana and I had a few days away in July. We are grateful for the opportunity to do so, especially under circumstances that we have been through within the past several months, as well as what we are facing this fall. I am running until the first of the year, never letting up.

Our children and Peyton have very busy lives; therefore, our time with them was very limited. Josh being a high school football coach is now a 12 month job and ministering on a large church staff occupies Nick’s life 24/7. Beyond that, Meredith has a demanding work schedule and Kate has a full-time job with Peyton, plus staying up with the needs of Josh and his life. No question, we are in different days. For some reason this year, we really struggled coordinating our schedules due to so many intangibles which did not become clear until the end of June.

Jeana and I did spend eight days in Grand Cayman. I felt we needed to be away from the cell phone and computer for at least a week. Being out of the country assisted in this greatly. I felt we needed some time where we could decisively move on from the past weeks and move towards the future. It was a great experience for us. God did great when he created the waters that surround the Grand Cayman. No, we did not dive nor even snorkel. We accomplished doing nothing which we needed in an enormous manner. We are grateful to the gift afforded us in order to experience it.

Our final days away, we spent time with my Mom and sister, as well as used several days to prepare for our annual Ministry Staff retreat, which is work for both of us the entire time. I believe the retreat was a success. I pray that God will use it to launch us forward for the fall and beyond. I also spent a couple of days going over a manuscript for my book for ministers coming out in September called, 10 Things Every Minister Needs To Know.

Jeana and I are evaluating our schedules, especially our summer schedule for 2007. Pray for us to make wise decisions in planning not only the summer, but other months as well.

Onward and Upward!