I want you to know there is a major stirring going on in my heart. God is planting in my heart some words, some thoughts, and some strategic thinking. On the strategic thinking, I am restraining myself greatly. I am listening to the Lord, letting Him graft into my heart some major teachings, principles, and convictions from the Word of God. The strategic thinking will come and be done at the right time. Now is the time for the stirring, the listening, and the grafting of the Word into my heart.

Yes, I am aware I have mentioned this to a small degree lately, but I could not let this morning slip past by me without encouraging your heart that God is encouraging my heart. I know that many of you pray for me faithfully. I am not sure what you pray for me about, but I am very grateful for it. If you pray the Lord will speak clearly to me and I will hear Him and listen to Him, be encouraged in this season that is occurring. I am grateful to God for your praying, and I am grateful to God I am where I am with Jesus today.

Spiritual living is like living life, and in reality they cannot be separated. As your life and family goes through various seasons, you experience that same thing spiritually. Every Christ-follower I know who is serious in their faith walks through some “spiritual winters.” Yes, we all want the spiritual springtime, full of change, beauty, growth, and freshness. Yet, just as the earth in the process of continual growth needs various seasons, God uses the same principles in our lives personally and spiritually.

This is even true for churches. Churches walk through various seasons, and sometimes when we are desperate and plead with God for our “season of preference,” God has us in another season that may not be as illustrious and plentiful outwardly. Yet just as God does this on the earth and in our personal lives, He does it in churches . . . He is growing us and we cannot grow and go where He wants us ultimately without going through various seasons spiritually. I will not address it today except to just mention it, but this is why Jesus uses the agricultural analogy at times to teach us about life.

My challenge to you for this weekend: Join me in the stirring!

My dear friends, God is moving in our midst. Some evidences of His power have been experienced and witnessed by our people in recent days. These are happening not only in worship gatherings, but in the lives of many personally. I believe with all of my heart, God is up to something great.

This summer is a great time for us to pray for the fulfillment of what God is beginning to do among us. People are very mobile at this time of the year; therefore, the hit and miss of involvement can create some challenges. However, prayer about these matters can take us to an entirely new level.

I am seeking God with great intent related to all this, but more than anything, I am just abiding in Him. I am like most of us – when the Lord begins to move among us, we want to attempt to make some things happen. No more for me…I am checking that mentality all the way. Yes, we must act on what God says, BUT not before what God says. Please pray for all of us to see what God sees and move to do what God wants to do.

Please practice extraordinary prayer personally and collectively. What would happen in your life, your church, and the ministries in your church if extraordinary prayer was practiced along the way in our lives and our gatherings? It would be incredible and God-sized. Lead the way in these moments . . . challenge others to practice extraordinary prayer, even as you are challenged personally. These are important days, so let’s pursue God with great focus and energy.

Let’s move on with God.

It is really hard for me to believe: I have grandchild #2, Reese Caroline. This sweet little girl was born at 11:03 p.m. on May 24. She was 8.3 pounds and 20 1/4″ long. Meredith was in labor for 14 hours before she ended up having the baby by c-section.

On Nick and Meredith’s second wedding anniversary, May 28, they took Reese Caroline home. Meredith’s mom, dad, and one of her sisters is with them at this time. I am sure that Bill, Sandy, and Abigail are enjoying every moment. They live one hour south of Orlando, Florida, so this is a long way from their home. However, I am confident the distance was greatly shortened with their first grandchild’s entry into the world.

Jeana will go down on Wednesday to help Nick and Meredith for a few days. Obviously, with Meredith having surgery, her recovery time will be longer.

Their Prestonwood Church Family has been terrific. I was amazed and encouraged by the love and support Nick and Meredith received during this time. It is no wonder this church grows by leaps and bounds, touching Dallas and beyond with the gospel. What a great testimony they have as a church. I am so very glad Nick has the privilege of serving as the Minister of Young Adults on their Prestonwood North Campus.

May God give Reese Caroline a great life, filled with the power of God. She has already brought us much joy, and there is so much more to come. I cannot wait to see she and Peyton dominating the Floyd scene …

Interesting days are ahead for all of us.

After 14 hours of labor, our newest grandchild, and first granddaughter, arrived last night at 11:03 p.m. Reese Caroline weighs 8 lbs 3 oz and was 20 1/4 inches. It was a LONG day, but Meredith and Reese are both healthy and doing well.

Our hearts are absolutely full … and we thank each of you who prayed with us on this special journey.

This morning, my daughter-in-law, Meredith, will be induced and prayerfully before the evening, we will have a new grandchild. This little baby girl will be very special as she will be named Reese Caroline Floyd. This is Nick and Meredith’s first child and will happen just short of their second wedding anniversary on May 28.

We are now in Dallas awaiting the moment. We thought yesterday was the day as major pains began to occur after lunch, but in time subsided. Therefore, we are getting ready for the big moment that will occur today at some point … prayerfully!

Speaking of prayer, please pray for Meredith and Reese Caroline to be healthy and wonderful physically. Pray for all of us. Jeana is pretty fired up, as well as Nick. Meredith will be at Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, Texas. I may have someone do a post on the blog notifying each of you that all is well and done, therefore, check back with us later this afternoon or evening.

Thanks for praying for us in these days.

Jeana and I will be returning on Saturday and look forward to seeing you on Sunday for our services.

I am blown away by what I experienced yesterday at the Memorial Service for Dr. Jerry Falwell. It was absolutely the most incredible service from beginning to end. Jesus was honored, as well as this prophet to our generation. What a legacy he has left the world.

The 6,000 seat Worship Center was full as well as other venues. At the time of this writing, I have not heard the actual number of people that attended the funeral. People were forming a line to get into the Worship Center beginning at 3:00 a.m. yesterday with the Worship Center opening formally at 11:00 a.m. As we began a jog around 7:00 a.m. hundreds were already lined up and they were wrapped around to the side by the time we returned. When I arrived, hundreds were lined up even though it was only 11:45 a.m. I was astounded and still cannot believe it. Understand clearly, not because of the man–I knew he was loved, but because of our culture. I have conducted funerals of some major public figures and each time I do so, I was
surprised the Worship Center was not full. Well, this time, that did not happen and I am blessed because of it.

Jerry Falwell: family man, church man, American man, godly man, relevant man, and influential man had thousands of people honor him– and literally hundreds were some of america’s major leaders. His reach was impressive and expansive. His heart was huge for all people as evidenced in so many ways.

It would be a great blessing for you to take the time to go online and listen to the worship service. You will enter into some wonderful moments of worship and blessing. The music was incredible. The testimonies meaningful. The messages by Franklin Graham and Jerry Vines were superb.

The one thing that really moved me emotionally at W. A. Criswell’s funeral was the same thing that moved me greatly at Jerry Falwell’s funeral: When the casket of these pastors was rolled out of the church for the final time … oh my, what a moment for me. All those years of devotion to the Lord and His church, now gone for this season. Thank God for heaven.

God is good. Pray for Meredith my daughter-in-law, she is in the final day or so we believe before we have our next grandchild. One life we loved gone for a season, in a day or two, another life born. God is amazing.

I arrived into Lynchburg yesterday in the late afternoon, checked into the hotel, and went to the church to see the family as Jerry Falwell’s body was lying in state in front of the pulpit which he occupied for 51 years. As we drove up, it was quite a scene. We arrived moments before the church was opened for the evening events. Yet, the lines were long already.

Eventually someone came and got me and took me straight into the church through the lines into the worship center. There sat the family, speaking to each person going through the lines. It was an amazing sight. Even after the privilege extended to me, we were at the church for 90 minutes before we concluded going through the line. Most were there for three to four hours.

Reports have it that BEFORE SUNDAY, over 20,000 people came to pay their final respects to the the life of Jerry Falwell. Prior to
Sunday, his body was at Liberty University. Then on Sunday as worship wrapped up, his body was brought from the University
to the church in a horse-drawn hearse as thousands lined the streets between the two, ushering with honor this man of God. There is no telling how many people have been through the church in the past two days.

I have never seen anything like it anywhere. I am amazed and blessed. This man who has been so represented unfairly nationally and internationally is revered as no other I have seen in his own city, region, and people are flying in from all across the world to be here.

Jerry Falwell made a huge difference in the lives of millions of people. His input and influence into their lives is astounding. I am
blessed for being here today.

The funeral is today at 1:00 p.m. (EST) and I am confident you can find it online somewhere if you desire to listen or watch it. Public schools are letting out earlier, traffic will be incredible, and news stations from all over America are here. Even major television
outlets are carrying his funeral live.

Pray for today as this can be a testimony across the world for Jesus Christ. I will have the privilege to sit on the stage with the Board
of Trustees of Liberty University, but they are believing that not only the 6,000 seat worship center will be filled, but they are planning
overflow crowds for the 10,000 seat Basketball Arena and even the football stadium where over 20,000 were at graduation on Saturday. Only God knows, but regardless….

TODAY, thousands will honor this man of God saying, "O, man of God!"

For those of us in worship at one of our four services yesterday, I trust we realize the call of God for each of us to deepen our lives spiritually. The subject of, Complete Humility, is not one you hear much about anywhere. It is modeled by our Lord and many of His followers; however, foreign to American Christianity.

If we are going to go on with God, we must be willing to tread in those waters continuously. For some of us, this kind of subject is “over the line” and the interest level may be little to none. Yet, I really believe that is not where most of our church is at all. I really believe most of our church wants this deeper work of complete humility to be done in our lives spiritually. Many of us must model this spiritually for it to become “more caught, than taught.”

Would you let the Spirit of God deal with you on this subject? It is the entry point into experiencing mightily the presence of God. This is very clear in Scripture and really is the major key to a dynamic, blessed life spiritually.

Have a great week my friend.

I want us to understand that while I am speaking to us about “Experiencing the Presence of God,” we are in some major territory. We must understand this completely.

1. We are treading upon the territory of Satan, therefore beware! This does not mean we have to be fearful or tentative about anything, but wise. Satan will take small things and make them big things. Satan will take good intentions and make them appear as selfish intentions. Satan will convince us to use flesh means in dealing with others or problems, rather than using Spirit means. Satan will create disunity out of the simplest matter and then of course, exaggerate it all! Beware my friend, when you want to experience the presence of God. A church must beware when we want to experience the presence of God together.

2. We are standing against the power of our flesh, therefore remember! Our flesh is tough, carnal, evil. Our flesh will rise up, claim our rights, stand against the Holy Spirit and the Word of God in every way. There is no such thing as “good flesh.” Anything we are or have that is good is because of God and God alone. Remember, God is good! Remember also, the Holy Spirit dwells in you and now wants to live through you, but there is a lot He has to get over to do it. He has to get past our minds, our wills, our emotions, and our flesh. May the Holy Spirit arise within us!

3. We are marching towards the power of God, therefore, press on! Do not forget the glory and the power of God. His abounding presence and His power is what we will receive when we press victoriously over Satan, triumphantly over our flesh, and vigilantly towards our God.

Experience the presence of God today, and be with us this Sunday as I continue to go into the depths of the Word with you . . . bring someone with you.

Yesterday while finishing up a television shoot, I received a call from Dr. Ergun Caner who shared that Dr. Falwell had been rushed to the hospital and it appeared he was gone. Within the hour, it was confirmed that at 12:40 p.m., Jerry Falwell had died. Yes, it is heaven’s great gain, but our incredible loss.

I met Dr. Falwell in the late 1980′s when he came to preach at our Springdale location. He came in early, and we had some time together over dinner before the service. He handled people with the greatest love. He walked slowly through the crowds. He was quite a giant. Within a year or so, I preached at Thomas Road, gave a testimony during a convocation service, and he showed me around Liberty Mountain while giving me his vision for Liberty University. In a short time, I went on the Board of Trustees for the university. Through the years, I have returned to preach at the university, becoming more passionate about it each time. I served on the Board of Trustees for a season, choosing to get off of it when I was so involved in the Southern Baptist Convention leadership of the Executive Committee, along with the restructuring committee of the Convention. After that was completed, he asked me to return to the Board of Trustees, and I have now been back on the board for a number of years.

As a boy, our family would come home from church, turn on the television, and watch Dr. Falwell. God used him in my life at that point, again later in the ministry, and of course in these past 18 years in a much more defining way. I was motivated every time I was around him. He had more vision in one finger than most leaders have from head to toe. The thing that set him aside from most is that he knew how to make his vision walk.

In March before our board met on a Tuesday, he asked me to come and preach at Thomas Road on that Sunday night, speak at Liberty on Monday, have lunch and then some more time with him. This was more time than I have ever had with him. After speaking at Liberty that morning, we visited in his office and then went to lunch together. He then drove me to tape a television show with his son, Jonathan. After that, we spent three hours together driving and walking around his vision – his entire vision for Liberty University. It was absolutely a remarkable and precious time. After being with him, I walked away feeling that I have no vision at all! He was one amazing man.

All kinds of things have been said and written about him, but understand clearly: Jerry Falwell was a man of God, a great visionary and strategic leader, a courageous soldier, and a loving, caring man for ALL people. I watched it and I saw it in action. The media owes his family an apology for the caricature they have made of him, which is so far from the truth of who he is. Sure, he was a human like all of us and he made some mistakes, but he always pressed forward through those mistakes, learning and growing. Liberty University is his legacy: 10,300 students on campus; an additional 17,000 through distance learning; looking for 11,500 students on campus next year, and it appears it is heading for the fulfillment of his vision. Undoubtedly, Liberty has been one of the fastest growing institutions of higher learning in American history. I will always be grateful for its contribution to the members of our family.

The two greatest visionaries I have ever known in my life are J.B. Hunt and Jerry Falwell: I conducted J.B.’s funeral in December and yesterday, Jerry Falwell went home. Oh how I miss them both already. You cannot replace men like these two men. Oh Lord, I trust what you are doing.

Pray not only for the Falwell Family, but also the students at Liberty. They are in finals this week, and graduation ceremonies are happening this weekend. They loved Jerry Falwell like a grandfather while they were away from their home. He had become their spiritual hero. He was like a Rock Star anytime they saw him or he walked into the arena for Convocation and spoke to them . . . and he did so each Wednesday. Wednesdays will never be the same at Liberty University.

My final words: Thank you Lord for your servant and soldier of the cross, Jerry Falwell … please tell him for me today, “I loved him and will miss him until I see him again.”