Over the next several weeks, I am going to be speaking from the book of 1 John. As we “Pursue God” together this fall, I want us to walk in the Word of Life. Therefore, I have identified 12 steps that John encourages us to take to pursue God. These are steps each of us must take individually….they are “iSteps.”

This provides a wonderful opportunity for you to engage others in this biblical expositional series. I believe it can really minister to you and help you as you engage Christ this fall. Whether your friends or family members know Christ or not, this is a time to bring them with you. In fact, for those friends who are thinking about following God but are not quite there, this series may be what God uses to draw them into the faith. It will be very practical for each person who attends.

We are expecting a downpour this fall, beginning this next week as our Connection Group Ministry draws some biblical studies from James MacDonald’s book, Downpour. Some of his book is based on the Old Testament book, Hosea. I promise you – if you come to this study each week, you will not leave the same. James is the pastor of a Bible church in Chicago, to my knowledge unaffiliated with any denomination at this time. He is a wonderful communicator of God’s Truth.

Connection Group Ministry is so pivotal to your faith and the strengthening of your faith. A 75 minute “show up” once a week on Sunday for worship can be outstanding, but fellowship with His people around His Word can occur at a much deeper level in our Connection Groups. We believe in worship, but we also believe in connection.

Connect today with God and this week with others, including your church.

Thanks for your kind and generous prayers for Parker Thomas, our 3rd grandchild who was born on August the 8th. He had some struggles along the way, but at this time he appears to be a healthy young lad. How grateful we are for new life. Thank you God.

In fact, I have to show you some pictures of all my grandchildren. So today, I will let my blog highlight the blessings God has given to us.

Parker Thomas with Dad, Mom, and Peyton, his older brother

Parker Thomas with Mom

Reese Caroline on her way to church with Nick and Meredith

Reese Caroline on her way to church with Nick and Meredith

Reese Caroline being held by her Mom

After having contractions on Tuesday night and continual contractions on Wednesday morning, my daughter-in-law Kate drove herself to the hospital for somewhat of a routine check. Josh was at “two-a-days” practice (he was leading and Kate did not want to distract him.) Josh had brought Peyton to Jeana early that morning to give Kate more rest. Mona was at work, Don was doing some legal work in Indianapolis, and if you read my blog yesterday, you know I was consumed.

There are three important factors to remember:

1. Kate was to have the baby by c-section on August 27, even though the baby was not due until one week later. (Josh’s team has its first game is on August 31)
2. Since Peyton was a c-section baby, Parker Thomas was to be as well. Of course, the doctor’s desire was that nothing “close to labor” would occur and concern occurs when it does.
3. This was three and one-half weeks before the actual due date.

Now that you know these facts, let me tell you what happened.

Within a couple of hours of Kate’s arrival at the hospital, they were preparing her for a c-section. Earlier, Jeana had delivered Peyton to Josh on the football field due to an appointment she needed to keep, so Josh left the football field with Peyton, Mona left work, Jeana left her appointment, I cancelled the rest of my appointments for the day, Don tried to get back from Indianapolis, and Rick (Kate’s brother) came and got Peyton from Josh. Wow! Phone calls and text messages began to fly.

Just after 3:00 p.m. yesterday, Parker Thomas Floyd entered the world. He was 6 lbs. and 14 ounces, and had he been full term he would have been over 8 lbs like his brother Peyton, and perhaps bigger.

Since he was pre-mature, Parker Thomas is struggling with his breathing as he has fluid in his lungs. He has shown some progress, but to this moment none of us can hold him, including Mom and Dad. We are all concerned as you would imagine and praying for him continually. Please join us in this journey of prayer. They are watching him continually, monitoring everything on him.

Thank God for the blessing of new life. Just think, less than two years ago, we had no grandchildren. Now we have three: Peyton Elliott, Reese Caroline, and Parker Thomas. Peyton is just under two, Reese was born in May, and now Parker was born yesterday.

Christmas will be different this year! Thank God for our new gift, Parker Thomas Floyd.

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you said, “What a week!” This is my week. From July 15th, I have been running at a fast pace. From final preparations for our annual Staff Advance, to leading it, to conducting a wedding, to preparing for the fall, to preparation for preaching weekly, plus the entire preparation for a fall series of messages – wow, I have been running hard.

Well, what a week this has been so far, and today is only mid-week. Wow! It was great this past Sunday to be back in the pulpit proclaiming the Word of God as well as getting back into the mode of weekly preparation. However, coupled with so much stuff along with back-to-back appointments, people wanting decisions by the minute, plus just life, I have been running. I have not even witnessed a football practice yet … now that is running too fast, even for me! I was so tired last night, I do not even remember going to sleep.

I have been jogging again since after Spring Break. I worked by a program that was friendly not only to me, but to Jeana. So we have been jogging about five days a week. Jeana loves the treadmill, while I tolerate it. I love outdoor running, while she labors over it. This is because at times, we are not jogging at the same pace.

Have you ever jogged with someone who is really serious about it? We have some joggers on our staff team, like Shawn and Tracey Smith, Mike Daniels, Jeff Young, and others. When I jog with any of those guys, they push me strongly. I jogged with Mike one day at staff retreat and I tolerated it, but I was not ready for his pace. Therefore, since I am the Pastor, I made him jog at my pace … he is getting ready for a marathon! I wish I could do that.

What’s the point Ronnie? Here it is, when life is running at a pace beyond your own natural ability, then lean on and trust in the Lord to get you through it. This is what I am doing today.

Hey, is it not just like God to give us a Word for our day? He did that for me this morning, so let me share it with you for your day,

“Each (King Jesus) will be like a HIDING PLACE from the wind,
a SHELTER from the storm,
like STREAMS OF WATER in a dry place,
like the SHADE OF A GREAT ROCK in a weary land.”
Isaiah 32:2 ESV

Let Jesus pick up your pace for whatever faces you today.

While the summer has been nice and is not quite over yet, we are back in the grind of daily work and responsibilities. Our Senior Staff team exhausted ourselves in a very lengthy meeting yesterday from noon until late afternoon and only dismissed due to having other meetings already scheduled. We have had staff members all over the globe in recent weeks and now most are back from vacation time, so we are under the challenge of “getting much done” in a limited amount of time.

The grind is necessary. Yes, while we would love to live life without detailed stuff and pressurized schedules, that is just not “real life” in anyone’s world. The privilege of being in a responsible organization helps me embrace the details and even the pressures. Mostly, the calling of God upon my life and our church is the real motivation for me.

It is a joy to know when you are in the grind that others are there with you. When you row the boat alone, discouragement can prevail. The great news about our fellowship is that I have some associates and friends who are in there rowing with me. It is the most fun when we are rowing somewhere, especially when we are rowing in the same direction. This process of living life together and doing ministry together is a real privilege and joy.

It is easy to whine in the grind, but do not permit yourself to do so. We usually think that “no one has it worse than we do;” however, that is just not so. There is always someone who has greater struggles, greater challenges, and greater pain. This we should not forget when we are tempted to “whine in the grind.”

When it comes down to it, the only thing you can control in life is your response to life itself. Whining indicates weakness, while diligence communicates strength.

Respond well “in the grind.”

Even on this hot day in Arkansas, fall is around the corner. I do realize you may find that hard to believe today, but fall is coming. How do we know? Well I am so glad you asked!

Football is back everywhere. The NFL Hall of Fame installation occurred on Saturday. If you missed it, it was a fabulous experience via ESPN or now The NFL Channel. It was really special, especially the final five minutes of Michael Irvin’s speech. Every man needs to see those minutes.

The Razorbacks are now practicing again as Saturday began their practice sessions. Many high schools kicked off practices last week and some will begin today putting players through the regiment of “two-a-days” or some version of it. I was not able to make it to the first practice of the Razorbacks, but plan to attend soon. I love Friday nights and Saturdays. If I did not have such busy Sundays, I would love NFL games as well, and I do when I get to watch them.

With all this happening, I am reminded now that we are days away from something more important than fall or football. We are just days away from our Kick-Off at both of our campuses on August 19. It will be a significant day and plans are racing towards final implementation as we launch forward to seizing this opportunity God is affording us.

These are great opportunities that God is bringing to us. We must not underestimate any of them. Let’s pray. Let’s seek the Lord. Let’s gather people from all walks of life.

Let’s be the church.

I am blessed to get back into Northwest Arkansas today. Anytime you fly from the west to the east, it takes forever because you lose a couple of hours. I got back mid-afternoon and then was immersed into office details immediately. Last night I went through a pile of mail and other matters that seemed to reach half-way to heaven!

We have been in and out during July, being blessed to have been here three of those Sundays. Our Summer Freedom Celebration on July 1 was a great blessing as always. Charles Lowery preached for the other four Sundays, and Jeana and I both enjoyed listening to him the two Sundays we were here. As I worked for several days, was out for a few days and then conducted staff retreat, I am MORE THAN READY for some regularity.

I can really get settled in my schedule tracks. In fact, settled to me is never negative, but very helpful to my kind of personality. The reason it is rare that I preach away from here is because of my sincere love for being involved here rather than here, there, and everywhere. I do not travel again until a Monday night in late October when I speak at a major gathering for pastors in the state of Mississippi. Jeana and I are both looking forward to the regularity. I am sure that something will come up I must do, but I am just glad to be back involved here for a long segment of time.

Prayerfully, most of our people will feel the same way. Summer can be great and refreshing, but for parents and even students, there comes a time when they all are ready for regularity and consistency.

Get involved now in a Connection Group, a Worship service or services, and at least one Ministry opportunity. We are moving towards our major launch date on August 19, so prepare and join us on the journey. We are believing God for some great things and we want you to be an active part.

Buy in with your presence here this coming Sunday … and oh, do not forget – invite someone to come with you.

After a brief trip to the west (got here on Sunday night and leaving early this morning), I am returning home. I want to give you a few observations about our activities from yesterday. Brad Graves, Scott Grimm, Doug Sarver, Jeana and I spent most of the day together all over the city of San Diego, talking strategy about the upcoming church launch we are doing in this city. Here are a few of my observations.

1. San Diego is a very large city, comprised of 3 million plus people in San Diego county.

2. California has 36 million people in it, and 33 million are unchurched. Think of these breathtaking numbers in light of our own state of Arkansas which has a total population of 2.8 million people.

3. Opportunity abounds in this church launch.

4. Prayer and the supernatural power of God is the only hope for this church launch to be successful initially and long-term. Successful church plants occur in places like this only when God is all over it.

5. There is a huge potential for our people to join in this effort through giving a few days for a mission trip here or even tie in a couple of days while vacationing in this beautiful area of California.

6. I have confidence in the team of Brad Graves and Scott Grimm as they launch this church. They are filled with vision and enthusiasm; now we must pray for them to have God’s wisdom and discernment in all decision-making, as well as being empowered by the Holy Spirit daily.

7. While I am grateful for this opportunity to help in any way in this church plant, I am blessed to be a part of our church in Northwest Arkansas.

8. I am looking forward to being back 100 % after this “in and out” July I have experienced, even though all has been good.

You are a great people. I have to go and catch my plane home.
Pray for us to have a safe flight.