The Word Has It

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative

June’s Word:  “Exceeding”

Ephesians 2:7 – “that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

The “exceeding” ministry of God in the life of His followers was the primary emphasis of this year’s MARBC Men’s Retreat, held on May 1-3 at beautiful Lake Ann Baptist Camp and Retreat Center near Traverse City.  Over 400 men enjoyed wonderful worship, challenging messages from God’s Word, encouraging fellowship, and great meals.  We were blessed to discover that this was the first MARBC retreat for several men. Read the rest of this article »

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative

May’s Word:  “Care”

As a young boy I was fascinated by the infant endeavors of the NASA space program.  I would sit mesmerized in front of our black and white television watching the grainy images of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs as scientists and adventurers sought to learn as much as they could about the “final frontier.”  In its early days, the space program and America’s participation in the “space race” with the Soviet Union captured our nation’s attention.  It was not unusual for hours of network coverage (which was the only TV coverage in those days) to be devoted to the preparations of launching astronauts into space, sharing elementary simulated depictions of what might be happening in space, and speculating upon the successful return of the space capsule and its human occupants.   Read the rest of this article »

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative

April’s Word: “Wash”

An old Hebrew proverb declares that “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” In his classic book, “Great Expectations,” Charles Dickens describes the meticulous work of Mrs. Joe as she prepared for her family’s Christmas gathering. From the new linens that replaced the worn versions to the scrumptious feast to be served at dinner, her goal was a perfect dining experience for the holiday. In summarizing her compulsive behavior, Dickens shares that Mrs. Joe was a very clean housekeeper who was obsessed by the motto “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Read the rest of this article »

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative

March's Word: “Relationships”

Recently, while accompanying my wife Sharon and daughter Allison on a shopping expedition in preparation for Allison's upcoming June wedding, I stopped in a book store and did some browsing. On this particular visit I spent most of my time in the historical section and focused upon volumes dealing with wartime events. I left the bookstore once again captivated by the several stories of raw courage and human drama. Read the rest of this article »

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative

February's Word: “Partnering”

This past week our local news media shared stories commemorating the 30^th anniversary of the “blizzard of '78.” Sharon and I were newlyweds then and I was in my first year of seminary. We were snowed in at our rural trailer park for three and a half days. We spent time trying to stay warm and hoping that the power would stay on. I used some of the free time to catch up on collateral reading and reviewing Hebrew vocabulary. Alas, I must confess that more time was spent trudging back and forth through snow drifts to continue an impromptu Rook tournament with our special friends, Dave and Carolyn Culver. Those were the early days of what has become a lifelong ministry partnership that grows dearer with each passing year. Read the rest of this article »

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative

January's Word: “Church”

“So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.” Acts 16:5

The Need for a Pioneering Vision and Spirit

Some three hundred and fifty years ago, a shipload of pioneers landed on the northeast coast of America. The first year, they established a town. The next year, they elected a town government. During the third year, the town government revealed plans to build a road five miles west into the wilderness. Read the rest of this article »

You can also download a PDF of the December 2007 Baptist Testimony
(1 mb PDF; PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative

December's Word: “Room”

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

“Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.”
(”Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne,” Emily E.S. Elliott, 1836-1897)
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You may also download the November 2007 Baptist Testimony (PDF Download 1.1 mb)

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative

November's Word: “Striving”

“Discerning the Times and Seasons” was the theme of 65^th annual conference of the Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches. The conference was held October 22-24, 2007, on the beautiful campus of Lake Ann Baptist Camp near Traverse City, Michigan. The location for this year's conference allowed for a retreat-like atmosphere. Tuesday afternoon included free-time for attendees to take a color tour of the area and to be involved in other activities. Read the rest of this article »

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative

October's Word: “Listen”

“I will hear what God the LORD will speak; for He will speak peace to His people, and to His saints.” Psalm 85:8

Back in the days when the telegraph was the fastest method of long distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background. Read the rest of this article »

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative

September's Word: “Encourage”

As I edit this article, Sharon and I are traveling throughout Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula visiting many churches and their pastors and wives. Our goal is to encourage these special servants of Christ and discover ways in which to more effectively minister to them and with them. We have been both challenged and blessed by the commitment our colleagues in ministry demonstrate daily, sometimes in extremely difficult situations.
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The Word Has It

Ken Floyd, MARBC State Representative

“Strengthen me according to Your word,” –Psalm 119:28
August’s Word: “Answer”

The current summer season for the Floyds has involved traveling a few thousand miles to conferences, seminars, and church ministries on behalf of the MARBC fellowship. As I write this column, we are preparing for two major weeks of ministry traveling throughout the upper peninsula of Michigan. The purpose of the trip is to encourage pastoral couples and to minister to their churches. We also desire to learn of the opportunities and needs of this special group of God’s servants who are an important part of our church network.
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The Word Has It

Ken Floyd, MARBC State Representative

June & July’s Word: “Powerful”

Hebrews 4:12 - “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

The powerful impact of the Word of God in men's lives was the primary emphasis of this year's MARBC Men's Retreat, held on May 3-5 at beautiful Lake Ann Baptist Camp and Retreat Center near Traverse City. Close to 500 men enjoyed wonderful worship, encouraging fellowship, great meals, and beautiful weather. We were blessed to find that for several men in attendance this was their first MARBC retreat.
Read the rest of this article »

The Word Has It

Ken Floyd, MARBC State Representative

May’s Word: “Remember”

“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” –Hebrews 13:7

May is a month usually identified by the beauty of spring and the observing of two special holidays - Mother’s Day and Memorial Day 1 had been prayerfully considering which of these topics would be the subject of this month’s column when God made it very apparent what it should be. For several months, the MARBC family had been joining many others in praying for Alf and Fran Nelson. Alf, a longtime pastor and former MARBC State Representative, had been battling cancer the past few months. God called Alf from his earthly home in Ovid, Michigan, to join Him in His heavenly home on Good Friday, April 6.
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The Word Has It
Ken Floyd, MARBC State Representative

“Strengthen me according to Your word,”
-Psalm 119:28

April’s Word: “Victory!”

By the year 1812, the majority of the European continent was under the control of the famed French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. In that year, Napoleon attacked Russia, which led to his downfall and abdication. He was then exiled to the little island of Elba in the Mediterranean Sea. Three years later, in March 1815, Napoleon escaped from Elba and returned to France. Men gathered once again under the French flag and Europe again faced the prospects of war.
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The Word Has It

Ken Floyd MARBC State Representative

“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28

March’s Word: “Path”

A new family in the neighborhood overslept, and their six-year-old daughter missed her school bus. The father, though late for work, agreed to drive her if she’d direct him to the school. They rode several blocks before she told him to turn the first time, then several more before she indicated another turn. This went on for 20 minutes. When they finally reached the school, it proved to be only a short distance from their home. The father asked his daughter why she’d led him in such a circle. The child explained, “That’s the way the school bus goes, Daddy. It’s the only way I know.”
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The Word Has It

Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative

“Strengthen me according to Your word,”
-Psalm 119:28

February’s Word:

“Shadows”

As I write this column, the news media is focusing on the warmer than normal weather patterns of this winter season. Debates on the topic of global warming are commonplace these days. And while this has indeed been an unusual season, weather wise, one characteristic common to every Michigan winter remains - gray, cloudy skies. That is why although February is the shortest of all months; it seems to linger longer than any other.
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The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28

Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative

Welcome to the first issue of The Baptist Testimony for the year 2007! With this new issue come new features. This is the first issue that I have composed as the new state representative of the MARBC. Some things remain the same, other things have changed. A new column greets you on the front page, along with a new picture - mine! Following in the footsteps of my faithful predecessor, Maynard Belt, I will seek to encourage the good people of our wonderful fellowship of churches by writing a column that focuses upon Biblical principles. Because of this emphasis, I have chosen “The Word Has It” as the new heading for my column. Each month we will take a look at a practical Biblical principle by focusing upon a key word. Along the way there will be other features added to the “BT” from time to time to help it continue to be an effective tool of encouragement and information for our state fellowship. I encourage your input and suggestions. You can email them to me or through regular mail. The MARBC office address is posted later in this issue of the BT. Thank you for your prayerful support as we look forward to the exciting days of change that lie ahead!
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64th Annual MARBC Conference Highlights

“Challenging Servants for Changing Times!”

This years annual conference, held October 23-24, was memorable for many reasons. Because of this year’s historic transition of state representatives for our MARBC Fellowship, the theme for our conference included timely messages on The Changing of the Guards in Scripture. The opening message was delivered by outgoing state representative Maynard Belt entitled, “The Changing of the Guards,” using as an example the intimate relationship of Elijah and Elisha.
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