I served as pastor of Southern Baptist churches in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana for 30 years before taking an early medical retirement in February 2013. In this blog I share daily devotions from my own personal Bible readings, as well as sermons, book reviews, illustrations -- and occasional "peeks" at life inisde a pastor's home through my "Paradise" articles. I was diagnosed with dysautonomia or POTS in June of 2012, and write posts on my ongoing experience with that illness as well.
Monthly Archives: September 2012
“What Real Faith Looks Like: The Blame Game” (James 1:13-16)
I have noticed that during this election season there have been a lot of references to former President Ronald Reagan. Many are wishing for a candidate like him, and for a return to his kind of conservative vision. I remember … Continue reading
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Tagged A.T. Robertson, accepting responsibility, Adam, apeirastos, bait, blaming others, born this way, C.S. Lewis, Calvinism, enticed, evading responsibility, free will, Genesis 3:12, God author of sin, holiness of God, homosexuality, I have sinned against The Lord, II Samuel 12:13, James 1:13-16 sermon, John 6:6, King David, Landry Jones, lure, lust, origin of evil, peirazo, personal responsibility, Proverbs 17:3, Satan, sin nature, tempter, The Blame Game, theological gymnastics, trials vs. temptations, Westminster Confession
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Out of Her Poverty
In Mark 12:44 Jesus said the poor widow gave “out of her poverty”. This is surely a landmark teaching, for if Jesus had not spoken this, we might all still believe that those who gave the largest amounts were the … Continue reading
Religion or Love?
I am often apologized to by spouses of people who are suffering from an illness, and who have not been to church for some time because they have been caring for their husband or wife. I always assure them that … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
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An Ugly Picture
Proverbs 19:24 gives us a grotesque picture: “The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, but will not even bring it back to his mouth.” It is a disgusting thought indeed — but it may hit closer to home than … Continue reading
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Let Him Bear The Penalty (Tough Love)
There is a lesson in Proverbs 19:19 which can be hard to apply. It says: “A man of great anger will bear the penalty; for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.” This passage is … Continue reading
This Week in “Paradise” Sept. 24
Big news in “Paradise” this week, with the much-anticipated announcement that pretty much overshadowed everything else: our first grandchild is on the way! (I’ll still give you everything else anyway. Well, almost everything! So That’s News? Monday I was home … Continue reading
Does Praise Look Good On You?
Someone has said that a good interpretation of Psalm 33:2 might be: “praise ‘looks good’ on the upright.” The righteous are commanded to praise God, and it is fitting and comely when they do. But we may also infer a … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged hypocrisy, praise, praise looks good on you, Psalm 33:2, worship
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“What Real Faith Looks Like: Perseverance” (James 1:12)
In 1998, I ran the Tulsa Run road race with Paul, David & Libby, our three oldest kids. Cheryl took a picture of the four of us at my favorite time of a race: when it was OVER! After the Tulsa run … Continue reading
Posted in Book of James Sermons: What Real Faith Looks Like, Sermons
Tagged A.T. Robertson, acid test, Apelles, approved, assurance, authenticity of gold, crown of life, crown of righteousness, diadem, dokimos, games, Genesis 29, genuine faith, I Corinthians 13:7, I Peter 1:6-7, II Timothy 4:7-8, Jacob, James 1:12 sermon, Josephus, kingly crown, love, Matthew 13, nitric acid, once saved always saved, Parable of the Sower, perserverance, perseverance of love, possession of faith, profession of faith, proof of your faith, Rachel, Romans 16:10, salvation prayer, stamp of authenticity, stephanos, tested faith, tests, tests for gold, trials, Tulsa Run, victor's crown, What Real Faith Looks Like
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A Providential Encounter
Genesis 35:15-17 is a little paragraph that might look insignificant: just “a man” with whom Joseph has what many would think a “chance encounter.” But this little narrative is actually of great significance. “All scripture is inspired of God”, and this one is here for … Continue reading
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POTS update: “Redeeming the Time”
One of the things I am starting to get used to with having POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is the rapid change of condition that I often experience. I wrote previously of how I was feeling pretty well a number … Continue reading
Posted in POTS (dysautonomia) articles
Tagged church office, dysautonomia, Ephesians 5:16, James 4:14, make hay while the sun shines, opportunity, pastor, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, POTS, preacher, priorities, redeem the time, time, time is a precious treasure which attracts many robbers
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