I'm a retired Southern Baptist pastor of almost 40 years. My wife Cheryl & I moved to Norman, OK in March of 2025. I share a weekly overview for Sunday School teachers of the weekly Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, as well as texts of my sermons and other articles.
Monthly Archives: May 2012
Bonhoeffer on Some “Different” Church Ministries
If you’ve had trouble finding your ministry in the church, what about “The Ministry of Holding Your Tongue”?! In Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book Life Together, he lists some “ministries” in the church body that you may not have considered. Due to my current … Continue reading
“Most of them” are WRONG! (Mark 9:26)
“Most of them said, ‘He is dead.’” Only, he wasn’t! This came from my Bible reading today in Mark 9, when Jesus cast the demon out of the man’s son. It says after the demon went out that “the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged fallacy of majority rule, Mark 9:26 devotion
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Overheard at Graduation
Walking through the buffet line at Ryans before our daughter Libby & our daughter-in-law Ashley’s graduation, I overheard the woman behind me speaking to her son: “Son stop touching the food … hey, get your face out of that salad … Continue reading
Why Do YOU Applaud?
After Louisiana College graduation this morning, my mom, who had driven down from Oklahoma to see our daughter Libby and our daughter-in-law Ashley graduate, asked: “Who was that man who so enthusiastically led the opening hymn at graduation?” … Continue reading
This Week In Paradise (2nd Edition)
Last week I gave you an intimate look at quirky life inside the pastor’s home. It seemed to be well received (who doesn’t like the inside scoop?), so I decided to write a “second edition” of ordinary events at the preacher’s … Continue reading
Thursday Hospital Funnies
Every cloud has its silver lining — or its funny moments! Thursday I had to go back to Memorial Hospital for some more tests. First was a fasting blood test, earlier in the morning, which consisted of two parts, separated … Continue reading
Why Then Am I This Way?
My Bible reading this morning from Genesis 25 was very applicable to my own personal situation, and I wonder if it might be to yours as well. The chapter says that after Isaac prayed for Rebekah, who had been … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Genesis 25:22, God's purpose, meaning of trials, Rebekah, seeking God
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This Week In Paradise …
I know that some church members think that everything must be “perfect” at the pastor’s home (you know, just like his kids!) — that it is some kind of terrestrial paradise. Others, I am sure, wonder “what really happens inside the … Continue reading
Bonhoeffer on Your Daily Bible Reading
Last Thursday I shared some insights from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, for the National Day of Prayer. The same book contain several helps for our daily time in God’s word. In Life Together he uses the term “meditation,” but he is … Continue reading
Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right
The words of this old hymn are very pertinent for me right now – in a number of ways – and perhaps they may minister to you, too. Samuel Rodigast (1649-1708), the son of a Lutheran minister in Germany, wrote this … Continue reading
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