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.
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Top Posts & Pages
- Romans 8:14-27 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview, "Indwelt," for October 18, 2026
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Romans 9:30-10:17 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Believe" for October 25, 2026.
- Romans 7:4-6, 14-25 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview: "Struggle," for 10/11/26
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "America's Verse" -- "Judge Not" (Matthew 7:1-5 sermon)
- “The Narrow Way To Heaven” (Matthew 7:13-14 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Honor" for 5/03/26
- "This Is My Story: The Philippian Jailer" (Acts 16:25-34 sermon)
Categories
- "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. 5:3-12)
- "The Disciplines of Disciples" series
- "This Is My Story" sermon series
- Beatitudes Series 2020 FBCA
- Book of James Sermons: What Real Faith Looks Like
- COVID-19 crisis assorted messages
- Current Events
- Devotions/Bible Studies
- Discipleship
- Discovering FBCA Membership class lessons
- Doctrine/Theology
- Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
- Explore the Bible Sunday School lessons
- Habakkuk "Find Us Faithful" series messages
- History
- Home & Family Life
- I Peter sermons
- India Mission Trip 2011
- Isaiah 53 sermon series Suffering Servant Glorious King
- John 3:16 sermon series
- Luke 10:38-42 Mary & Martha series
- Luke 2 Christmas series
- Matthew sermons
- Ministry
- missions
- Music
- Philippians sermons
- POTS (dysautonomia) articles
- Psalms studies and messages
- Revelation sermon series
- Reviews
- Sermon Illustrations
- Sermons
- The Model Prayer Series
- The Model Prayer series (FBCA 2020)
- This Week In Paradise (pastors family blog)
- Travel
- Uncategorized
- worship
Author Archives: Shawn Thomas
“Paradise Lost”
Why did we need a Good Friday anyway? For what reason did Jesus undergo all that we celebrate this (Easter) weekend? Scripture of course gives us all the facts, but John Milton’s Paradise Lost attempts to “fill in some of … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized
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29 Days and Counting!
It is really cute to watch: our daughter Libby counting down the days until she is married. Libby actually lives two hours from here, in Pineville, where she attends Louisiana (Baptist) College – but I get to keep up with her … Continue reading
Posted in Discipleship, Home & Family Life
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“Memoirs of Robert E. Lee”
Everyone who has had a task they have put off feels a great sense of satisfaction when that long-neglected duty is finished. Completing a book which you have had on your shelf, and which you have always intended to read, … Continue reading
Posted in Discipleship, Reviews
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“Seussical: The Musical”
Since “A Person’s A Person No Matter How Small” has been echoing in my mind all day, I think perhaps it was meant for me to do a review of the musical that planted that song in my thoughts last … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
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“Bless Those Who Curse You”
I’ll let this Union soldier who met Robert E. Lee in the worst of circumstances tell his own story of how Lee lived out Luke 6:28 . I think any further commentary from me might be considered to be vainly superfluous …
Posted in Discipleship, History
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When The Preacher Can’t Preach
Once again, I find myself uniquely qualified to write about this topic, because it doesn’t look like I am going to be preaching tomorrow morning. I have had a cold since Wednesday, went home from the office with it Thursday, … Continue reading
Posted in Ministry
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The Secret of Contentment
I feel like I am particularly suited to write this post, among other reasons because I have been basically limited to my recliner for the past 48 hours with a cold and a bad sore throat! This morning I read … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship
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A General’s Grace
Robert E. Lee was impressive in many different ways. General Wilcox, having met Lee for the very first time, wrote: “I was much impressed with his fine appearance, either on horse or on foot … the handsomest man in the army.” … Continue reading
Posted in Discipleship, History
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The Drink Offering: Don’t Waste Your Life
(There is a revised and expanded version of this message available here, preached at First Baptist, Pauls Valley, OK 7-13-14) The other day, as I was getting out of my car, I saw that I had a can of Coke in the … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
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Grandpa Is Smiling
A few days ago, someone gave us another king size bed – for which we were very grateful! – but it became an occasion for some re-arranging at our house. We ended up putting our old king-sized mattress in Michael’s garage bedroom – along … Continue reading
Posted in Home & Family Life
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