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
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 2:1-12, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Worship the King," for 12/21/25
- “Immanuel: God With Us” (Matthew 1:23 sermon)
- "The Example of Joseph" (Matthew 1:18-25 sermon)
- "He Will Save His People From Their Sins" (Matthew 1:21 Sermon)
- "Your Response to Christmas" (Matthew 2:1-12 Sermon)
- "The Greatest Verse in the Bible?" (John 3:16 sermon)
- "A 'Real Life' Christmas" (Luke 2:1-11 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 4:12-25, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson "Invitation," for 12/14/25
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 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
Category Archives: Current Events
Dissembling Politicians — And Others …
“And (Herod) sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.’” (Matthew 2:8) Do we need to be … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged dissembling, elections, hypocrisy, Matthew 2:8, politicians
2 Comments
Tested and Found Diligent?
“We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things …”. (II Corinthians 8:22) We don’t know who this unnamed “brother” is (:18 similarly mentions a “brother” whose fame has spread in … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged diligence, faithfulness, II Corinthians 8:22, ministry, service, trustworthy
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In The Year That Antonin Scalia Died
I glanced at the news channel just before we were to leave for our church’s Valentine banquet, and it was obvious that the tone had changed, and for good reason: Antonin Scalia was dead. The news hit me like a … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Antonin Scalia, Denny Burk, Isaiah 6:1, Supreme Court
2 Comments
On Heroes and Pedestals
Cam Newton and Peyton Manning, two of the sporting world’s biggest heroes, took some hits Sunday — and not just on the football field. Newton had a disappointing performance in the eyes of many of his team’s fans. His fumbles … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Doctrine/Theology, Uncategorized
Tagged alcohol, Budweiser, Cam Newton, example, football, frailty, hero, heroes, pedestals, Peyton Manning, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, sin, sin nature, sports, Super Bowl 50
5 Comments
Christians & The Super Bowl
Tens of millions of people are excited today, because it is “Super Bowl Sunday”. They will gather to watch the biggest football game of the year. Multiplied millions of dollars have been spent — while out I saw a pickup … Continue reading
A King’s Example
“When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes.” (Jonah 3:6) What an extraordinary picture this verse renders of the response … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged ashes, humility, intercession, Jonah, Jonah 3:6, king, leadership, mercy, mourning, Nineveh, pray for America, prayer, President Obama, repentance, sackcloth
1 Comment
The Stability of Your Times
“And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is his treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6) Significantly, this verse was written to God’s people in a time of impending distress … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged comfort, Isaiah 33:6, peace, Psalm 113, Psalm 16:11, stability, trial, tribulation
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Conspiracy Theories?
“Conspiracy theories” are popular with many people, and some of them gain traction among the Christian population as well. It should be instructive to us that scripture actually has a word that speaks to these, in Isaiah 8:12-13: “You are … Continue reading
The Ultimate “Wrong Side of History”: A Psalm For Our Times,
Christians in America have been dismayed by many recent events in our country, the Supreme Court decision regarding same-sex marriage prominent among them. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by what seems to be an unrelenting tide of ungodliness, and … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship
Tagged eternity, God, hope, Jesus Christ, judgment, Psalm 113, Psalm 2, same-sex marriage SCOTUS, sovereignty, wrath, wrong side of history
4 Comments
shawnethomas 