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 18:21-35, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Forgiveness," for 3/29/26
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20, "Our Task," Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson for 4/05/26
- "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. 1:18-24 sermon)
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "The Greatest Verse in the Bible?" (John 3:16 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 17:1-13, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Glory," for 3/22/26
- "Lessons From Gethsemane" (Matthew 26 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: Devotions/Bible Studies
What God Tests
A race tests your speed. Weight lifting tests your strength. Achievement exams test your mind. Elections test your popularity. But none of these things is what God tests.
Your Focus in the Storm
It seems like the eyes of everyone on the Gulf Coast are glued to the Weather Channel, with the rapid approach of a potential hurricane. It’s good to stay informed, but our constant focus should be where it is always … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged "Sovereignty of God", Hurricane Isaac, Psalm 33:7-8, trust
1 Comment
Sing, Sing, Sing!
Whenever you see something repeated in the Bible, you know it is important. If you see it used THREE times, it is of utmost importance. That is why I perked up when I read the opening verses of Psalm 33 again. … Continue reading
Fickle “Fans”
At one point, Jesus had a big “fan club” in Jerusalem. Mark 11:8-10 describes how people went “in front” and “followed” (in other words, all around Him, a big crowd) shouting “Hosanna!” as Jesus entered the city on a donkey. … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged discipleship, fan of Jesus, fan or follower, fickle fans, Mark 11:8-10
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Ways to Praise
Many of the Psalms teach us to praise God, and in the first three verses of Psalm 33, we are instructed in several means of praise:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged excellence in worship, giving thanks, joy, means of worship, new song, praise, Psalm 33:1-3, singing, ways to praise, worship
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Rule Thyself
This verse caught my attention, since I have not always been my same “sweet-natured self” since I have been dealing with POTS in recent days. Proverbs 16:32 says: “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged anger, Proverbs 16:32, self-control, temper
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I Didn’t Roll “Snake Eyes”!
Proverbs 16:33 concludes: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” This Proverb isn’t just about “dice”. It is really about two very different, very competing world views: do things in our world happen … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged dice, dysautonomia/POTS, lot, luck, Proverbs 16:33, providence, snake eyes, theocentric worldview, trust
1 Comment
A Measure of Your Devotions
Proverbs 16:20 “He who gives attention to the word shall find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” This verse challenges us in several ways regarding our daily devotional time in God’s word: — First of all, … Continue reading
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