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 13:24-30, 36-43, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Judgment Coming," for 2/22/26.
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 12:1-14, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Rejecting Legalism," for 2/15/26.
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 11:1-6, 16-24, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Confronting Doubts, for 2/08/26
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 sermon)
- "True Religion" (Philippians 3:2-3)
- Lifeway "Explore the Bible" Jonah 1:15-2:10 "No Escape"
- "Three Christian Attitudes" (Philippians 3:12-15 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 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: Doctrine/Theology
If Saved Will Persevere
Many Christians (especially Baptists) are fond of claiming “once saved always saved”, and there is truth in that statement. Those who are genuinely saved will indeed never lose it. But many misinterpret that teaching to mean that anyone who makes … Continue reading
Is “God Calling” Through That Devotional Book?
The books God Calling and Jesus Calling have become very popular devotional readings over the years, making numerous “best-seller” lists. But from the moment I began to see quotes from the books being posted on Facebook and other places I … Continue reading
Theology 101
Psalm 119:68 contains what we might describe as “Theology 101” — a basic understanding of God: “You are good and do good.” This verse reminds us that the basic nature of God is good; and everything that He does is … Continue reading
“The Democracy of the Dead” (G.K. Chesterton)
Proverbs 11:14 is noted for its adage: “In abundance of counselors there is victory.” But there is a source of counsel that many in our proud age, which generally adheres to the credo that “newer is better”, neglect. Our generation is apt … Continue reading
“Thy Thoughts To Me, O God” (Psalm 139:17-18)
I received a call from my doctor’s office yesterday, and his assistant began the conversation by saying, “The doctor said he was thinking about your situation all night last night, and …” – and quite frankly, it really doesn’t matter … 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
Bonhoeffer on Prayer
As today is the National Day of Prayer, I wanted to share some observations on prayer from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together. The book focuses on the importance of fellowship in the church, but includes some helpful observations on the practice … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Doctrine/Theology, Ministry, Reviews, Sermon Illustrations, Uncategorized
Tagged Dietrich Bonhoeffer, formal vs. spontaneous prayer, intercessory prayer plan, Life Together, morning prayer, prayer, prayer request organization, Psalms and prayer
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“Trouble With The Tulip”
Calvinism, with the TULIP acronym which inevitably accompanies it, is certainly a hot topic in the religious conversation in America today. Frank Page, a former President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and currently the President (basically the “CEO”) of the Executive Committee of the SBC, weighed … Continue reading
Eros Gets A Bad Name?
I would wager that most people who have heard of the different Greek words for “love” have understood them something like this: “Agape” is God’s kind of selfless, giving love “Phileo” is brotherly love “Eros” is sexual love I have … Continue reading
Posted in Discipleship, Doctrine/Theology, Reviews
Tagged C.S. Lewis, Eros, love for God, romantic love, The Four Loves
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