Category Archives: Home & Family Life

“Seeking Him First” (Matthew 6:33 sermon)

Posted on 2017/09/18 by Shawn Thomas

This week I finished reading a book I had always heard about, but had never read: Herman Melville’s The White Whale or Moby Dick. In it he tells the story of Captain Ahab, who was obsessed with killing the great … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Home & Family Life, Matthew sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged Acts 16, anxiety, calendar, capitalism, church services, conversion, decision making, desperation, devotion time, dsicipleship, Eric Metaxas podcast, families, family first, finances, first fruits, follow Me, God first, home life, I Kings 3 Solomon, Islam, Jesus, Jesus Christ, kids baseball, kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven, Larry Burkett, Matthew 10:37, Matthew 5:48, Matthew 6:33 sermon, Moby Dick Herman Melville, money, Philippian jailer, Philippians 2:21, priorities, quiet time, religion in America, repentance, salvation, schedule, seeking, tithe, worry, worship attendance | Leave a comment

The Intercessor-Guardian

Posted on 2017/08/23 by Shawn Thomas

“I am no longer in the world, and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Home & Family Life, Uncategorized | Tagged High Priestly Prayer, intercession, Jesus intercession, John 17:11-12, lead us not into temptation, Matthew 6:13, prayer, protection, spiritual protection, spiritual warfare, temptation | Leave a comment

Passing On The Word

Posted on 2017/08/21 by Shawn Thomas

“For the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me.” (John 17:8) In His High Priestly prayer here … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Home & Family Life, Uncategorized | Tagged Bible, child rearing, discipleship, family, God's word, home, John 17:8, preaching, scripture, teaching, truth | Leave a comment

A Gospel “Hallelujah”

Posted on 2017/08/13 by Shawn Thomas

Our son Michael shared his first public solo in church this morning, and Cheryl & I were extremely proud of how well he did. He taught himself to play the guitar this past year and has been developing both vocally … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Doctrine/Theology, Home & Family Life, Ministry, Music, This Week In Paradise (pastors family blog), Uncategorized | Tagged Cohen Hallelujah, Hallelujah alternative lyrics, Hallelujah lyrics, Leonard Cohen Hallelujah alternate lyrics, Michael Thomas, North Greenville University, Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church | 3 Comments

“Just Like Us”

Posted on 2017/08/10 by Shawn Thomas

When Cheryl & I brought our grand daughters Corley Jane and Lottie up to the hospital to meet their newly born sister, Josephine Grace, the girls were filled with excitement and wonder. And pondering her little sibling for the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Doctrine/Theology, Home & Family Life, Uncategorized | Tagged birth, birth of Christ, doctrine, Hebrews 2:17, Incarnation, Jesus, just like us, Philippians 2:6, salvation | 1 Comment

The Model Prayer & Praying For Your Child’s Future Spouse

Posted on 2017/06/20 by Shawn Thomas

“Pray then in this way …” (Matthew 6:9) Our son Paul wrote a sweet post on Facebook for Fathers Day, quoting an outline of a prayer I used (and still use) to pray for his future spouse, based on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Home & Family Life, Uncategorized | Tagged family, intercession, Lord's Prayer, marriage, Matthew 6:9-13, model prayer, prayer, prayer requests, praying for your child | 4 Comments

Gingerbread Decorating Contest 2016

Posted on 2016/12/24 by Shawn Thomas

It’s time for our family gingerbread decorating contest for Christmas 2016. We’ll follow the procedure we have for the last couple of years: we’ll post pictures of each entry below, and you can vote on your favorite at the poll … Continue reading →

Posted in Home & Family Life, Uncategorized | Tagged gingerbread house contest | 1 Comment