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 7:15-29, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Authority Acknowledged," for 1/11/26.
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 6:19-34, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Treasure," for 1/04/2026
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "True Religion" (Philippians 3:2-3)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "Three Christian Attitudes" (Philippians 3:12-15 sermon)
- "The Discipline of Fasting" (Ezra 8:21 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: This Week In Paradise (pastors family blog)
The Little Condo on the Prairie (10-28-13)
AN OLD JOKE Cheryl & I went over to my sister’s apartment to change some light bulbs that had burned out. When we got back, Michael walked into the room and greeted us with: “How many parents does it take … Continue reading
“The Little Condo on the Prairie” (Oct. 22, 2013)
Homeschool, household chores, and a preaching trip to Beggs, America mark this week’s installment of the “Little Condo”: OVERHEARD DURING MATH Cheryl & Michael’s math lessons could probably fuel their own comedy show. I get a lot of chuckles out … Continue reading
Posted in Home & Family Life, This Week In Paradise (pastors family blog)
Tagged "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", algebra, dishwasher loading chart, Facebook, fast food, Frank Sinatra, homeschool, kitten Eponine, Lesley Jackson Gore, math, Mrs. Gore's Diary, Oklahoma, pastor's family life, pastor's home, Shawn Thomas, Star Wars, walking weather
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“Little Condo on the Prairie” (Oct. 14, 2013)
SQUEAMISH SOME? Many of you know that we are excitedly expecting our second grandchild in May, from our son David and his wife Ashley. Well, they had their first doctor’s appointment a few days ago, and in the office they … Continue reading
“The Little Condo on the Prairie” (October 2013)
This fall brings football, baking — and a fall update on some of the antics going on at the Thomas household: A WOMAN’S SCORN Wednesday, Cheryl was upset because the Bakers chocolate bars she buys for making brownies had a … Continue reading
“The Little Condo on the Prairie” (Sept. 19)
Both home school and football make their debut in this week’s “Little Condo”: Although Michael is a very good student, and is usually very self-motivated, sometimes he and Cheryl go ’round and ’round in their homeschooling. Here are some episodes … Continue reading
The Little Condo on the Prairie (August 7th)
Last week in “the little condo” we had to figure out what to do without our grandbaby in the house to revolve our lives around: OKLAHOMA STATE BIRD Cheryl & I ate at a restaurant in Norman one afternoon last … Continue reading
Little Condo on the Prairie (July 30)
FAT LIP One night last week, we had “Fat Lip” for dinner. Yeah there’s a story behind it … when our son David was little, he would ask Cheryl what we were having for dinner, and without fail, whatever it … Continue reading
Little Condo on the Prairie
GRANDPARENTING BLISS One afternoon while rocking Corley, Cheryl looked down at her and said softly: “It IS fun having a baby — one that you can just hand back over!”
Little Condo on the Prairie (May 20)
The “Little Condo on the Prairie” dodged some tornadoes this week, and shared a lot of laughs in our families’ proximity while we await Libby’s baby — due this Friday! TORNADO ALLEY Oklahoma is not known as “Tornado Alley” for … Continue reading
shawnethomas 
Little Condo On The Prairie
As difficult as uprooting our family and moving to another state has been, there have still been no shortage of fun family moments. With Paul having moved here just before us to help get us settled, and Josh & Libby … Continue reading →