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
- "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. 1:18-24 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 17:1-13, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Glory," for 3/22/26
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 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 Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "Lessons From Gethsemane" (Matthew 26 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 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: Uncategorized
Well Done, Bro. Ray!
(This commendation for our Administrative Pastor, Ray Swift, was read by my son Michael at the conclusion of our worship services on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, on the occasion of Ray’s final Sunday at FBC Moss Bluff) Proverbs 20:6 says … Continue reading
Well Done, Bro. Ray!
(This commendation for our Administrative Pastor, Ray Swift, was read by my son Michael at the conclusion of our worship services on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, on the occasion of Ray’s final Sunday at FBC Moss Bluff) Proverbs 20:6 says … Continue reading
“What Real Faith Looks Like: The Blame Game” (James 1:13-16)
I have noticed that during this election season there have been a lot of references to former President Ronald Reagan. Many are wishing for a candidate like him, and for a return to his kind of conservative vision. I remember … Continue reading
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Tagged A.T. Robertson, accepting responsibility, Adam, apeirastos, bait, blaming others, born this way, C.S. Lewis, Calvinism, enticed, evading responsibility, free will, Genesis 3:12, God author of sin, holiness of God, homosexuality, I have sinned against The Lord, II Samuel 12:13, James 1:13-16 sermon, John 6:6, King David, Landry Jones, lure, lust, origin of evil, peirazo, personal responsibility, Proverbs 17:3, Satan, sin nature, tempter, The Blame Game, theological gymnastics, trials vs. temptations, Westminster Confession
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A Providential Encounter
Genesis 35:15-17 is a little paragraph that might look insignificant: just “a man” with whom Joseph has what many would think a “chance encounter.” But this little narrative is actually of great significance. “All scripture is inspired of God”, and this one is here for … Continue reading
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Revival Time in the Home
In Genesis 35:2, Jacob told his household: “Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves, and change your garments; and let us arise and go to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God.” … Continue reading
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At ALL Times!
Psalm 34:1 says: “I will bless the Lord at ALL times.” David, having just come out of a “close call” with Abimelech was a living example of this. He praised God in good times and bad – “all times.” We are to … Continue reading
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Jesus is Looking All Around!
A little phrase in Mark 11:11 is a curious one, and one which I had I never really pondered before. After Jesus came to Jerusalem in the Triumphal Entry, it says He came to the temple, “and after looking all … Continue reading
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This Week in “Paradise” August 27
Wonderful Windshield Wipers A couple of weeks ago, Cheryl had gone to Advance Auto to get a couple of things for her car, including new wiper blades. The original blades on her car were not cleaning the windshield well, so … Continue reading
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The Times That Try Men’s Souls (Psalm 11)
Years ago, at the founding of our nation, Thomas Paine wrote: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” That was certainly true of those revolutionary days – but I believe it is also very true today. Our souls are being … Continue reading
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Poem: “I Walked A Mile With Pleasure”
I walked a mile with Pleasure; She chatted all the way; But left me none the wiser For all she had to say. I walked a mile with Sorrow, And ne’er a word said she; But, oh! The things I … Continue reading
Posted in Sermon Illustrations, Uncategorized
Tagged pleasure, poem, Robert Browning Hamilton, sorrow, suffering, trials
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shawnethomas 