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 2:1-12, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Worship the King," for 12/21/25
- “Immanuel: God With Us” (Matthew 1:23 sermon)
- "The Example of Joseph" (Matthew 1:18-25 sermon)
- "He Will Save His People From Their Sins" (Matthew 1:21 Sermon)
- "The Greatest Verse in the Bible?" (John 3:16 sermon)
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "A 'Real Life' Christmas" (Luke 2:1-11 sermon)
- "Your Response to Christmas" (Matthew 2:1-12 Sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 4:12-25, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson "Invitation," for 12/14/25
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
Categories
- "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. 5:3-12)
- "The Disciplines of Disciples" series
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- Beatitudes Series 2020 FBCA
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- COVID-19 crisis assorted messages
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Tag Archives: America
“God’s Providence in America” (Sunday, July 4, 2021)
For the last several years, I have made a personal “tradition” of reading David McCullough’s book, 1776 on the 4th of July. (Hey, you choose your holiday fun and I’ll choose mine!) The book is a marvelous retelling of that … Continue reading
Posted in History, Sermons
Tagged "the outcome seemed little short of a miracle", 4th of July sermon, abortion, America, America God's chosen people, David McCullough 1776, Genesis 22, George Washington, God will "see to", God will provide, God's providence in America, I Timothy 2 pray for authorities, II Chronicles 7:14, immorality, Independence Day sermon, Isaiah 46, Lottie Moon, Lottie Moon offering, miracle vs. providence, mission trips, missions, perversion, providence, Providence of God, Psalm 103:19, Psalm 67, Romans 8:28, slavery, Southern Baptist missions
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The Providences of 1776
I’ve made a personal “tradition” of reading David McCullough’s 1776 on the 4th of July for the last couple of years. The book is a marvelous retelling of this pivotal year in the story of America. A repeated theme that … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, History, Reviews, Sermon Illustrations, Uncategorized
Tagged 1776, 4th of July, America, America and the providence of God, America God, American history, American Revolution, Battle of Brooklyn fog, David McCullough, David McCullough 1776, George Washington, history, Independence Day, providence, providence and American Revolution, providences, the providence of God, Trenton, United States of America
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It’s Not Always Good News
God’s men don’t always have “good news” to share. If they do, they are certainly not God’s men! We see an example of that in Isaiah 7. God has just told King Ahaz that he does not need to fear … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged America, bad news, faithfulness, false prophets, God's people, good news, Isaiah 7, judgment, preachers, prophets
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The Times That Try Our Souls (Psalm 11 Sermon)
In 1776 Thomas Paine wrote, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” These words were written in a pamphlet entitled: “The American Crisis” — and America was indeed in a time of crisis which would determine our future for … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged America, crisis, difficulty, gay marriage, Greg Ogden, homosexuality, Psalm 1:1, test, Thomas Paine, times that try men's souls, Transforming Discipleship, trials
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shawnethomas 