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
- "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
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- Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
- Explore the Bible Sunday School lessons
- Habakkuk "Find Us Faithful" series messages
- History
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- Isaiah 53 sermon series Suffering Servant Glorious King
- John 3:16 sermon series
- Luke 10:38-42 Mary & Martha series
- Luke 2 Christmas series
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- missions
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- POTS (dysautonomia) articles
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- Revelation sermon series
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Tag Archives: mourning
“Sowing In Tears” (Matthew 5:4 sermon)
I remember very well, listening to the young man in my church office a few years ago. He was burdened with some temptations to sin that he was experiencing. He couldn’t understand why he would have such feelings and temptations; … Continue reading
Posted in Beatitudes Series 2020 FBCA, Discipleship, Sermons
Tagged Augustine of Hippo, Beatitudes, blessed are those who mourn, character of Christ, children and salvation, Christian character, conviction of sin, guilt, intercession, Matthew 5:4, Monica prayer, mourning, prayer, repentance, salvation, sin
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“Your Spiritual Fitbit” — The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12 sermon)
Well, our family is officially a part of the “Fitbit” craze. Many of you know what I am talking about. Cheryl got me this Fitbit watch for Christmas, and it keeps track of how many steps you take every day … Continue reading
Posted in Discipleship, Matthew sermons, Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged Alvin Reid, BBC movie, Beatitudes, character, character of Christ, discipleship, evaluation, Fitbit, goal, hunger for righteousness, I Corinthians 5:2, I John 3:2, Matthew 5:3-12, meekness, merciful, mercy, mourning, peacemaker, persecuted, persecution, poverty in spirit, prayer, Psalm 37, Psalm 37:11, Psalm 63, pure in heart, Romans 8:29, scripture memory, Sharing Jesus Without Freaking Out, sin
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“The Disciple’s Character: Mourning Over Sin” (Matthew 5:4 sermon)
Many times over the years, people have come to my office, feeling very troubled over a sin or a habit in their life. And sometimes they will say something like: “I feel so bad about that sin; I am not … Continue reading
Posted in "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. 5:3-12), Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged Beatitudes, blessed are those who mourn, character, character of Christ, conviction, discipleship, Donald Whitney Ten Questions To Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, Fireproof movie, I Corinthians 5:2, intercession, Isaiah 6, Isaiah 66:1-2, James 4:9, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jonathan Edwards, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Matthew 23:37, Matthew 5:4, Matthew 5:4 sermon, Monica, mourning, prayer, Psalm 119:136, Psalm 126:5, Romans 7, Romans 8:28-29, sin, St. Augustine
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A King’s Example
“When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes.” (Jonah 3:6) What an extraordinary picture this verse renders of the response … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged ashes, humility, intercession, Jonah, Jonah 3:6, king, leadership, mercy, mourning, Nineveh, pray for America, prayer, President Obama, repentance, sackcloth
1 Comment
Your Response Matters
Isaiah 22 shares Isaiah’s oracle concerning the Valley of Vision. In it he relates the coming destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians. When the Judeans heard of the impending invasion, they made every earthly preparation — but … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged apathy, attitude, Ecclesiastes 3:4, Isaiah 22, mourning, repentance, Valley of Vision
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Are Good Christians Always “Happy”?
In Romans 9:2 the Apostle Paul made a statement which might surprise many people. He wrote: “I have great sorrow, and unceasing grief in my heart.” This is not a light or passing sentiment. Notice the two adjectives he employs: “great” … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged grief, Isaiah 53, Jesus, lost, man of sorrows, mourning, Paul, Romans 9:2, salvation, sorrow
2 Comments
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
He asked. But he didn’t like the answer he received. Nehemiah 1 says that when some visitors arrived in Babylon from Jerusalem, Nehemiah asked about the welfare of the holy city. But the answer dismayed him: the people were distressed, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Matthew 5:4, mourning, Nehemiah 1:4, revival
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The Revealing Nature of Mourning
Psalm 79:1 begins with a mournful prayer: “O God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance …”. The writer of Psalm 79 is a mourner, and it is important to understand the cause of his grief. It is obvious to the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged blessed are those who mourn, Matthew 5:4, mourning, Psalm 79, sin
1 Comment
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