I served as pastor of Southern Baptist churches in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana for almost 30 years before taking a medical leave from the pastorate in February 2013 due to dysautonomia (POTS) and moving to Norman, Oklahoma. Blessed with renewed health, I was called as Senior Pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist in Morganton, NC in February 2015.
In this blog I share daily devotions from my own personal Bible readings, as well as sermons, book reviews, illustrations -- and occasional humorous "peeks" at life inside this pastor's home!
Tag Archives: mourning
“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
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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
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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
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