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 13:24-30, 36-43, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Judgment Coming," for 2/22/26.
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 12:1-14, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Rejecting Legalism," for 2/15/26.
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 11:1-6, 16-24, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Confronting Doubts, for 2/08/26
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "True Religion" (Philippians 3:2-3)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 sermon)
- Joshua 3:5 Sermon: "Preparing For God To Work"
- Basebaal Strikes Out
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
Tag Archives: prayer
Praying For Health & Prosperity?
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” (III John 2) From John’s prayer here which opens his third letter, it is evidently not WRONG to pray for … Continue reading
Bonhoeffer: The Blessing of Morning Prayer
“The morning prayer determines the day. Squandered time of which we are ashamed, temptations to which we succumb, weaknesses and lack of courage at work, disorganization and lack of discipline in our thoughts and in our conversation with other men, … Continue reading
“Three Resolutions: Or What To Do If The End Is Near” (New Years Message 2017)
(Preached at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Jan. 1, 2017) A couple of years ago I read a survey of Americans which asked what they would do, if they knew the world was coming to an end soon. Two of the … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged accountability, end of the world, forgiveness, I Peter 4:7-11 sermon, intercessory prayer, last days, love, love covers a multitude of sins, Matthew 24:46, New Year, New Year resolutions, prayer, prayer for the lost, return of Christ, service, spiritual gifts, stewards, stewardship
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Prayer and the End of All Things
“The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” (I Peter 4:7) A thoughtless person, contemplating the end of the world, might consider that prayer was not of much … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged confession, end times, eschatology, eternity, I Peter 4:7, intercession, prayer
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Jesus Met Them
“And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 28:9 NASB) They were not even expecting it. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were on their way … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Bible study, devotions, Matthew 28:9, meeting Jesus, prayer, worship
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“Thy Will”: Not A “Bad” Prayer
“My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42) We all face difficult time in our lives, and when we come to them, we should bring our situation to our Heavenly Father … Continue reading
Not For One Hour?
“And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter: ‘So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?’” (Matthew 26:40) What a pathetic response to an amazing invitation! How blessed were Peter, … Continue reading
A Daily Gethsemane
“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39) The words spoken by Jesus here are some of the most important ever uttered in human language.
Before You Give Up Praying For Your Loved One, Try This
Alexander Whyte (1836-1921) was considered by many of his contemporaries to be the greatest preacher in Scotland of his day. His book, Lord Teach Us To Pray, consists of a number of sermons on prayer from a variety of scripture … Continue reading
Posted in Discipleship, Home & Family Life, Ministry, Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged Alexander Whyte, family, holiness, intercessory prayer, John 17:19, prayer, sanctification
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When God Answers An Outrageous Request
“Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’” “And He said, ‘Come!’” (Matthew 14:28-29) Can you imagine the gall that Peter had, to make this outrageously brash request of Jesus? … Continue reading
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