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.
-
Top Posts & Pages
- "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. 1:18-24 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20, "Our Task," Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson for 4/05/26
- "Lessons From Gethsemane" (Matthew 26 sermon)
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "Suffering Servant/Glorious King: The Cost and Benefits of His Atonement" (Isaiah 53:5 sermon)
- "A Living Hope" (I Peter 1:3 sermon)
- "Christ's Suffering/Our Salvation" (I Peter 3:18 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 18:21-35, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Forgiveness," for 3/29/26
- "The Greatest Verse in the Bible?" (John 3:16 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 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
Tag Archives: prayer
The Word of God and Prayer
I Timothy 4:5 says that all food is allowed to be eaten “For it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.” The order here is not accidental, and not without importance. Notice that the WORD comes … Continue reading
A Prayer For Us Double-Minded
Psalm 86:11 contains a great prayer for the many of us who would cry, “I believe, help my unbelief”: “Unite my heart to fear Your name.” The truth is that for many of us, our best moments notwithstanding, our hearts … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged double-minded, fear of men, prayer, Psalm 86:11, trust God, unite my heart
Leave a comment
This Week in “Paradise” September 17
This week in the “paradise” otherwise known as the pastor’s home, we had company from out of town, which proved to be very entertaining — on top of our own typical antics. I can even share SOME of what went … Continue reading
Simple Praise
Someone may ask: “How should I praise God? What exactly should I do?” One might think that there is some complicated, Biblical formula for praise, but the truth is there is a very simple one found in the Book of … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged giving thanks, model prayer, praise, prayer, Psalm 30:4, sing
Leave a comment
POTS Update August 2012 Recovery and Heat Intolerance
In the midst of regulating medications and working my way back to the office after my diagnosis of dysautonomia/POTS, I realized that it was probably time for an “official” update. Some of my friends have gotten “bits and pieces” of … Continue reading
A Basic Reminder
Proverbs 15:29 teaches a fundamental principle which, unfortunately, many people seem to have forgotten : “The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.” So many appear to think that God looks favorably upon their prayers, no matter … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged holiness of God, prayer, Proverbs 15:29, righteousness
Leave a comment
“By The Time I Get To Houston …”
“By The Time I Get To Houston” … I could probably finish that old song a number of ways, actually. By the time I get to Houston for my appointment at Baylor Hospital: … I may be a bit nervous … Continue reading
Bonhoeffer on Prayer
As today is the National Day of Prayer, I wanted to share some observations on prayer from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together. The book focuses on the importance of fellowship in the church, but includes some helpful observations on the practice … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Doctrine/Theology, Ministry, Reviews, Sermon Illustrations, Uncategorized
Tagged Dietrich Bonhoeffer, formal vs. spontaneous prayer, intercessory prayer plan, Life Together, morning prayer, prayer, prayer request organization, Psalms and prayer
Leave a comment
shawnethomas 