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 21:23-32, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Authority," for 4/26/26.
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 20:1-16, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Grace," for 4/19, 2026
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-25, "Love" for Sunday 11/02/25
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "Fear Not, I Am With You" (Isaiah 41:10 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: service
Church: Not Spiritual “Show & Tell”
“What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” (I Corinthians 14:26) After detailing several ways … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged church, edification, ego, I Corinthians 14:26, pride, service, worship
1 Comment
God Will Do What Your Worry Won’t
“For I am God, and there is no other; God, and there is no one like Me … saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’” (Isaiah 46:9-10) If you’re tempted to worry about … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged "Sovereignty of God", anxiety, God's will, Isaiah 46:9-10, kingdom, kingdom work, service, sovereignty, trust, worry
1 Comment
“If Everyone In The Church Were Just More Like Me …”
“If they were all one member, where would the body be?” (I Corinthians 12:19) The Apostle Paul makes a great point in this verse, as he addresses church members who wanted others in the church to function like them in … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged body, church, diversity, gifts, I Corinthians 12:19, service
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For The Common Good
“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (I Corinthians 12:7) The Bible teaches us here that every believer in Jesus Christ has been given a gift by the Holy Spirit: “But to … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged church, Holy Spirit, I Corinthians 12:7, pneumatica, service
1 Comment
“My Body, My Choice”?
“And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you …’.” (I Corinthians 11:24) These words the Lord Jesus spoke have become so familiar to many of us that it can … Continue reading
Why We Can’t Judge Someone’s Ministry
I Corinthian 4:5 is a great reminder of why you & I are not to judge someone’s ministry too early. The verse reads: “Therefore do not go on judging before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged do not judge, heart, I Corinthians 4:5, Jeremiah 17:10, judging, judgment, mind, motives, Psalm 139:12, secret, service
1 Comment
Our Part
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.” (I Corinthians 3:6) Paul made it very clear here just Who was responsible for making the church at Corinth grow: “GOD was causing the growth.” He alone was responsible for … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged church growth, I Corinthians 3:6, responsibility, service
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“Strategically Planted At Your School” (I Peter 1:1 devotion for teachers)
One of the biggest decisions a person makes in life is whether they believe they are here by accident, or whether there is a God who has a plan for them. I think you are here today because you believe … Continue reading
Epithets
The very last chapter of Romans contains a long list of people to whom the Apostle Paul wished to send greetings. It is interesting to read the little “descriptions” that he attaches to the names of the people he was … Continue reading