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: testimony
“No Strange Fire: Honoring God in Worship” (Leviticus 10:1-3 sermon)
When I was pastoring in Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal came to our church one Sunday to share his testimony. It was a big day; we had one combined service, and every seat was filled, with standing room only. There were … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons, Uncategorized, worship
Tagged Abba Father, Acts 5, Ananias & Sapphira, Apostle John, awesome God, balance, Bible, caesar banquet shamed, cat in church, celebrities in the church, clothing, creativity, dress, dress and worship, entertainment, entertainment and worship, familiarity, fear of God, focus in worship, giving, glory of God, God's word, Governor Bobby Jindal, Hebrews 13:28–29, house of prayer, hypocrisy, Leviticus 10:1-3 sermon, Lord's Supper, Malachi 3:10, Nadab & Abihu, obedience, prayer, preaching, regulative principle, relationship with God, respect, Revelation 1:13, Revelation 1:17, reverence, salvation, scripture, singing, songs, strange fire, testimonies, testimony, Unseen presence, worship, worship planning
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“This Is My Story: The Apostle Paul” (Philippians 3:3-9 sermon)
For the last 50 years of the 20th century, Anthony Flew, professor of philosophy at Reading University in England, had been one of the world’s most influential atheists. But in December of 2004, Flew made news by announcing that “it … Continue reading
Posted in "This Is My Story" sermon series, Sermons
Tagged Acts 22:1-16, Anthony Flew, Apostle Paul, baptism, communion, confirmation, heritage, imputed righteousness, justification, Philippians 3:3-9, righteousness, rites, rituals, salvation, salvation by works, testimony, wedding clothes, wedding feast parable, works
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“This Is My Story: The Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:11-32 sermon)
A few years back, in a state prison in Hominy, Oklahoma, they had an area in the kitchen they called the “pig slop” pit, into which they would throw all kinds of animal renderings and other food wastes, which they … Continue reading
“This Is My Story: The Gerasene Demoniac” (Mark 5:1-20 sermon)
During the Second World War, when Hitler conquered France, he immediately shut down the borders to keep the people from leaving the country. But one small border town saw its population diminish rapidly, so the Germans searched for the answer. … Continue reading
“This Is My Story: The Ethiopian Treasurer” (Acts 8:25-38 sermon)
ACTS 8:25-38 “This Is My Story: The Ethiopian Treasurer” Cheryl & I love Stefan Berci (our Romanian pastor) and his family. They did a Facetime chat with us yesterday, and we had a great visit. One of the things I … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Acts 8:25-38 sermon, Ethiopian eunuch, evangelism, Isaiah 53, Jesus, RSVP, salvation, story, testimony
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“This Is My Story: Cornelius The Centurion” (Acts 10 Sermon)
When we were serving in Louisiana, our church sent a mission team to Suriname, South America, where one of our members was a missionary. The first team we sent went to teach Bible stories in a local school, and they … Continue reading
Posted in "This Is My Story" sermon series, Sermons
Tagged Acts10 sermon, Cornelius, evangelism, faith, gospel, salvation, story, testimony, works
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“This Is My Story: The Man Born Blind” (John 9 sermon)
There are some characters in books or movies who are popular because they are so heroic or selfless or beautiful, and they are so beyond who we are, and what we can do, that we idolize them as “superheroes”. But … Continue reading
Posted in "This Is My Story" sermon series, Sermons
Tagged evangelism, forgiveness, John 9, man born blind, Nepal mission, popcorn, salvation, sin, story, testimony, This Is My Story
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