(That big word up there means "a preliminary remark or introduction, as to a speech; the foreword to a book or treatise." In this case, it is stuff you should know before you overly criticize my content.)

Sola scriptura     (”by Scripture alone”)

Sola fide                (”by faith alone”)

Sola gratia            (”by grace alone”)

Solus Christus      (”Christ alone”)

Soli Deo gloria      (”glory to God alone”) 

“Without these five confessional statements–Scripture alone, Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, and glory to God alone–we do not have a true church, and certainly not one that will survive for very long. For how can any church be a true and faithful church if it does not stand for Scripture alone, is not committed to a biblical gospel, and does not exist for God’s glory? A church without these convictions has ceased to be a true church, whatever else it may be.
” –James Montgomery Boice

How true, how true. These are the truths that shook the world. And they are the truths that need to shake the worldly church.

I have been “in ministry” now for over twenty years. I have served churches in Tennessee, Indiana, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Alabama.

I am very happily married to Sharon. Over twenty-three years now!!! We have two incredible children, Gabby and Joe. We have three dogs (Sam, Sally, & Maggie) and eighteen twelve five fish (poor fellows have no names).

My academic background includes: The University of Alabama; Trinity College of the Bible and Seminary; Oklahoma Baptist University, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. My Mom and wife joke about me being a lifetime student… I like to learn. I have B.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Oklahoma Baptist University and a M.Div. (Master of Divinity) from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I am currently pursuing a Doctorate (Th.D.) in Systematic Theology from Northwestern.

I really enjoy my present ministry calling. I pastor a congregation in South Alabama. They are great folks!

Another thing is that I love coffee. Not for the caffeine, but in the mornings that is nice. I can drink coffee pretty much all day. I like a cup after meals. I try to switch to decaf about lunch time, I do not always do it. I drink a lot of tea too.

I also like all things Apple. They won me over at the advent of OS X. I only use a PC when I have to. Not very often these days. I am rarely without my iPhone. If I am, it is an accident.

I always have music playing. I went from the boom-box in the 70's to the walkman of the 80's and 90's. Then the mp3 player came on the market in 1999. My first one was a Rio Riot. I quickly changed to the iPod. The iPhone came and my Palm, my camera, and my iPod were left at home. My three favorite gadgets rolled into one and with internet access to go. What can I say? I love my iPhone.  I am also rather fond of my iPad. It has replaced my MacBook Pro when I am on the go and is saving me on lots of paper (and ink).