Idaho – Page 10 – PaulThompsonBlog

New Sermon Series Begins on Sunday, April 26

Posted on April 21, 2015Leave a comment

If you’ve never driven on an interstate highway in the west you don’t know about this, but if you miss an exit it could be half an hour or forty-five minutes later before you are able to get to the next exit to turn around. Just one simple miss and now you are far off the mark of where you were wanting to be.

This can happen before you know what has happened. This is how it is with sin too. You have a plan of where you want to go, you even know where you are going and then… all of the sudden you’ve missed your exit and too far down the road to quickly fix the matter. It can still be corrected, the right path can be reclaimed, but for now, the consequences of not giving attention to where you are may have a longer effect than desired.

This is the story of the book of Kings.

We will take First Kings this coming Sunday and begin examining where Israel became derailed and why. While doing so it will be of greatest interest to learn as much as can be learned about the God of Israel.

Join me this Sunday as we begin the examination of First Kings

1 Corinthians

Posted on March 25, 2015Leave a comment

Last Sunday I finished the last sermon in a 46-sermon series in the book of 1 Corinthians by reading the entirety of the letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth.

Here are all 46 sermons from the 1 Corinthians Series. (A few sermons did not make it to the audio version due to technical complications.)

Madness

Posted on March 18, 2015Leave a comment

The best thing about a first round NCAA tournament in a small market like Boise, Idaho is that you get two games for the price of one and then if there are empty seats mid way through the game you get to move out of the “nose bleed” seats to “eye level with the basket” seats. I always pull for an underdog.

Let the madness begin!

Time-stamp:
March, 2001 Boise, Idaho

(15) Hampton vs (2) Iowa State
Final score 58-57

Seek My Face

Posted on February 24, 2015Leave a comment

I am thankful to the Lord to have just received confirmation that the keynote speaker at the October (Oct. 18-20) Pastors’ Conference at Eastside Baptist Church (in Twin Falls) will be Richard Owen Roberts.

Rethinking God Biblically

Posted on February 24, 2015Leave a comment

Behold Your God – Sunday night, March 1, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

Join me and others at Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls (204 Eastland Drive North) for a 12 week study on the God of the Bible. In “Behold Your God” we will learn of historical figures in church history and hear from modern day preachers, evangelist and missionaries as they reveal the God of the bible from Scripture.

Introduction: Welcome to “Behold Your God” from Media Gratiae on Vimeo.

Our God, Our Help In Ages Past by Jon Yerby (Behold Your God Original Soundtrack) from Media Gratiae on Vimeo.

Be My Valentine?

Posted on February 13, 2015Leave a comment

Ordered By God As Good

Posted on January 30, 2015Leave a comment

My five (5) minute testimony before the Idaho House State Affairs Committee concerning House Bill No. 2 on January 26, 2015, Boise, Idaho.

I’m Just A Bill?

Posted on January 27, 20152 Comments

Yesterday as Renee and I were walking up the steps of the Idaho Capitol Building I was trying to remember that classic School House Rock song “I’m Just A Bill”. I fear I could not recall many of the lyrics. But the real reason I was on Capitol Hill yesterday was of greater weight than a Saturday morning childhood memory of someone perhaps trying to redeem the time for something of greater value.

My purpose to be on Capitol Hill in Boise, Idaho yesterday was to give testimony. A copy of that testimony is available HERE.

My day old observation of the experience is one of appreciation for the process. It is from three vantage points.

What country is like the United States of America? Wow. If you have never witnessed or participated in such an experience you should plan a family day outing to Capitol Hill. When a bill is in committee there is an opportunity that the committee has a hearing open for public discussion. It is an open invitation for the citizens to express their desire in regards to the committees action. It is an invitation to appeal.
Here’s what I would do if I had privilege to raise young children in my home again. We would learn about a bill we wanted to follow all the way through the process. One of significance. And then I would plan regular field trips to Capitol Hill and make plans to participate at all available processes.
I learned that I did not agree with everyone who spoke to House Bill No. 2 (2015). This was not a surprise, it is to be expected. There are opposing views on a bill of this magnitude. It would be expected that the person I sat next to would not be speaking to the bill in agreement. There would be no mistaking to anyone in the Lincoln auditorium that I was a man. And there would be no mistaking to anyone that I was sitting next to a man dressed as a woman, presenting himself as a woman with physical alterations. No one in the room would have difficulty making this distinction.
We sat next to each other in a civil manner. I said hello, commented on a few things while waiting for the proceedings to begin, and respectfully sat next to each other the entire time.

I respect a process that lets every citizen testify and express emotion for their desires.

I appreciated others who spoke against House Bill No. 2, as I too am opposed. I was pleased that there were others who spoke boldly of their hope that Idaho would honor God and not equate sexual orientation and gender identity as a simple civil rights issue.

I was pleased to hear others speak with precision of the Lord Jesus Christ and the authority of the Bible, clergy and laymen alike.

It was not long in the proceedings that the reality that I would not be in agreement with everyone who claims to be a bible believing Christian. I would find that I’m equally opposed to some of the defense of the bible from some on the same side of the bill as I.

But even more troubling was to begin hearing clergy from some denominations defending sexually deviant behavior as ordained by God and supported from Scripture.

This was a moment of great significance for me.

It is not only important that a Christian voice be heard, it is of eternal importance that a Christian, a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ learn to articulate with pin point precision what one believes and able to defend this with kindness, compassion and appeal for the soul of all men and women.
Finally, I have been spiritually, profoundly impacted by my time spent on Capitol Hill.
Indeed there is a great sin in in the land. I sat next to an individual who is equally fit for hell as I. I have tasted the kindness of God upon my own soul. And I have a duty to all humanity to act compassionately and truthfully with all.

House Bill No. 2

Posted on January 21, 2015Leave a comment

Change in Idaho law may soon look like this… (underlined is the proposed change)

(2) To secure for all individuals within the state freedom from discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin or disability in connection with employment, public accommodations, and real property transactions, discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin in connection with education, discrimination because of age in connection with employment, and thereby to protect their interest in personal dignity, to make available to the state their full productive capacities, to secure the state against domestic strife and unrest, to preserve the public safety, health, and general welfare, and to promote the interests, rights and privileges of individuals within the state.

The entire proposed law is HERE, it is worth reading.

The House Committee hearing is on Monday, January 26, at 8:00am in the West Wing auditorium in the capital building in Boise.

There are three places of greatest interest to me in the proposed law.

I’m not in favor of civic law to govern spiritual morality. There is need for a civic form of morality that I favor, such as laws that protect against harm, danger, murder, etc… I favor laws that protect individuals and their private property and provide protection for them within civic law.
I’m not in favor of civic law jurisdiction imposing spiritual sway over church jurisdiction. Only reason for civic law to give governing jurisdiction over church jurisdiction is in areas where the church may violate civic morality.
It’s not clear that this law directly effects churches, however, if passed, this law opens the door to make it a crime in Idaho to speak in public that the sinful act of homosexuality and the wicked desires of men who want to be treated as women, or women who want to be treated as men is a sin against God. According to a recent Cornerstone Family Council e-alert, “the law will apply in almost all matters of employment, business, and public accommodations (including public restrooms and locker rooms). The criminal penalties will apply regardless of whether your own faith encourages you to view these behaviors as immoral. Violation will subject you to penalties of up to 6 months in jail.”

The Cornerstone Family Council e-alert offers suggestions of what you can do:
1. Send two sets of emails today to the email list, below:
  1. First to all of Idaho’s Representatives as a group; and
  2. Then individual emails to each member of the House State Affairs Committee. This bill will be heard in that committee on Monday, January 26th at 8:00 a.m.
2. Send an effective email to your Representatives:
  1. For all of these emails:
    1. In your “Subject” box put “Vote No on House Bill 2”
    2. Compose a short and polite message explaining why the Representative should vote against House Bill 2.
    3. End by thanking them for their service to our state.
3. E-mail and/or post this on all social media profiles you have.
4. Then, attend the Committee hearing in the West Wing auditorium in the capitol building at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 26th. To let your voice be heard and your sacred liberties preserved. Indicate your opposition to the House Bill 2 when you sign in at the committee meeting. Last year there were over 400 people opposing our bill extending our religious liberties. Your presence – whether or not you speak – is crucial.

Here are some helpful resources for you in contacting Idaho Representatives and the House State Affairs Committee. courtesy of Idaho Cornerstone Family Council

All Idaho Representatives:

cut and paste all emails into one email or send individual emails:

hscott@house.idaho.gov; sdixon@house.idaho.gov; vbar@house.idaho.gov;eredman@house.idaho.gov; rmendive@house.idaho.gov; dcheatham@house.idaho.gov; lmalek@house.idaho.gov;
ksims@house.idaho.gov; cntroy@house.idaho.gov; smcmillan@house.idaho.gov;
pshepherd@house.idaho.gov; tgestrin@house.idaho.gov; mbeyeler@house.idaho.gov;
rkerby@house.idaho.gov; jboyle@house.idaho.gov; bhixon@house.idaho.gov;gchaney@house.idaho.gov;
gbatt@house.idaho.gov; cperry@house.idaho.gov; randerst@house.idaho.gov;
ryoungblood@house.idaho.gov; bcrane@house.idaho.gov; gcollins@house.idaho.gov; mmoyle@house.idaho.gov;reedd@house.idaho.gov; lluker@house.idaho.gov; pmcdonald@house.idaho.gov; jpalmer@house.idaho.gov;jholtzclaw@house.idaho.gov; sharris@house.idaho.gov; tdayley@house.idaho.gov; jvanderwoude@house.idaho.gov;
jmonks@house.idaho.gov; rwills@house.idaho.gov; pnielsen@house.idaho.gov; lclow@house.idaho.gov;
shartgen@house.idaho.gov;mbell@house.idaho.gov; ckauffman@house.idaho.gov;
smiller@house.idaho.gov; sbedke@house.idaho.gov; fwood@house.idaho.gov;kandrus@house.idaho.gov;
kpacker@house.idaho.gov; jthompson@house.idaho.gov; wendyhorman@house.idaho.gov;
nanderson@house.idaho.gov; jvanorden@house.idaho.gov; mgibbs@house.idaho.gov;
tloertscher@house.idaho.gov;jtrujillo@house.idaho.gov; lbateman@house.idaho.gov;
nater@house.idaho.gov; draybould@house.idaho.gov;vburtenshaw@house.idaho.gov; promrell@house.idaho.gov; pjordan@house.idaho.gov; drudolph@house.idaho.gov;
jrusche@house.idaho.gov; jmccrostie@house.idaho.gov; hkloc@house.idaho.gov; jgannon@house.idaho.gov; schew@house.idaho.gov;irubel@house.idaho.gov; pking@house.idaho.gov; merpelding@house.idaho.gov; mwintrow@house.idaho.gov;dpence@house.idaho.gov; mnye@house.idaho.gov; esmith@house.idaho.gov

Send one email to all on the House State Affairs Committee:

cut and paste all emails into one email or send individual emails:

Here is my letter, you are welcome to modify it as needed.

Dear Representative,

My name is Paul Thompson, I am a citizen of the city of Twin Falls, in the county of Twin Falls, of Idaho.

I count it a pleasure to contact you today to express my opinion in relationship to House Bill No. 2 (2015) I have read the entire proposed change that you will hear on Monday, January 26, 2015.

Please vote ‘no’ on this bill for the following reasons:

1) I think it is a risky move to pass legislation that governs the expression of opinion of any citizen.
2) I find that our current law already protects all citizens from being discriminated against.
3) The jurisdiction of the state moves dangerously close to imposing a type of “state church” opinion with a law such as this.

I respect that you give serious and sober consideration to all changes to Idaho code and law. Thank you for taking the time to hear my plea to not pass House Bill No. 2 (2015).

respectfully,

Paul Thompson
Twin Falls, Idaho

But You Are Rich

Posted on December 22, 2014Leave a comment

“…The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:
9 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.10 ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.11 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.'” (Revelation 2:8-11 NASB)

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