fbpx

The Fall of Sodom and Gomorrah

The fall of Sodom and Gomorrah has long been noted as being linked to homosexuality. Where there is biblical argument that these were cities that allowed this sin, Scripture shows that there was something much closer to home to all of us that brought the judgement of God upon the cities. “Arrogance, abundant food, careless ease and not helping the poor and needy…” these are the things that God charged against Sodom and Gomorrah. (Ezekiel 16:49)

Today the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, by not making a ruling, that lower court decisions will stand on the issues of same-sex unions. This sinful lifestyle is the fruit of arrogance. What does that mean for Idaho? What does this mean for the United States of America? Historically when the Supreme Court rules on social or biblical issues it is nearly impossible to change. Unless the Lord intervenes, the once God fearing land of America will arrogantly thumb her nose at God and rebel against His word.

The land needs God fearing people to cry out to God in humility for repentance.

Oh that God would heal the land.

Oh that the church of the Lord Jesus the Christ awaken and cry out to God.

Church, you are as needed today as you ever have been to raise up an army of God fearing men and women. May the Gospel banner be advanced even today.

Packing List

The following should only be considered as a recommendation, not as authoritative. Each participant is responsible for being a well informed and responsible hiker. Here is my recommended packing list for anyone planning on joining me on my 2014 attempt to summit Borah Peak on August 30.

Beware: Borah Peak is the highest elevation in Idaho at 12,662 ft above sea level. The hike is approx. 3.7 miles long (one way) and nearly 5,000 feet elevation gain. Temperatures can vary from extreme cold to extreme hot in the same day. Afternoon thunderstorms are normal with danger of lightning. Come prepared. If you are planning to attempt the climb with me and want to know more details of what I recommend, don’t hesitate to contact me.

IMG_3863

Recommended List of Things to Bring:

•Meal for Thursday night
•Day pack (I do have day packs available upon request)
•Water (I recommend a minimum of 120 oz of water. There is no water source on the trail. Do not plan on getting more water once you leave the trail head.)
•Trail mix (nuts, m&m’s, dried fruit)
•Energy bar/sandwich/beef jerky
•Sleeping Bag/tent or tarp/pillow/
•Well worn hiking boots with good durable sole (do not attempt this hike with brand new, never worn boots)
•Three pairs of socks
•Hat with a brim
•rain gear
•I recommend pants to be warn for the entire hike
•I recommend shirts with sleeves (sun burn happens quicker and with greater severity on shoulders)
•clothes for warm weather
•clothes for cold weather (weather changes with little warning)
•Winter hat (that covers your ears)
•Flash light
•Deodorant
•toilet paper
•chap stick
•Leather gloves (garden type)
•Sun Block
•Bug Spray
•Sun Glasses
•The night and early morning will most likely be very cold. (be prepared for extreme cold and extreme hot)
•Bible (small, pocket size)
•$10 for celebration meal on the return trip home.

Optional Items:
•Walking sticks (ski poles work fine, helpful for parts of the climb and decent)
•camera
•Be very picky on any other optional items you bring.

The Top of Idaho

I’m planning to make the climb to the top of Idaho again in a few weeks. The challenge to the top is always sure, but the decent is where the pain is. All in all, I enjoy the journey, those on the journey and the pictures from the journey. Hey, if you’re not busy on August 30 you should join me and the others.

Here are some photos from some of the past years.

Paul_David
With David – 2005
37530_463942506264_651241264_6692325_5403545_n
Left to Right: Luke, Silas, Bianca, Bradley – 2010
IMG_3865
Silas, Torkeld, me – 2007
Digital Camera
Left to Right at trail head: Bradley, Bianca, Forrest, David, unknown, Steve, Josh, Bryce, Kyle – 2008
IMG_3864
“Chap” – 2007
DSCF1017
Ashley, Betsy – 2010
DavidAndAmy
Amy and David – 2009
IMG_3841
Brian and Alexis – 2007

 

IMG_3854
Shane
MountBorah
Back, Left to Right: Bradley, Brian, Torkeld, Silas, David Front, Left to Right: John, Betsy, me
Digital Camera
Base Camp: Ethan, David, Aaron

IMG_3889

DSCF1004
Infamous “Chicken-Out-Ridge”
DSCF1015
The very top of Idaho
DSCF1051
the normal afternoon thunderstorm

Open Letter to Magic Valley Bible Church

Dear Magic Valley Bible Church,

It was a pleasure to join you this past Sunday evening. Your generosity and kindness to welcome Eastside Baptist Church was what I’ve come to expect from those who claim to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. I’m thankful to the Lord for our shared kinship and hope we have in the blood of Christ.

It is a pleasure to labor in the city and valley with your pastor. I look forward to your pastors monthly column in the Times News, I know I can encourage others to read it without reservation. I’ve discovered in our friendship that He loves the Lord and longs to faithfully exhort the treasury of God’s word. In all of my conversations with pastor “Bear”, he speaks of his love for you. It’s clear that He has a great interest in his family and longs to see the gospel banner advanced throughout the world. I count it a pleasure to know your pastor as friend.

May the Lord strengthen your gospel work in the city. May the residents of Twin Falls and the Magic Valley always find you a faithful refuge, heralding a trustworthy message. May you endure with joy in the Lord. May the favor of the Lord rest upon your fellowship.

I’m thankful to the Lord for your laboring ministry and I look forward to more times together. I count it a pleasure to know the Lord’s people of Magic Valley Bible Church and their pastor.

Paul Thompson
Eastside Baptist Church

 

85 Reasons I Like Living in Idaho

Here are my top 85 reasons I like living in Idaho

GE1) Family: I’m thankful to the Lord for my family.

(left to right: Renee, me, Silas, Bianca, Emily, and David)

 

thebridge

2) Church: I’m thankful to the Lord for my church family, Eastside Baptist Church.

Eastside Baptist Church is a courageous family of believers striving to keep the Glory of God in front of us, the Lordship of Christ directing our steps, and obeying the Spirit promptly. We gather on Sunday mornings at 9:15am for bible study, 10:30am and 6:30pm for worship; Wednesday nights at 6:30pm for a weekly prayer gathering.

 

 

 

Martinez3) Friends: I’m thankful to the Lord for friends like John Martinez.

Hey, write my buddy a short note and tell him hello. Pray for his ongoing ministry with the soldiers of the Idaho National Guard.

 

 

Provider Farms4) Raw cow milk from Provider Farms to go on my oatmeal tonight.

Provider Farms delivers fresh farm produce to Twin Falls every Monday morning. You should visit www.providerfarms.com this week and place an order. They make the local delivery at the Eastside Baptist Church parking lot. Take time to come in and say hello while you are here.

 

IMG_3868

5) Adventure awaits me around every corner and there is always a mountain top that needs to be climbed.

We are planning a trip to the top of Mt. Borah again in late August. Contact me about the date and join in on the ‘Borah Shuffle’.

 

 

80MPHHere are the remaining 80 reasons I like living in Idaho. Beginning July 1, interstate travel in most of Southern Idaho will increase to 80 mph.

 

SermonAudio Archive

Currently preaching through Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls, Idaho. All sermons are currently available online here. Get caught up on the series and join us this coming Lord’s Day, June 29 as we continue the examination of 1 Corinthians.

An Extended Season of Grace

Late yesterday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an upgrade from a temporary stay to a permanent stay on the Idaho Constitutional position of marriage being between one man and one woman. The permanent stay is not simply as permanent as the word would imply, but it is an extended season of grace from God for believers in Idaho to express your views to our state government on this important matter. You can communicate (with kindness and grace) with Governor Otter HERE.

Here is the press release from Governor Otter’s office this afternoon. Consider expressing your joy in the Lord by contacting Gov. Otter HERE.

Fullscreen capture 5212014 54103 PM.bmp

An Appeal to Governor Otter

I sent this letter to Governor Otter, very similar to the appeal I made on Friday at the Twin Falls County Courthouse.

—————————————————–

To: Governor Otter                                                                                                May 16, 2014
the State of Idaho

Dear Governor Otter

I respect the boldness you have taken on the defense of marriage. I plead with you as a reasonable citizen to not change the language of “Groom” and “Bride” to “Applicant A” and “Applicant B” on the Idaho marriage license application.

I respect that you have a fiduciary responsibility to all citizens in our great state. I’m not asking you to hinder anyone from having this legal document. I’m asking you to honor our grand history of having the terms “Bride” and “Groom” on all historic records in our state.

May all who apply for this license have the pleasure of the strong history of the founders of our state constitution. Please do not neutralize the historical beauty of the language because of a federal judge ruling. Hold tightly to our heritage, the heritage of the pioneer west that did what few others would dare to do. Be this kind of governor, our nation needs your boldness. Rise up, and lead forth.

At the least, our history deserves more than a simple change in language.

Please respond in writing explaining why this kind of change would even be considered without respect of the wishes of the good citizens of Idaho.

Thank you for your long service and good care to the needs of all who reside in Idaho.

As a minister of the Gospel of the Lord, Jesus the Christ, I appeal to you to keep a language that finds favor with our Creator. May God bless Idaho.
paul signature

 

 

 

Paul Thompson

Open Letter to Twin Falls County

I spent the day preparing and hand delivering a letter to the Twin Falls County Courthouse to express my hope that this county will stay with the strong historic language of “Husband” and “Wife” on the license application. (Here are my thoughts on this matter earlier today.)

The kind and helpful ladies in the county clerks office endured my questions and received my letter with grace and appreciation. I decided there were a few things I could do with the extended time of grace from God on this matter and decided I must speak kindly on this important topic to God.

The Mirage of Same-Sex Marriage

In her statement released on Tuesday, May 13, 2014  U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy Dale said, “After careful consideration, the Court finds Idaho’s Marriage Laws unconstitutional.”  (full ruling)

I thought that I should read the ruling before offering a response. I’ve just finished reading the ruling. Wow, that was not easy.

First the positive effect of reading the ruling; my vocabulary has now deepened. The value of reading the ruling will help me know how to express my thoughts. I now know what I’m responding to.

The ruling will not go into place until Friday morning. Unless a stay on the ruling is issued, by the ninth circuit court of appeals requested by Gov. Butch Otter, county clerks will be required by law to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Now, an early response of concern; as one charged by my church to be a pillar and buttress of truth, I must speak against the ruling from the vantage point of Holy Scripture.

From Judge Dale’s conclusion (V Conclusion, page 55)

“The Plaintiffs are entitled to extraordinary remedies because of their extraordinary injuries. Idaho’s Marriage Laws withhold from them a profound and personal choice, one that most can take for granted. By doing so, Idaho’s Marriage Laws deny same-sex couples the economic, practical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of marriage, relegating each couple to a stigmatized, second-class status. Plaintiffs suffer these injuries not because they are unqualified to marry, start a family, or grow old together, but because of who they are and whom they love.”


To U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy Dale,

No, U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy Dale, regardless of your decision on the matter, marriage is an order given to humanity by God for His glory. I respect that you have made a significant decision for Idaho, but your decision is not in defense of the creator of marriage. This is no simple ruling you have made, it has lasting ramifications.

This indeed is a complicated ruling.

Obviously homosexuals and heterosexuals are equal citizens and equally capable of accomplishing amazing feats. This orientation of sexual attraction does not declare one superior to another. All of humanity face problematic conflicts with what God has ordained holy and acceptable. We have laws that forbid certain actions based on the welfare of all. Polygamist are forbidden by federal law to attain a marriage license  for more than one spouse. This limitation is not a discrimination against this person’s ability or value to culture. It is a limitation based on the definition of the word marriage.

The ruling today is not a ruling for homosexuals. God is opposed to those who practice homosexuality. Homosexuals in Idaho are loved by God and given strength to overcome the attraction of their wretched heart that wants to do that which is offensive to God. Just as adulterers are called on to not give in to their sinful craving of being disloyal to their spouse. Liars must not be allowed to live out their debase craving of deceiving the federal government on their tax reporting. Giving the homosexual the ‘right’ to marriage is no favor as you suppose. It may afford them secular benefits, as you surely argue, but where is your jurisdiction to rule on things spiritual?

My response is not to defend heterosexuals. Heterosexuals are equally capable of offending God. My response is from my duty to speak for biblical truth. For the welfare of homosexuals and heterosexuals who reside in the great state of Idaho, repent of your ruling.


To Governor Butch Otter,

Where I’m thankful for your bold stand against same-sex marriage and upholding the law of Idaho, I am concerned about your defense. Fundamentally we agree that marriage is an institution between one man and one woman. However, marriage is not “an ancient and traditional child-centered institution, one focused first and foremost on the welfare of children rather than the emotional interests of adults.”

Marriage is an institution ordained by God focused first and foremost on His glory. A blessing of marriage between male and female is children. Yes, I agree with you in that a family is the optimal place for a child to be raised, and that family is with a mom and dad, but this is not the defense of marriage. It is good argument for a child’s welfare but not a defense of marriage between a man and a woman.

Thank you for your work on this matter. I am praying for you. I am praying for your staff. I am praying for Idaho. May the glory of God be your defense of marriage.


For further help, consider reading The Mirage of Life 

Follow

Get every new post on this blog delivered to your Inbox.

Join other followers: