Magic Valley – PaulThompsonBlog

Pastors Round Table

Posted on March 28, 2019Leave a comment

Every Thursday on Newsradio 1310 KLIX I have this pleasure to see my friend Bill Colley (out of picture below to the left). Bill is the local talk radio host on Magic Valley This Morning. The show runs Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. rain or shine.

I first met Bill at the local Home and Garden show at CSI several years ago and have enjoyed being on his program from time to time. Nearly one year ago, Bill stopped by my office to talk about the possibility of doing a weekly hour long segment he calls Pastors Round Table.

Left to Right
Bill (just out of sight), Bear (**Magic Valley Bible Church**), me, and Christopher Folkerts (**New Covenant United Reformed Church**)

I’ve had several other pastors in the area join us and fill in when one of us are gone. The guys in the photo are the regular pastors you hear every Thursday.

Their friendship is enjoyable. I’m thankful to God for His kindness to allow friendships like this. These guys are Biblical, trustworthy, articulate, and kindhearted. They love the Lord, it’s clear their families are priorities in their lives, and they are faithful to give their churches a word from God.

You should put this program on your calendar for every Thursday from 9-10 a.m. You can listen in on a radio at 1310 AM or audio stream online at Newsradio 1310 KLIX. Bill is on every weekday from 6-10 a.m. and writes news at Newsradio 1310 KLIX website.

An Open Appeal to Every Biblical Pastor in the Magic Valley

Posted on January 24, 2019Leave a comment

This is my submitted column for the Twin Falls, Times News this week. Look for it at www.magicvalley.com under “Pastors Corner”, due for publication on Saturday, January 26, 2018.

____________________________
I turn my attention this week to my fellow pastors in the Magic Valley. I know that not everyone of them read this weekly column so I’m depending on readers to pass this on to your pastors, or to a pastor you know.

If we are not careful, the modern pastor of the modern church will be lulled to sleep with dreams of being hoisted up on the shoulders of our communities as the greatest blessing to ever be in our beloved cities. It is a tragedy if we think we are relative because we give people only what they want, a little “chicken soup” for their soul. What is needed most today is an honest people to deliver an honest message from the only reliable way to know God, the Bible. Not so we can boast about how loved we are by our community, but because we know we have just given what is needed most, the Truth that sets men free.

There are sins in all our churches that can only be removed by a blessed work of the grace of God. Our churches and communities are filled with thousands of people of both sexes to whom we have no voice; and they will never be authentically reached but by an movement of the Spirit of God raining down upon our homes, churches, and cities.

This kind of pouring out comes as a result of honest, humble, and compassionate men of God who will stand in their pulpits on the coming Lord’s day and preach once again “thus saith the Lord”. Then, when the man of God is faithful to his duty and the congregation of God is convicted of and repent of their sins by the work of the Holy Spirit, might the power of God rain righteousness upon the region.

Unless and until the Holy Spirit does this, we will soon lose any listening ear and/or any platform to address the growing population.

In 1838, American theologian Albert Barnes observed that “one form of sin is interwoven with another; one leads on another; and all (sins) stand opposed with a solid front to the Gospel of Christ.” In other words, the world will only increase in an emboldened hostility against God. Unless the church awakens from her slumber soon, this current generation of professing Christians will render herself irrelevant. Not because she refuses to try out new things but because she ceases to be a holy people.

You see, fellow pastor, our strategy of becoming like the world is a flawed strategy. Our hope to make ungodly people comfortable with a holy God without the work of the Holy Spirit is hoping God will not be true to Himself. Who in our churches will live holy lives when their shepherds lead them to be like the world?

There is a united front of sin in this world, how do we expect to stand against it while at the same time the professing church remains largely divided against the holy God and His congregation.

In the meantime, all things move along with a hope for status quo, the church cannot hope that God is pleased to continue being presented to the watching world with an unholy apathetic representation. But then again, it is a flawed hope that we think this kind of change or desire for holy living can be accomplished simply by emotional enthusiasm that has to be re-energized within a few days.

As Albert Barnes noted in his day; if this status of the church continues on as is, unchanged, unalarmed by the unconverted masses and the growing love for self and sin, we have no reason to be surprised that sin will continue to triumph, and “that the world moves on undisturbed to death.”

Hey, help me out and pass this column on to your pastor. Encourage him to remain steadfast and immovable on the blessed hope we have in Jesus, the Christ, as described by the Bible alone. Pastor, contact me and let’s pray together that the “Heavens will rain down righteousness and that salvation will bear much fruit in our day.” (Isaiah 45:8)

_________________________________
Paul Thompson is the preaching pastor at Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls, Idaho. Eastside Baptist Church gathers on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. www.esbcTwinFalls.com You can email Paul at paul@esbcTwinFalls.com

Pastors’ Round Table

Posted on July 11, 2018Leave a comment

Every Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. (mountain time) I’m on air along with Bear Morton, pastor at the Magic Valley Bible Church in Twin Falls, with the host of Magic Valley This Morning with Bill Colley. On July 12 we will pick up the topic from the 1689 Second London Confession questions 8 and 9.

#8 What is God
#9 Are there more Gods than one?

As time allows we will walk through these questions and discuss how it has impact on things like former president Jimmy Carter saying God would approve of same sex marriage and perhaps the case in Oregon related to an exercise of religious liberty.

Listen in on your AM radio at 1310
or listen online from anywhere HERE: http://newsradio1310.com/listen-live/?source=desktopnav

The Ancient Paths

Posted on May 30, 2018Leave a comment

(Submitted column for the Times News for Saturday, June 2, 2018)

The church is among the most unique institutions created by God.

Marriage is an ordained institution by God for procreation and the glorification of God for the proclamation of the gospel. Family is a result of this first institution where parents train and teach their children to walk in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

The church is then this blessed institution where the gathered fellowship of individuals, married couples, and families constitute the united effort of advancing the gospel of the Lord Jesus the Christ to the ends of the earth.

Often in churches there is a celebration of those who are innovative thinkers. There is much made about people who “think outside the box”, so to speak.. This doesn’t mean a church shouldn’t exercise good thinking and planning about how to get the gospel to those who don’t have it yet or express thoughts and worship with old and new songs. This does, however, mean that churches must consider what they’ve been instructed to do.

Can you imagine that a soldier is instructed to carry out a command and instead of doing it how he was instructed, he decided to do it more creatively? He would not be a soldier for very much longer. It doesn’t mean that his idea was a bad idea, it means he didn’t follow the instructions of his commanding officer.

Can you imagine if a catcher on a baseball team decided it would work better if he stood behind second base instead of the assigned place the coach put him? He wouldn’t remain in the game much longer, or his team would lose every game for the remainder of the season while this so called “creative innovator” rewrote the game.

This is similar in the church.

Sadly, many pastors and churches have bought into a new clever methodology that is secular and worldly. Pastors get recognized today for doing what no other pastor has ever decided to do, rather than being faithful to what the Bible calls the “ancient paths”.

A problem is that many think the word “ancient” means old, wore out, outdated, or old fashioned. Ancient could mean that if the previous generation introduced new innovative ideas that are now more like a clothing fashion or have treated their duties like a coat of paint on a wall that needs refreshed from generation to generation because the popular color then is now out of date.

But the institution of the church is not like this.

Maybe the church house needs a fresh update. But the core of the institution is immutable. It doesn’t need a change and should not change.
A church that strives to remain faithful to Scripture and let the Holy Spirit use this ancient Scripture to conform God’s people is met with opposition among the new “innovators”.

The Holy Bible says that the word of God is “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Churches and pastors who get this may face criticism from those who think there may be a better way.

Churches and pastors must become more disciplined today to remain faithful to this eternal work.

There is nothing better than a soldier who does what he’s been trained to do. There’s no better way to guard the home plate than a catcher who endures the heat, sweat, dust, and pain of doing what the coach trained him to do. There’s no better aid to a community than for a church and her pastor to be “the pillar and buttress of truth” by returning to the ancient path of Scripture.

Bless the Lord for churches in the Magic Valley who get this and may God bless these churches with pastors who will faithfully do their duty.

Disaster Relief Emergency Shelter

Posted on February 10, 2017Leave a comment

Eastside Baptist Church has just been established as a disaster relief emergency shelter for anyone displaced due to ongoing regional flooding in Southern Idaho. If you are aware of anyone needing this kind of assistance please send them to 204 Eastland Drive North in Twin Falls, Idaho. The shelter is open 24 hours a day and will be available at least through the weekend and longer, as needed, as flood waters are displacing people from their homes.

Share this information throughout the magic valley.

The One and Only

Posted on October 18, 2016Leave a comment

The One and Only

It is said again and again in our day; “to err is human”. Could it be said better? “to fear God is human.”

To say “to err is human” will be our safety net to cover all our wandering ways, sinful indulgences, and actions against our creator. The philosophy of men gives us permission to sin; even to laughingly brush away the conclusion that, even in our fallen condition, we are called out to fear God and keep His commandments. This is part of the human experience believers are to live in. Believers are to deny the temptations of sin by fearing (honoring) God.

A problem many of us are blinded with is that we are more impressed with what God will give us than we are with God. Many spend a lifetime of energy trying to “walk in His Ways” or to “keep His commandments” and never come to fear or know Him (1 Peter 1:17).

If we are to walk in His ways in a manner that is considered an acceptable service, we are to do so with reverence and awe “for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29)

The natural man more fears himself or others than he does God.

Who even talks about the fear of God anymore? I’m not talking about being a slave to fear or ruined with fear. I’m talking about knowing God for who God is. Not the god you have made up for yourself, or the god your church is currently promoting, or the god that leading presidential candidates are promoting.

I’m talking about the God of the Holy Bible, not the god of the Koran or the god of the book of Mormon. I’m not talking about the god of your favorite author or the god of your favorite actor. Not a god equal with other gods.

I’m talking about the God who spoke all things into existence, the God who is holy and righteous; the god who judges all sinners, the God who can “destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28) and has authority “to throw you into hell” (Luke12:5).

It is right to fear, honor, respect, this Almighty God of the Bible. Even more so when you consider that this same God can save you from His wrath.

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) The critical part of that sweet verse is directed to those who believe in Him, the only begotten Son of God. This is why it is important that you believe in the God of the Holy Bible. To believe in any other god, of any other tradition of men, is to be in danger of judgment.

Does your pastor, bishop, imam, spiritual leader tell you that you have no reason to respect, honor or fear God? Are they telling you that a loving god would not condemn anyone? If the answer is yes, ask him or her who gave them the authority to describe God other than how He describes Himself in the Bible.

Will you base your opinion of God off of the authority of men or according to God’s authority? Repent today of making a god for yourself and submit to the ruling authority of the Living God of the Bible.

Taste this saving grace today, how sweet it is.

“How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways.” Psalm 128:1

Backyard Buffet and Some Autumn Solitude

Posted on April 14, 2016Leave a comment

At meal time in my house we are blessed to have guests. Sometimes those guests are birds of a feather or even this frequent visitor that inspired Renee’s entry into the annual Art & Soul of the Magic Valley art contest.

Feel free to share this and encourage others in the area to vote for the Backyard Buffet on display at God Inspired Clothing and Special thanks to Phil and Linda Brugger for sponsoring Renee’s entry in the Art & Soul of the Magic Valley art contest.

The piece Renee entered is in the ceramic category. The official ceramic page is HERE. When I vote I will vote category # 6-135

Feel free to share this and encourage others in the area to vote for the Autumn Solitude on display at Rudy’s, A Cooks Paradise and Special thanks to C.Loren Butler for sponsoring Silas’ entry in the Art & Soul of the Magic Valley art contest.

The piece Silas entered is in the painting category. The official painting page is HERE. When I vote, I’ll be including #6-035.

The contest is largely decided by popular vote. Winners are selected by art critics like you and me. The process is rather complicated and requires more voter security than a presidential election process. So let me help you navigate the process. Full instructions for online voting is HERE.

Step one: Register in person at the Twin Falls Center for the Arts headquarters (195 River Vista Place, Twin Falls, Idaho). Voting headquarters is open Monday – Thursday noon – 6 pm and Friday/Saturday noon – 8 pm. At the registration you will be given your individual voter ID and password, voting instructions are online after you get your voter ID and password.

Step two: Everyone voting is required to vote for your top 13 choices. (that’s a lot of choices.) There are 13 categories of art to choose from but you’re not required to vote in each category. You are not required to vote in each category but my suggestion is that you only vote for one in the ceramic category and one in the oil category (but that is only my suggestion, you should do what ever you want to do.)

Step three: Submit your vote before the deadline on April 30.

Step four: Enjoy the great art pieces throughout the city for the next few weeks.

If traveling here from out of town to vote consider a few other things: Shoshone Falls, Chick-fil-A for lunch, Happy Hour with Paul at Sonic from 2pm-4pm everyday of the week and visit us at Eastside Baptist on Sunday if your visit from out of town requires you stay the night on Saturday night.

For the curious: here is the dinner guest that inspired the Backyard Buffet.

Today is “Abortion Day” in Twin Falls

Posted on January 27, 20162 Comments

I have a source that is telling me that the Twin Falls Planned Parenthood clinic does not have a doctor to do abortions so they have to bring a doctor in to do this. Planned Parenthood designates these days as “abortion days”.

“Abortion Day” is a day of great contradiction in the city of Twin Falls.

It was mid day on a bitter cold New Year’s Eve that we learned of that bag on the side of the road south of town with a naked baby girl in it; dead. And the right response of any community that hears of this is shocked and outraged.

But today, 27 days later a doctor will arrive at the Twin Falls Planned Parenthood and partner with a mother and “health care” providers to murder babies in the womb. It’s just another day at the office.

This is routine in the city. It happens multiple times a month. Where are the headlines of the babies today that will be murdered by doctors, care givers and mothers partnered together to stop life? Where are the shocked and outraged citizens now?

These are days filled with deep sorrow where life is intentionally taken from an innocent child in the womb of his/her mother. The very place God has ordained as the place where design, forming and developing of life takes place is a place the enemy of God mounts to take battle.

And this battle against life is protected by law and happening in our town on a regular basis. (Other upcoming scheduled “Abortion Days” are Monday, February 1, and Tuesday, February 9.)

What can we do?

Keep writing legislators.
Vote for politicians who will put a stop to this and defund Planned Parenthood.
Elect a county sheriff who will not allow this.
Write letters (not rants) to the editor.
Share this information with others.
Pray with me.

We Stand Ready to Preach This Gospel

Posted on June 29, 2015Leave a comment

Dear Twin Falls and the Magic Valley,

The born-again, repenters of unspeakable sins, who gather at 204 Eastland Drive North in Twin Falls, Idaho cried out to Jesus who delivered us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10) and found a solid ground to stand upon.

By the grace of God we found a solid place to stand, a firm foundation that did not disappoint.

This was not a place filled with romance that never delivered on its false promises.

We, too, were once slipping down a slippery slope to certain disaster, accumulating false teachers and creating false doctrines to justify our fleshly cravings when a faithful soul, standing on a firm foundation, gave a clear warning; We didn’t even know we were sinners at the time. That faithful follower of the Lord Jesus spoke of a righteous God who would justly judge all sinners and find us guilty and already condemned.

This righteous, loving God invited us to respond to His holiness and repent. By His grace, we were rescued, in faith, by the satisfying requirement of the necessary death of a perfect life. Jesus Christ, this redeemer of sinners took our place, and appeased the wrath of God on our behalf. What a Savior.

Like us, when you discover that helpless estate of pride, selfishness, and unbelief, cry out to God in the name of Jesus the Christ, described by the bible, repent and be saved.

May He plant your feet on a firm foundation, on Christ the Solid Rock. Where “all other ground is sinking sand, may you in Him be found, dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.”

We stood ready to preach this gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ when it was popular; and now, when it’s not, with great patience and instruction, we ask God for strength to endure. We will not, by the grace of God, abandon our post in the city. We will steadfastly engage in the advancement of the gospel.

We strive to speak with compassion, as those before us, so as to call all sinners unto repentance.

To compromise our message is to compromise our duty. To abandon our duty is of unimaginable hatred.

We remain steadfast as ever, willing to endure hardship for payment. Come, all who deserve God’s wrath, come, come, to Jesus. He stands able and ready to redeem all repenting sinners.

Paul Thompson
Eastside Baptist Church
Twin Falls, Idaho

Posts Tagged with Magic Valley