Twin Falls Times News – PaulThompsonBlog

Give Us A Blessing of the Pets

Posted on September 30, 2021Leave a comment

About a decade ago the religion editor of the Times News approached me and several pastors in the city to consider writing on a rotating basis for the religion section in the Saturday Paper. This has been a great pleasure to have done so and would hope it to continue on for many more decades.

But, the wind has shifted and the Times News is pulling the plug on Pastors’ Corner.

For the past several years my friend “Bear” Morton, pastor at Magic Valley Bible Church and I have been essentially rotating the column between the two of us with a few exceptions when another contributor would submit a column.

About two months ago I was informed that the paper would continue to publish my column submissions but they would no longer publish anything related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, + topics. This was after a month of writing about concerning issues related to LGBTQ+ promotions in our city library in the children’s department.

Writing from the Times News has been an experience I will always treasure. I have had many conversations with people in the community who either appreciated what I had to write or had steam building up in the pressure cooker that needed to be released. These columns would generate occasional personal emails, phone calls, vile voicemails, online debate, and a few submissions on Rants and Raves on Craig’s List that were only rants. I was even nominated for the coveted “Christmas Turd” award from someone who likely only gets used coal in his stockings.

But overall, I’m thankful to have had this opportunity.

The real unsung hero in my column writing was my personal editor, Renee. I can assure you that anytime I published a column with a run-on sentence, a misspelled word, or a misplaced there, their, or they’re was not because of the careful eye of my editor, it would because I would submit it before I had her look it over. There were for sure some embarrassing mishaps from these lumberjack fingers clunking away on the keyboard. A few of my favorite columns never got submitted because after Renee read it she would very kindly say something like, “were you drinking when your wrote this?” Because I don’t drink, I took that as a fair critique that I should not submit it without a major rewrite. So Thank you, Renee. (If you are reading this right now, that means that I published this post without asking her to edit what I just said. Imagine seeing me at my computer right now with a smile on my face knowing that when she reads this later she will ask me; “Why didn’t you let me edit this?” Now imagine me shrugging my shoulders with a crooked grin on my silly face. )

I have offered the Times News my efforts to find more people to write the Pastors’ Corner column. I even have a long list of people who disagree with me who would love to have a platform if only to rebut my column. I don’t look for this to unfold. Funny thing is, those who think my biblical view is too narrow have successfully censored me by cancelling my column in this publication.

I guess people would rather their religious leaders provide a drive-through blessing of the pets than actually write about holy things. Maybe they are more looking for someone to write about bad puppy breath and how cute floppy bunny ears are rather than the oracles of God from someone with a biblical vertebrate (hat tip to Times News reader Brian.)

There was a day when communities wanted a religion column to be a religion column. The day is fast behind us. Come on, preacher, the days where you describe God from the Bible only are the days my grandparents lived in. Don’t you know we can now eat meatless meat printed on a 3D printer? Your environment killing cows have been replaced.

I will continue the discipline of writing and musing from a biblical worldview. I invite ongoing discourse with any who agree or disagree. I welcome face to face discussions in many of the fine dining establishments in the city, I welcome more formalized public debates. I just enjoy talking about the Messiah as described by the Bible alone.

I find value in taking the time to actually write out my thoughts. I even enjoy a heated debate with myself on how to say something.

You are encouraged to drop by my self-published-blog page and correspond with me from time to time. When you do, please share my blog posts before someone comes along and unplugs my monitor.

Does anyone have a typewriter?

Help Needed

Posted on September 23, 2021Leave a comment

This was just submitted to to the Twin Falls Times-News for the Faith Corner column I write for on a regular basis. Look for it on Saturday in the Times-News.

Help Needed
by Paul Thompson

Like most everywhere across the Magic Valley, there are “Help Needed” signs. They are in windows and on sidewalks. Some of the signs post the hourly wage (always above minimum wage), including benefits and starting bonuses.

This is how it is in this temporal day. Man is always in need. Just like there is no shortage of “Help Wanted” signs in the commercial sector there is no shortage of “Help Needed” signs in the inner-man.

Man always needs help.

He needs help in his marriage. He needs help with his children. He needs help getting along with his neighbor. He needs help putting up with his coworkers. He needs help pushing his car to the gas station when he runs out of gas in the Blue Lakes and Pole Line intersection.

Man was created in such a way as to have a relationship with God and all of His creation. Yet, because of sin, he needs help with how to do so properly so as to glorify God.

Man needs help, but this is not how it is with God. He needs no help. Ever.

From before the first pages of the Bible to beyond the close of all temporal days, God is never without resources or in need of assistance. God, as He describes Himself in the Bible, is not meeting with a therapist or seeking counsel on how to win friends or influence a generation in need of Him. He’s not needing to be coached on how to be more compassionate or more clear with His commandments.

This is because God is not man.

Let me encourage the reader to not look for an escape from the day God has ordained but rather when we find ourselves in need of help to turn to the one who is not found lacking.

God does not need to be reinvented for men to love him, He was not invented.

God does not need to create a new ad campaign so everyone will want to try Him again, He was not created.

God does not need a board meeting of all the brilliant economists to know how to get out of debt, He is all knowing.

God does not attend conferences to learn of new medical discoveries, He is full of wisdom.

God does not look to ally with other nations to help protect His kingdom, He is all powerful.

God does not have a weekly appointment with a therapist to learn skills in how to be more gentle. He is all together different from everything He created.

So, as you drive around and see all the “Help Needed” signs, let that cause you to meditate on the nature of God and His eternal attributes. Be encouraged that you can trust the One who needs no help, and He is not lacking in any resources to help with all of your needs.

There is a greater need that we are completely lacking in, bankrupt of righteousness. This is a great kindness of God that he would send His One and Only Begotten Son, Christ Jesus the Lord, to satisfy what man is most incapable of doing. The wrath of God can only be satisfied by the blood of Christ.

Only the one who needs nothing can do this for you. Repent of your sin, believe the Gospel, be saved.

Faith Corner Column

Posted on September 8, 20211 Comment

It has been communicated to me with a strong warning that any of my columns that are not favorable to LGBTQ+ issues will no longer be published in the Twin Falls Times-News.

Fair enough. It is not my publication. It is technically an “opinion” column that I was first requested to submit on a rotating basis with other “pastors” in the community. I have been please to be doing this for nearly 9 years and have hope to continue on.

First, I will not be censored on content. Second, I will love my neighbor and write as though someone holding truth were writing to me – I would want truth written to me.

One way you can help is to share my columns on your social media sites. Visit the original source of the column and be sure to communicate what you thought of the column with the appropriate emoji. (this is not a request to always click on the smiley face at the end of the column. But to do so, when it is appropriate to do so, it helps communicate to the publication that this kind of writing is appreciated by at least some of the readers.) This also is helpful when you read others who write and you respond. And of course, please pray for me and other pastors who write with love of God and compassion for our neighbors.

Here was the last piece I submitted that was published two weeks ago. We’ll see if they will publish my next one.

________________________________________

One of the things that mark Biblical Christianity is that when the Bible speaks, it speaks with the highest of authority. The follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, as described by the Bible alone, will do all that he can to govern his life with this “headlamp” on to illuminate his path and steps.

One of the paramount duties of a local church that makes claim to be under the authority of the Bible is the responsibility to read the Bible in public places and give exposition of the reading of that text. Generally speaking, from the ancient days (Ezra and Nehemiah) when God’s people would gather together to give ear to what God had revealed, the people would secure a platform/pulpit so that the hearing of what God had communicated could be heard by all who had gathered. In most records of this happening, men and women, boys and girls, even nursing infants were present.

The local gathering of a Bible-believing people has been either held as a blessing or a curse. A blessing to those wanting to hear from God or a curse to those who want to suppress the truth (Romans 1). The apostle Paul once even spoke of how the messenger of the good news (the Gospel) would be received as a sweet-smelling aroma to those being saved and the stench of death to those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15-17).

“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 2:15-17)

Jesus noted that His duty was to obey the Father rather than men when He said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). He noted that His work was singular and would not be distracted. An example to the church and the man of God who sits in the office of pastor in that local fellowship.

The Apostle Paul wrote of the faith of the local church in Thessalonica when he received word back from Timothy that the tempter had not been successful in persuading the followers of God in the city to abandon their faith amid the affliction and pressure to not speak truth (1 Thessalonians 3).

This shines a Biblical light upon the role of a local church and the man in the pulpit.

The church, if she is to be true to her duty, is to be a pillar and buttress of truth. That preacher in the pulpit is not called upon by God to create fancy ways to attract bigger crowds. That preacher has been called to be faithful to his called upon duty. Mainly, read this Scripture to God’s people, exposit this text with helpful application, and prayer. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t give compassionate care to the people or provide ministries to the widows, orphans, and poor among us. It means his first priority is to the word and prayer.

He is really like an ancient lookout in a fixed spot on the wall to point out the present dangers facing the city and point everyone to the savior, the one that will not disappoint. He is responsible to warn the community of the false teachers, the world philosophies, the traditions of men (Colossians 2:8). If he does not do his job, he should be removed because of his cowardice and laziness and replaced with one who will not be tempted to abandon his duty.

The one doing his duty under the authority of the word of God must answer to God, not man. The church doing its duty must love God more than the personality of the man in the pulpit. Then it is upon the people being saved to rejoice that God has given them a faithful man in the pulpit or for the people perishing to stiffen their necks and have nothing of truth to be heard on their streets. This tension will always be present. For the glory of God, may He bless the city with faithful pulpits.

“For now we really live.” (1 Thessalonians 3:8)

Paul Thompson is the preaching pastor at the Eastside Baptist Church located at 204 Eastland Drive North in Twin Falls, ID. More information can be found at www.esbcTwinFalls.com. Email Paul at paul@esbcTwinFalls.com. Call Eastside Baptist at 208-734-7041

God Only Gives What is Good

Posted on December 26, 2018Leave a comment

“I will hear what God the Lord will say;
For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones;
But let them not turn back to folly.
Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,
That glory may dwell in our land.
Lovingkindness and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Truth springs from the earth,
And righteousness looks down from heaven.” (Psalm 85:8-11)

To a child, it is surprising how slow Christmas comes and then how fast it is forgotten. By now most of the new toys are either broken or the batteries are dead. To the adults, it is surprising how much money is spent and how the plans for a new year diet is underway (soon).

The great tragedy of Christmas is, that as special as the season is, it is too quickly forgotten.

Culturally, Christmas is a most unique season. Even though there are many changes taking place such as the removal of nativity scenes on government property, Christmas concerts being replaced with winter concerts, and household debt continues to escalate, there is still a special feeling in the air. Most merchants still play Christmas carols, many still wish each other “Merry Christmas”, and most, at least, notice something about the birth of a Child in the little town of Bethlehem.

But what noticeably is lost in the busyness of this most wonderful time of the year is how quickly the church behaves more secular every year and how soon those who attended a Christmas Eve service give little interest to gathering the following Lord’s Day.

Throughout the entirety of the Bible there is either an announcement of a Messiah coming, a Messiah is here, or a Messiah is coming again.

The announcement of the most spectacular gift ever given by an eternal God and received by temporal man is like that of what the Psalmist described of when “lovingkindness and truth” or “righteousness and peace” meet together and form a refuge from the storm of sin. The promise of this Savior is only received with anticipation by those whom the Lord God Almighty has given eyes to see and ears to hear of their condition in which they clearly need to be saved from. This news is the greatest news the ears of temporal men could ever hear.

Unlike the quickness of the season changing and most forgetting of the news of a supernatural visitation from God, there is reason for you to stop and ponder again over that glorious day when God put on the clothing of men to save him from his sin. The Bible describes the multitude of angelic hosts having a great expectation for the salvation of men, yet most men will do little more than a head nod of recognition of this time splitting event.

My plea to you today is to look again to that glorious visitation of the Most High. O for a year of Christmas sermons of the incarnation of Almighty God. Your mind is quick to look forward to a new year and quickly begin looking away from the hope of Christ. We are prone to focus on the temporal day of goal setting, weight loss, better health, living debt free; all of which are worth setting a plan to do, but nothing is more demanding of your attention than the hope we have in Christ.

God only gives what is good. Why are you so easily distracted? Why chase after anything less?

You Attract More Flies With Honey

Posted on August 8, 20181 Comment

Have you ever heard someone use this phrase before? “You attract more flies with honey rather than with vinegar.”

I’ve never actually “field tested” this, but I think the point is that if you want to attract people you will be more successful with something sweet rather than with something bitter. Who doesn’t like a kind word over a rude word? Truthful words are always helpful, but when are harsh, cruel, spiteful tones in a conversation ever helpful. I think this is likely the origin of a phrase like this. (I want to first of all say, “why do you want to waste your honey on flies?”)

But what happens when one applies a phrase that means one thing in a particular situation to an altogether different situation?

For example: Today, while I was watering my garden I noticed both flies and bees and it caused me to remember being told one time early in ministry days that if we want to attract people to our churches we have better success when we use honey rather than vinegar.

This may be true in how we speak to people, all people. Be kind, sweet, gentle, friendly, etc… If you want to turn people away then just be rude, crude, harsh, brutal, etc. But when we, the church, apply this to methodologies I think we can run into a risky, unintended conclusion.

Here’s what I mean…

We may likely be able to attract a bigger crowd with flashy activity. It’s a proven fact that churches across the land are doing a lot of things and it appears to be attracting more people. There runs a problem with employing this kind of thinking to church growth. However, when we begin thinking that the current gathering crowd is here because we’ve done something “sweet” for them that they really like we’ve pulled a “bait and switch” on then. It may well be what they want (and we gave it to them) but is what we’re giving them that which is the sweetest?

Now, I don’t know of any church that would dare say that the word of God is like vinegar. But I know many churches that treat the word of God like vinegar. This is the unintended conclusion that is implied when we use this American proverb to the church.

But what if there was something sweeter than honey?

Wouldn’t it make sense then, that churches would use what is sweeter than honey and begin treating what we call “honey” like vinegar?

Reader, if you’re employing worldly philosophy that treats God as anything but the highest pleasure imaginable then you are nursing on vinegar.

Churches of the Magic Valley, if you are employing trickery to gather a people because you don’t think the word of God is the most helpful thing for people then you are keeping people from the most helpful, valuable, pleasurable thing God has ever given us.

This is how God puts it…

Psalm 19:7-14

⁷The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
⁸The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
⁹The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
¹⁰They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
¹¹Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
¹²Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
¹³Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
¹⁴Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

A Call to Anguish

Posted on July 2, 2018Leave a comment

Every other week I publish a column in the Twin Falls, Times News in the religion section. I was asked to participate in this about eight years ago with several others in the city. Today, it is myself and pastor Bear Morton from the Magic Valley Bible Church who split the pastors’ corner column. The way print media (and internet media) works is all based on readership. Today, it is easier to tract actual readership via internet activity.

(If you are ever inclined to do so, reading the Saturday religion section of the Times News and interacting with and sharing the Pastors’ Corner column helps the publishers know people are reading it.)

And, weekly on Thursday’s at 9:00 a.m. I’m on the local secular radio station with an hour segment called ‘Pastors’ Round Table’. The host, Bill Colley, has been kind in inviting me to this one hour weekly time with other pastors in the valley. Of course, I’m pleased to have Bear Morton with me on the air too. Invite someone to listen with you this Thursday at 9:00 a.m. on 1310 AM KLIX.

This is the column I submitted last week to the Times News.

___________________

A Call To Anguish

The Old Testament evangelist, Isaiah, calls for the people of God to anguish or to weeping bitterly (Isaiah 21 – 22).

Most preaching heard in our day is more about personal goal setting, living for the moment, and enjoyment of temporal days. Where it’s true God’s people ought seek to be the most pleasant of people and filled with joy, it is not of a temporal kind of pleasure seeking.

When he was at a place to look at the city of Jerusalem, like Jesus when He wept over the city, Isaiah noticed that the people were not living with a real understanding of the coming wrath of God because of their long-standing disobedience. The city of Jerusalem took much pride in that the temple of the Almighty God was in their city and yet did not live as though He was God at all.

It is the kindness of God that He would give faithful watchmen to warn of the coming of righteousness to judge all unrighteousness.

Christian, what do you see when you look at the normal activity of your city?

When you see the infatuation with sin of many in our day who make confession of being a follower of Christ, does it bother you at all?

When the shows at the local theater are mocking God and promoting debauchery, does it cause you to weep that many claiming Christ today are as active in the sinful activity as the unconverted?

When you see the children of many churches at our church camps, on our mission trips, or attending Vacation Bible Schools this summer; will you notice any difference in them at all from unchurched children? They’re talking about the same movies, they’re singing the same songs, they’re reading the same books, they’re using the same curse words, they’re disobeying their parents just like unbelievers, or they’re wearing the same seductive, self absorbed, eye catching clothing promoted by the latest fashion seen on people who openly hate God.

If you’ll look honestly into our day, you’ll see this is really how it is.

Our day is very similar to Isaiah’s. Everywhere he looked, he saw hardly anyone walking after God.

Who’s going to pray for anyone today when hardly anyone notices there is a coming judgment of God upon the church of God. My appeal to the reader today is not to the unbelieving in the valley, it’s an appeal the house of God, to pray.

Not to pray with platitudes, self absorption, and empty concern.

No, I’m talking about praying in anguish, deep weeping, bitter tears over the lost condition of the house of God. It there will be any hope for an awakening and a real movement of the Holy Spirit in our day, it will come from a house of God who sees as God sees and lives with compassion for the lost in the valley. This will not happen when they see that those claiming to be Christians are really no different than the unbeliever.

The only real difference is that the unbeliever in pursuit of sin is at least honest in who they are.

O, dear followers of Christ, we are in a day where there are few praying in anguish over the sins of our families, neighbors, government, or churches. Let us rise to our duty once again as watchmen on the wall who are honest about what we see, then let’s be faithful to give a clear warning of what is seen and proclaim to all that there is hope in Jesus the Christ, as described by the Bible alone.

Grace Alone

Posted on August 5, 2017Leave a comment

This is part 2 of a 5 part series on the “5 Solas”, being published in the Twin Falls Times News. If you would be willing, visit the full column HERE and share the link from the Times News. This helps communicate to the Times News that a column like this is read.

__________________________________
Grace Alone

Last month I examined the first of what is known in church history as the five “solas”; Scripture Alone.

Any church not holding to the Holy Bible is not presenting a true truth about God. There are obviously other religions but if they are not holding to Scripture alone then they are not a biblical church. This is not hateful speech as some want to claim. It is an honest expression from an historical vantage point. There may be other religions, but there is only one church of the Holy Bible.

This month, let’s examine what the Bible says about salvation.

Salvation is by grace alone. This is another marker of the great reformation.

First we have to give meaning to what we mean when we say that “salvation is by grace alone.” It is useless to talk about salvation unless there is reason to be saved. There is no need to talk about salvation at all unless it is understood that mankind needs to be saved from the wrath of God. If we need to be saved from the wrath of God it is necessary to see that God alone is good and that there is no good in mankind.

We are taught in our culture that we can do anything. It is quite amazing the things humanity can do. But if man is to be saved from the wrath of God we must see that only a loving and just God can save man and that man needs God to do this on his behalf.

If man is basically good or can become good enough to be saved from the wrath of God we have no need for a savior and no need for a God. This is what other religions teach. But not what the bible teaches.

There is a need today for honesty among the various religions in the valley.

As for me, I have already stated my case for Scripture alone; by Scripture, I mean the 66 books of the Holy Bible.

Scripture is clear on the natural order of humanity since the fall of Adam and Eve. We are sinners. We are born this way (Job 14, Jeremiah 13, Psalm 51, 1 Kings 8). This is a clear teaching in Scripture. All men everywhere are sinners from conception. We are born enemies of God, sinners.

Because we are sinners, the Holy Bible teaches that we can do nothing to save ourselves or even to do anything to prepare ourselves to be saved. The bible says we must be “born again” (John 3).

Think about it with me… we had no say in our birth. We didn’t have a say in who our parents would be, we didn’t choose our skin tone, we didn’t choose our hair color, we didn’t determine our sex. All things were ordered by God. If we are to be born again as Jesus says then what do we have to do with our salvation? This is a work of God that He does and He does alone by grace. If there was something we could do to save ourselves we would boast about our own goodness, but we don’t have any goodness.

Either God saves sinners who are spiritually dead and incapable of saving themselves or sinners have something good within them to have influence upon their well being and thus have a say in their salvation. Salvation by any other means than grace is an inadequate salvation.

Salvation is by grace alone.

Any other salvation is not the salvation of the bible. Mormonism and Islam needs to be publicly honest in that their religions are religions that put man in charge of his own salvation. There’s no need for God to do anything to save humanity if man can contribute to his salvation. It would be a completely absurd act for God to send His only begotten Son to die for anyone if there is another means for men to be saved.

No, the Holy Bible is clear, the sinless Son of God died upon a Roman cross for the sins of men while we were dead in our trespasses. Salvation is by the means of God’s goodness, His grace.

Grace alone!

From Lord’s Day Evening – July 30, 2017

It Only Looks That Way At Times

Posted on March 4, 2017Leave a comment

Today, the Times News posted my monthly column (HERE) next to an article on a church
offering glitter in their ashes for their drive by Ash Wednesday experience to start the month of Lent.

The gates of hell will not prevail!

It only looks that way at times.

___FULL COLUMN HERE___

Dear reader,

I’m not in the habit of reading any of Anton LaVey’s writings, ever. (Nor would I recommend them to anyone). In some research for sermon preparation recently I read a short bio of LaVey in search of what I understood to be The Nine Satanic statements. They are everything opposed to righteousness or godliness.

LaVey, claims that “Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years!” Satan is not the best friend the (true) Church has ever had. As a matter of fact, Jesus tells Peter; “I will build my church and the gates (or forces) of Hell will not prevail” (Matthew 16:18).

I could agree that Satan is the best friend that the false church has ever had and is why he longs to keep it in business. Keeping a false church in business makes sense if the he wants to mislead all who would join on an emotionally charged false conversion.

“Behold, I will cause those of the temple of Satan, who say that they are [believers] and are not, but lie…” (Revelation 3:9)

But the Lord’s church will prevail! She will not be overcome or over powered by that which is false. And this is why she must stand on the alert. Guard the Trust. Persevere through the end. Advancing the Gospel banner. Dispelling the lies of the enemy, always!

It is possible that one may think he/she is in pursuit of all truth while in honesty is believing in an intentional lie.

To be clear: Satan is no friend of the church.

Church of the Living God, when you gather this weekend, don’t be satisfied with anything but truth. It’s a good day to be the church!

The Gospel

Posted on December 30, 20161 Comment

Tomorrow in the Twin Falls – Times News:

_______________________________________

Joy In The LORD!

On the eve of 2017 we have yet another natural moment for annual evaluation and projecting hopes for the coming days.

Like the dawning of any new year, we get a moment from the Author of time to reflect and consider. Not everyone will see this moment of pinning a new calendar on the wall as a spiritual or eternal moment; but to those that do, may I offer a few thoughts?

I get that a healthier physical body is something that is a pursuit of many at the start of the year. I would even go so far as to agree that it should consume some of your consideration, both for you and your family.
It’s good to set goals for personal order such as organizing your home, cleaning out the car, finally going through all the boxes that have not been opened since your last move, establishing a reading goal for the year (including reading the bible through).

These are not bad things to consider as we face the dawn of 2017.

But greater than the changes we hope to make by breaking bad habits and establishing new goals, is the matter of joy.

What is the source of your joy?

Getting your house in order, losing 20 – 40 pounds, running a 5K, or any other temporary matter will only bring about temporary joy. It doesn’t settle the core matters of life. So long as we put temporal goals as our primary pursuit in life, we will always have something left undone or unsatisfied.

What is it that brings humanity our greatest joy?

Contentment in this temporal day is difficult to achieve until we address the eternal matters of our eternal being.

And listen closely, not just any eternal pursuit will do.

Not all paths are equal.

It’s true that many people journey different paths and we live in a blessed land that allows all to pursue their paths equally. We can live in respect of each other in this while noting at the end that only one source of all truth exists.

May I encourage you to give consideration to the greatest pursuit of your life?

There is lasting, eternal joy, only in the LORD, Jesus the Christ, the son of the Living God. He is a gracious land owner, a redeemer and savior.

To know Him, you have no greater source than the Holy Bible. May it be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. There are people all throughout the Magic Valley who are in pursuit of eternal joy in Christ Jesus, the LORD. They meet with other believers throughout the valley on the LORD’s day in organized locations for the purpose of worship in fulfilling their longing for joy. Not just any kind of worship, but the worship of God, the creator of all things and the redeemer of the souls of repenting men, women, boys, and girls.

Not all places of worship are equal in their object of worship.

Be sure that you gather in places where salvation is in Christ alone, through faith alone. Be sure that the source of this salvation is from the recorded pages of the Holy Bible alone. Any other path, by any other means, by any other source is not a path of eternal joy.

O may you taste the eternal goodness of God this year!

Happy New Year

Antiquated Liquor Laws

Posted on December 15, 2015Leave a comment

The city of Twin Falls has been working on its liquor laws. My opinions on the liquor laws are not the primary focus of this post, but they will help in my expression of why and how to engage in public discussion.

For several weeks notice has been given by city council to attend the public hearing concerning liquor laws in the city at businesses where liquor is consumed on the property. Attending and speaking at the meeting last night has prompted me to jot down some observations and suggest some ideas for consideration to anyone attending and planning to speak in public meetings.

Twin Falls has adjusted liquor laws a few times in the past 8 years to attempt to bring the city into parity with other cities in the state. Obviously, the city law has to be within the bounds of state and federal laws and not permitted to go beyond. Until as recent as 2006, Twin Falls had limitations on liquor (by the drink) sales on Sundays. (By definition, liquor and alcohol are viewed differently by code and law. And these laws are dealing only with establishments that allow drinking liquor on the premises; ie: restaurants and bars.)

The most recent discussion has been upon the time that businesses are required to stop serving (selling) liquor by the drink. In Twin Falls, that time is 1:00 am. State law is 2:00 am. In addition to this issue, Twin Falls also has limits on certain days. State law forbids the sale of liquor (by the drink) on Christmas Day. Twin Falls law includes, Thanksgiving Day, Election Day, and Memorial Day.

The city council has been discussing changes to this for several weeks.

Last night it was decided to present both the closing time restrictions and special day restrictions as two different discussions. I think this is a good idea. The city Council will work more on this in the coming weeks. I hope I won’t be the only one publicly speaking against this. But if I am, I’ll be sure to remember these tips on speaking at public meetings…

Remember, not everyone holds your same values and opinions. When addressing issues that involve the sale and consumption of alcohol you may likely be in the overwhelming minority.
Respect that those on the other side of an issue are attempting to conduct business within the bounds of the law. They are at that point, “law abiding” fellow citizens.
Attempt to write your talking points down. At most public hearings you will have a time limit. Usually 2 – 5 minutes; depending on the subject and number of people expected to speak. If you don’t stay on point, your time will be up before you are finished and in danger of saying a lot of words without communicating your point. Don’t be fooled, 2 minutes at a public hearing is a very difficult task.
Keep your cool, you will most likely not be given a second moment to defend disparaging comments made after your time limit.
Take a few deep breaths as you walk to the mic to speak. I speak often, and I still have to remind myself to breath.
If you are in the minority, prepare for strange pokes and unusual comments by the majority that will feel like a dig against you to strengthen their point. This is normal, I think it may even be fair play, within reason.
Refuse to take opposition personally. It’s very hard. Resist being a thin-skinned person. Thin-skinned people say foolish and irrational things that help make the point for the opposing side. Thin-skinned doesn’t mean emotionless.
Remember you are speaking at a public meeting. Public meetings are public, your words are free to be recorded and used for or against you. Prepare yourself, you may be quoted in local news outlets without your knowledge. (Times-News) “Paul Thompson, who is pastor at Eastside Baptist Church, testified against both changes, asking how allowing for longer bar hours would make Twin Falls a better place. “Please don’t change the laws that have implications and considerations to public safety or the uniqueness of special holidays,” he said.”

My personal thoughts on the issue:

Is any community a better community because it allows more hours to publicly consume intoxicating substances? Are families in Twin Falls better off because the bar is open on for one more hour. Is work place productivity better because employees have more time at a bar? Are tourist from out of town better served by the city because it allows the sale of intoxicating beverages until 2 am? What do we say about the most unique holiday on our calendar when laws governing it are called antiquated?

Those promoting this change appear to be making the argument from two primary positions:

financial – I get, and can even respect that a bar is in business to make money, and any business that wants to increase its profit margin will attempt to do so. To the credit of the owners of the liquor licenses, they are attempting to do so “lawfully.” (That does not win my support for their cause, it simply acknowledges that I get it and can respect their law-abiding ways.)
perception – This one doesn’t work at all for me. These are grown adults arguing for something with the logic of an adolescent.
- “Everyone else is doing it”; just doesn’t work. First of all, everyone else is not doing it. Second, even if many or most are doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.
- “These are antiquated laws”; to call something antiquated may be fair in some cases. But to call something antiquated because it helps you look progressive and modern in the eyes of some is foolish and reckless. Public safety is anything but antiquated. If the discussion is about steam-powered cars verses petroleum-powered cars it may be fair to call one antiquated. If the discussion is about an outhouse verses indoor plumbing and regulations on how the city will handle modern advances, then antiquated is right and new laws and regulations are required. To say that a limit on the sale of liquor-by-the-drink laws on Thanksgiving is an antiquated law is to speak with no regard in respect to the reason for the holiday to begin with. What other holiday in the nation gets a public proclamation from the president to alter normal activity, gather with family and in places of worship? If gathering with my family and altering my normal activity to humble myself before my God is antiquated then color me antiquated.

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