Articles by Paul

To brothers in Christ, congregants, and fellow citizens of Idaho,

As we approach the Republican primary on May 19th, I believe it is vital for us to consider the leadership our state requires. After careful prayer and consideration, I am offering my endorsement of Mark Fitzpatrick for Governor of Idaho.

We need a Governor who will not only stand against ill-intended efforts to undermine the glory of God, but also serve as a well-organized front to protect our most vulnerable neighbors. Mark has demonstrated a clear, unwavering pro-life stance that aligns with my biblical values and giving equal protection of the law for all humans, including our neighbors in the womb. Mark has shown great courage while confronting radical ideologies that threaten our children and families.

Mark understands that the government’s role is to protect the God-given rights of the citizens. Mark has shown he is a man of his word. He understands that we don’t need bigger government; we need a better government that knows how to ensure that our state government operates with integrity and respect for the people it serves.

I encourage you to be a well-informed and responsible voter. Mark Fitzpatrick has attended dozens of local events across the state, answering questions directly and remaining accessible to any citizen who wishes to speak with him. This level of transparency is exactly what we need to bring strong, principled leadership back to Idaho.

I urge you to join me in supporting Mark Fitzpatrick on May 19th. Let us vote for a candidate who values the life of the preborn, the safety of our families, and the preservation of our liberties, while honoring the Most High.

For the Glory of God alone,

Paul Thompson
Pastor,
Eastside Baptist Church, Twin Falls, Idaho

I’m dabbling in lyric writing. I’m hoping to publish a personal Psalter someday. I began with Psalm 140, but have spent most of my time so far with Psalm 143. This discipline is about learning new skills in appreciating meter and tone. The thoughts in the Psalms are obviously not original with me, and I make no claim equal to the Holy Scriptures. This is not an exercise to foolishly assume I could improve upon the Spirit-inspired ancient authors. This is a practice of personal meditation.

Psalm 143 is of personal interest. When I read from my travel bible, I read with a keen awareness of my smallness before my God. This travel bible has been on the four continents I’ve traveled. It has been used while preaching in local churches. It has been in my hands in nations closed to the gospel. It has been a restful pillow for my weary body and soul. It has absorbed my tears, heard my laughter, and witnessed my journey.

I submit the first of these meditations mainly for my posterity. May they one day stumble upon my musings and take comfort in looking upon the Ancient of Days.

A Sun-Baked Land That Longs for Rain

[Verse 1]
Hear now my prayer, O Lord, my plea,
According to Your faithfulness.
Do not bring judgment to Your servant,
No living soul is righteous here.
The foe has crushed my very soul;
He’s driven life down to the ground;
In darkness I am forced to dwell,
Like those whom death has long unbound.

[Pre-Chorus]
My spirit is now overwhelmed,
My heart within is sorely vexed.

[chorus]
I call to mind the ancient days,
On all Your deeds I meditate;
I muse upon Your wondrous ways.
My hands I stretch, I will not cease;
My soul for You like desert cries,
A sun-baked land that longs for rain.

[verse 2]
O Lord, now answer me at once,
For lo, my very spirit fails;
Do not Your countenance conceal,
Lest I descend into the grave.
Let morning bring Your steadfast love,
For I have placed my trust in You;
Show me the path where I should walk,
My soul I wholly lift to You.

[Pre-Chorus]
O Lord, deliver me from foes,
In You alone I take my rest.

[chorus]
I call to mind the ancient days,
On all Your deeds I meditate;
I muse upon Your wondrous ways.
My hands I stretch, I will not cease;
My soul for You like desert cries,
A sun-baked land that longs for rain.

[Verse 3]
Teach me, O Lord, to do Your will,
Because You are my God and King;
Let Your own Spirit guide my path,
And lead me on a level plain.
For Your great Name’s sake, O revive;
In justice bring me out of pain;
In love, destroy my hateful foes,
Cut off all those who cause me woe.

[Pre-Chorus]
For I am faithful to Your cause,
Your humble servant I will be.

[chorus]
I call to mind the ancient days,
On all Your deeds I meditate;
I muse upon Your wondrous ways.
My hands I stretch, I will not cease;
My soul for You like desert cries,
A sun-baked land that longs for rain.

What if there was a way to review a sermon in a song? Well, here is the result of that kind of question I asked myself last week.

This is a result of me experimenting with AI generation. The words are mine extracted from Lord’s Day sermon on April 5, 2026, at Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls, ID
Music: AI generated using suno.com.

I have some thinking to do about this. It was fun to experiment with this, but I must reach a solution to the new question in my mind: “Is this appropriate?” The good news is I have brothers to think this through with. I’ll be back before long with some more thoughts on this (and maybe with some more sermon review material).

Tonight I have the pleasure of praying for my city. I do count it a blessing of God to live where I do. May God be kind to my city and may the city prosper so long as there are people of God who seek His face.

April 6, 2026
Twin Falls City Council Chambers
Invocation:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for your mercy and grace. I ask that you grant these council members your guidance and wisdom for the duties on the agenda tonight, and Your blessing upon the city staff, and all the residents.

We recognize the importance of our community’s future, particularly our young children. We ask that you watch over the children of Twin Falls, protecting them, guiding their steps, and instilling in them a sense of hope, curiosity, and kindness. We pray for their safety, their education, and their growth into well-informed, responsible, and engaged citizens.

We also lift up the brave men and women of our military and their families who call Twin Falls home. Grant success and safety to those who serve, and comfort and strength to their spouses and children. May their commitment be a source of pride and resilience for our city.

Lord, bless the residents of Twin Falls. Grant them peace in their homes, strength in their daily lives, and a spirit of cooperation as neighbors.

We pray for the prosperity of the local businesses. May they thrive, providing opportunities and stability for our community. Bless the entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation and growth within our city.

We humbly offer this prayer, echoing the words taught by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself…:

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
Forever and ever. 

In Jesus name, Amen.