Paul – Page 112 – PaulThompsonBlog

Sticks, Stones, and Names

Posted on March 19, 2013Leave a comment

The old saying, sticks and stones may break your bones but names will never harm you, must be the product of a humanistic self-esteem program to give comfort to those who feel sorry for themselves.

Names in the bible are significant. They are meant to describe a person or shape into him a particular characteristic. A birth name that may have family significance. There are nicknames that one picks up along the way because of an event that happened or a play on words that works for that person.

I’ve picked up a plethora of nicknames along the road of life. Polly, Pollywog, P2 (P-squared), Pastor Paul, P.T., Lumpy (my nickname in Haiti because of some lumps on my arms, not because of why you are thinking…).

There are some other names that I’ve been called that are less attractive and uncomfortable. But until resent study of Judges 6, I’ve come to embrace those names with equal affection. In jr. high I picked up the name Arrow Man from some peers who thought I never had fun and lived my life straight as an arrow. They meant it as a put down. This name bothered me at the time (because my sinful flesh didn’t like being noticed as this, but today I am thankful that there was a Christ-likeness awareness to my peers.

In judges 6:32, Gideon is given the name Jerubbaal. If you have not read the story of Gideon recently, you should consider doing so. It will help in understanding the following.

The name Gideon means “one who cuts to pieces”. The name Jerubbaal means “Let Baal contend (or judge) against him.” His birth name is a strong fit when one considers the act the Lord commands him to do in Judges 6. Jerubbaal, the name his father gives him after Gideon destroys (cuts into pieces) the alter he built to Baal. This name was a marking. It was a constant reminder to all that Gideon is the one who destroyed Baal’s alter, yet it was a reminder to Gideon that he obeyed the Lord by destroying the alter his father built to Baal. This name was, in effect, a curse on Gideon from the worshipers of Baal that their god would judged Gideon, but it is a reminder to the reader that Baal is powerless.

A follower, more – a faithful follower, of Christ should expect to be tagged with names along his journey. Some of those names will be given by friends as terms of endearment. Some of those names will be levied on him from enemies with intent to destroy his countenance or integrity. Then again, everywhere Gideon went he would stand as a testimony of the powerless strength of Baal. This name was given to him so that when Baal would avenge himself against Gideon for destroying this alter all would know who Baal was. Baal never touches Gideon (because he’s a non-god). So, instead, this new name reminded all who met Gideon and knew of his new name would know of the powerful strength of God.

Sermon Audio

Posted on March 18, 2013Leave a comment

Eastside’s SermonAudio sight has been updated. Parts one and two of Gideon are uploaded here.

Should Have Been an Easy Answer

Posted on March 7, 2013Leave a comment

Transcript of Rand Paul’s opening filibuster speech. (source… ABC News)

“I rise today to begin to filibuster John Brennan’s nomination for the CIA. I will speak. Until I can knows no longer speak now we’ll speak as long as it takes until the alarm is sounded from coast to coast.

That our constitution is important. That your rights to trial by jury are precious. That no American should be killed by a drone American soil without first being charged with a crime. Without first being found to be guilty by a court. That Americans could be killed. In a cafe in San Francisco. Or in a restaurant in Houston. Are at our home in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Is an abomination. It is something that should not and cannot be tolerated in our country.

I don’t rise to oppose John Brennan’s nomination. Simply for the person. I rise today for the principal. The principal is one and that as Americans we have fought long and hard for. And to give up on that principle to give up on the bill of rights to give up on the Fifth Amendment protection. It says that no person shall be held without due process that no person shall be held for a capital offense without being indicted. This is a precious American tradition. And something we should not give up on easily.

They say Lewis Carroll is fiction. Alice never fell down a rabbit hole and the white queens [] judgments. Are not really a threat to your security.

Or has America the beautiful become Alice’s wonderland?

No no said the queen. Sentence first. Verdict afterwards. Stuff and nonsense Alice said widely loudly the idea of having the sentence first.

Hold your tong said the queen turning purple. I won’t said Alice. Release the drones. Said the queen as she shouted at the top of her voice. Lewis Carroll is fiction right?

When I asked the president. Can you kill an American, on Americans soil will. It should have been an easy answer. It’s an easy question that should have — a resounding and unequivocal no.

The president’s response. He hasn’t killed anyone yet. We’re supposed to be comforted by that the president says I haven’t killed anyone yet. He goes on to say and I have no intention of killing Americans. But I might.

Is that enough. Are we satisfied by that always so complacent with our rights that we would allow — president does today. He might kill Americans. But he won’t judge the circumstances….”

Watch More News Videos at ABC

the Doctrine of the Fall of Man

Posted on March 4, 2013Leave a comment

When is the last time you considered the doctrine (teaching) of the fall of man? Here is the audio recording of last night’s doctrinal study on the Doctrine of the Fall of Man. Below is also the print version of the 1925 New Hampshire Confession and the 1689 London Baptist Confession on the doctrine.

Introduction

Part 1: Gene Lawley

Part 2: Paul Thompson

1925 New Hampshire Confession (Baptist Faith and Message)

III. The Fall of Man

Man was created by the special act of God, as recorded in Genesis. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:27). “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7).

He was created in a state of holiness under the law of his Maker, but, through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and in bondage to sin, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.

Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2:7; John 1:23; Gen. 3:4-7; Gen. 3:22-24; Rom. 5:12,14,19, 21; Rom. 7:23-25; Rom. 11:18,22,32-33; Col. 1:21.

_______________________________________

1689 London Baptist Confession

The Fall of Man, Sin and Punishment

Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a righteous law, which secured life for him while he kept it, and although God warned him that he would die if he broke it, yet man did not live long in this honour.- Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to subdue Eve, seduced Adam by her, and he, without any compulsion, wilfully transgressed the law of their creation and the command given to them by eating the forbidden fruit.- And this act God, according to His wise and holy counsel, was pleased to permit, having purposed to order it to His own glory.
Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and we in them. For from this, death came upon all: all becoming dead in sin and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.
They being the root, and by God’s appointment, standing in the room and stead of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and their corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation. Their descendants are therefore conceived in sin, and are by nature the children of wrath, the servants of sin, and the subjects of death and all other miseries, spiritual, temporal, and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus sets them free.
All actual transgressions proceed from this original corruption, by which we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil.
During this life the corruption of nature remains in those who are regenerated, and although it is pardoned and mortified through Christ, yet this corrupt nature and all its motions are truly and properly sinful.

Made for the Purpose of Preaching

Posted on February 26, 2013Leave a comment

1 And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand. 5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place. 8 They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading. Nehemiah 8:1-8 (NASB)

Preaching has been an important element for any people known as the Lord’s people. Both Old and New Testaments give examples of this gathering of people for the purpose of hearing an appointed preacher read Scripture and then explain that Scripture. May this continue to be the center of what happens when the Lord’s people gather at 204 Eastland Drive North.

The focus of the gathering is God. And should always be so. I do like that the Scripture does give a glimpse of the work and attention given to the construction of the place where this takes place. It is a public place. It is a place where all who can understand gather. It is a place that is designed for the proclamation of the word. It is an place that must be protected against the influences of the most recent popular trends. It is a place for hearers to understand not a place for intellectuals to boast.

Here are some recent photos of the construction of the podium and pulpit now in place in the new meeting house of Eastside Baptist Church. May the Lord bless the craftsmen.

Platform

PlatformDesign Pulpit Delivery Made for the purpose

The Plot Thickens

Posted on February 18, 2013Leave a comment

A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. Ecclesiastes 3:2 (NASB)

It may be too early to begin planting my 2013 garden but I like trying. Today, I planted snow peas and spinach on the south side of our house under the lean-to green house I made a few years ago out of old windows I’ve picked up at garage sales. For several years now I have been documenting my garden experiences HERE.

Here is a time-lapse of today’s planting project.

I took the pictures in the time-lapse using my GE X600 camera and Gorillapod

Today, Your Freedom Has Come!

Posted on February 17, 2013Leave a comment

From my Haiti Journal, dated Wednesday, February 17, 2010

This morning I decided to put on my new clothes. I’m guarding my heart and mind against disappointment, yet I believe we will go home today.

Alex came by today with a note saying he is sure we will go home this week. He seems to think even today for most of us, maybe. We hear that the prosecutor has recommended that we not be released until further investigation can be done on Laura and Charisa. The day unfolds very slowly. Much like every day, only much slower. Even lunch came later than usual. Usually it comes in no later than 2PM, but today it came around 3PM. The fact that it came at all begins to establish that disappointment I am at war with.

Around 1:30PM the US Embassy showed up to begin talking to us about our return home in the event we are released. Silas and I visited with Cathy and about five other people about possible travel plans. They want to know what our plans are to get home. As encouraging as this visit was, I have no idea what kind of travel plans I have to get home. We no longer have texting ability with our families, so I don’t know what to do here but to do what God has clearly been teaching me to do, trust in Him. The visit was encouraging in that it seems more likely we are to be released soon.

Close to 4:15PM, the lawyers begin to show up and gather in the hallway. Then I noticed Alex. I don’t know how he does it? Then I saw Junior in the hallway.

Alex looked to me and gives me his patented smile and hard blinks of his eyes, then gives me a thumbs up. I know that this is good. I praise God for this breakthrough and then Alex just walked into the jailer’s office and up to the barred window we have spoken through many times and says “Today, your freedom has come!”

He is then immediately ushered out by the police as they grab him by the arms. But not without several glances back to make sure that we heard him. Then in the hallway; Junior, with a grin from ear to ear, points to heaven and mouths the words “Praise to God.”

AP photo

From this point we are cleared to go, all charges dropped on eight to be released today. We are then told that the people from the Oprah show want us to seek refuge at their place. We quickly say we would rather go the the US Embassy. Aviol has wanted us to go with Oprah from the first day we met him, adding to my unrest with him.

The US Embassy met with us at the jail about the possibility of getting on a military flight tonight to Miami. We are all in agreement that this is best. The military is still flying emergency flights and they have eight empty seats, a provision from God.

We are to leave Haiti tonight at 8PM on a US Air Force cargo flight. I can’t shake the faces of the men in the cell we have just spent three weeks with. They all make eye contact and give firm hand shakes. Even though we have had our things stolen from time to time when we go to court, we have become very close. God please bring freedom to these men soon.

We make several attempts to allow Charisa to be released so she can get medical assistance in the States by letting one of us stay in her place. This was very hard to be refused to do so. Any one of the eight being released were willing to stay in her place.

AP photo

The walk through the media zoo was as if it were in slow motion. Alex, true to form comes from the midst of the crowd, then Junior and Florance with a hug and a kiss on my cheek.

What has caused this kind of brotherly and sisterly affection? We are virtually strangers. It can only be the blood of the Lamb. We make our way into the US Embassy van and are escourted to the entrance to the Port-au-Prince airport, just less than 1/2 mile from where we have been for the past 19 days. We have heard these planes coming and going every day for the past three weeks. This time we are to be on one.

The media gets nothing from us and Oprah gets even less.

While at the airport we all get phones to call family. We put the battery back into the phone that NBC gave us to use as well.

This is unexplainable at the moment. How at all did I speak to my love without being in shock of hearing that voice? I will see her face and touch her embrace soon, if God will so allow.

I was able to speak to David for a moment and Renee’s dad. I will look forward to my call to my parents when I arrive in Miami.

The flight was packed with brave men and women of the US military causing me to think a lot about David. There are many civilians with the look of despair and joy. The flight was uncomfortable, but most pleasant! I will strive for the remainder of my life to never complain of this flight, ever!

Today, your freedom has come.

Time Lapse

Posted on February 15, 2013Leave a comment

Yesterday I set my camera to take a photo every :30 seconds from the parking lot at Pomerelle Mountain Resort. Here is the result.

Don’t Miss Out On This…

Posted on February 12, 2013Leave a comment

Here are three things I don’t want you to miss out on. (four are actually mentioned, but it’s the fourth one that mentions the three things I don’t want you to miss out on.)

My buddy Ez and his family have arrived in Senegal. He has just posted a new video of their arrival. I don’t want you to miss this opportunity to pray for them.
Keep praying for Boise, Idaho pastor Saeed Abedini
Most know of the recent issues related to the media blitz around Chick-fil-A this past year. Most don’t know what kind of leadership Chick-fil-A really has. Strange that no one is reporting this kind of story about Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A. What’s even stranger is that this article (sent to me by a friend) is written by Shane Windmeyer (This is not an endorsement of Huffpost Gay Voices). Windmeyer was originally planning a nationwide boycott of the Chick-fil-A Bowl. But Dan Cathy befriended him without compromising his boldness of Truth. Consider reading Windmeyer’s article HERE. Let me know what you think of it.
Oh! speaking of Chick-fil-A….. On Wednesday (2/13) from 6:30am-10:30am The Twin Falls Chick-fil-a is giving one FREE 3-PACK of CHICKEN MINIS for every car that mentions their Facebook ad. Click here to visit and like their Facebook page and I’ll see you in the morning! I’ll drive through, get my free Chicken minis and then go inside to enjoy a chicken biscuit. Drop in and say hello. I’ll be there about 8:30AM.

the 3 things I don't want you to miss out on. — the 3 things I don’t want you to miss out on.

They Have Left My Savior, Too

Posted on February 11, 2013Leave a comment

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised . (1 Cor 2:14 NASB)

Henry_Francis_Lyte I’ve recently been introduced to the poem; Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken by Henry Lyte (1793-1847) Read these words closely. They will seem foolish to the unspiritual reader, but to the one walking with in step with the Living God these word will be a healing salve for the soul.

Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken
by Henry Lyte

Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be.
Perish every fond ambition, all I’ve sought or hoped or known.
Yet how rich is my condition! God and Heaven are still mine own.

Let the world despise and leave me, they have left my Savior, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me; Thou art not, like them, untrue.
And while Thou shalt smile upon me, God of wisdom, love and might,
Foes may hate and friends disown me, show Thy face and all is bright.

Go, then, earthly fame and treasure! Come, disaster, scorn and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure; with Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee, “Abba, Father”; I have set my heart on Thee:
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, all must work for good to me.

Man may trouble and distress me, ’twill but drive me to Thy breast.
Life with trials hard may press me; heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me while Thy love is left to me;
Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me, were that joy unmixed with Thee.

Take, my soul, thy full salvation; rise o’er sin, and fear, and care;
Joy to find in every station something still to do or bear:
Think what Spirit dwells within thee; what a Father’s smile is thine;
What a Savior died to win thee, child of heaven, shouldst thou repine?

Haste then on from grace to glory, armed by faith, and winged by prayer,
Heaven’s eternal day’s before thee, God’s own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission, swift shall pass thy pilgrim days;
Hope soon change to glad fruition, faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

Articles by Paul