Articles by Paul

Today, Your Freedom Has Come!

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From the Haiti Journal: February 17, 2010

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.”

    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.

    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 escorted 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.

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 some with joy. The flight was uncomfortable, but most pleasant! I will strive for the remainder of my life to never complain of this flight, ever!

Religious Liberty

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It might be good to think about this God given blessing like our ancestors did. Those who pledged their own lives, their own fortunes, and sacred honor didn’t do that so we would lay it all down on the dusty floor of pagan worship of government.

I agree with my Baptist ancestors here on this matter. They were serious about how to practice their faith with the lamp of Scripture on. These words were penned by my kinsmen of the faith when it costs them something to stand up on their feet like men of God.

Baptist Faith and Message: Article XVII – Religious Liberty

“God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.”

Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1,13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.

Read, Pray, Sing

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“Always reforming” is the right mind set for the New Testament believer. But, reforming what and reforming to what?

Reforming our lives to the likeness of Christ and having a reliable standard given to us by God and preserved in all temporal days, the Bible.

Over the past decade we have been perpetually reforming how we structure our gatherings and how we conduct ourselves in these gatherings.

One of the most noticeable things we have done is desegregate the gatherings. Rather than separate families when the come to church we insist on families staying together in all corporate gatherings (ie: bible study, worship services and prayer). This has been fruitful, but not without intentional, biblical resolve.

The other most noticeable gathering that we have been perpetually reforming is the prayer gathering.

Really it has almost been a recovery of the prayer gathering. For nearly as long as we’ve been a family integrated church we have been treating the prayer gathering with great attention. This weekly gathering has been met with more resistance at times than anything else we are perpetually reforming.

Recently I read a very helpful theology journal article entitled “Read, Pray, Sing” (p. 8) by Ray Van Neste in the Midwestern Journal of Theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In this well documented journal article, a history of the psalter in Baptist life was given, and an argument for the recovery of this powerful practice in Baptist life.

So, here we go. I thankful to God for a church family that wants to be perpetually reforming.

I introduced this argument last week with the other elders and this week we will begin introducing this discipline at the mid-week prayer gathering this week We will start by introducing the psalter of Psalm 3.

We have already had the practice of Read, Pray, Sing during our prayer gatherings, we will simply add the psalter to the practice.

We gather on Wednesday nights at 5:30 p.m. to Read (Scripture), Pray (Scripture), and now Sing (Scripture).

Here is the sheet music to Psalm 3 “You Are My Shield”. John Martinez will introduce this psalter this week.

The Anatomy of the Handwritten Notes

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With the exception of a short span of time several years ago where I tried to produce sermon notes published from my computer I historically carry handwritten notes with me to the pulpit.

I’m not sure why I prefer to do so. But I do prefer to.

It may be a security blanket issue. It may be a habit. I’m sure there could be a psychological study to explain such a reason. But at the end of the day, I just prefer my handwritten notes in the pulpit with me.

Here is the anatomy of my sermon notes for the book of Isaiah. I’ve used multiple notebooks to preach through this epoch journey. By the time I’m done with preaching through Isaiah I will have filled up four notebooks.

I will likely finish preaching through the book of Isaiah by the first Sunday of March, 2021.

This past Christmas Renee bought me a new notebook. I’ve been using this notebook on Sunday nights since Christmas. For a guy like me this has been revolutionary. You should check it out some time if you like to write things out as opposed to typing.

It is called Rocketbook. It is revolutionary because it may be the last notebook I’ll ever need to buy. I get the pleasure of handwriting and the comfort of preaching with my own handwritten notes next to my Bible in the pulpit. (I also still preach from a rebound paper Bible because I have handwritten notes throughout it and couldn’t see getting another one.)

That Rocketbook notebook is unique in that the pages are reusable. See what I mean by revolutionary? I write out my notes and then archive them to .pdf files with the camera on my phone. It is the best of both worlds. I have the experience of handwriting and the benefit of digital filing.

The Rocketbook is pictured on the bottom of this stack of my typical sermon notebooks.

This Rocketbook may have finally propelled me into the modern era. So much so that I just made a major investment that could soon completely impact my sermon preparation experience.

Today, after weeks of research, I just unboxed my new reMarkable tablet. I am excited to use it but will only practice on it until I finish preaching through the book of Isaiah.

Here it is pictured with other notebooks.

I think one of the things I like most about writing my sermon notes is actually writing my sermon notes on paper. I will post an update in a few days about how it is working out with the reMarkable tablet. Then will come the real test of when I take the reMarkable tablet with me into the pulpit. I’ll likely try it out on Sunday nights and Wednesday nights for several weeks before I dare to take it on a Sunday morning.

Why I Rarely Wear A Mask

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I think it might be helpful to post an explanation here why I rarely wear a mask. I say rarely because there are times, places, and reasons for when I do, but I do mean rarely.

I’m not really interested in a debate between this media source and that media source; the truth is sometimes in the media. I’m more interested in true truth than media truth.

It has clearly become an issue with great confusion. I respect that one may believe a mask works. My saying or believing a mask does not work should not be interpreted as me saying I’m better than others (or dumber than some) and it should not be seen as uncaring.

To me, truth matters. All truth matters. It’s not that I have personally conducted tests to determine the value of a mask. It’s that I have intended to read and understand with great clarity the results of those who do the science and read their conclusions. It’s possible they could be wrong, so I must read more than just one or two science journal results to have a fair and responsible conclusion.

So the primary reason why I rarely wear a mask is because I care about truth. I will work up a post someday to reference the sources and documents I’ve read. Until then, I think you would find helpful information on masks if you read the more weedy journals that the CDC references (even there will be sufficient evidence to see why I find it hard to believe that even an n-95 mask will stop a virus particle).

As for the times when I will wear a mask… If you ever see me wearing one, you’ll know that must be one of the rare times I do, unless I’m mowing my yard, tilling my garden, or raking leaves from my sycamore tree (of which I am severely allergic).

Otherwise, if you see me somewhere and you feel uncomfortable around me without a mask I will gladly keep my distance, step aside, or find a mask (preferably not the one on the ground) and be pleased to talk.

Here is a recent letter to the editor someone wrote. I usually start my personal conversations with the person I have an issue with. (To be as clear as possible, I have never threatened nor would I ever be willing to kill a pregnant mother with COVID-19.)

I believe Pastor Thompson’s request is hypocritical. How can you request a “sanctuary city” for the unborn when you are willing to kill the mother from COVID-19 because you refuse to wear a mask to protect others. I am not a fan of abortion, but I think more should be done to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Pastor Thompson needs to wear a mask, (I noticed he was not wearing one at the Council meeting), social distance and help Planned Parenthood prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Sherry Hoem
Buhl, ID

https://magicvalley.com/opinion/letters/letter-pastors-request-is-hypocritical/article_1adc9923-eb8d-5a02-bb3b-7d9d2c609833.html

I don’t know Ms. Hoem and to my knowledge have never met her. I have no reason to believe she is anything but caring and a kind neighbor.


Ms. Hoem, are you saying that if I wore a mask you would join our efforts to interpose for the pre-born in our valley?

Letter to the editor: Pastor Thompson needs to wear a mask, (I noticed he was not wearing one at the Council meeting), social distance and help Planned Parenthood prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Posted by Times-News on Friday, January 29, 2021

Post Script: For the record, what goes on at Planned Parenthood in Twin Falls is the premeditated and cold-blooded murder of voiceless children in the womb.

The Family at Church

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Imagine yourself a tour guide showing a group of first-time visitors to Yellowstone National Park ready to soak in every majestic view, a sighting of a grizzly bear, and the timely display of Old Faithful. Now imagine yourself munching on a bag of chips, working a crossword, and yawning your way through a traffic jam of a herd of bison with their young calves leaping in the pasture. Your lackluster demeanor will soon rub off on the first-time visitors or they will soon grow frustrated.

In this helpful book by Scott Brown you will see why it is important that you treat the gathering of the church for what it is, the most spectacular gathering the family will participate in all week. The reader will be shown, through Scripture, how to faithfully prepare the household for a lifestyle of anticipated expectations of the majestic, Almighty God.

The born-again saints of God are essentially tour guides to the children. Give careful attention to how you present the glories of God to your children and the children in our church.

This past Sunday, every household received a copy of “the Family at Church”. Before the day was up, I had given every copy I ordered away. This morning I ordered 20 more. I look forward to getting this book into every household and for families to be encouraged, strengthened, and instructed.

“The Family at Church” is authored by Scott Brown, pastor at Hope Baptist Church in North Carolina and director of Church and Family Life.

To my pastor friends, get a copy of this book into the hands of every family you know.

A Catalog of Abominations

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For too long those lovers of sin have been asked by leaders of churches what it might take to get them to attend church. 

First, this is wrong on every level. A loving God doesn’t look to those who hate Him to instruct Him on what He needs to do to appear loving to them.
A loving God tells them what He hates. The proper way to read the Bible is to desire to know who God is, to understand Him, to see if there is any offensive way in us, and when we see that there is to turn from that offense and offensive way and believe the Gospel.

Not only have those leaders in churches been asking the wrong source what they should do or how they should conduct themselves; they have been leading many followers to be twice as fit for Hell as they are.

In this blessed, treasured, authoritative word of God, the Bible, we are given the greatest help to know who God is. He tells us Himself and He tells us how to best love our neighbors. One cannot claim to represent the God of Love by misrepresenting Him to those who are seeking for truth.

Some will claim at this point that it is unloving to say that God actually has a list of things He hates.

Consider the Bible with me. In Proverbs chapter 6 we are given a list of the things God hates. This is a shock to the modern preacher who doesn’t understand his duty is to preach from the Bible and declare what God has said. The literary form of Proverbs chapter 6 is a numerical proverb, it is a rhetorical parallel. Meaning it is framed in a manner as to capture the attention of the reader.

Proverbs 6:16-19 starts out like this: “There are six things which the LORD hates, yes seven which are an abomination to Him…”

Which is it? Six things or seven? Yes! 

That’s the point. It’s like saying “let me tell you a few things about myself, as a matter of fact, let me tell you seven things.”

This list of seven things in Proverbs 6:16-19 is really like a catalog of things God hates. Do we understand how helpful this is? God lists out for us things that are an abomination to Him. This is among the most helpful things about the Bible, we have a reference point to look at. We are given markers to determine who we are worshipping. Do we have the holy things of God in mind or do we have the very things God hates in mind? 

I’ve heard preachers say before that they would rather not talk about the negative things and only talk about the positive things. I’ve heard them say that this world has enough negativity in it. They would rather be known for the things God is for than the things God is against. Well, let me say, I get that. The Bible does have positive things in it, and we want to display those glorious attributes of God to the world. 

But we simply must not avoid helpful lists like this.

It would also be important to notice that where this does list things God abhors, It also identifies those whom the Lord hates. This is not popular, but it is true. 

There are those whom the Lord hates. Look at this list and be thankful to the Almighty God for listing this catalog of abomination.

The six things God hates, in fact, the seven things “which are an abomination to Him are: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.”

This is a blessing from Living God. He has just disclosed there are things and those whom he hates. If these attributes are ruling your life then count this moment a kindness of God that you might see why you need a Savoir, and that Savior is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ as described by the Bible alone. Believe Him today, and be saved. 

Abandon the social club lying to you about God. That “pastor” telling you God loves you no matter what hates God so much that he/she is not willing to stand before you and declare what God says. Pick up that Holy Bible again and find the God who loves you so much that He put your sins on His only begotten son and poured His wrath upon Him who could pay for that sin, so you could be free from his judgment and wrath and for the first time, free to obey Him.

Love God and hate sin. 

This post was submitted for publication in the Twin Falls, Times News for Saturday, January 30, 2021.

Paul Thompson is the preaching pastor at Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls, ID. Eastside Baptist Church gathers every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. More information can be gathered here: www.esbcTwinFalls.com 

Bold Respect

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I attend my city council meetings in Twin Falls, ID most Monday nights. I have been doing this for several years. I find this the best place to know how to pray for my community. I don’t know of a better place for me to have a pulse on what is happening in my community.

I have been attending through four different mayors, I have witnessed several major debates, I have been present through significant expansions of city infrastructure, I’ve sat through budget planning, I know more about city government than ever thought I would ever want to know. I have also witnessed my city government hire two fire chiefs, a police chief, and I find the promotions of policemen and firemen among my favorite events.

I strive with restraint to not be a bother to my city council. I look for opportunities to express appreciation often. I speak publically, but rarely, but at least annually. I think each council needs to hear from me personally and corporately. The weekly meetings are really the only way to legally meet with the entire council at the same time. I can, and do communicate with my council regularly.

When I do, I argue it needs to be respectful, seasoned with grace, and have a gospel purpose.

For several years I’ve been reminding our city council that we allow the murdering of children in our city at the shocking average near 200 per year. There is no greater public risk in my beloved city than Planned Parenthood. Currently, the city is blessed to have some council members who get this is a heinous blight, an offense to the Almighty.

Last night, a gentleman from a neighboring town, who attends regularly too, stood up during the “public input” section of the agenda where citizens are welcomed and invited to speak to the council on matters that were not on the agenda that night.

Mr. Ryeker Herndon approached the podium on January 25, 2021, and delivered a bold, respectful, and personal statement concerning the non-action of the council to consider the public health risk children in the womb are in in our city.

Mr. Herdon did what we’ve been praying would happen.

One thing the Christian needs to remember is that God is most interested in our character and obedience. I post the audio of Mr. Herndon’s statement below to encourage others to consider the same and use his intentionality as a model of how to keep this gospel banner in the vanguard of this culture war.

Feel free to contact me if I can offer help in formulating your 2 to 3 minute, gospel driven, appeal to the city council.

For the glory of God.

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