Confessions of Josh

Murder, Ever Feel Like It?

joshsthompson — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:34:32 +0000

Let me first say that the title of this is intentionally ridiculous. It’s meant to be an attention getter. Recently, Ray Boltz made it public that he is actively living a homosexual lifestyle. Without getting into the endless debate as to whether homosexuality is moral or immoral, I’d like to bring to some attention to his newest single that he has released. The new single is titled “Don’t Tell Me Who To Love” (the songs lyrics are posted below). The first verse of the song is really good. He reflects on a court case that took place in 1966, regarding inter-racial marriage. I am pleased with the progress that our country has made in regard to racial equality. This is illustrated with the election of Senator Barack Obama to be the next President.

I’m not going to even address the second verse of the song, because when reading and listening to it I am assuming what Boltz is meaning. Unfortunately, he doesn’t clearly say what he means. The most likely assumption is that he is referring to homosexual marriage, but since he doesn’t specifically define what he is meaning I’m not going to assume.

What I do want to bring the most attention to is what Boltz communicates in the chorus of the song. Boltz justifies actions based on feelings! “Don’t tell me that’s there’s something wrong because I feel like this.” What? Does he really mean that? Has he really stopped to think about what he is communicating? In case he hasn’t stopped to think about what he is communicating, allow me to flesh it out. Based on that line of logic, I can do whatever I want to, because I feel like it. I can murder because someone makes me mad. I can help someone out because I happen to be in a good mood. I can do “filll in the blank” because I “fill in the blank.” Would that hold up in court? “Sorry you honor, I just had a bout with rage that’s why I beat that person to a pulp, so I didn’t really don anything wrong. Don’t judge me.” The judge would throw me in jail so fast! Yes, the line makes a good rhyme, but it would be a horrible method to determine right and wrong!

Our culture is failing to think with the lump that’s in most cases 3 feet above their rear end! Why do we accept junk philosophy like this? My wish would be that this post would encourage you to take a logical look at the way you make decisions. Do you make decisions based on the way you feel, or based on a fundamental truth that you believe in?

SONG LYRICS: “Don’t Tell Me Who To Love”

VERSE ONE

The year was 1966 and they were wearing their wedding bands

She was black and he was white and some people didn’t understand

The judge said that’s not legal, the preacher called it a sin

But they couldn’t stop them cause he loved her and she loved him

CHORUS

Don’t tell me who to love, don’t tell me who to kiss

Don’t tell me that there’s something wrong because I feel like this

I know what’s in my heart, that should be enough

Don’t tell me, don’t tell me no, don’t tell me who to love

VERSE TWO

Maybe you’re in love today and you’ve been making wedding plans

But there is someone in your way shouting things cause they don’t understand

The judge says that’s not legal, the preacher calls it a sin

Oh you just remember they were wrong before and they’re wrong again

REPEAT CHORUS

BRIDGE

Now there always will be hatred and voices that condemn

Oh but I believe that true love is gonna make it in the end

REPEAT CHORUS (fade)

Joined the Cult

joshsthompson — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:40:00 +0000

So I have now officially become a member of one of the fastest growing and most vocal cults in our country. I now have a Mac. Recently, I began to make the switch from pc to mac and I’m learning it’s harder than I originally anticipated. Don’t get me wrong, I really like the Mac, but there are some things that I’m still struggling to get used to. I’ve been told by a buddy of mine that for a week or so I’ll be frustrated and then one day everything will just click. I’m patiently waiting for that day.

“I Love You More.”

joshsthompson — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:02:11 +0000

Last night I went to see “Fireproof”, and for the most part it was a great movie. Of course, like all low-budget movies, there was some acting that left something to be desired. For the most part the characters did pretty well. I must give credit to Kirk Cameron for doing a good job as well. I know that not everyone has seen the movie yet, so in no way will I spoil it, but I do want to share something that stood out to me.

The Christian life is illustrated in an amazing way through marriage. When Cameron’s character throws his computer out and leaves the simple note “I love you more”, I was blown away! He was telling his wife that he loved her more than anything. I began to think of how God has communicated with me. The all-powerful God, the God who owns everything, and reigns over everything chooses to love me more. He goes so far to show His love that He sent Jesus to purchase my life back from sin. In the same way that Cameron discards his computer and leaves roses, Jesus has discarded my sin and left righteousness. In the same way that the character left a note that said “I love you more”, Jesus has left the scriptures that testify “I love you more.”

As I consider what my response to this kind of love should be, I am overwhelmed knowing that I can not respond in an adequate way. The amazing thing about the love of God is that it is not contingent on who I am nor is the maintenance of His love contingent on who I am, it is all based on who He is. My prayer is that God will change my love. Cause me to love Him and not His blessings.

Culture of a Kingdom

joshsthompson — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:37:40 +0000

This week as I study Isaiah 8-9 I’m reminded of how practical the scriptures are to life in 2008. During this time in history (of Isaiah 8-9), the kingdom of Israel had been divided into two nations. During this time the people of the nations were mostly in two categories: full blown idolatry or on the fence about what they believe. Isaiah prophesied to the people in the name of the Lord by communicating that if the people did not turn from their wicked ways God would destroy their kingdoms. Naturally, the people ignored Isaiah’s preaching and continued in sin. Isaiah then prophesied at the end of chapter eight that the nation would end up in a cloak of darkness for a long period of time. Sounds depressing! However, chapter 9 opens with a promise that the end of Israel is not to be in darkness but that a great “light” is coming to restore the people. We know Isaiah was referring to the Messiah come in the person of Jesus who brought light in that He rescues His people from their sin.

Does this not describe the culture of the kingdom in America today? People are either in idolatry to their wants, desires or on the fence about what they believe. When we feel like we’re in an uphill battle in ministry, we must know and place our hope in the great “light” that is coming in the person of Jesus. In the same way that He came the first time to remove the cloak of darkness from His people, I believe He will do that again! Oh, that I might live in the hope and promise of His return to rescue me from my darkness!

thirdPlace

joshsthompson — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:34:33 +0000

Yesterday afternoon I needed to do some reading so I decided to try out the newest coffee bar in Tyler. Caffe Tazza officially opened for business January 1st of this year. Caffe Tazza is not commercialized the way Starbuck’s has become, and the coffee is amazing. You’ll pay about 30 cents more for a cup of coffee, but you get free refills and free internet. Starbuck’s by contrast charges per cup and has a contract with T-Mobile for internet. I’ve wanted to have a place here in town to go read, reflect, and chill for a while. Maybe now I’ve found my “third-place.”

Cowards on Board

joshsthompson — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:36:06 +0000

When you read through the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), sometimes you come to a story that just baffles you. Like this morning! I’ve been reading my way through the life of Jesus according to Mark. Jesus had just finished teaching another large crowd. He did it from a BOAT! Jesus was awesome! Joel Osteen has nothing on Jesus! He inspires in an arena, Jesus is a man’s man and taught from a boat! Anyway! As the story goes, Jesus finished teaching and instead of going back to shore where the crowd was, He wanted to go to the other side of the lake to get out of the boat. While crossing the lake, Jesus fell asleep and a bad storm came up. I grew up in Southeast Texas, on the coast. I know exactly how it is when a storm out of nowhere just shows up! It can ruin a day if you’re not prepared. This storm seemingly came out of nowhere, and it scared the diciples to death! The scripture tells us that they went to Jesus and woke Him up saying, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

They ran to the One who they believed could help them. This totally reminds me of my dog that I had growing up. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my dog liked me, and if dogs have the capacity for love then he loved me. However, when he got hurt or was afraid he without fail tucked his tail and ran to my mom. He believed that she was the one that could take care of him. That could make him stop hurting or make the scary situation go away. The reason he felt that way was because she spent time with him. She held him as a baby and did all the little things all his life to earn his trust. The disciples had been walking with Jesus and had come to believe that He had their best interest in mind. Jesus woke up, calmed the storm, and then set His sights on the disciples.

The scripture tells us that He rebuked them for their lack of faith. He called them cowards, and said “Have you still no faith?” It’s almost as if Jesus was saying, “after all this time together, after hearing me teach you over and over, and after you’ve seen the miracles that I’ve done you still don’t have faith?” Unfortunately the disciples still didn’t get it, Mark tells us they said, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?” What is your fear in life right now? What is your storm that is threatening you? The jacked up thing in all of this is that the disciples actually ran to Jesus when they were afraid, but the scripture tells us that they were shocked that He did something about the situation.

I don’t think that the point of this story is that we shouldn’t be afraid in life. I think there is something called “healthy fear.” I think that the message in this story is that amidst all the chaos that is this world, Jesus is still on the throne. He is still in charge. I think back to the beginning of the Great Commission where it is recorded that Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” There are times in life that we are to be afraid, but all the time we should remember that God is in control and can bring peace to the cowards.

Harvest Is Come

joshsthompson — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:54:05 +0000

Jesus focused a lot of His teaching on the topic of the “kingdom of God.” He teaches what the kingdom is like through parables. In Mark chapter 4: 26-29, Jesus is recorded as describing the “kingdom of God” as a man who scatters seed on the ground, then this man lives his life day after day as a farmer, and then one day the farmer notices the harvest has come so he begins to bring in the harvest. When you first read that, you have to wonder, ”What the heck Jesus was trying to teach?”

I think there is a very practical truth that is found in that description. The scriptures teach that one of the responsibilities of being a follower of Jesus is sharing the message of the gospel with the people in this world. We are like the farmer. Our job is to spread the message of the gospel in our specific garden. I’m not able and probably not welcome to spread the message of the gospel in places that others are able and welcome. A farmer does not go spread seed in his neighbors yard. No, he spreads it in the area that he has influence. Our job is to spread the message of the gospel in the areas that we have influence. The kingdom is grown through people taking opportunities to spread the seed of the gospel in their circles of influence.

I think the next part of the parable is awesome! Jesus said, “He (the farmer) sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.” In the same way that the farmer doesn’t understand everything that goes into his plants growing, you won’t understand everything that goes into someone submitting their life to Jesus. God is always working/weaving things together for His good pleasure.

Even though we know that God is working/weaving things for His good pleasure, we must pay attention to how the seed we spread is doing. Jesus said, “But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” We must pay attention to the people we are attempting to influence because when they ready, we must bring in the harvest.

Hear Accept Bear

joshsthompson — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:03:33 +0000

The command of Christ is to hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit. What word must we hear, how is it accepted, and what are we to bear? While reading this morning I came across Jesus teaching the crowd again. In fact the crowd was so large that Jesus had to get in a boat to teach offshore. He was teaching what is called the “Parable of the Sower.” The parable is about a sower who goes out to sow. He spreads the seed, and the seeds fall on four types of land. The first type the seed falls on is the beaten path. The birds come and eat the seed almost immediatly. The next type it falls on is rocky ground. The seed sprang up, but no roots were able to grow because of the rocky ground. Because no roots were able to grow it lacked nourishment and the sun scorched the plant and it died. The third type of land was thorny land, where the thorns grew up and choked the life out of the plant. The fourth and last type was what the scripture says is good land where the plant was able to grow and eventually bear fruit.

Mark is a very short version of Jesus’ life. I’ve heard it called the “American Gospel” or the “Microwave Gospel.” I encourage you to read it. It won’t take you long. In the first few chapters you’ll notice that Jesus quite frequently has large crowds, but after He teaches it will only be those who truly want to follow Him that are left. That’s what happened when Jesus taught this parable. Apparently, the majority of the crowd didn’t understand the parable so they left. The scripture says, “when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve…” A small minority plus the twelve disciples were the only ones that stayed to talk to Jesus directly. He said, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”"

Jesus explained to His disciples and new followers that the seed sown on the path that the birds took, was how it is when the “word” is shared and Satan comes to take the “word” away. The seed that falls on rocky ground is a reference to people who hear the “word” and receive it with joy, but when persecution and tribulation come in their life they abandon the faith. They were never truly Jesus’ disciples. The seed that falls in thorny ground refers to the people who let the entanglements of this world choke out the “word.” The seed that falls on good soil refers to the people who, as the scripture says, “hear the word and accept it and bear fruit.”

We started with three simple questions. What word must we hear? How is the word accepted? What fruit must we bear? I believe the key to answering those questions is what Jesus said that is recorded for us in verses 11-12 in chapter 4. Jesus said, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God…” I believe the “word” that we must hear is that Jesus is the Messiah/King. I believe the way that we accept that “word” is to submit our lives to Jesus as King, as we would submit our life to the rule of any rightful king. The way we bear fruit is to be completely obedient to the King. Has the “secret of the kingdom of God” been given to you? Have you submitted your life to the rule and reign of King Jesus?

A House Divided

joshsthompson — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:24:08 +0000

“MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION: If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could better judge what to do, and how to do it. We are now far into the fifty year since a policy was initiated with the avowed object and confident promise of putting and end to slavery agitation. Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only not ceased, but has constantly augmented. In my opinion, it will not cease until a crises shall have been reached and passed. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing, or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, old as well as new, North as well as South.”
- Excerpt of a speech delivered by Senate hopeful Abraham Lincoln in 1858

“How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is comin to an end. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he firstbinds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.”
-Jesus instructing the scribes of Jerusalem in Mark 3:23-27

As I was reading the scriptures this morning I came across the story of Jesus rebuking/instructing the scribes of Jerusalem because they had accused Him of casting out demons by being indwelt by “the prince of demons.” What an accusation! They were accusing Jesus of doing the work of Satan! I don’t know if you have ever read the gospel of Mark, but by this point in the gospel Jesus had already healed many people. Specifically, Jesus had already healed a man with leprosy, a paralyzed man, and a man with a withered hand. Plus there is an untold number of peopel that the gospel just says “and He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons.” Does this sound like the workings of one who has given His life over to Satan? I don’t think so! In addressing this accusation, Jesus seemingly embarrasses the scribes intellectually (these men were supposed to be some of the smartest men in Israel), and in doing so He makes an incredible spiritual analogy. Jesus makes this obvious statement, “How can Satan cast out Satan?” Simple yet profound. The spiritual analogy in this that I derived was that when we as followers of Christ submit our lives to the rule and reign of Jesus, we are not to live in a divided house. Too often we see people who claim that they are Christians, yet live contrary to the way Jesus teaches that His followers should live. As followers of Christ, we need to live lives that are solely dedicated to the pursit of glorifying Jesus as our King. Abraham Lincoln was wise to understand that a crisis had to come and pass before the matter of slavery would be settled in the Union. My friends, the scriptures teach us that as followers of Jesus there is an internal civil war that must take place on a daily basis to cause our old nature to die, and allow the Spirit of God to make itself manifest in our lives. In 2 Peter 1:3 the scriptures tell us that “His (Jesus’) divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence…” God has given us everything we need to daily fight the internal civil war, so that we can put down the rebellion that might cause us as followers of Jesus to be a “house divided.”

Fasting

joshsthompson — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:11:13 +0000

For the longest time I have dismissed fasting as something that is unneccessary or simply not that important. This week the subject has come up numerous times though! Have you ever had an occasion that a sbject just seems to not let you alone? This morning as I was reading the scriptures I came to the end of the 2nd chapter in Mark where you read about some people confronting Jesus about why His followers do not practice the discipline of fasting. Jesus responded by saying that while He is with them (His followers) there is no need to fast, but when He is taken away from them they will need to fast again.

What struck me as I read this account was that Jesus said, “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.” I have only fasted 1 day in my life, and that was not my choice. My parents decided that we as a family would fast for some reason. I’m sure it was a good reason, I just can’t remember exactly what that was now. I remember being really irritated that I wasn’t going to get a good supper that night. From what I understand about the discipline of fasting, you take away something in your life that is important so that you can replace it with time with Jesus. If that’s the case then it would make sense that Jesus’ followers would not fast because everything they did was with Jesus. That day that I fasted as a kid did not do anything to draw me closer to Jesus. Jesus did however say that His followers “will fast in that day.” I can’t help but think that because of my previous view, that fasting is unnecessary or not important, I have missed out on opportunities to draw closer to Jesus. I have made conscious decisions to learn more about Jesus, than get to know Jesus. The question I need to ask myself is “What am I willing to give up to know Jesus more?”