Posts Tagged ‘legacy’

Happy Birthday Evangelist-Father-Friend-Grandfather and more, Dwight Thompson!

Happy Birthday Evangelist-Father-Friend-Grandfather and more, Dwight Thompson!

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15.

Happy Birthday to my husband of 52 years. You are an encouragement to me as I watch you choose to daily walk in peace and wisdom. You are “Enjoying The Journey,” with your funny sense of humor… your insatiable desire to study and absorb more of God’s Word… making your choices with integrity, love, and concern for others… and your time in prayer for our family. Your special God-given uniqueness has been an inspiration to me through the years; but most of all the gift of Evangelism God placed within you, and your driving desire to win “one more soul” to our Lord Jesus. I love you more than ever! Happy Birthday…. Zonelle Thompson

Papa, Happy Birthday! Thank you for standing by me in this difficult time. You are the best Papa any girl could hope for. I’m grateful for our special bond. Love you so much! -Carissa Smith

Thank you so much for always being there for me. I love you!- Maddie Smith

Dad, you are not only the worlds best preacher but you are an amazing dad! I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I love you with all my heart. -Dwinelle Smith

Happy Birthday to the greatest man on the face of the earth. Your son in-law Jeff Smith

Papa, you are my superhero. You have literally saved my life two times. How many grandsons can say that about their grandfather? Your character and committment to Jesusu our Lord and Savior has been an inspiration to many, especially me! I love you!!- Chad Smith

Papa D, When I was growing up I can remember going in my room turning on the karaoke machine, opening up my bible and I would preach to all my teddy bears. They would repent and receive Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. I can specifically recall telling my parents how Papa D is my hero. When I was growing up, I wanted to be just like my papa. Well, nothing has changed since then. You are still my hero!! Happy Birthday Papa, I love you so very much. I admire how in everything you do, you always follow the Holy Spirit. Thank you Papa for being a great example to your grandson. – Cody Boy

Happy Birthday Papa! I am so blessed to have you in my life. I am grateful for your example and encouragment in my relationship with the Lord. Thank you for scaring the hell out of me.- Corey Shane

Papa, no matter where you are, you always have a way of letting all of your grand children know how much you love us. Thank you for being a man who never settles for the things of this world and always displaying your love and commitment for the Lord for all to see. Through you and my family, I found what it truly means to love the Lord with all my heart sould and mind. I found a love and hunger to serve the Lord and to never settle for anything less. I know my calling to be in ministry stems from our family and I praise God everyday for his favor in blessing me in this specific family. You truly lead our family by example and I praise God for blessing me with such a Godly grandpa who has raised such a loving son to do the same. Your choice to serve the Lord has affected your offspring and God will forever reign in our family. I have so many wonderful memories with you and Mimi. I love and admire you both, more than you will ever know! “Do you have any idea how much I love you?” ………”Well, tell me!” ……..I love you Papa, more than you can ever understand! – Alexa Gerbrands

Papa Dwight, I truly pray that you will have a blessed birthday! You are a blessing in my life and I am thankful to have you in my life. I always enjoy the time that I get to spend with you and praise God for blessing me with such a wonderful, Christ-loving family. Have a wonderful day with Mimi. I love you!!! – Jaco Gerbrands

Dad, It is my hope and prayers that the days ahead will be filled with energy, inspiration, new ideas, fervor and fire, as you continue to reach the World with the Uncompromising Power of the Gospel, as you have been faithful to do for most of your life. We celebrate your life and love you so very much. Happy Birthday – Dwight Thompson, Jr

Have a wonderful and blessed day! I pray this is your best year ever!- Gina Thompson

Papa, you truly are unlike any other man I’ve ever been around. You speak the Word boldly not lacking anything. You love your family with great compassion and teach humility by your actions, s the kind of humility that is only found in The Lord. You are the best example and leader of our family, the men you’ve helped raise look to you with high regard and do our best to learn from you. I love you papa, I can’t thank you enough for the impact you’ve had on my life, more than you realize. teach humility by your actions, the kind of humility that is only found in The Lord. You are the best example and leader of our family, the men you’ve helped.I love you papa, I can’t thank you enough for the impact you’ve had on my life, more than you realize. – Dalton Thompson

Happy Birthday Papa Dwight! You have been such a blessing to Austin and I. Love you so much! Cheers to another great year! – Savannah Thompson

The gospel of Jesus Christ has been passionately proclaimed from generation to generation within this Thompson family and that has not been merely labeled as a job, but an honor. Keeping Christ centered in our home has been exemplified through my father which was instilled to him from his father, my Papa D.
Ever since I was a young child I always enjoyed being around my Papa. He always made me feel special and always made it a point to let me know how much Jesus loves me and has a great plan for my life. It was Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, all the time with an occasional Texas, Cowboys, Lonesome Dove, and coffee reference here and there. Because of him, I have always found a deep love in my “Texas” roots. Even though I was born and raised in Southern California, I have adapted to more of a country boy lifestyle, I learned that one needs to be proud of his heritage (there is spiritual significance in that).
I love opportunities to converse with him because he always has something wise to say. He usually is in deep thought about something most of the time, or maybe he’s frustrated in the fact that the Dallas Cowboys can’t get it together, so when he opens his mouth to share what’s on his heart, you hang on every word.
He is the same man on Sunday morning than he is every other day of the week, minus the sweat he has from preaching his heart out. Papa has always been a man of character, a firm believer in respecting our Thompson name, and especially honoring our Lord with everything we say and do. I have learned so many things from my grandpa (I could write all day long) but the another gem I can think of is how things are just things, he says, “you never see a hertz hauling a u-haul van.” So, give freely, don’t hold on the things to the point they overcome you. Be wise with your earthly possessions but pursue righteousness above all else and the Holy Spirit will lead and guide your every decision.
This year is an exciting year for Papa as he celebrates 50 years of ministry. I can’t believe it because he looks so good. He must of been two when he started in the ministry. I know it is all because of Jesus. I love that my grandpa says, “if you ever seen any good in me, it wasn’t me, it was because of Jesus.”
Well Papa, you should know that we all love you so very much and admire your devotion in serving the Lord all these years. Keep those boots on cowboy because I believe you are about to embark on the greatest journey of your life. I love you!
-Austin Rex

Thank you Papa for being such an amazing father and grandfather. “Grandchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers.” Proverbs 17:6

You will never know the impact you have had on millions of lives and also, your family. We love you!

Encouragement For the Journey: What Will Your Legacy Be?

Encouragement For the Journey: What Will Your Legacy Be?

WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE?

EVERYBODY NEEDS JESUS!  The Bible says, “Jesus is the only one who can save people.”  Acts 4:12  NCV

THINK ABOUT THIS…   If I possessed the information that held the cure for cancer and kept that life-saving information to myself, would it not be a criminal act?

NOW CONSIDER THIS…  Is it not far worse to withhold life-saving information that determines where people will spend eternity?

(1) YOU AND I ARE ON THIS EARTH FOR AN ASSIGNMENT

The apostle Paul said, “My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus… the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.” Acts 20:24  NLT

A recent survey reported that over 70 percent of those surveyed wanted to know:

(a)  What is the meaning of life?

(b)  Why are we here?

There is no doubt that our society is imprisoned in a mindset that never sees the bigger picture The purpose and the assignment of life is a “cause beyond ourselves.”  When young David heard the giant Goliath roar his threats, David immediately looked past his personal safety and said, “… Is there not a cause?”  I Samuel 17:29 KJV

Personal fulfillment can never exist until we understand that God’s assignment for each of us must be carried out.   The “cause” for our existence is about others and not about self.

(2)  YOUR ASSINGMENT CARRIES WITH IT A SENSE OF URGENCY 

Jesus said, “All of us must quickly carry out the task assigned to us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before night falls and all work comes to an end.”

 John 9:4 NLT

This verse heightens the urgency of our assignment because the clock is ticking down and we must not delay in snatching lost souls before it is too late.

II Corinthians 6:2 says: “… NOW is the day of salvation.”  In my four decades of giving invitations to receive Christ, I always deal with explaining the danger of delay.  I believe the most successful way Satan convinces people to put off receiving Christ is the word tomorrow.”  Hell will be filled with those who waited until “tomorrow!”

Partners, I really want you to feel the urgency of the next point:

(3)  DOES GOD HOLD YOU AND ME RESPONSI BLE TO COMPLETE OUR ASSIGNMENT TO REACH THE LOST AT ALL COST? 

One of the most stirring and compelling verses I have ever read is in the book of Ezekiel.  It says:   “You must warn them so they may live.  If you don’t speak out the warning, to warn the wicked to stop their evil ways, they will die in their sin.  But I will hold you responsible for their death.”  Ezek 3:18 NCV

WHY DOES GOD HOLD US RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UNBELIEVERS AROUND US?  Think about this for a moment…The only hope the unbeliever has is for someone who knows Christ to share the good news of Christ’s saving power.  If we don’t… WHO WILL?

While I realize these are strong words and I further realize that you and most Christians are unaware that God holds us responsible to witness to those who need to know the Good News of Jesus Christ

As you can tell, my heart aches for the lost.  I am not hesitant to tell you that over the last several weeks, my heart has been broken over the cold indifference the average Christian has toward the lost.

Jesus said, “A Man’s heart determines his speech.”   Matthew 12:34 LB

Too many want us to ignore the lost… But I cannot, and I will not.  In this my 48 years of soul-winning evangelism, I cannot be silent.  “Your message burns in my heart and bones, and I cannot be silent.”  Jeremiah 20:9 CEV

If not now… THEN WHEN!

If not here…  THEN WHERE!

If not you… THEN WHO!

Remember Jesus said, “The good news about God’s kingdom will be preached in all the world, to every nation.  Then the end will come.”  Matthew 24:14 NCV

The only thing that matters, when we stand before God as Christians, is His question to us:  What did YOU DO about the lost?”  WHAT WILL OUR ANSWER BE??    “He who wins souls is wise.”   Proverbs 11:30  NIV