Posts Tagged ‘Family Tree’

Encouragement For The Journey: Journey of Life

Encouragement For The Journey: Journey of Life

“I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the LORD. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NCV

Along this “Journey of Life” as you have stood with me in reaching the lost, I want to stand with YOU that everything God has planned for YOU will be fulfilled: your health, your home, your family, your finances, your dreams, and your God-ordained purpose.

“I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the LORD. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NCV

In this letter of encouragement to you, I feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to focus on you, my precious and loyal partners and friends of this ministry.
First of all, REST IN THIS PROMISE: “I have carried you since you were born. I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has tuned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you.” Isaiah 46:3-4 NCV

There is one thing you can count on as an absolute truth: GOD’S PLAN AND PURSPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE WAS SET IN MOTION EVEN BEFORE YOU WERE BORN…..long before your parents were born….long before your grandparents were born…God’s plan for you was already set in motion. WOW!!! Let that thought sink in! HALLELUJAH!

When I was a teenager, I had an opportunity to work for a missionary group in Mexico. This was a group of pilots who had small planes. They would fly into remote areas of Mexico and drop Christian literature over these small villages. Many of these villages were in mountainous areas and places where no automobiles could go. They were called: Airmail from God.

My job was to sit in the back seat and throw out the literature over the villages. The people in the villages would run out into the streets and wave at us. They were always so excited to see us. After landing, we would stay in villages for a few days and have a soul-winning crusade.

As a teenager, this missionary opportunity was very thrilling to me….and it was also dangerous! But when you are a boy, you don’t give much time thinking about the risk. It was just fun. Since this place did not have a starter, I would stand in front of the plane and spin the prop. Sometimes, I would have to do this several times before the engine would cough and the sputter would finally start. It was all part of the Job.

On three or four occasions, when we were flying, the carburetor would freeze over and the engine would stop. While that was exciting to me, it wasn’t to the pilot. I recall him praying loudly and yelling at me to look for a place that was flat so we could set this plane down. On one such emergency landing we took some branches out of the top of a tree.

On my preparation for my second missionary journey to Mexico, I recall vividly my mother’s concern. While I was putting my duffle back into the car, my mother put her arms around me and was praying for my safety. She abruptly stopped in the middle of her prayer and said to me, “Dwight, I don’t have peace in my spirit about this trip.” She continued her prayer with these words, “Lord, protect Dwight and block anything that might prevent your will for his life from being fulfilled.” I kissed my mother goodbye and she stood there waving at me and blowing me a kiss. Oh how I thank God for my precious praying mother and father. Without their love, patience and prayers this story would have a much different ending.

I stowed my duffle bad into the plane. Just as we were making the final flight checks, a pastor walked over to me along with the pilot and explained to me something that would alter the course of my life. He said to me that the Lord instructed him to go on this trip and would I mind if he took my place. I respected his request and went back home. A few days later, their plan crashed and both were killed.

I’ve thought about that tragedy many times. Both of these men loved God and were committed to His will for their lives. Why did God spare MY life?
How many of you even now can look back and recall many “close calls” in your lives? You walk away from that near disaster and wonder why you survived. Many people have told me of the escapes from serious accidents that could have certainly been fatal, yet look back on it now and realize it was truly a miracle.

There is no doubt that these close calls are more than “luck” as the unbeliever might conclude. Nor can we be so flippant to say, “It wasn’t our day to die.” It is very important that we step back and take these “close calls” as “wake-up calls.” God’s purpose for our lives must never be taken lightly.
“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man will open the door, I will come in….” Each time we neglect His appeal…each time we ignore His knock at the door of our hearts….we continue on the path of our own choosing…not His.

There will always be events that happen that we can’t completely understand, and there have been other events in my life that were “close calls”, but God’s purpose for my life is yet to be fulfilled. “With your own powerful arm you keep me safe.” Psalm 138:7 CEV
As of this writing I am in my 50th year of preaching the glorious Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am deeply humbled and most unworthy of our God’s mercy. Let me repeat it again: GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE….His design, His purpose and His will must become the top priority of each of us. Anything that is hindering His purpose must be dealt with and removed with all speed.

Seek the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to go into the secret places of our hearts and cleanse us. Even things in our lives that we are blinded to…ask Him to show you and then remove it.

“Though I am surrounded by troubled, you will bring me safely through them….” Psalm 138:7

ONLY GODS DESTINY FOR YOUR LIFE WILL ALLOW YOU TO REALLY ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

Let me pray for you right now: Father, in Jesus’ Holy name, I pray for your divine and perfect will to be done in my precious partners of this ministry. Anything that prevents the fulfillment of your plan for their lives, remove it in Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

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!