Think of the resources that we have in Idaho Falls: snow packing the high country, rivers teaming with fish, an aquifer storing water, fields growing food, lines pumping electricity, and parks filled with recreation. But with all these blessings, there is one resource that tops them all. Without Him, we would not have any of these benefits. The chief Executor of everything that you enjoy in town can be directly attributed to the Holy Spirit. All is dependent upon Him.

The Spirit is not simply a natural force or as some might claim – just a figment of the imagination originating from “holy rollers”. The Spirit is real. He is a Person. And He is God. He was sent by the Father to make our animals (Ps. 104:30). And get this: the Spirit was involved in making us (Job 33:4). Take a moment to thank Him. Without Him, we would not be here.

Some might think that the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is reserved only for the religious elite in town. Not true. He comes to you not by your personal merit or the strength of your will. Plain and simple, He is a gift accepted by faith (John 7:37; Acts 11:16-17; Rom. 5:5; I Cor. 2:12; 2 Cor. 5:5).

He is the most precious gift that believers have in Idaho Falls. Let Him lead you. Day by day. Moment by moment. He is so much better than your smart phone.

A blessed Berean in Idaho Falls,
Todd Wood

The Triune God of the universe is immutable, eternal, and full of wonder. As we have enjoyed various scouting activities (RiseUp Encampment, scouting camp, etc.) during the summer months in Southeastern Idaho, we get glimpses every day of the spectacular variety and the depth of detail in God’s creation. Yet we don’t have to look very far – one only need look inward – to see also the struggle with broken imperfections. In our changing world of religious self-expression and sexual, perverted preferences, it is nice to know that the God of the universe is set apart from His creation. If He were sinful like us, we would indeed have no hope. In our fallen humanity, the only hope is to look to the sinless Man, Jesus Christ, who bore the immense diversity of our sins and took the punishment that we deserved. This perfect Man is unparalleled beauty, glory, and power. How can God the Father be both just and the justifier of sinners? It’s because Jesus propitiates holy fire. Also, He redeems slaves. He reconciles enemies. He unifies brothers. And He is the King of a sweeping Kingdom. He extends the gift of God’s presence and Kingdom to you. It’s amazing grace. And you can enter this Kingdom by faith. Childlike faith.

Let us rise up. We need not sit, shackled in the dungeons of our own personal sin and remorse. And we don’t need to cower under the incessant cries of evil around us, whether coming from the low in dark corners of shacks or the elite in wealthy corridors. Neither do we need to accommodate the political winds of institutional hierarchy. In Christ, we are free. Let every boy in our country have the chance to see this no matter their race, religion, economics, or sinful struggles. Let them experience Christ. Let them rise up by faith through grace to be what God has initially created them to be.

In light of the 2013 BSA policy to normalize various sexual orientations among the young men in scout troops, Berean Baptist Church will not seek to recharter in 2014. This decision has nothing to do with accusations that we desire to not reach out to any boy who might have same sex attractions. The decision has everything to do with public politics seeking to aberrate on sexual orientation and in turn force us to redefine what is morally straight. When we have choices before us, we decide not to abide under leadership policies which shroud in obfuscation the light of conscience in duty to God and truth. We turn our hearts now to the God of grace and peace. May God’s Spirit give us wisdom and lead us to new alternatives in 2014. May the Lord capture and bless the hearts of our future men. And most of all, to the One who is the source of all good, may God be honored and glorified with our lives.

I just finished the book of Acts this morning in my personal reading. I love how the book ends: “preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”

The kingdom of God in Idaho Falls is unstoppable.

It sort of ties in with what I read yesterday in Proverbs: “There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the LORD (YHWH)” (Proverbs 21:30).

YHWH, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is unstoppable.

a blessed Berean in this city,

Todd Wood

Consider the testimony of Dr. Rosarie Butterfield.

Before you attend Idaho Falls Pride Day on September 14, I would suggest that you ask Sam Allberry this question.

Is God anti-gay?

That’s the title of his book.  Read this.  Check out his opening words here.

Religious moralism in itself is not the answer in our city.  You already know the bankruptcy of it.  So.  Contemplate a radical gospel.  And above all, trust and savor this God of such a gospel.

Ultimately, it doesn’t come down to civil issues, policy issues, and morality issues in our city.

It comes down to God and gospel issues.

Enjoying the conversation with you.

Grace and peace,

Todd Wood

Is the push for removing discrimination toward the LGBT community the same as race issues?

Gay and lesbian rights activists appear to be succeeding in their efforts to convince the public that homosexuality is one identical, unitary, unvarying and inherited characteristic…. Persons who identify as homosexual fall along a very broad spectrum of personalities, ranging from shy young men who are so frightened of girls that they fear they must be gay to boys who preferred to play with dolls and wear girls’ clothing and everything in between. Contending that all same-sex attraction is an unchangeable or immutable characteristic like race is a distortion of reality.” (HT:Robert A. J. Gagnon)

The Idaho Falls city council has talked about a city ordinance in regards to no discrimination based on sexual orientation.  May I offer some questions?

1. What is the definition of sexual orientation?  What is the definition of gender?
2. What is defined as natural?  And not natural when it comes to sexual orientation?
3. Who are the authoritative sources that influence the definition?
4. What is the number of LGTB citizens in the city of Idaho Falls?
5. What are the cases of discrimination in this city?
6. Who are the LGTB citizens in Idaho Falls who have no place to live or no opportunity for a job?
7. Since Idaho state republicans are making no pressure for these anti-discrimination policies to be in place, who is?  Is it the majority of the citizens in the cities of Idaho?
8. How many citizens of Idaho Falls are vocally pushing for this discrimination ordinance?
9. Which businesses have reported that they will not come to Idaho Falls if this discrimination ordinance is not in place?
10. If the Idaho Falls city council affirms a discrimination policy, does not that affirm that the city publicly welcomes and embraces the homosexual lifestyle?
11. If this new ordinance is passed, why would polygamists still be discriminated against?  What about southeastern Idaho’s whole political history toward polygamists?  Isn’t this sexual discrimination?
12. What if a hotel owner decides not to offer rooms of his establishment to a collective group of LGTB individuals?
13. What if a restaurant owner is uncomfortable with his newly hired waiter showing pictures of a same-sex partner to the patrons?
14. If a boss decides not to hire someone seeking employment, can that person come back and accuse the boss of discrimination, even though the topic of sexual orientation did not come up in the initial discussion?
15. If a Christian in Idaho Falls regards homosexuality as a sin, what business would you recommend him to start wherein that individual can retain their freedom of conscience?
16. Can a bed & breakfast owner discriminate on who comes to stay at the home?
17. Can a family discriminate over which nanny or babysitter they hire?
18. Should there be discrimination against bestiality?  If so, why?
19. Will the public court-house allow LGTB weddings?
20. What will be the consequences for acts of discrimination?  Fines?  Sensitivity classes?
21. What is the course for transgender bathrooms in public accommodations?

Corey Taule wrote today in the Cheers & Jeers section of our local Idaho Falls paper:

Jeers to Pastor Stuart Bryan of Trinity Church in Coeur d’Alene.  Bryan is so upset that his city government took this vital step toward equality that he is advocating citizens break the law and thumb their nose at representative government.

“I would entirely support any parishioner who opposed that legislation,” he told the Spokane Spokesman-Review, “I think it’s unjust.”

As Idaho Falls prepares to enter into this fray, here is a lesson in how not act.  Coeur d’Alene’s elected officials have spoken.  Those who disagree are free to oppose them come Election Day.  That’s how our system works.  We can only hope folks on both sides of this debate in Idaho Falls conduct themselves with more integrity and dignity than Bryan.

But I would encourage the citizens of Idaho Falls to hear Stuart out, rather than take this soundbite from Corey who jeers him and targets both his integrity and dignity.  Read Stuart’s recent blog articles.

Judd Wilson spoke up this past March up in Moscow, Idaho.

I wrote this 95 Theses in 2007.

Today’s headline article in our local newspaper prods me to consider writing a new 95 Theses.

It will be a 95 theses on marriage which is defined as between one man and one woman for life.

Stay tuned.