Thanks

First of all i want everyone to know that I am not going to Acworth, GA. That is not God's will for me at this point in my life. I still have preparation this is what confirmed this state that I am in right now in my life Exodus 2:15-17.

no one is coming to slay me but i still have something to do before I am ready to take on God's call for my life and I believe I know what it is.

I just want to thank you both J.R. and Todd. You have shaped my life more than you know. I've learned to challenge people and that its ok to use my passion outside of the church to benefit the people of the church.

I've learned that learning is good and that the Bible is inerrant and infallible. We went through Bible Doctrine and was extremely molded by that entire experience.

It seems that we've grown a little bit more distant because of my circumstances but know that both of you have made a lasting impact on my life. And also remember that if you ever want to get destroyed in soccer i'll only be like 2 hours away after i graduate.

I know that this is the right thing for all of us involved especially for me as I begin to prepare me and my future family. But again i thank you for all that you've done and will continue to do in my life. Thanks so much and if you ever need anything let me know.

Thanks....


I'm out....

sorry guys

i have so much to talk about but not alot of time. Sorry i've had the busiest week in history this past week and after this weekend i think it's going to all slow down for about 3 weeks which will give me a much needed break. Anyway big things happening very soon. I can't wait to tell you about them. Anyway hang out and also tell kristen that she needs to write a blog and david jacks that we need to do a video blog together but until next time peace out.

Also tropical mango tea from sonic.....AMAZING

i'm out.

I'm Sorry

First of all im so sorry for all of the people and the families of the va tech victims. I apologize for the people that won't let you grieve and for those grazy gun control and non gun control people that seem that their agenda is more important than the fact that you guys are grieving.

I wish that it didn't happen and im sorry that it is everywhere. Im praying for you and your family and i hope that some network out there instead of pushing their agenda would take the time to remember the victims and let them have their memorial instead of giving all the time to the guy that caused all of this.

Anyway im sorry to all the families and Know that I'm praying for you and again I'm so sorry.

out.

What I'm About...

Well in trying to discover who i really am I have found out some interesting things that are almost a habit for me now.

I am honest. When it comes to life or other people that want an honest opinion i give it. Ask my workers I'm probably the most honest guy that most of them know. This leaves me vulnerable in many situations but I also know that the truth is the best all the time.

I am creative. I have known this since probably about 5th grade when i wanted to be the first person on Mars not so everyone would know but instead to say i was the only person on the planet and run it for the short time i was on it how i wanted to.

I am bold. This is my most troublesome quality. To illustrate this a long time ago when i was a junior in high school i believe we had some issues in our student ministry many of the kids there would be all about it when they were there but in their daily activities the same commitment wasn't there. To Me this was HUGE!!! So i got up in front of everyone and introduced myself to the visitors because i didn't want to yell at people i didn't know...true story...so I told them that they were mocking the cross and I couldn't believe their actions and don't say that you come to this place because its an insult if you do. In front of 200 people i said that looking back. Probably won't do that but i speak my mind no matter what people think always have and more than likely always will.

And last but not least I'm frustrated. I think this is where God is growing me in passion for something meaningful. Because even though I am all of those things above I am not focused and concentrated.

To use my own analogy for a second. I'm like a beam of light, bright full of energy and I can do crazy things. Make things grow, offer nourishment, and even light up a dark situation but you know what i can't do: burn. I lack focus. I'm everywhere spread out good but not great.

I'm looking for God's giant magnifying glass to multiply my ability. Cuz right now I don't have a focus. Work, school, phone, driving, workers, ss class, are all of my activities. I need one spot magnified to light something on fire. That explains my entire situation. I lack focus. I need it I want it but I don't have it. So again I'm frustrated but like I've been hearing for almost ten years (which is nuts cuz im only 20) I have so much potential.

Blah Blah Blah is what i have to say about that. I'm not where i need to be and maybe its not time but God is in charge please don't take this out of context. God is in control of my life but I AM NOT GIVING ENOUGH IF I AM NOT WHERE I WANT TO BE.

That's where I am at. Jeff Hill hangout maybe tennis this week. David C. Jacks you too buddy i want to destroy some faces this weekend. Let's go Tigers!!!!

I'M OUT!!!!

Waiting to meet new folks

These past couple weeks i have been in more deep thought than ever before. One of the thoughts that is running through my head is how i will be separating from most of my friends when December ends. It will be a new time. I will miss them so much. I literally have the greatest friends in the world and Each one of them is extremely unique.

But I'm excited because I know that God is beginning something big in my life but I also know that God has partners and friends to join me along the way. I'm so excited to see the people that will join me in ministry in the future it makes me anxious and nervous but pumped at the same time.

I'm sad cuz two of my best friends is called by God into missions. Jeff Hill will be an incredible missionary and Cammo Price is going to be one as well. But I'm sad that they can't be a part of my life ya know. The Regulars: Me, Kristen, Jeff, Carmen, Lauren, and Cameron will be separated (even though we already are dissected some)

Its sad because they are and will be valuable members to any team and will make a huge impact where ever they end up.

But that's life live, learn, love and let go. It sad but encouraging that at the end we'll get to hear each other's stories from our short lives hear on earth. And laugh and joke like we always have. Anyway guys i know its a long way off but i just wanted to let you and all my friends know that I love you and I am who I am because of your friendship.

I'm Out Again!!!

What's up...

Well not much to talk about just found out that Stacie is now a University of Memphis cheerleader! That's pretty awesome. Especially if you know the story you should definitely ask her about it.

Anyway just wanted to see what was up with everybody Friday i put in a resume for a potential job when i get out of school. I should get an email back this week. Hope for the best.

Love you guys, I was sick this week and missed everyone at church and Jeff sorry i couldn't make it to your house i was doing a take home test and I HAD TO GET IT DONE! I was hoping the all caps would make it seem very important.

Anyway many decisions to make and am waiting for guidance. Have so much to do in the next few weeks end of school, position changes at work, tests, papers group assignments its gonna be nuts.

Thanks for thinking of me and reading this chatty post. Love you guys.

I'm Out!!!

To be Great or not To be Great?

U know i've been on this get to know me spat over the past couple of days so let's keep it going.

I've talked to a few people about this and im just really not sure.

Background: When i was a lil kid i dreamed of greatness, I wanted to be the greatest preacher, the greatest ballplayer, the greatest writer, the greatest teacher.

Whatever i did i strived to be the greatest.

Growing up i realized (or was told) how prideful that is. But now that I am thinking about it: Is it or Isn't it?

Did Moses become great because he strived or God put Him into that? Did David become great based on decisions he made or the opportunities that God gave Him?

I am not writing this blog to start another predestination argument but instead to know am i pursuing the wrong thing if I am pursuing greatness? Think about it and let me know.

I'm Out!!!

Who Am I?

well i know this is a weird subject but i wanted to write it for me and for those of you wondering where im at in life.

I've been struggling to find direction in my life and not general direction but specific direction. I know where I'm going but not what im doing when i get there if that makes any sense.

Well in that time i have had some time to think and have came up with things that i have learned about myself in the past few months:

I'm a hard worker who isn't working hard enough.

I've got potential but im not sure how much of it or how or through what way.

I think im ready but im scared.

I'm confused and i don't get confused.

I'm encouraged by my mom because she actually said i would be preaching one day (never did that)

I'm tired school, work, life is tough.

I'm fed up.

I talk a big game but if i backed up half of what i said i would be more of a man that i could ever imagine.

I say that i live for the next life but im not sure that i do sometimes.

God loves me and is not confused at all and yet all i do is worry lately.

I see competition as a relief from reality and that's why im competitive its my element its where i succeed.

I'm a Thompson we survive more under pressure situations than any family i can think of.

I want to learn to play golf.

I'm anxious to see what God wants me to do yet at the same time scared that i won't do it.

I'm learning that truthfulness is a scary part of life. Not something they tell you about in Disney movies.

I'm scared, I'm confused and not in control. I have God to lead me and i can't hear Him sometimes. Its the truth i need guidance and comfort yet i know that it can only come from God. So again like most of my life im stuck waiting.

It sucks where I'm at. I'm usually a sight for people without hope i bring an example of stability for the younger people around me but now its like im starting over.

I wish i knew my exact mission in life it would make life easier. But i didn't come into this world easy and i didn't sign up for the easy life either. So i guess ill have to wait to find out who i really am and who i am going to be.

cuz right now im just confused.

I'm out!!!

I'm upset

Well i was gonna either write a blog today about easter (overdone but not in any way underappreciated by me or the others writing the blog) or the blog i've been wanting to write about: Who Am I? Because about two years ago all my friends and everyone knew about me and what i was about and what i was up to.

Now with so much going on i just don't have that time that i wish that i had to just chill with people. So its almost like im shrouded in mystery and i don't want to be but that's just how it is.

But now for my blog. So i sat with the 'rents today at church and i was looking fly in some pinstripes but i digress.

So this awesome baby was in front of us completely behaved except for some minor noise not crying more like cooing.

Well then an usher had the nerve to come up to the mom and say "You know there is a room where you can take your baby when she gets too loud."

By the way there were two twins across the aisle crying like crazed birds the whole time. Not a word to them.

It was completely rude and uncalled for. I was ticked but to make sure i wasn't out of line i asked my truthful in your face sister and mom(that's where she got it from) and they were saying it was rude too.

I was completely upset that he had the audacity to say something like that. Secondly, i was perplexed as to why he told the quiet baby's momma that her calm baby could be taken to the nutso baby room. While the terrible twosome over there remained as unsatisfied as before.

This is where an atmosphere guy deviates. People are the key. Why would you say something that daring to a mom who has her handsfull already when the goblin and ghoul are howling like lil banshees. I would've been upset if i were the mom and it probably would've affected my feelings at that time about the service the church the people that go to church everything.

Y? Y? Y? Does it make sense am i insane who knows. But it seems to me if your atmosphere gets in the way of people and the message which i believe that it did then your atmosphere that you have worked so hard to achieve is in vain.

That's it keep the main thing the main thing.

I'm out.

Time to weigh in...

Well first of all it seems that there has been a quiet uproar over jeff hill's blog

by quiet uproar i mean people are upset by it but refuse to tell jeff about but want to see what others think.

first of all i would agree somewhat with what he said. I think that the problem is that we forget (as we were taught jeff) that only a beckoning of the Holy Spirit can allow us to have a choice as to our salvation. So when we get uproarious and rambucuous about not having a choice in the matter remember that.

secondly, this brings up a point that i won't talk about anymore but i want people to think about because i have. We have a gap between evangelists-traditionalists, there always has and there always will be there is not one right way to look at this issue of how we minister to people everyone is different.

Different strokes for Different folks.

Lastly jeff i say this to you, thank you for reading your bible, thank you for questioning, but be careful you are demeaning everyone who has ever preached from a pulpit by making general blanket statements. Please think before you speak especially about other people. I love you man and im glad that there are some young people that are ready to experience a life led by God.

No matter where it may lead.

I'm not an expert, heck im a marketing major. But to criticize(this is for everyone) and jump to conclusions without any evidence or guts to confront someone personally but instead to someone else or even on a computer screen is childish and obnoxious.

Breathe a little bit jeff isn't raising lil blue devil children, that's JR (just a Duke reference!!!)

However this subject is important and i don't think enough weight is given to God's role in salvation except for the cross and then we believe. We should be thanking God for beckoning us and the Holy Spirit for following through with what God said.

Pray for the Spirit that it would beckon others as well.

I'm Out!!!

Another Championship, Another Lie

Is it just me or does everytime someone thank God on tv after winning something just make you want to throw up. Well maybe not everytime but almost everytime.

I know that i sound like a 65 year old baptist church member who wants people to mature before they convert. But im serious on this one.

It drives me nuts to see people who you would never imagine thanking God for anything in their lives (three 6 mafia, lance armstrong, and rasheed wallace to name a few) thanking God for all that He has brought them through.

But also every year along with that i am sickened by the fact that someone else is going to talk about it.

Instead of talking about it why don't we do it. What if we lived like our life was a tribute to God. That we had the media following us everywhere and they couldn't find a fault.

What if people actually did God size things. I am talking to adults now. Kids dream we dream big. Most of the time to get our dreams crushed by our parents or a sunday school teacher who says you aren't ready for something that big yet.

Well how long does it stinkin take the rest of you guys out there. Frankly, we should see adults who are running successful businesses cuz they were fed up with bad customer service or a mom running a food distribution company because of what her kids were eating at school (by the way pizza should not taste like cardboard)

Where are these people that talk about a miraculous God but only from a third person perspective. Once in my life i would like to see 1 person who the media does nothing but talk about their relationship with God before they succeed and they do nothing but good and good and good afterwards.

Take Mike Maroth (P Detroit Tigers) he lost like 14 games in a row a couple of years ago and all the media would talk about was how did he feel about God now. He ended up losing 21 games that year. Did he turn out to be an all pro, no he's won about 25 games in two years. But i can bet that He was thanking God for every victory along the way and he might not have been i don't know the guy.

But i do know this we need people that aren't scared to take chances with God to let Him lead their passion and go full speed ahead and don't look back.

Think Big! I'm Out!!

Yes im posting about diets

if you know me then you know that im a fan of people that have goals, also you know that i don't like people that have goals but don't know how or don't try to reach them.

this blog is about the glycemic index.

this system seems to me to be the best diet that you can have out there. You don't do away with anything but instead swap things that you already eat.

this is the website: The Glycemic Index

anyway as you know i work a long time so i usually have between nine and ten hours between lunch and dinner. Crazy i know but true.

so i was looking for a way to eat the same amount of food but have the energy for a longer amount of time.

Basically what this thing is based on is glucose which if you don't know if a form of sugar. it is contained in almost everything that you eat and it releases sugar extremely fast into your body.

so the scale is based on glucose which =100 the lower numbers indicate foods that release sugar into your bloodstream at a slower rate which means that you feel less hungry for a longer amount of time.

the higher numbers indicate a quick rush of sugar to your body. You would eat these foods after a workout to quickly regain the energy that was lost.

Basically eat fruits and vegetables less potatoes and a lil pasta and wholegrain bread and the hunger virtually dissapears. Just thought i would let you know about my new view of food.

So much to write about

I have so stinking much to write about but no time or enough dedication to get it all on the blog. So a couple of things im thinkin of:

1. How many people need paternity tests? I watched Maury cuz i didn't want to get out of bed needless to say 5 minutes after learning that there are like 1,000s of people that don't know who the father of their kid is i got up and felt better about my life.

2. Derrick Rose is playing in the McDonald's all american game tonight. Best pg in the country is coming to memphis next year lets just say im excited.

3. Glycemic index i will talk more about this in the coming days very interesting.

4. God's planning. God is shaping me and Kristen for something big and i have no idea what it is or how it is going to happen or when but its growing inside and im excited.

5. I wish i could play the tuba for those moments in life when you need music to accompany you. That would be awesome.

6. I don't know who Sanjaya is but everyone hates him and for that he is now my favorite. Let's go Sanjy baby!

7. Duke fans are weird

8. I'm looking for a new car one that i can hit the gas and feel like a man in.

9. No more SSS i know you are all dissapointed but i have a few more ideas. word of the day, color of the day, and last but not least haircut of the day.

10. Yeah that's it man school is hard and starting salaries are going down what is happening to our economy.

I'm out!!!

Its Time!!!

Yeah today is the day i've been waiting on the whole year. The chance to prove the critics the experts everyone wrong. People don't think memphis is a real basketball town. I looked on facebook's standings today number 8 college network in the country and the top regional network in the country. I think that says something. Now the david of the tournament the team that lost more than any other team in the country( two first round draft picks and one european player) almost 40 points a game gone.

Now we can't compete with those big conferences. By the way Conf. USA is undefeated in the NCAA tourney!!!! No one wants to play us we're deep we're athletic and we play defense. Bring it. What to look for as we play the Nuts known as the Buckeyes...zone. OSU will play zone to try and take us out of our backdoor driving princeton offense. We must shoot the three well and take Ron Lewis out of the game. Conley will choke and no one likes to throw the ball to Oden. A good matchup for us even though Dorsey called him overrated (big mistake) Watch us root for us love us. It's our time. I'm out!!

I hate Mondays

I know this is on tuesday but mondays are the worst thing to ever happen to the planet earth.

You go back to work. You lose that extra sleep you built up over the weekend. Your boss thinks that you have to make up for lost time. Teachers do their best to give the hardest tests of your life(by the way i took a finance test yesterday and my batteries on my calc. went dead no replacement!!!) you have to start thinking about life again (or so it seems.)

Im getting tired. I go through this stage about once every quarter. The love of my life is in sc, i have no real ministry besides the guys at my job, I have been doing the drive and hour-school-drive 35 minutes-work-drive 40 minutes-eat-sleep routine for almost 3 years now.

But i've finally found a bright spot. I know that i am worthless without christ puppeteering me into an oscar winning performance(bad analogy i know but meaningful to me) but my vision for my life along with Kristen has begun. It will take time and effort and i don't know how that path will align itself. But my vision is growing and gaining strength.

My path now has a general direction and my passion and fervor is growing. Its not earth shattering and for some of you you might just say "...uh yeah and" but i know that God is molding my future and am excited more than ever about it. I pray that God will continue to shape mine and Kristen's lives and that my path will be alight with a fire that can never be quenched. Oh yeah for those of you that work part time don't call into work. Grow up you stinkin lazy bums!!!


SSS: I'm trying one today to reward myself for surviving Monday...It's a cherry limeade with blue coconut!!! Seems weird but which of these haven't try it today and also if you don't have anything to do tot rejection game

Pray for me as my journey is just beginning!!! Love you guys I'm out.

Let's go Memphis

I'm waiting for todays game and am pumped. Let me explain life to you as a memphis fan. Number one we win by about 15 and we hear on cbs and espn that we are definitely the next team to lose even though its seems extremely strange to me that two years in a row the team that is "our test" gets to play at home.

But if we lose they will talk about how they expected it all along and we are just not that good. Undefeated in conference, 23 in a row, 31 total. Yeah i guess that is a bad team huh. Bring on all the big conference talk its coming i know. Just make sure you watch us play. Let's go tigers!!!

Parents

Parents are interesting things. They have our best interests in mind but sometimes its just like they don't want us to risk anything they just want us to be safe our whole lives.

My parents are worried that i might be trying to over step my bounds by taking summer classes and that i shouldn't push myself too hard. By the way this is coming from my dad who works about 14 hours a day. So he knows a lil of what he is talking about. Anyway, I'm trying to get done so i can get married and get a real job and move into the next phase of my life. All the while knowing that i have no idea as to my mission in life yet.

All of which is ok for me. This just adds to my blog yesterday about stress. But last night as i am thinking about what i read during the day in my reading time. I find this in Matthew Henry's commentary in J.C.'s paraphrase. God uses stress to bring us closer and causes us to rely on Him. If we give into that stress and fear then we allow ourselves room for the credit that is not due.

Look i don't have in depth plans or a long term goal (yet!) but i know that God is shaping me and Kristen for something that is bigger than both of us. Something that i could never have imagined.

Where? Don't know
When? Don't know
How? Don't know
What? Don't know
Why? Cuz God wills it that way and its the mission for my life.

I'm on a quest i know it sounds archaic and has a touch of classicism but nevertheless I am. And each day is another page turned to ultimately reach the end of my novel here on earth.

SSS: Blue Coconut in a Vanilla Shake pure bliss!!!!

Remember to root for the Tigers tomorrow!!! I'm out.

God is Funny

Isn't it funny sometimes how much God can just throw us for a whirlwind of a life in like three weeks. Ill give you a sample of what the last three weeks has been in good ol drummonds, tn.

Girlfriend is outta town very lonely, girlfriend comes in town not lonely, girlfriend has to leave again lonely again.

Told more than likely ill be switching areas at work. Won't switch areas at work.

Have to pay car insurance but glad it goes down later this year. Looking for a new car, don't have the money for a new car.

Been looking forward to a ring and summer school, find out that they both are mucho dinero and now am stressed about money (not cuz i can't get it by the way but i have some beliefs on how God wants you to spend your money and how you deal with debt).

Trying to invest and save but at the same time realize that i have to spend money to invest in current assets (people, friends, family etc. yes they are important assets.

All this to say the other day Kristen said "you just don't get stressed out about stuff [like this]" she was talking about one of her own stress factors. I did this to let everyone know that i do stress out.

But its funny that people talk about how we shouldn't feel stressed and how stress is really bad for you and all that is true. Ill probably die at like age 32 if i don't get back to being fit again. But how can we deal not only with stress but these God ordained times of decision.


And i've learned something important God wants us to experience Him in life now to understand more fully what life will be like for eternity.

Don't you think that God could have opened a sinkhole when the Egyptians were chasing the Hebrews? or took them a different way? There are millions of possible solutions but God wanted the Hebrews to experience, to walk with Him, to see Him working literally on all sides of them.

God doesn't put decisions in front of us to stress us out but to draw us deeper into our intimacy with Him. Talk to Him today to figure out how he wants to change you but more importantly just talk to Him.

SSS: this is more of an announcement. No more peanut butter!!! maybe this is just around here or everywhere im not really sure but the peanut butter is gone. Sad Day....


I'm out!!!

1,000 Days!!!!

yes its correct yesterday was mine and kristen's 1000 day together. Its kinda crazy actually that someone could put up with me for so long. Not cuz im a bad guy or anything like that im just weird. I love you and thanks for the best 1,000 days of my life.

Quick Blog

hey quick go tigers. Kristen Barfield is wonderful and i am once again lonely. I am going to play basketball this weekend i haven't played in ages sweet.

SSS: look at Josh Currie's blog for the SSS I'm out!!!!