As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter the words, but to live by them.
I associate with Willow Creek Community Church, everything you read may not accurately reflect the same views of The Creek.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
You want 2 look back at 2007...
Basically, I had to cut ties with him, and he was the one to do it, hard-yes. I look back and when I thought he was going to visit me in the psych ward, and I get out early, only to find him in MY BED with his girlfriend, that was the final straw. It was the best decision I could of ever made considering you can't really blame him, considering his parents are completely to blame for what kind of fake "supposed Christian family" they claim to be as they had no disregard as to me letting them and the world know what kind of son, they ended up with-FAKE. I only pray for this family and hope I would never ever cross paths with them considering how heartless they really are. Don't continue to help people that really don't want to be helped or to help themselves. YOUR WAISTING YOUR TIME.
Second worst decision of my life for 2007-continuing to work at a place that was started as a disaster, that kept on spiraling downward. I moved to Chicago with a new fresh start on Oct 3, 2007-the best decision I made. I still remember one of my Texas moms words of advice, Randall go start your life over, God is giving you a new fresh start. I only ever plan on staying in a place for around 5 years, and I did cut it short by 7 months, but when God opens the door. YOU better run through it.
I miss Fellowshipchurch.com, brad davies, TGIFriday crew, johnny, a few peeps at Blue Mesa, debbie provence, mike the morman, Szami, mark, and of course my best friend the whole time I was in Texas - derrick wuistinger. It was hard to leave and I still shed a few tears once in a while, but all in all, 2 many fake ass people in Texas, that supposedly care, not about you, but what they can get out of you.
Not by my choice or knowledge of it, but I am living in one of the largest gay communities in the U.S in Chicago, it is a 3x3 mile radius that needs Jesus, who doesn't right? Your probably asking yourself as to why Chicago? One of my best friends from Omaha is here Geoffrey Carlson and his man, and my sisters are closer to me now, Kenosha and Minneapolis. Of course I always need and want more God in my life, http://www.willowcreekcommunitychurch.com/ is now my new home church. IN 2007, it was ranked the #1 Most Influential Church in America-enough said.
Now, don't ya'll jump to conclusions, even though I really don't care what anyone thinks of me anymore. So with that being said, I love it here, for most people being gay in Chicago is really no big deal. People don't come out of the closet here, because that is so 90's ago, but just being you, is one of the best things that I could of ever ran into here. I am loved, accepted, not judged, and not scared to speak my mind, or be the man of God I know He wants me to be. I hate labels and my new "Chicago best friend" Gio, is one of the most amazing human beings I could ask for in a friend. He is so encouraging to me, to just be honest, open, and screw what ever anybody else thinks, he continually reminds me to only be concerned with my most favorite relationship I have-with GOD. He at times has given me the shirt off his back, literally, he daily makes me aware that I am loved even if at times I only feel it by GOD.
So you are probably asking yourself by now, what is up? I have no answer for you, if you want to put a label on me, put me in a box, stereotype me into a lower class than what ever you call normal, well sorry, but screw OFF. I certainly don't need your friendship and I am glad that I am finally getting to know the real me, I would hope you would continue on with me in my journey as I am finding that life is definitely worth living to the fullest here in Chicago-the north side.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
It's getting cold. Ready for the Red Carpet?
My time at Willow Creek has been awesome, nothing like Fellowshipchurch.com but pretty darn close. Just as I'm getting settled into the Creek, Mike Breaux announced he is transitioning into the sister church Willow planted a year ago in Rockford ILL. He will be missed. Thanksgiving was spent with the my sister Debra and her family. It was our first ever Thanksgiving. Victoria will join us in Kenosha for Christmas. Harley my dog loved her first ever snow storm. She loved rolling around in the snow. David Kelly is a really good friend who we are now meeting on a weekly basis for lunch on Wednesday.
Lets roll out the red carpet, bring on the DJ's, and of course get ready for the flash bulbs. The newest and hottest gay club will have their "hard opening" Friday December 7. This VIP event will be an event you don't want to miss in the gay district called "Boystown. You don't want to miss this event, so come out an support one of my best friends Geoffrey Carlson as he has been promoted to the Bar manager of this new venture. The place to be is Scarlet, see you there. Yes, I will be there, I'm V I P, biiootchh.
living for an audience of ONE...
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Getting settled into Chicago, baby!
Well it's official, I LOVE CHICAGO. It is awesome, people are great and I'm out of the dirty south and glad to be back in the Midwest. It took 3 days to move and travel a normal 15 hour ride in a uhaul, but I kept getting stopped by those darn cops. It was definitely hard saying goodbye to my friends but well worth it. Harley my dog loves it here in a small sky rise of 13floors. We have around 50 dogs in the building or so, her friends are limit less. We go have a meal on the rooftop deck and watch the boats everyday,also we go to the beach, and a dog park or dog beach everyday. On Oct. 14, she turned 1years old, and my sister Debra & aunt Andrea with some others from around the building made it to her birthday party. While at church she jumped up and ate all of her birthday cake, oh well what can you do, she even had a short visit from Geoffrey Aaron Carlson aka the Artist who is one of my bestees from Omaha. Love you
I realized that living my 5 years down in Texas has kinda instilled in me a little racist stance at times, that will not be happening here in Chicago. My last person to give me hug and send me off my was my friend of color Charles, and the first one to help me move in was another person of color-Hector. After the 3rd time of him offering to help me unload my uhaul, i took him up on his offer, and we immediately started up conversation and we realized we both have a Nebraska connection. He lived his only two worst years of his life married and living in Grand Island Nebraska. Poor guy. He works with cars and paints/maintenance. We have hung out almost everyday these past 3 weeks. I know some of you may look down on me for this one, but I really don't give a crap. I found a bar you can bring your dog into. I love it and so does Harley. I have met some friends Geo and his Spanish German Shepard named Toro, and also Rob and Sascha with their two pugs. We hang all the time and the dogs get along really good. I am still looking for a job, and hopefully will be landing one real soon.
living for an audience of ONE...
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Moving in with ELIZABETH TAYLOR in Chicago!!
When you read that opening statement of my usual closing to the current blog, what comes to mind. Let me tell you my version.
I moved here from Omaha, with a quick stint in Vegas and this Thanksgiving of 2007 will mark a 4 year investment into one of the fastest growing mega church's around... fellowshipchurch.com Dallas and FC has changed my life, I am eternally grateful to the people I did meet that would allow me to have what ever influence I had on them and many have thanked me for my "invaluable commitment to friendship, in which we will never find in another person like yourself, you will be undoubtedly missed."
With those wonderful comments, I will bow, and take a good long breath with a sigh of satisfaction that I was able to take over 80 people to a worship service like they have never experienced...http://www.blogger.com/www.fellowshipchurch.com/splash/. I found a place on the 3rd day this past week. God is definitely orchestrating this whole move to Chicago. Nobody ever finds a place in less than a month. I am 4 miles north of downtown Chicago or the "Loop", 2 blocks from the lake and 1 mile from a dog beach. I'm moving to the new up and coming Edgewater/Andersenville area. Great community that I am moving into. YOU know us Thompson's when we do anything, its always REAL BIG. This old Hilton hotel that was converted into apartments was previously owned by the one and only ELIZABETH TAYLOR, so with that being said, I got an awesome apartment and I owe it all to Geoffrey Carlson, who found this awesome place only 5 train stops north of him. THX geoff!
So Monday and Tuesday I will begin to pack, this upcoming Wednesday September 26 I fly to Omaha, for my 15 year class reunion, Sunday night fly back. Monday & Tuesday pack and load trailer and pull out that Wednesday morning at 5am, never to look back and hoping to pull into Chicago by 3pm on October 3 with a smile on face and my dog harley's.
I have learned lots of things here in my time, some good, some bad. My experience over all has been somewhat positive, but I had my fair share of trials. I have become really critical, a little on a racist stance, and very pro me, and that is not what Christ would have me live like. Not everybody in the DFW area is fake and materiallistic but a good fair share is and they don't even realize it. ***FOR ALL MY fake so called friends, get real, quit being so fake and phony like a $4 dollar bill. Live life like no one is watching, and if the earth is your playground or stage. The only 1 watching that matters is the one who continues to give you life...God is the only audience I live for. Goodbye Texas...hello to Chapter 3 of my new life in Christ, in the "Windy City Chicago" here I come."READY?? :)
Monday, August 20, 2007
Summer of 2007 Rethinking Jesus Naked...
I really learned a lot of over the summer, and I will try and fill you in on the jam packed summer which was unforgettable. Please don't start singing...lol. Ed Young my senior pastor from Fellowship has been gone traveling on speaking engagements since May 15. He is back this weekend with a prelude mini-series, called "The HOUSE".
MARK YOUR CALENDARS ))) 09-08-07 a very significant weekend in the life of fellowshipchurch.com. It's going to be the biggest series ( people are all ready talking about this one, nation wide,) we have ever done only 2nd to the Just Lust series. The t.v. commericals are getting ready to air, the banners for all the buildings are made, the interstate billboards are getting ready to be hung, and they just finished a massive flier/mailing invite. I am just waiting for Ed to call me personally to invite me to the kick off (we do things in the bulk down south!)Why I say that is this past month for the 2nd year in a row FellowshipChurch.com was voted "Most Influential Church" in the Nation. All I can say to that is go God!
I have had one major event per month starting this past April and running through Christmas. April for Easter Kim&Jeff Fornoff along with Shane Kardell, Cheryl Reineke and her man Jeff spent 5 fun fill days with me and went to church with me. May I had a huge birthday bash and a another friend came for 4 days.
June I had two wedding and a graduation to attend, July Shane Kardell came down and met my dis function family for 5 days(can you say drama?). August we all went camping in PottsVille Texas and I just got back from hanging out my pops, seeing Nan & Papa in the nursing home, also the Fries family reunion this summer was in Branson we all enjoyed chillin and catchin up over 15 years.
The last weekend of September I am back in Omaha which I have been gone from for 3 years. WOW. I have my 15 year class reunion and seeing all the change happening in the Big O. October my father and he is best friend will be visiting me in the end of October.
Thanksgiving this year I will be spending with my extended dis functional family AND with my sisters in Kenosha Wisconsin, and Christmas and New Years will be spent somewhere in the heart of Mexico. Una Mos Cervaza Porfavor!!!
This rainy summer has also been filled with the drama that comes with these crazy friends. A bar fight, getting strangled on fathers day, 2nd bust for mary jane in the car for my friend who I had to bail out again,(NOT ME) a knock down drag out fight in the middle of downtown Dallas with the drunks, and last but not least...
I am a father for the 2nd time again. Yes it will be the last, but this 8 month old bundle of Joy has brought me to loving kids again. She is a wonderful addition to the Thompson Family and dad met her last weekend and fell in love with her. He name is Harley and she is a 25pd Doxson, Rottweiler, beagle, basset hound. She has brought life back into the family.
Well to say the least I have been busy, but I forsure know that what I have learned this summer is far greater than anything a school will teach you. What God has been teaching me is to "Honor God, Love people". It is not easy, but the rewards have been a blessing to my life. I had to let go of some people in my life, that just didnt want to be helped. The biggest loser that I didn't want to say goodbye to was David Thompson. This kid has issues that I pray no one has to encounter them before he stops fighting with God and giving up and dying to himself. You cant help a person who is a fake, lying, deceiving, manipulative "so called christian" who cant even tell his own parents, pastor, youth pastor, or friends the truth. PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS KID, he has alot of growing up to do, and it ultimately almost cost me my life. Enough on that subject.
living for an audience of ONE...
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Mexico Bound for my Birthday:)
living for an audience of ONE...
Friday, April 20, 2007
Whats Going down in the Garage weekend? Happy 420:)
Well, I miss my friends that came down to visit me. Here is a little break down of who did what, who did who, and all that juicy jazz gossip. Thirsty Thursday was a huge success, which entangled 15 people, playing drinking games in my apt. Friday morning we enjoyed a nice massage, and then went into Dallas to check out the scene, downtown, west end, where they filmed Dallas from the 80's, we shot 9mm baby squirrels(which are guns, no we didnt shoot squirrels) at a shooting range.
Saturday was spent in Ft. Worth, meeting my girl Karla at the zoo, checking out the art scene, the cattle drive at Historic Stockyards, and then off to Sundance Square for a surprise concert with Trace Atkins and of course lots of beer, laughs, and the downtown water falls that just reopened. The concert was the main surprise, along with Ryan trying to be young again, and doing a complete face plant after jumping off a high ledge, oh to be young again??
Sunday, we woke up and went to church, then we dropped off Kimmie and Jeff at the airport. Cheryl, Ryan, and I went to the blue mesa Addison for an awesome free Sunday brunch and then off to the Texas Motor Speedway to check out all the rednecks tailgating. Monday morning was not too hard waking up from $2.00 Texas beers at one of my favorite bars the Flying Saucer. I ran them to the airport and then I was off to work. It was an awesome time, and I was able to meet Cheryl's boytoy Ryan, which I think will fit in just fine in the group that has more drama for their momma's. Peace, I m out.
living for an audience of ONE...
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Going down "in the Garage" weekend...
Pictures to follow soon...
living for an audience of ONE...
Friday, April 06, 2007
Good Friday and Easter weekend in the south
People have emailed me and really want to know if I enhanced my picture on my myspace account and the answer is no. I really look that good, kids and yes the wait is melting off. Check it out for yourself if you want.http://www.myspace.com/randypaulthompson
Looking forward to having a few friends from Omaha come and visit me, you can check out my calendar of events in my life on the front of my blog spot, or check them it out here.
Tomorrow night at 5pm, I am going to just one of Fellowshipchurch.com's 17 Easter services around the metroplex. Enjoy the weekend and have a happy Easter!!
living for an audience of ONE...
Monday, April 02, 2007
April Fools weekend download...
This weekend at Fellowship it was supposed to be Ed Young Sr. and Ed Jr decided to do a remake version from 3 months ago as a Easter plug to invite our friends and family. Saturday night 2 friends and I went to an arena football game, that was really fun, came back to my place and chilled and threw the football.
The count down has begun, nine days till the gang is all here.
living for an audience of ONE...
Monday, March 19, 2007
Chicago will never be the same...
Wednesday I spent by myself in solitude and that night meet Geoffry Carlson and his new boyfriend and we all went out for drinks in Wrigley ville, which is where they live. The next day I literally walked all around downtown Chicago until lunch when I met my good friend David Kelly from the Upstream where we use to work together. Friday afternoon I met my sister and niece and we checked out the whole Belmont District from 3pm until 9pm. TONS OF fun.
Saturday morning we woke up and drove down to Chicago for the dyeing of the river at 1045am and then walked to Balboa street for the noon time parade.We were able to keep a little warm with our first time to a Cerality Cafe. It was the first time me and my sister Debra and I had a really good time by ourselves hanging out together. My friend Brennan Sanders that I have known since 94 came down and spent the later part of the afternoon with us and him and I took the city, just us guys. After dodging all the drunk people that were running crazy through the streets of downtown Chicago for St. Patty's Day we had a nice relaxing dinner a few too many Guinness', and then off to Bin 36 to sample some wines. One of my favorite spots in Chi-town and it is right next door to the infamous House of Blues which is right on the river. It was an awesome weekend that confirmed to me that in a year I will be living in CHICAGO. Watch out chi-town, "Big Ran is coming back to the Midwest with a little Texas heat!" Count on IT
living for an audience of ONE...
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Christmas Services pictures are out...
We had a church wide "Larger than Life" new worship cd live taping and is now out and literally running off the shelves. People have been asking what the Christmas services looked like this year, check them out here. Just find Fellowship Church Gallery.
Looking forward to the next 3 days, my best friend from Omaha Matthew Smith will be in town to visit me since I have gotten out of the hospital. Matthew has been a rock and pillar of faith to keep pointing me in the direction that I always need to be moving... forward with my life. Thank you for all the time, energy, love and support you have shown me through this difficult time that you always said, "randall, your one of my best friends we will get through this, don't worry buddy, we will get through this." Friends are good God thing, that I don't take for granted.
living for an audience of ONE...
Monday, February 19, 2007
Where have I been???
I know this will be a shock to most people, but I have been in a psychiatric hospital for a while, due to overwhelming life circumstances that have deemed me to check my self in and get help. It was not easy, but with the support of many friends and family behind me, it made it a lot easier. I was very thankful for all the many people who came and visited me while I was there, and made my day go a lot faster waiting for that 6pm hour each evening to come so quick with anticipation of who was out there to visit me.
living for an audience of ONE...
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Kool and Gang kicks off new series at FellowshipChurch.com
Its something that everyone wants. And we are willing to spend endless years, countless dollars and boundless energy looking for it. We think if we can just catch it, we will have it made.
But what does our search have to do with the life God wants us to live? Could it be that in our quest we have become distracted from discovering something greater?
We will see just how this plays out in our daily lives. And well learn just what it takes to stop the search and begin to actually live, "Outrageous, Contagious Joy".
It's a survival guide not to be happy, cause happines comes and goes, but to be joyful in all situations. Ed Young's new book relaease this weekend helped us kick off the new series along with the one of the singers of Kool and Gang to sing "Celebration". A very big black man came out from the glow of lights with dreads from his head and face beard, it was definetly a sight that only can happen at Fellowshipchurch.com.
living for an audience of ONE...
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Welcome to the world.... Depression leaving my life...
I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME INTO THE WORLD, TWO OF MY BEST FRIENDS WHO HAD THEIR MIRACLE BABY. CONGRATS TO michelle & randall james ON THE NEW BUNDLE OF JOY. MACIE RENEE DECEMBER 21, 2006. SHE IS 7IBS, 2 OUNCES, 19 INCHES LONG. Can' wait to see the little one in August.
Life is getting alot better for me. I still have my moments, and once in a while a down day, but it is not so bad, that life seems to have to stop for me. I am so thankful to my friends for sticking by my side. David, has been such an encouragement to my soul, who was the one who really encouaraged me to get on medication. He is such an extreme blessing to me that anything that come up in my life, he is the first one to say, "Bro, we will make it through this, I am going to be there for you, no matter what, we will take care of this, don't worry." Those phrases have been a encouragement in the down times of life. All of my friends down here, including myself have noticed a 110% change in my life with this medication. Also thank you John and Shelly Ammerman for your listening ears, advice, support and a hand in finding a really good doctor. God brought you down here to help me out a little. Thank you.
living for an audience of ONE...
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
A Merry Christmas...without deppression
I had to work Christmas day, but then headed over to David's for another amazing turkey dinner. We then exchanged gifts between David and I , while his family watched, then watched scrooge the movie, tossed the new football around that David got me and then I had to head home.
Last night David wanted all of his best friends to hang out with him and do something adventurous. We got snacks and then headed to downtown Grapevine, Texas and started walking down the train tracks for over 4 hours till 2am in the morning. We had a really good time, lots of laughs, lots of rapping and of course David making us all feel right at home with his humor.
This Christmas was alot better. For over 10 years I have suffered from depression, it really sucks, it almost got the best of me, but I am glad for my close friends that I have call at times in the night to let them know I am not doing good. Very appreciative for David and Josh who would swing by on the way home to check up on me, and make sure I got to sleep alright before they would let themselves out. David, and Matthew Smith finally talked me into getting on medication, last Friday the doctor ran test and since I have never been on medication, it has taken affect right away. I am so glad for that, because I was starting to ruin some friendships.
Tomorrow my parents get in town, and David and I will go pick them up at the hotel and then our parents are going to hang out and go for dinner. Saturday night they will be going to FC 5pm service and then head back home, this will be dads wife first time at FC. I also remembered I have my first ever blind date this Sunday night. Yes I am nervous. It can't be to bad, I am going out with one of the "Coors Light girls" YEA
living for an audience of ONE...
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Waiting for the sun to shine again...
With the strong support and influence I have around me, I have found a doctor, and I have my first appointment this Monday at 2:30pm. Since my friend has been so on my ass to get checked out to see if I need to be on antidepressant medicine, David was the first one I called to say hey, here is when my appt is. Without hesitation, or me asking him, he said " You know I am going with you to that appt". I told him that was not necessary and he said , "YES, it is, I am one of your best friends who really cares and I want you to know, it will be OK" How cool is that, a friend needs no excuse to be a really good friend when needed, and I don't even have to ask.
Today is the passing away date of my mother Patricia Jean Thompson, I can't really believe it has been 8 years, but time does fly by. I am glad she still guides me through my day, and I know her and Christ still have a guiding hand on my life.
living for an audience of ONE...
Monday, December 11, 2006
Pearl Jam visits FC... A new past time sport
After the service David called to find out where I was and I met him and Joshua at the tennis courts for a quick game. We drove back to his house to change, swung over to my house to cook some food and wait for Skittlez to call so we could go meet him. David and I are starting a new sport, it is boxing, of course with full protective gear, but I will be kicking his ass in. Us 4 head over to this park at 11pm and begin to box. David and I have never, so we decided that it will be a real light match just to see how it goes. Well if you know me, about 30 sec. in I popped right into the mouth and cut his lip open, and the rest of the fight was not so light. It was really fun and we are going to be doing it 1 a week, just to get our frustrations out. This week will be kind of hard because it is the passing week of my mother and her birthday. I will end with that..
living for an audience of ONE...
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
7 months of change-worth it...
Love is patient, Love is kind, Love does not envy, Love does not brag, Love is not proud, Love is not rude, Love is not self seeking, Love is not easily angered, Love does not keep a record of wrong, Love lets go of hurt, Love does not delight in evil, Love does not hurt people.
Let's go deeper shall we...
Love always protects - love covers the wrongs of the other person.
Love always trust - and believes the best in someone else.
Love always gives people the benefit of the doubt.
Love always says, "I believe in people".
Love is to risk being burned over, over, over, and over again.
Love always believes and trust in people too much.
You will believe the best out of the people you trust the most.
Love always hopes.
Love is hopelessly optimistic - Love NEVER stops hoping.
Love is not about me, but you.
Love refuses to take as failure as final.
When you love somebody, you are hoping for the best in them.
Love always goes the distance.
To Love is to risk getting burned.
When you stop loving, you have lost.
Love never dies, Love never says, "I quit", Love never says, "Im finished", Love never says, "im through", Love never says, "no more", Love never says, "I give up"
Love will never give up, it will die trying.
Without this Love, we have nothing.
The only thing that counts is Faith expressing itself in Love.
I have been burned, and burned again, but I have come to the conclusion that I don't really know how to love my God, my self, and my friends and family like I should. I desire, and deserve a heart of love. I don't want to protect myself anymore, that is selfish. I have learned without love nothing else matters. I hope this Valentines Day, your love is like the one I am longing for in my own life.
LOVING you through faith expressing itself in love. randall paul thompson
living for an audience of ONE...
Monday, November 27, 2006
Time for Thanksgiving, time for friends


This was the last weekend I saw my mom alive, my 4 year anniversary of coming to Dallas. Also this Sunday I celebrated my year of coming to faith with a real relationship with Christ 8 years ago. One of my other good friends JJ Junge got feeling back into his legs and is now at home back in Branson maxing and a relaxing.
We had a great time as you can tell this is Joshua, one of Davids other best friends.living for an audience of ONE...
