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A man’s job was never meant to be like the tail wagging the dog. In this illustration, the tail is the job, and the dog is his family. When the job becomes the most significant thing to a man, the family will become a lesser thing. This problem is what happened to Biff and Mable. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-to-change-a-home-from-job-centered-to-god-centered/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

What would it be like if you had to qualify for marriage? What if being a husband or wife was like meeting the qualifications for a high-ranking job? I know it’s silly, and nothing like that would ever happen, but it is something to ponder. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/do-you-qualify-to-have-a-spouse/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Comparing yourself to other people can be a huge blessing when you do it the right way. Of course, that is the key—the correct way. The implication is that you must not choose outward behaviors as the only way for assessing people. If you do, you will rank people according to those behaviors, whether good or bad. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-insightful-advantage-of-comparing-yourself-to-people/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

My son is pushing away from my wife. He’s fourteen years old. I’ve noticed a growing embarrassment from him toward his mother. I’ve tried to talk to him about it, but he hardly responds, only to say it’s weird to be still hanging out with mom. He’s a good kid and seems to have a heart for God. This issue is one of those rare times where he has been obstinate. How should I approach him? What would you advise? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-intricate-reasons-why-a-teen-boy-rejects-his-mother/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

The best relationships are the messiest ones. At first glance, it sounds odd, right? How can good friendships be dirty? Because we’re fallen, broken people, and to live well with others requires getting into the muckiness of each others’ lives. If you’re interested in going beyond the superficial with others, read on. I have seventeen helpful tips that can transform your relationships. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/quick-and-dirty-tips-for-building-a-relationship/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

“How can I help you?” “We don’t communicate well.” And that is how many counseling sessions begin. The truth of the matter is that they do not have a communication problem. Or to say it better, that is not their primary problem. Rarely does anyone have a communication problem as the central issue in the relationship. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-can-i-get-my-husband-to-talk-more/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

You have a desire that you want your spouse to meet. That wish does not have to be a bad thing. Desires only become evil when we demand them from others while punishing them if they don’t meet them. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-to-respond-when-a-spouse-will-not-meet-expectations/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Volunteering to serve in a local church and within the surrounding community is at the heart of the gospel. Jesus best capsulated the idea of how the gospel connects to serving in Mark 10:45. The non-serving Christian is an oxymoron. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-to-motivate-church-people-to-volunteer/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

The question you never ask anyone is whether something is controlling you. The reason because something or someone is always controlling us. The most independent and autonomous person you know is not as he presents himself to be. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/these-six-things-want-to-control-your-life/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

God makes children in His image, but parents have a way of reshaping that image by how they treat them. This sad letter from a wayward teenager to her daddy reflects the devastating power in parenting. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/dear-daddy-im-not-your-little-girl-anymore/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

God’s mercy comes to us without conditions but does not proceed without our cooperation. So too our aid must begin freely, regardless of the recipient’s merits. But our mercy must increasingly demand change, or it is not really love. – Timothy J. Keller Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/knowing-what-to-do-but-not-doing-it-is-a-problem/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Have you ever been discouraged? Silly question, I know. You are human, and you have battled discouragement. Finite people living in an uncontrollable, infinite world creates a formula that leads to discouragement. Throw sin into the mix, and discouragement is a guarantee. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/when-you-are-discouraged-you-need-your-soul-restored/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

All people have a desire for approval and acceptance. When God made us in His image, He also gave us a natural yearning to be part of a community (Genesis 2:18). The problem arises when we try to satisfy our longing for others outside of God’s perspective and intention. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/what-you-believe-you-need-will-control-you/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Is it possible to get to the point in your spiritual life where external things do not control you internally? The Bible says it is possible, but only through the portal of adversity. This truth is what Paul was hoping the Philippians would learn. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/adversity-is-the-condition-that-teaches-you-contentment/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Every relationship will be a disappointing one to some degree. This truth is unavoidable. The key to living well with others begins by having an attitude of forgiveness toward offenders. You develop this mindset by realizing how God extended His mercy to you when you did not deserve it. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/what-to-do-when-your-spouse-disappoints-you/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

A husband and wife are not just two people within the marriage. Yes, they have independent relationships with the Lord and with other people, but they are also one-flesh. Like our blessed Trinity, there is perfect oneness that unites the three Persons. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/does-your-marriage-look-like-this-2/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

When the weight of your sin weighs you down, you must make sure that you understand which sin you have in view. I’m speaking of the most significant problem. Typically, people struggle more with what they can see but don’t discern how the hidden motives of the heart blind them to the primary issue. This result causes them to be “blind to their blindness.” Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/when-the-weight-of-your-sin-weighs-you-down/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

How much power should a para-Church organization have over a local church? Should a local church submit to a para-Church organization? When your para-Church ministry is interfering with a local church, where will you stand—with your ministry or the church? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/when-a-para-church-ministry-tries-to-run-the-church/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Mailbag – I was wondering if God treats His people the same way regarding giving “blessing for obedience” in the new covenant. It seems all over the Old Testament—if God’s people obey, they receive a blessing; if they don’t obey, they receive discipline. Does God still treat us this way after Christ came? Is there still a blessing for obedience? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/why-and-how-does-god-bless-us/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Suffering is the expected, ordinary life for Christians living as aliens in a fallen world. God knew this, which is why He equipped us to live as victors when engaging the realities of fallenness. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/when-you-mix-suffering-and-sovereignty-into-your-life/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/