Rickthomas.net

My number one all-time prayer is for the Spirit of God to give me awareness and perception regarding His work in my life and into the world that I live. Each day and throughout my day, this is my prayer. I want to know what He wants me to do, which is why it’s vital to know how to walk in the Spirit. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/practical-steps-on-how-to-walk-in-the-spirit/ 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/

Would it be better to have a Bible or a mentor? You could say my question is a trick question, though it is not meant to be one. The puzzle is intended to provoke you to think first, respond second, and discuss thoroughly. The obvious answer to the question is both. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/which-do-you-need-for-your-maturity-a-bible-or-a-mentor/ 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 quiet husband, father, or friend is not the most authentic picture of Christ. Biblical leadership is verbal because to lead well requires words. God leads us with His Words; He is a talking God. If you want to impact and guide others, you must talk. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/a-note-to-quiet-people-its-time-to-start-talking/ 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/

Forgiveness is one of the hardest concepts for the Christian to come to terms with, particularly when someone has hurt the believer. The victims of crimes suffer the most. I know that was true for Jesus: He suffered for my sins, which makes the call to follow Him all the more complex, challenging, and compelling. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/when-i-wont-forgive-someone/ 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 few years ago, Lucia bought four milkweed plants and eleven caterpillars for our children. It was one of those science experiments in our laboratory, also called our home. And, per usual, God had additional plans for us. Going above and beyond our expectations is part of His nature (Isaiah 55:8-9). Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/warming-butterflies-also-called-how-to-treat-your-wife/ 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/

From the New York Times Magazine article, Coveting Luke’s Faith. This commentary provides excellent insight from a practicing atheist rearing a son, Luke, who is not embracing her atheistic faith. She is “open but cautious” as she strains to understand what is happening with her son. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/weekend-shorts-i-am-unable-to-believe-god/ 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 it comes to our reputations, the Christian has two choices from which to choose. We can build a personal, sacred monument to ourselves or we can choose to enhance the reputation of Christ. The critical difference between the two options is theoretical or practical holiness. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/whose-reputation-is-most-important-to-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/

When a person says that they failed as a parent, they are sharing the concern of every parent. Though parental failure can differ significantly, none of us do it ideally, which is why you want to think about your limitations and imperfections, as well as what God might be doing in your life and family. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/i-failed-as-a-parent-now-what-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/

Being rule-centered may bring (pseudo) comfort because you are living your life within a “secure structure” of codes, but it will suffocate the life that God would give you if you were willing to walk in the Spirit. Rule-based living is a self-reliant way that leaves you in charge while restricting God’s work in your life. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/give-your-children-less-rules-and-more-attitude/ 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/

There are three stages to the Christian life. They are the innocent, naive stage. And then the complex, suffering stage. If you trust the Lord through your season of complexity, you will experience the restful and wisdom stage, which will be where you’ll find your most significant usefulness in God’s world. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/three-stages-to-the-christian-life-where-are-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/

The things they did not tell me when the Lord regenerated me would have affected my decision to become a Christian—humanly speaking, of course. Looking back on it now, I’m glad the Lord did not give me a peek into my future because I probably would have “passed” on the opportunity to become a Christian (Matthew 6:34; James 4:13-17). Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/i-want-to-talk-you-out-of-becoming-a-christian/ 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 this statement true or false? Love is a commitment accompanied by action with no expectation of anything in return. The answer is “false” because loving someone should come with a hope that the other person will reciprocate your love. To think otherwise would be odd. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/why-its-not-wrong-to-expect-love-in-return/ 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/

DISC is one out of hundreds of psychological creations that the non-Christian world has developed to understand themselves. Because everyone has to believe something, it makes sense for our unbelieving counterparts who reject a “sufficiency of Scripture worldview” would create a system of thought that would enable them to live well in God’s world. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/shallowness-incompleteness-disc-assessment-model/ 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/

Becoming a Christian does not remove the fear of being rejected by others. Becoming a Christian provides you with a new people group and new opportunities to belong to something. It does not mean you are to live with your new friends while wearing a mask. I did not know this after the Lord regenerated me. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-problem-with-letting-religious-people-know-the-truth-about-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/

If you sin but choose not to get rid of it by repenting, there will be an adverse effect on your soul and relationships. Mercifully, Christians can accept the “punishment of Christ” for their transgressions. But what about non-Christian children? This problem is why you must help them to be free from the “evil wages” for their actions. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/spiritual-constipation/ 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/

Do you have unlimited time? Do you have friends with a lot of needs? If so, you're blessed, and so are your friends. You have the time, and they have the issues—what a beautiful world. Sadly, I don't live in your world. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/if-you-have-limited-time-and-friends-with-unlimited-needs/ 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/

On April 18, 1997, I got the call that nobody ever wants to receive. My sister-in-law called to let me know that she killed my brother. I remember writing in my journal that it was a sunny, 67-degree day. It was a perfect day—until that phone call. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/my-brother-was-murdered-in-1997/ 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 can trace a poor relationship with God to a child’s relationship with their dad. Though a bad dad is never the ultimate cause of a person’s problems, there is a connection between any father and God the Father. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/unkind-dads-tempt-children-to-be-afraid-of-god/ 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/

Building trust in any discipleship context can be a challenge. Some people's hurt is so deep that they fortify their guardedness. Understanding the interpersonal dynamics between an untrusting counselee and the discipler is critical. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/letter-counselor-counseling-rebellious-teenager/ 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/

Many teenagers still long for a relationship with their parents, but they are unsure how to have one or what their role could be in thinking correctly about a parent and the possibility of restoring what the parent has broken. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-do-you-help-a-teen-girl-who-longs-for-a-relationship-with-her-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/