Rick Thomas | Your Daily Drive

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/

This article is not making a case for or against a college education. It is about creating a worldview for biblical discernment and effective parenting that best suits and equips a child, whether male or female, to glorify God in His world. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/should-your-child-go-to-college/ 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/

I sat down with Darrell Harrison and interviewed him on race-related topics that have been current and long-standing issues in our American culture. Darrell is a Christian black man who writes about race and culture. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/white-guy-talks-black-guy-black-things/ 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/

I sat down with Darrell Harrison and interviewed him on race-related topics that have been current and long-standing issues in our American culture. Darrell is a Christian black man who writes about race and culture. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/white-guy-talks-black-guy-black-things/ 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/

I sat down with Darrell Harrison and interviewed him on race-related topics that have been current and long-standing issues in our American culture. Darrell is a Christian black man who writes about race and culture. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/white-guy-talks-black-guy-black-things/ 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 comes out of your mouth when you do not get your way reveals your theology of suffering and theology of God, which shows your Christian maturity. Jesus was correct when He said that what comes out of our mouths explains what is happening in our hearts (Luke 6:45). Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-whine-meter-why-cant-i-have-life-on-my-own-terms/ 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 your 3-year old turns 27-years old, and he can only have one takeaway from your parenting, what would you want him to retain? What is the one thing that is more important than all the rest? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/if-you-could-only-export-one-thing-to-your-child-what-would-it-be/ 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 sin is the same in that any transgression will put Christ on the cross, but all sins are not the same consequentially. Divorce is one of those sins that ranks higher from a consequential perspective. Adequately describing is hard. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/being-divorced-is-like-a-man-in-a-tux-and-brown-shoes/ 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/

I have a like/dislike relationship with Facebook. On the positive side, I see Facebook as a great opportunity to stay in touch with family members and friends, especially those who live across the country or around the world. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/creating-critical-free-community-facebook/ 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 things in your life turn dark and difficult, how do you usually respond to those circumstances? When trouble comes, you will either experience guidance and protection from a biblical understanding and application of the fear of the Lord or a sinful fear will complicate and command you and your circumstances. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/tackle-biggest-battle-soul/ 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/

Children are one of God’s many gifts to parents. And as parents, we have the responsibility and the privilege to guide them into a practically biblical experience of knowing and loving God (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/a-reason-a-kid-rebels-against-his-parents-and-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/

One of the most common counseling questions I am asked, if not the number one counseling question is, “What am I to do when (such and such) happens in my life?” Anxiousness about a future desired outcome is a common concern for all people. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-to-find-answers-today-for-tomorrows-problems/ 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 you think about a person, good or bad, will be evident to that person if you are close to them. You may be able to hide your authentic attitudes from those who are not your most intimate acquaintances, but for those you love and who need your care, you must guard against a bad attitude toward them because they will know it. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/marriage-problems/ 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 are married, do you hate yourself? Let me ask it another way, “Do you dislike your spouse?” If you do struggle with your wife, you struggle with yourself because you’re not two individuals but one flesh. Whatever your thoughts are about your spouse reveal how you think about yourself because you and she are one. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/to-be-the-man-you-must-nourish-and-cherish-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/

If you had the opportunity to confront a person about a mistake they made, how would you go about it? What are a few key things you should consider when facing a friend with their problem? May I suggest three vital ideas that you must know? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/three-keys-when-confronting-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/

Frequently, our most pressing need is not our most important need. Sometimes God works in unsuspecting ways, maybe ways we did not perceive or even want. Ironically, His ways can seem foolish to the natural mind. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/submitting-life-foolishness-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/

I wrote this piece seven years ago, and I’m republishing it today with a few edits since the events of this sad saga continue to unfold. I was part of Sovereign Grace Ministries from 2003 to 2008, and four of those years, I served as a pastor. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/appeal-former-sovereign-grace-ministries-pastor/ 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/

Imagine a person standing in the center of a universe that he has created. All of the roads lead to himself. To get near him is to be drawn into the vortex of his selfishness. Me, my, and I describe his primary relationships and daily thoughts. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-to-help-the-little-bit-of-narcissism-that-is-in-all-of-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/

The most significant test to examine your maturity is how you responded when you did not get what you wanted, especially if what you hoped for was a good thing. Responding with humility to disappointment magnifies the strength of God through your weakness. And that is biblical maturity. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-to-assess-yourself-to-see-if-you-are-mature/ 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 counterintuitive irony of the gospel is that God calls us to a place of weakness so He can perfect His strength in us. This perspective sounds good conceptually, but it hard to live out when you'd like to give someone a piece of your mind. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-wisdom-in-boasting-in-your-weakness/ 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/

Member Question – I was recently divorced, and now I would like to remarry. I’m 42-years old and do not consider myself a serial dater. What advice would you give a person like me? I also have two children, ages 10 and 12. I have custody of the kids. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/im-divorced-and-want-to-remarry-what-advice-would-you-give-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/

Because of the problems of evil, unfairness, and injustice in our world, a right view of the gospel is essential to understand these problems with our fallenness correctly. Why is this? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/connecting-the-gospel-to-evil-and-unfairness/ 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/

Disappointment with God is one of the unmentionables in the Christian community. There are some things you don’t say out loud. It’s like family problems that some folks prefer to sweep under the rug. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/diagnosing-disappointment-with-god-when-trouble-comes/ 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/

We surround ourselves with the things that we enjoy. The life we build around us reflects the values in our hearts. You’ll always find unity between a person’s inward desires and the life he lives, which is a good thing unless the inward value is not God-centered, a result that will lead to a mid-life crisis. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/mid-life-crisis-a-story-of-redemption/ 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/

Are you the victim of a generational curse? Is there something wrong with you that only makes sense when you filter it through a generational curse construct? Did you know that some Christians believe this? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/generational-curses-are-you-cursed/ 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/

Both husbands and wives can be mean to each other. This truth is sad as well as a call to mobilize your attitudes and actions to come alongside the erring spouse. How do you do that? How do you care for a mean spouse? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/means-husbands-and-their-wives-who-want-to-love-them/ 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/

I want you to think about the last person who disappointed you. Do you have that person in mind? Great. What are your thoughts? How is the gospel guarding your mind from thinking unkindly or in other negative ways about that person? The critical question is where do you place the "log and speck" when you think about those who have hurt you. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-critical-difference-between-a-log-and-speck/ 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/

In a perfect world, you can go the distance with any person who has sinned against you. Our problem is that we do not live in an ideal world. There are times when all you can do is forgive them, no matter how great it would be to reconcile with them. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/four-reasons-you-cannot-reconcile-with-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/

The Apostle Paul was asking one of the most critical questions a Christian can ask another Christian--are you in the faith? How do you know? The real issue here is what does it mean to test yourself or to examine yourself and how do you do it. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/two-ways-to-examine-yourself-to-see-if-youre-in-the-faith/ 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/

Individuals who accomplish great things are willing to step into uncertainty rather than sitting back and doing nothing. Most people prefer certainty because their fear is more significant than their faith. People who are open to uncertainty not only walk on the moon but they walk on water too. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/wise-risk-taking/ 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 is not looking for a few good men or a few folks with specific character traits. It’s not your personality or your wit that God wants. That is not how it works in the "grace of God world" in which you live. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/can-god-use-me-thinking-through-the-non-disqualifying-grace-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/

An unprepared heart will not receive disappointment well. And when it comes, which it undoubtedly will, the temptation to become a cynic will be powerful. The cynic cocoons himself from hurt while distrusting the active goodness of God in his life. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/cynicism-the-response-of-the-disappointed/ 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/

Let me go ahead and say what many of you are thinking: trusting the Lord does not mean everything will go okay for you. There is a thing called “disappointment with God,” and if you do not know how to navigate this truth when your difficult time comes, you will have a hard time recovering. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/i-trusted-god-and-my-life-fell-apart/ 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/

Show me a happy person. Are they generous? Probably. Show me a discontented person? Are they selfish? Probably. There is a circular Bible logic that goes like this: God loves happy givers, and if God loves on a giver, the giver is happy. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/do-you-wanna-be-happy/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

The gospel is only radical when you bring its transformative power into your life and relationships. If any two people do what I’m suggesting here, they will experience the practical ability of the gospel in your life. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/radical-marriage-conflict-resolution-tip/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

Every merciful, loving, and wise parent will not bail out their children but let them learn and mature through the difficulties in their lives. Thankfully, the Lord does this too so we can learn to rise above our troubles. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/making-clear-and-practical-plans-to-rise-above-your-trouble/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

An intentional and purposeful community can draw out the noise in your soul while replacing it with compassionate and competent care. If you are part of a small group, especially your family, I urge you to make this a topic of conversation soon. Challenge your group to come alongside you to pursue you for the glory of God. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/can-you-be-quiet-ten-keys-to-noise-reduction/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

Imagine the Apostle Paul coming to you with a thorn stuck in his flesh, metaphorically speaking, and wanting your help. What would be your primary goal as you try to serve Paul? Would you try to help him change his circumstances, or would you try to help him make personal heart changes in light of his unchanging problem? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/discipleship-is-not-primarily-about-changing-your-circumstances/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

The animating center of your life should be a growing, adventurous, powerful, satisfying, and reciprocal relationship with God. If you are not incrementally and consistently heading in that direction, stop and turn around because you are going the wrong way. Let me explain how to do that. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-secret-that-will-change-your-life-forever/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

Where you place your hope will determine how you finish your journey. You will either live well or die hard, depending on what makes up your hopefulness. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/when-hope-drives-you-insane/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

Self-righteousness is a sense of moral superiority that appoints us a prosecutor of others people’s sinfulness. At times, we relate to hurtful individuals as though we’re incapable of the sins they commit, which is why governing your heart is your first call to action before you engage hurtful people. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/six-questions-when-engaging-others-especially-those-who-have-hurt-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 rickthomas.net/donations/

Thinking like a victim is easy to do. Becoming a professional victim takes more work, but it can happen, especially if you've experienced repeated hurt for an extended period. And even though you're hurting, the Lord is calling you to a better life, a victorious one. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-to-love-care-for-and-help-the-professional-victim/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

The Lord and the Bible will not work well for you if those two wonderful things are all you have. There seems to be a consensus of affirmation among many Christians who believe the Lord and His Word are all you need. The Bible would not support this narrow claim on how sanctification happens. Let me tell you a story. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/god-and-the-bible-is-not-all-you-need-to-change-well/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

Mailbag: Are the spiritual gifts to the elders sufficient to meet the church counseling needs? Should more elders acknowledge their God-given sufficiency to counsel? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/cant-the-local-church-do-this/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

If you are an excellent discipler, most of your “friends” will be folks who want something from you and are less inclined to give something to you. Like a man with a truck, who has a lot of friends because of the service he provides. Good disciplers are “Rent-a-Friends.” Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/rent-a-friend-is-what-a-counselor-is/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

Biff and Mable have pockets of silence between them. They used to talk all the time. They forgot the four absolute musts that all relationships need to know. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/four-absolute-musts-if-you-want-to-get-along-with-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 rickthomas.net/donations/

We are totally depraved but uniquely fallen. Sometimes our unique fallenness can tempt individuals to give into the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. If you know someone struggling this way, this resource will help you to respond well to them. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/my-child-is-gay-lesbian-transsexual-transgendered-help-me/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

The gay guy says you cannot discriminate against him because he was born that way. To hate on him because of how God made him is wrong and, according to him, you should not punish, boycott, or deride him because of his identity. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/open-letter-culture-identity/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

Violence is born out of ignorance. It’s an ignorance that does not care to understand another individual. Without empathy or understanding, it’s not possible to reconcile with someone who is different from you. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/engagement-without-understanding-leads-violence/ 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 rickthomas.net/donations/

When someone corrects you, and it hurts, one of the most significant tips for you to remember is that God has already said the worst things about you on Calvary’s hill. And with the most horrible comments about you previously communicated, you have nothing to fear, hide, or protect. Read Here: 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 rickthomas.net/donations/