Rick Thomas | Your Daily Drive

Your wife is a reflection of you, your skill, and your leadership style. The grade you give your wife is the same grade that reflects how you have led her. To grade her is to grade you. How are you doing at learning, leading, and loving your wife? Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/husband-its-time-to-grade-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 rickthomas.net/donations/

One of the best ways to get our books into people's hands is reviews. If you have read one of my books, will you write a short book review on my Amazon page? Go here to write a review for one of my books http://amzn.to/2aXDEuO Read this short article and find more links here http://rickthomas.net/write-book-review-help-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 rickthomas.net/donations/

Since the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, it seems our country has exploded with riots, twitter nation is blowing up daily, and the Hollywood echo chamber has hit an all-time high decibel level. The hyperbolic response to his presidency surprised some individuals. They knew America was divided but did not realize the severity of the polarization. The truth is that nothing has changed. Read Here http://rickthomas.net/nation-divided-today/ 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/

Last week the Clemson Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in the national championship game for college football. One of the star players for Clemson said that God wanted them to beat Alabama. Did God want Clemson to beat Alabama? You can find the article here http://rickthomas.net/god-want-clemson-beat-alabama/ 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/

Earlier this week (January 2017) a young man was abducted by four young people in Chicago. They tied him up and tortured him. They ran a live stream of the violence on Facebook Live. Does this surprise you? What do you expect from a culture that makes light of violence? Read Here http://rickthomas.net/facebook-live-violence-surprised/ 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/

You like smoking. It's your habit, but you know it's an addiction because you can't walk away from it. Smoking controls you. You also love Jesus, but you're not sure how to connect the Gospel to your smoking habit. Where do you begin? How do you kick the habit? Read Here http://rickthomas.net/i-resolve-to-quit-smoking-a-ten-step-process/ 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/

Main Idea – My wife regularly uses unkind words to hurt me. I've made mistakes, but there are no amount of things I can do to change the past or win her favor. Our struggles have been going on for two decades. I've confessed my sins and asked for forgiveness, but she seems not to know how to be kind to me, though she is kind to nearly everyone else. What is her core problem? And what else can I do to help her? You can find the show notes here http://rickthomas.net/spouses-unkind-words-reveal/ 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/

Shows Main Idea – You want to help a friend but he is rejecting you. Perhaps it's a child, parent, or another relative. What are some things you can do to help someone who does not want your help? Here are ten considerations that will guide you as you seek to help your friend. You can find the show notes here http://rickthomas.net/ten-things-that-will-help-the-person-who-is-rejecting-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/

How does a coequal hierarchy practically work out in a marriage where the husband demands he has the final say in all matters? My opinion is not evaluated on its merit; I'm told to obey him or I'm not obeying the LORD. How am I to respond to my husband? You can find the show notes here http://rickthomas.net/does-biblical-submission-mean-my-husband-has-final-say-in-all-decisions/ 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/

Negative, critical, and suspicious people do not rest in the practical and active goodness of God on their behalf. Cynicism is not a hopeful spirit that trusts the LORD. The Bible has a cure for the Christian Cynic. You can find the article here http://rickthomas.net/cynicism-is-a-numbness-toward-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 rickthomas.net/donations/

Shows Main Idea – What are some helpful ideas when counseling couples together? I'm not looking for content like how to counsel anger or unforgiveness, but I'd like to know some of the methods you use or think about when you meet with couples. This podcast gives you ten great ideas. You can find the show notes here http://rickthomas.net/ten-great-ideas-when-caring-for-couples/ 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/

Lucia (my wife) was diagnosed with breast cancer on 11.01.16. This is an update about the process the LORD has us in. You can also find fuller updates on our family blog here rickandlucia.com 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/

Perfectionism is a fear-motivated response from a person not comfortable with who she is. She realizes something is wrong with her. She senses an “internal awkwardness.” She is not comfortable in her skin. Rather than fleeing to God to fix what is wrong, her solution is a “do it yourself” attitude. You can find the article here http://rickthomas.net/connecting-the-gospel-to-perfectionism/ 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 your spouse sins, who pays for it? Do you make her pay for what she did wrong or do you take her to Jesus and show her how His death is enough punishment to remove her transgressions? You can find the article http://rickthomas.net/do-you-make-your-spouse-pay-for-her-sin/ 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/

Silo Christianity is when believers draw lines that separate themselves from those in the culture who need the Gospel. Their primary methods of talking to those on the other side of the fence are criticism and condemnation. You can find the article here http://rickthomas.net/silo-christians-do-not-enter-the-culture-they-yell-at-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 rickthomas.net/donations/

Each year in the states we have Black Friday. It is the unofficial kickoff of the Christmas season. If you're planning to camp out for a good deal, I recommend thinking like a Boy Scout: Be Prepared. Here are eight practical things to know for a night on the sidewalk. You can find the article here http://rickthomas.net/all-you-need-to-know-for-camping-out-on-black-friday/ 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/

You can find a free copy of this marriage book in our store http://rickthomas.net/welcome-store/ Enjoy it and share with a friend. Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here http://rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one time or recurring donation(s) here http://rickthomas.net/donations/

The NFL ratings have dropped and the suits are perplexed as to why people are disinterested in their game. Many reasons have been proffered, all of them carrying some merit. One of the least discussed reasons are the players they put on the field each week. Read Here http://rickthomas.net/nfl-ratings-decline-because-of-the-players/ 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 a blogger or podcaster and want to increase your reach, it's imperative you understand what people are looking for and why they choose to listen to one person but not the other person. You can find the article here http://rickthomas.net/why-people-wont-listen-to-you/

Before you were born, your parents were not as boring as they are now. They had a lot of fun, doing all kinds of things. Without the responsibility of children and all the other things that go with a family, they were pretty cool. They became boring after they started paying your bills, cleaning your clothes, and listening to you talk about yourself. You can find the article here http://rickthomas.net/teen-tip-7-your-parents-were-not-always-boring/

Your grandparents had a different word for mundane: They called it opportunity. As odd as it may seem, some of your greatest blessings are hidden from human wisdom. You can find the article here http://rickthomas.net/finding-god-in-your-mundane-life-will-change-your-life/

Teenage years are confusing years. They are hard years. Expectations are high and purpose in life questions are frustrating. Some teens have it worse than others. I was one of those teens. This letter is to any teen who has not unraveled the mystery of life. I hope it will encourage you. You can find the article here http://rickthomas.net/letter-to-a-teen-six-things-you-need-to-know/ 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 two greatest things that could ever happen to a couple is for them to live in the overflowing awareness of God's unmerited pleasure while experiencing each other's undeniable affection. You can find the article here http://rickthomas.net/does-your-spouse-know-you-are-for-himher/

The peace of God comes to you in three ways. (1) God gives it to you. (2) You have to think on the right things to have God's peace. (3) God's peace will either be helped or hindered by those closest to you. You can find the article here http://rickthomas.net/one-powerful-practical-way-give-peace-someone/

What do you want to be when you grow up is one of the most mysterious questions you can ask a person. Planning your future is not an easy task. It takes time, insight, and wise advice. Read Here http://rickthomas.net/planning-your-future-what-do-you-want-to-do-with-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 rickthomas.net/donations/

The authoritarian parenting style is a rule-based teaching model that is devoid of nurturing. Too often this parenting model lacks the support and unique guidance that shepherds children toward living well in God's world as adults. Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/how-authoritarian-parents-rear-legalistic-children/ 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 selfie is not a fad. It's a phenomenon that is not going to go away because the selfie is one way our deepest longings to be loved by someone can be satisfied. Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/anatomy-selfie-reveals/ 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/

What does loving the sinner but hating the sin mean? How is it possible to love someone well when they have hurt you? And what does loving them well look like? Read Here http://rickthomas.net/why-hate-the-sin-love-the-sinner-can-be-dangerous-theology-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 rickthomas.net/donations/

Have you thought about how your cyber relationships might be impacting your real world relationships? Have you considered how those two different kinds of relationships influence each other? Which one do you prefer? Why do you prefer it? Read Here http://rickthomas.net/how-cyber-relationships-affect-real-world-relationships/ 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/

Football and other sports can be fun as well as a distraction to the Christian life. For me, it has become a distraction that needs more moderation. At the end of this post, you can examine yourself, as to whether or not you're a sportsaholic. Read Here http://rickthomas.net/why-i-dont-watch-football-any-longer/ 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/

To date or not to date is an interesting question the Bible does not mandate one way or the other. However, I have seen how serial dating can become the teen's version of marriage and divorce. If done often enough, it sets poor relational habits that affect the teen's future marriage. Read Here http://rickthomas.net/13-year-old-divorced-5-times/ 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/

Who or what is the animating center of your home? Whoever or whatever your life and family is centered on is the functional and controlling entity of your life and family. Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/what-happens-when-god-is-not-the-center-of-your-home/ 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/

I was an adult without a working template for what it meant to be an adult. To make matters worse, I was an unregenerate adult without a clear and practical template for living well in God’s world. I went into adulthood wearing a four-layered blindfold. I wish I had someone to tell me some things a 20-year old needs to know. Here's the list I would tell my 20-year old self. Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/20-things-tell-20-year-old-self/ 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/

Disappointment in others is a temptation to become sinfully angry at them. If you do this, you will disqualify yourself from helping them overcome whatever they did wrong. Before you can assist them, you will have to fix your anger problem. Read Here http://rickthomas.net/i-got-angry-at-my-daughter-the-other-day-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 rickthomas.net/donations/

The gospel edge is a term I coined. It means you are allowing the gospel to cut away the things that hinder you from pursuing the Christlike life, which is the most dangerous and rewarding life that you will ever live. Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/do-you-have-the-gospel-edge/ 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/

Some of us are old enough to remember how our culture discriminated against the negro and gay community. All of us have seen how that has changed. We have now replaced the persecuted negro and gay guy. There is a new oppressed demographic. Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/todays-christian-replaced-yesterdays-negro-gay-guy/ 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 words husband and leader are synonyms. To be one is to be the other. The question never entered into the discussion is whether or not a husband is a leader. The more relevant and practical question to talk about is the kind of leader the husband is. Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/leading-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 rickthomas.net/donations/

People are not mysterious. Where it matters, they are not different. The more you talk to people, the more you see the common threads that run through all of us. The good news is you have exactly what they need to understand others. It's found in God's Word. The key for you is the ability to connect the Bible to people's lives. Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/12-universal-assumptions-you-can-make-about-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 rickthomas.net/donations/

You can find the article here: http://rickthomas.net/muhammad-ali-greatest-time/ Who do you think of when you think about a great person? What I’m really asking is how do you define true greatness? It is the things people do that make them great. Great people do great things. Who impresses you as being truly great? Before Muhammad Ali was considered the greatest of all time, he was an up and coming boxer named Cassius Clay. I knew him then. I’m that old. I’m from that generation. I was a child when people were small and the world was big. In my day, there were few giants in the land.

Sound counseling can guide you but it might not give you exactly what you want. To help guard your heart against false assumptions these things will help. Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/six-things-to-know-before-you-receive-counseling/ 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 modeling and practice of repentance in the home is at the top of the list of what couples should be doing. And if they are not doing this well, their marriage can only take a limp along, Bandaid approach to death, while accelerating the accumulative frustration that leftover/hungover sinning does to a couple. Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/effective-thing-can-marriage/ 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/

You can find the article here: http://rickthomas.net/im-weary-reading-books/ One of the most redemptive things a Christian could do is stop reading so many books. Transformation comes through the Christian’s heart being transformed by the Spirit of God, as informed by the Word of God. If your self-help pursuits are not bringing you to that good end, then you may want to reconsider how you’re trying to change. Paul framed change as happening in the spirit of our minds in Ephesians 4:23. He told the Christians in Ephesus that they needed to renew their minds. When he was talking to the Corinthians, he told them that the battle that breaks thought strongholds is not a fleshly endeavor, but a divine one (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

Easter is the most famous Christian celebration but it's not the only day to celebrate the resurrection. He's alive today too. Do you have resurrection joy? Article here: http://rickthomas.net/its-resurrection-sunday-again-still-alive/ 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 resurrection of Christ was a huge problem when it happened. It was hard to fathom or accept. Things have not changed. Do you believe in the resurrection? You can find the article here: http://rickthomas.net/man-alive-the-problem-with-the-resurrection/ 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/

You can find the article here: http://rickthomas.net/do-better-than-bible-study-spend-time-with-god/ Have you ever thought about the difference between a Bible study versus being with God, while studying His Words? There is a relational difference between the two. I know when a person asks how much time you spend with God that it can send echos of guilt through the soul. My goal is not to probe you for guilt-motivating purposes, so relax a bit. I just want you to think about the difference that can exist between studying the Bible versus entering into a relationship with God while reflecting upon His Words.

It is impossible to fail our program. There is not an A to F grading system because the Christian training worldview is counter-intuitive to secular systems (1 Corinthians 1:25). I supervise the work, but I do not put any student in an A or F category.. Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/passing-failing-program/ 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 were to lose the most precious thing in your life, how would you respond? Perhaps you have lost something that was meaningful to you. If so, you’re well aware of the strength of your faith in times of loss. I was thinking about these things as I reflected on Ronda Rousey's loss to Holly Holm in their MMA match on November 15, 2015. Ronda was the reigning and undisputed UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion. Read Here http://rickthomas.net/rhonda-rousey-need-to-die-a-lesson-for-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 rickthomas.net/donations/

You can find the article on Medium https://medium.com/@RickThomasNet/the-glory-of-no-accountability-among-talking-sport-s-heads-baa934e2e851#.hwoncuqtn Or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/risk-all-reward-life-talking-head-rick-thomas?trk=prof-post

Find all Pertaining to Life podcasts here: http://rickthomas.net/series/pertaining-to-life/ And submit your question here: http://rickthomas.net/contact/ Let me know you are asking a Podcast Question. This podcast presents the interplay between our spiritual and physical lives, which I categorize as character and competency issues. Our job is to discern what a person can repent from v. a God-given ceiling from which the person cannot change. Paul gives us three people groups in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 and how to respond to them. This podcast talks about those people groups: (1) Idle: the behavioral sinner, (2) Fainthearted: the small-souled person, and (3) Weak: a person with physical limitations, and the interplay our our responses to them. “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Most of my marriage counseling is either with couples who have been married five years or less or fifteen years or more. That is not an absolute rule, but a general one. Read Here: http://rickthomas.net/from-dating-to-divorce-and-how-we-got-there/ 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/