Disastrous Drift
Gary Thomas
by Gary Thomas
5d ago
The woman on the other line exploded Diana’s life with one question: “Did you know your husband is about to meet my daughter for a rendezvous at the next NASCAR race?” When Ken and Diana’s daughter made some horrible decisions, Diana made their teenager her number one priority. Then the computers went down at Diana’s workplace. As the IT manager, she made getting the computer network back up her second priority. She stayed at the office late and brought work home. Ken was barely hanging in there at priority number three. You can understand Diana’s mindset. When your child is in crisis, it’s no ..read more
Visit website
Be Kind…To Yourself…Spiritual Counsel for Parents Who Feel Like They Failed
Gary Thomas
by Gary Thomas
1w ago
The longer I am in ministry, the more I come across parents of adult children who live with self-condemnation because they feel like they weren’t the parents they longed to be. Some of them really did mess up (and I address that here). Others are definitely being too hard on themselves. My job as a pastor is to help them apply God’s word to allow conviction while also offering His forgiveness and grace. This is my first attempt to do that. Can you help me finish it? There are no doubt other mitigating factors that make parenting so difficult I might not have run across. If you’d like to offer ..read more
Visit website
Arise and Shine
Gary Thomas
by Gary Thomas
1w ago
“Arianna” looked like a new woman. My coworkers marveled when they finally realized that this was the same woman who had come to see me some weeks ago. The first time we had met, Arianna felt beaten down by what was happening (and not happening) in her marriage. She could hardly speak three sentences without reaching for another Kleenex. But one month later she had a light in her countenance, hope in her eyes, and confidence in the way she held her head. The previous meeting, we hardly mentioned strategies to improve her marriage. Instead, we talked about some spiritual truth. Arianna learned ..read more
Visit website
5 Words of Comfort for Those in Difficult Marriages
Gary Thomas
by Gary Thomas
1w ago
I was asked to speak at a date night and chose the topic, 5 Words of Comfort for Those in Difficult Marriages. In this video I explain why I chose the topic, and then go into those five words. If you know someone who this could bless, please pass this on. Watch this video on Substack HERE. The post 5 Words of Comfort for Those in Difficult Marriages appeared first on Gary Thomas ..read more
Visit website
A Brush with God
Gary Thomas
by Gary Thomas
2w ago
Have you ever started reading a book and thought to yourself, I need this? That happened to me recently when I read an advance copy of The Gift of Limitations by Sara Haggerty. So many books tell us we can do more and be more; Sara suggests spiritual health may be found when we accept less and perhaps even do less. Rather than seeing our limitations as something to overcome, she eloquently makes the case that our limitations aren’t just gifts from God, but a reflection of Jesus, God in the flesh. In addition to the content that moved me so much, this book is a lyrical masterpiece. Ev ..read more
Visit website
The Long History of Antisemitism
Gary Thomas
by Gary Thomas
3w ago
Has the Spirit ever worked in your life in “layers?” You hear a sermon, listen to a podcast, read a novel, and the Spirit weaves all of them together in one compelling, beautiful lesson? That happened to me before the October 6th attacks in Israel. As I state in this post, I have no desire to enter the Israeli/Palestinian debate–none of you read me for my opinions on geopolitical issues. But I believe God prepared me to “feel” for what happened on that day months before it did. Maybe some of you can relate. This is certainly a much different kind of post than I usually write, but in case it in ..read more
Visit website
Are You a Servant to Your Spouse?
Gary Thomas
by Gary Thomas
1M ago
So much of my adult life has been spent trying to connect my faith and my marriage, looking for how being thoughtful and intentional in my marriage correlates to being a thoughtful and intentional disciple of Christ. These two pursuits come together in a particularly beautiful symmetry when we think of the word servant. What phrase most succinctly describes your attitude toward your spouse? What characteristic should most mark us as believers? What if those two should be the same? Many spouses I talk to live with numerous disappointments and grievances—some, no doubt, are legitimate. But in th ..read more
Visit website
Nerding Out on Spiritual Formation
Gary Thomas
by Gary Thomas
1M ago
Last Fall, we started a monthly Zoom call to discuss John Owen’s book on mortification. While our little group represents participants from three different continents, there are just five or six of us who usually zoom in. The reason? Well, the full title of Owen’s book is Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers: The  Necessity, Nature and Means of It, with a Resolution of Sundry Cases of Conscience, Thereunto Belonging. This is admittedly a discussion for people who want to dig into some not-always-easily-accessible truths to grow deeper in the Lord, but if you’re into that at all, it’s ..read more
Visit website
Hope for Imperfect Marriages
Gary Thomas
by Gary Thomas
1M ago
“You know, your prayers are pretty shallow. Why don’t you pray a real prayer?” The young man was reeling—was she really going to leave him because his prayers weren’t “good enough?” “Why are you in this lane? Why are you going so slow? Don’t you think we should have taken the other highway?” I read a book by an author where the wife was so contentious early in their marriage that my heart just sank. Decades of working with couples has demonstrated to me the damage a critical spirit can unleash in any marriage. In a wedding, you’re proclaiming that your spouse is so excellent you choose him or ..read more
Visit website
A Couple’s Guide to Talking About Sex
Gary Thomas
by Gary Thomas
1M ago
Debra Fileta and I noticed that it’s often easier for couples to engage in physical intimacy than to talk about it. But talking about it takes that level of intimacy to a much higher level. It can also forestall some frustrations and disappointments. And it’s so helpful to get expectations out there so that they can be discussed. This week’s post is a guide that Debra put together to help married couples learn how to talk about sex. This is “counselor Debra” at her best: informed, practical, and empathetic. Many couples will have a romantic time tonight (Valentine’s Day), but you can grow your ..read more
Visit website

Follow Gary Thomas on FeedSpot

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
OR