Our pastor said, and I paraphrase, “Toxic people are magnets who draw shards of truth and untruth into their orbit to build an image of their making to accomplish their purposes. Their hearts are fictional factories. If you permit them to do so, they will… Continue Reading …
What is the most trustworthy indicator of a person who has authentically changed? How can you know—as much as one can understand? Paul gives us our answers, but first, let me tell you a story. You know who they are: it’s the life and times… Continue Reading …
What do you want? What would you like to have? Do these desires come from the heart of contentment? To want something does not have to be wrong. We should always want all kinds of things throughout our lives. To not to want things is… Continue Reading …
There is something about the title that sounds counterintuitive to our self-reliant and self-protective lives. Even so, doesn’t it have a biblical ring to it? You die to live (Matthew 16:24-26). You humble yourself to be exalted (Matthew 23:12). You give up something to gain… Continue Reading …
Gaslighting is the mental manipulation that someone does to another individual. It’s a psychological maneuver of abusive-type people who want to control you by making you believe you’re guilty of something you did not do. If they persist, you may give up and accept what… Continue Reading …
No human has absolute authority over another. This perspective should be common sense, but it’s not for everyone. A dictatorial husband and father can put wives and children in a difficult spot, which begs the question, do you think it’s right to correct my authoritarian… Continue Reading …
Let’s talk about slavery. I’m not speaking about what happens around our world every day, or what went on in our country 150 years ago. I’m speaking to Christians who willingly came to Jesus and said, “I want to be your slave.” I’m talking about… Continue Reading …
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. Listen to the podcast Our podcasts are… Continue Reading …
I was counseling a teen who said to me, “Mr. Thomas, you don’t wear Walmart to high school.” It was great! In his simple way, he clearly articulated what every human on the planet feels. He’s insecure, and he’s willing to give up his life… Continue Reading …
Nobody loved people more than Jesus. Nobody was less controlled by people than Jesus. He found and lived in the perfect relational sweet spot of, “I love you, but you will not control me.” How about you? Listen to the podcast Our podcasts are on… Continue Reading …