Gary Thomas

What’s so good about Good Friday? Calling this day “Good Friday” is a bit of an American spin. In Germany, it’s called Mourning Friday; in Italy, Holy Friday, and in Finland, “Long Friday.” That day certainly didn’t seem good to the disciples. On that day, the crucifixion was a surprise, a disappointment, and even an embarrassment. Of course, looking back, we see what’s not just good, but glorious. I preached this sermon in 2023 at Cherry Hills on Good Friday. It ends with a dramatic reading that moved many, mostly written by a pastor friend of mine. I didn’t want to write a “new” post today for the simple reason that this day, of all days, we should all just be thinking of Jesus, what He did, what that means, and remember Him accordingly. buff.ly/HAKv6mo #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #goodfriday #simplysacred #substack #spiritualformation

“Focusing on the resurrection without the cross moves us to embrace justification while perhaps downplaying sanctification. A due focus on the cross provides a fuller experience, creating in us a greater hatred for our sins, which leads to an even greater love for our Savior. It doesn’t diminish justification, but it fortifies it, glorifies it, and applies it.” Gary Thomas from, "His Passion, Our Passion," on Substack. Continue reading: buff.ly/sE6ChOJ #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #simplysacred #substack #easter #goodfriday #spiritualformation

I’m so grateful that our church has a separate Good Friday service. Celebrating the joy of Easter without the angst of Good Friday misses so much. If we rush past the brutal realities of the cross, we miss some of the glory of the resurrection. Continue reading buff.ly/sE6ChOJ #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #simplysacred #substack #goodfriday #easter #spiritualformation

“Don’t beat yourself up today with your weaknesses and sinful failings; instead, find hope in the promised presence of Christ living through us. He is all we need. He provides all we lack. We live for His glory, not our own.” Gary Thomas, "Holy Available." #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #spiritualformation #holyavailable

“The peace God offers is entirely serparate from our circumstances and is based solely on our relationship with Him.” Gary Thomas from "The Life You Were Reborn to Live." #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #thelifeyouwerereborntolive #spiritualformation

Many of you know I've been a fan and follower of Dr. Corey Allan for quite some time. I've gotten to read a manuscript he's working on about marriage, and I could barely contain my enthusiasm. There's nothing out there like it. I asked him if he would provide all of you with a little taste, and he's graciously agreed to do so. Corey blends the best of Scriptural truth and psychological/physiological insight to offer a tool that will help couples break out of unproductive and even destructive conflict. As an added benefit, learning this method will also help you surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit in your mind and heart. Because, as most of us know, most marital fights aren't really just about the fight; they're about what's happening in our hearts and souls. buff.ly/4py6YX9 #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #simplysacred #substack #marriage #coreyallan

“Some of us sin by not even caring what our spouses think. That’s selfishness and cruelty. Some sin by fleeing confrontation. That’s sinful weakness. But remember the third possibility—the fallen response—sinning by going along just to get along.” Gary Thomas, "When and Why You Must Say No to Your Spouse," on Substack. buff.ly/txNyyTT #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #marriage #substack #simplysacred #relationships

If I could go back to when I first started writing about marriage, one thing I’d emphasize is something I never even really considered back then. Perhaps because I was writing on marriage and felt like my reputation demanded it, I identified my character as a husband by my wife Lisa’s approval of what I was doing or saying. How could I deign to speak or write on marriage if my wife was displeased with me? And nothing made me happier or made me feel better than when somebody asked Lisa what it was like to be married to me and she said, “He really does live out what he teaches in his books. I couldn’t sit in the back and listen if he didn’t.” I certainly tried, with all my heart, to do that. Continue reading buff.ly/txNyyTT #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #substack #simplysacred #marriage

“When we unmask the lies that not only seek to conform us but also keep us captive, we can attain the glory that is rightfully ours in Christ.” Gary Thomas from "The Life You Were Reborn to Live." buff.ly/pB0fraa #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #thelifeyouwerereborntolive #spiritualformation

“If God allowed His own Son to suffer--and He is our model as a parent--we can expect times when we will have to watch our children suffer for a greater good.” Gary Thomas from "Sacred Parenting." #garythomas #authorgarythomas #garythomasbooks #sacredparenting #parenting

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Enjoyed my time yesterday with Kirk Cameron on Takeaway talking about my new book, "The Life You Were Reborn to Live." #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #takeaway #kirkcameron

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“Life in Christ leads us to love our families with the right perspectives and in God-honoring ways.” Gary Thomas, "The Life You Were Reborn to Live." buff.ly/pB0fraa #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #thelifeyouwerereborntolive #spiritualformation

Logan Street Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon, IL Marriage Date Night March 18 at 6-8pm. Don’t miss this special time with author and speaker Gary Thomas. Gary Thomas has written numerous books on marriage and relationships including Sacred Marriage which has sold over a million copies. A meal will be provided along with childcare for children 5th grade and younger. Cost is $30 per couple. Space is limited; click link for info. buff.ly/xykcE2S #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #loganstreetbaptistchurch #marriage

“If we lose the image of running the race, or our zeal to do good works, we lose the motivation to be refined, to be made holy, to be prepared to do these good works.” Gary Thomas from "Every Body Matters." Click for more information: buff.ly/kXRzLh0 #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #everybodymatters

A couple weeks ago, I posted an article entitled “The Sin We Never Name,” which addresses sloth. A reader emailed me, “excellent and AMEN! Have you prepared a pt. 2 for this message...gluttony?” This is an exercise of conviction to post something I wrote 16 years ago, in a different stage of life. I still think it’s true, and I’m glad I believe I was relatively measured and fair-minded as I wrote it, even while being in marathon condition. The recent reader’s response was fair--we don’t address this as often as we do other struggles. Though the Bible doesn’t say a lot about it (there’s a cultural reason for that that I address in the chapter), the classics certainly do, and I’m all for listening to wise people remind me of areas I may have grown negligent in. Continue reading: buff.ly/FB7oAlB #garythomas #garythomasbooks #authorgarythomas #substack #simplysacred #everybodymatters

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