In this conversation, Tommy welcomes back author and teacher Gary Thomas to talk about his new book, The Life You Were Reborn to Live: Dismantling 12 Lies That Rob Your Intimacy with God. Building on Gary’s deep engagement with Christian classics and spiritual theology, they explore how many sincere believers unconsciously live by “old rules” and assumptions, even after being spiritually reborn.Gary and Tommy unpack why following Jesus is not about a safe, rule driven life, but about a deeper, riskier, more adventurous way of living that flows from intimacy with God. They dive into specific lies many Christians quietly absorb, like “family first,” “God owes me if I do my part,” and “I need to stay in control.” Along the way they connect Scripture, stories from church history, and their own personal experiences, including Tommy’s journey through his daughter’s cancer, to show how dismantling these lies is less about losing something and more about stepping into a fuller, freer life with God.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org
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58:23
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58:23
The Art of Raising Sturdy Kids with Keith McCurdy
In this episode of Space for Life, Tommy sits down with parenting expert Keith McCurdy, founder of Live Sturdy and CEO of Total Life Counseling, to unpack what it really means to raise sturdy kids.Keith shares decades of experience counseling more than 15,000 families, guiding parents toward raising emotionally mature, capable, and resilient children. Together, they explore the role of healthy struggle, practical responsibility, and emotional regulation in child development—and why comfort and happiness shouldn’t be the ultimate goals.This conversation challenges modern parenting norms and provides practical steps for building sturdier families—ones grounded in values, identity, and the kind of leadership that grows capable kids and healthy adults.Key TopicsWhy parenting can feel overwhelming and guilt-inducingWhat “sturdy” really means in child developmentHow overprotection creates fragile kidsWhy emotions shouldn’t dictate parenting decisionsThe connection between practical skills and emotional maturityThe value of healthy struggle and discomfortMoving children from consumers to contributorsEstablishing family identity and guiding principlesLeading with sacrifice and consistency in parentingPractical steps to begin raising sturdier kids00:00 Introduction to Parenting Challenges02:50 The Importance of Raising Sturdy Kids06:10 Generational Wisdom in Parenting08:51 The Role of Emotions in Parenting11:48 Defining ‘Sturdy’ in Parenting14:50 Practical Skills for Sturdy Kids17:51 The Impact of Struggle on Growth20:43 The Disconnect Between Happiness and Growth24:05 The Process of Maturity Through Trials32:09 The Fragility of Overprotection36:21 The Role of Discomfort in Growth41:31 Establishing Family Identity and Guiding Principles47:03 Transitioning from Enabling to Empowering55:42 Practical Steps for Raising Sturdy KidsKeith McCurdyPresident & CEO, Total Life CounselingFounder, Live SturdyCounselor, Speaker, and Parenting Coachlivesturdy.comLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org
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1:04:39
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1:04:39
Navigating the Future of Bible Translation with Wycliffe’s Meg Hunt
In this episode of Space for Life, host Tommy Thompson sits down with Meg Hunt, Senior Director of Strategic Services at Wycliffe Bible Translators USA, to explore how faith, technology, and community intersect in the mission to make God’s Word accessible to every language on Earth.Meg shares Wycliffe’s incredible progress toward its Vision 2025 goal—ensuring every language community has a Bible translation project in progress—and explains how AI is transforming translation work while maintaining a deep commitment to faithfulness and human oversight.Their conversation moves from the global mission of Wycliffe to personal reflections on faith, technology, and how communities can navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI together.Key TopicsWycliffe’s mission to make God’s Word available to every language and communityOver 7,000 languages worldwide, with more than 560 still without ScriptureThe story behind Vision 2025 and its bold goalHow AI supports translation while keeping humans at the centerPartnerships with local churches and communities worldwideBalancing innovation with integrity in faith-based workThe role of community and the church in navigating technologyHow AI can be both a tool for good and a challenge for discernmentPractical and personal reflections on using AI in daily lifeTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode04:30 Meg’s Journey to Wycliffe and Church Planting in Orlando12:10 The Mission and History of Wycliffe Bible Translators19:45 Vision 2025: Every Language, Every Community27:15 How AI is Changing Bible Translation36:40 Faithful Translation and the Importance of Human Oversight43:55 AI, Creativity, and Overcoming Global BarriersLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org
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50:10
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50:10
Field Notes from the Letter to the Ephesians with David Dwight
In this episode, Tommy sits down with pastor and good friend David Dwight to talk about his new book Field Notes from the Letter to the Ephesians. Together they explore what makes Ephesians one of the most profound writings in Scripture, offering fresh insight into faith, the Church, and life in Christ.David shares how his book came to life, what the Greek word sozo (“to be healed”) reveals about salvation, and why mutual submission in marriage reflects the very nature of God. Along the way, they unpack Paul’s remarkable conversion, the beauty of the Church, and the hope found in living a life shaped by grace.What You’ll Take Away:Why Field Notes from the Letter to the Ephesians is more than a commentary — it's a reflection on life in ChristThe deeper meaning of the Greek word sozo (“saved” or “healed”)What Paul’s conversion reveals about God’s power to transform anyoneWhy Ephesians offers such a vibrant, redemptive vision for the ChurchHow “mutual submission” in marriage mirrors the relationship within the TrinityHow Paul’s writing connects theology, beauty, and everyday lifeResources:Get your copy of Field Notes from the Letter to the Ephesians on Amazon (available in print and Kindle)Explore more episodes and resources at tommythompson.orgTimestamps:(0:00) Intro(8:46) Exploring the Depth of Ephesians(11:46) The Meaning of the Word “Saved”(15:06) The Complexity of Theological Concepts(17:59) The Structure and Style of the Book(21:10) Personal Stories and Their Impact(24:06) The Central Message of Ephesians(31:56) The Unlikely Apostle: Paul’s Transformation(35:42) The Magnitude of Conversion(39:09) Exploring the Relationship Between Jesus and Paul(44:49) Understanding Ephesians: A Deep Dive(48:00) Marriage and Mutual Submission in Ephesians(58:17) The Cultural Context of Ephesians(1:01:59) The Beauty of God in Marriage and Family LifeLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org
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1:08:05
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1:08:05
2 Spiritual Disciplines Every Volunteer Needs
Recorded live at Hope Church’s Volunteer Appreciation Day in Richmond. Tommy shares two life-giving disciplines that help “always yes” volunteers find margin, joy, and balance. You will hear how Sabbath rest and intentional celebration can move you from burnout to sustainable service, plus a practical Q&A on making this work in real life and work.Key TakeawaysGod did not design you to live overloaded, overwhelmed, and exhausted.Sabbath is both a command and a gift. It is meant to come first so your work flows from rest.Rest renews joy, relationships, and impact. You serve from overflow rather than empty.Celebration is a spiritual practice. Joy and gratitude strengthen service.Small margins matter. Arrive a few minutes early. Leave space between meetings. Build simple pauses into your day.In nontraditional schedules, take rest whenever the window opens. Treat it as a first priority when possible.Timestamps(0:00) Intro(1:11) My Volunteer Addiction(11:04) The Discipline of Rest(30:11) The Discipline of Celebration(38:26) Q&A Section(39:32) Question 1(43:12) Question 2(47:57) Question 3(52:13) Question 4(53:50) Final ThoughtsScripture MentionedIsaiah 30:15Isaiah 58:13–14Psalm 23Psalm 150Matthew 11:28–30Hebrews 4:9–11Books MentionedMargin by Richard SwensonIf you found this helpful, please share the episode with a friend! Subscribe to Space for Life for more conversations on living with margin and purpose.
Space for Life is a podcast with honest conversations designed to help cultivate the space we need for a more fulfilling and abundant life. Despite our culture’s wiring for excess and overload, our souls desperately need the very opposite. Space for Life seeks to help you take small steps into a spacious life .
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