by Sam Rainer | Nov 25, 2008 | Uncategorized
USA Today recently reported on research that correlates a thankful spirit with happiness. It states that people who practice outward gratitude on a regular basis tend to be healthier people: Practicing gratitude in systematic ways changes people by changing brains... by Sam Rainer | Nov 19, 2008 | Uncategorized
One thing that does not come naturally to me is spontaneity. I am a planner, scheduler, and organizer. I do very little on a whim. If the calendar on my computer were to crash, my world would crumble. My wife, on the other hand, is the queen of spontaneity. I know God... by Sam Rainer | Nov 14, 2008 | Uncategorized
A new season of ministry brings no shortage of emotions. In my recent transition to Sarasota Baptist Church, I was excited, stressed, and itching to accomplish something. Any major transition in life can put people on edge. Leaders, in particular, face the challenge... by Sam Rainer | Nov 12, 2008 | Uncategorized
For my book, co-authored with my father, our research team interviewed 394 rechurched young adults to find out why they returned to church. One myth that could be easily dismissed is that they were too angry at the church to return. In fact, the rechurched told us in... 
by Sam Rainer | Nov 5, 2008 | Uncategorized
From the Pew Research Center: people perceive others have more than they really do. Presented with a list of high-end consumer goods and services, and asked whether they have them and whether they believe most other people have them, most Americans tend to...
