What's your fix for life's challenges?

I heard recently this powerful principle...


A 1000 thank-yous can change the way you face any challenge!


It's been repeated in my mind so many times in the past few weeks. And today was no exception.


I awoke with a positive attitude, deciding I would fight off any melancholy or challenge with a positive and grateful attitude. #1000thankyous.


But then ... those pesky plumbing problems that wouldn't go away. Let me tell you about it.


Earlier this week the water heater went out. And this while hosting our friends from Canada. The plumbers came over the next day and installed a new one. They left a mess in the closet and they didn't take all their tools. Plus, the faucet in the sink was spraying water. The plumber advised me he had removed and cleaned out the aerator on the bathroom faucet. Yet, one tiny but powerful stream of water burst from the spigot every time I opened the faucet.


The next morning the hot water was out again. So, the plumbers came by again to discover they'd not opened the gas line fully which caused the pilot light to extinguish. It was an easy fix.


But that stream of water? I forgot to tell the plumber what he'd done.


So, after several days of berating myself and tolerating incompetence, I decided I'd tackle the leak myself, with 1000 thank-yous and pliers as my tools.


Unfortunately, my hard work only made things worse. I tell you, I was about to lose it... Melancholy and upset burst out in size and power like the stream of water I'd been fighting, which literally left a pool of water outside the bathroom door.


I resurfaced from this attempted water rescue and sought solace in a fresh cup of coffee, because coffee helps, right?


I dove back into the bathroom sink with a sincere prayer for God's help and a firm grip on those 1000 thank-yous as my buoy!


After removing the aerator...again, I realized the rubber gasket was missing. In fact, it had never been there. I remembered the day before that the sink seemed plugged up because water would not drain away quickly. I wondered if the gasket was in the sink.


I reached under the stopper and there it was...the missing rubber gasket. Patty grabbed it, reinstalled it into the aerator, and BOOM. All fixed.


We defeated the leaking faucet! And it didn't cost a penny!


Dear reader, what challenges are you facing? What mountain seems insurmountable?


Remember this: A 1000 thank-yous can change the way you face any challenge!

A Sermon from Me: Mobilize the Called

By Duane Brown • August 2, 2026
Check out my sermon on the three calls God offers to every believer

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Empty Eagerness

By Duane Brown • April 1, 2026
"Life is not measured by how much you own." Jesus

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An Interview with Lisa Ausley

When You Complain

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God's truth sustains us in times of grief and loss

Sermon: Injustice and the trial of Jesus

By Duane Brown • October 21, 2025
I had the privilege of preaching at Wilmore Free Methodist Church. Click here to watch the sermon.

10 Signs Your NonProfit Board May Be The Root Cause Of Your Organization's Dysfunction

By Duane Brown • October 15, 2025
10 Signs Your NonProfit Board May Be The Root Cause Of Your Organizational Dysfunction Part 1 By Duane E. Brown, Ph.D We like to lay blame on the CEO and/or staff for the dysfunction within non-profits. However, the time has come to begin to lay blame at the root of the leadership, or lack of it, by the board of directors. Not one of the following signs may alone be a major issue. Yet, if you see one of these signs I bet you can find many others. Here are 10 signs your nonprofit board is a root cause of your nonprofit's dysfunction. 1 . Constant staff leadership turnover at the top. When your CEOs or executive directors keep leaving for greener pastures, are angry, or burned out, look at the relationship the leaders had with the board. In this root cause, the board is often difficult to please, mired in politicization, micromanaging, or offering an unfair compensation plan. 2. The organization lacks clear vision and a written strategy. If your nonprofit lacks vision and a written strategy that is public, blame the board not the CEO. The board has a major part to play ensuring the CEO has these documents in place and that they are being implemented. These should be regularly communicated to the staff and key aspects of the 3. The CEO is weak or mired in internal conflicts with staff. When you have an ineffective leader at the helm, and s/he continues, the fault lies with the board for choosing the wrong leader or allowing an ineffective leader to continue unchecked. This dysfunction works its way throughout the organization, no matter how large or small. Subordinates quickly exit the toxicity caused by this weak leader. 4. Board members never leave. Board members serving for decades is unhealthy. In rare situations you will find long term board members who are effective in their roles. Boards that don’t make room for new members don’t make room for fresh ideas, new money, and new relationships. 5. Longstanding dysfunctional culture. Boards are responsible for the health of a culture. Their roles is not simply financial. If you have a toxic organizational culture, look first to the board. You will discover a board that is not involved in creating a healthy culture, not holding the CEO responsible for “fixing” the staff culture. Stay tuned for Part 2

The Serenity Prayer (all of it)

By Duane Brown • October 8, 2025
It is time to begin to pray the entire Serenity Prayer

Teachers Are True Heroes

By Duane Brown • October 1, 2025
Update: I'm now 16+ months into underemployment. So, I've dug deep into my reservoir of courage to be a substitute teacher in the public schools. It's hard work, let me tell you. The experiences have taught me so much, and I am observing first hand what it's like to be a public school teachers. Let's not forget our public school teachers. Let's prop them up with encouragement and prayers every chance we get. Let's volunteer even an hour a week to help them succeed in their roles. My wife, Patty, and daughter, Liz are serving as public school teachers in the Jessamine County Public School systems. Having substituted in the schools where they serve, it has been an eye opening experience as I've learned about the blessings and challenges of serving in public education. Here are five insights: Our kids our precious... the hallways of our schools are filled with precious littles and teens. They are smart, talented, and eager to learn. I am so excited with what I see roaming through the hallways of our public schools. Teachers are givers... these heroes give and give, and give and give, and give and give, and give and give. You get my point. These men and women are constantly giving of their time and energy to the next generation. Teachers are tired... they work long hours, often seven days a week, for the sake of our children. Teachers need those many weeks off in the summer to recuperated. And most don't take off all the time the deserve because they're pouring out to get ready for the next school year. Teachers are heroes ...They possess huge amounts of courage and perseverance every day to tackle the challenges of the public school educational environment. Teachers give our world hope... they're are models to me (and our kids) of hard work. They serve on the front lines of the American workforce. They're changing lives, one student at a time.