Life Over Coffee With Rick Thomas

Shows Main Idea – This review is of episode four in the Christianity Today series, The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. CT warns the listeners that you may want to prescreen this episode due to the sexual nature and language. It is a gross episode—the first half—that may leave you feeling dirty after hearing it. The key idea is, why was the message so popular when the messenger was so flawed? Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-356-response-to-the-rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill-episode-4/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Shows Main Idea – In this podcast, I’m reviewing the third episode in the series from Christianity Today called, The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, the church planted and led by Mark Driscoll. The title of this episode is “You Read Your Bible, Ringo?” My purpose in these reviews is not to restate what CT said about Mars Hill or Mark Driscoll but to learn from those things to be a better Christian. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-355-response-to-the-rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill-episode-3/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Shows Main Idea – Christianity Today (CT) put together a multi-episode podcast series that chronicles the story of Mars Hill Church (MH) led by Mark Driscoll. The church was planted in 1996 and dissolved in 2014. At its height, they had 15,000+ attendees/members from fifteen campuses. CT has produced this podcast series for the encouragement and admonition of the body of Christ. I will review each episode, not repeating the information in the podcasts, but hoping to put forth insights that we can apply to our lives and church cultures. This podcast reviews episode two. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-354-response-to-the-rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill-episode-2/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Shows Main Idea – Christianity Today (CT) put together a multi-episode that chronicles the story of Mars Hill Church led by Mark Driscoll. At its height, they had 15,000+ attendees/members from fifteen campuses. The church dissolved in 2014. CT has produced this series for the encouragement and admonition of the body of Christ. I will review each episode, not repeating the information in the podcasts, but hoping to put forth insights that we can apply to our lives and church culture. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-353-the-rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill-episode-1-response/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

All Christians have one common problem that sits foundationally at the core of their being; it is the biggest struggle in their lives. It makes sense, right? If each person’s mightiest battle were unique to them and dissimilar to everyone else, you’d have to be omniscient in your soul care endeavors. Mercifully, we all trace back to one man, and from him comes our universal struggle. It’s excellent news. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-number-one-all-time-counseling-problem-ever/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Shows Main Idea – On August 8, Rick began experiencing what he would learn later to be COVID symptoms. Two weeks later, the doctors affirmed COVID, and he has been on bedrest and doctor's care since that time. Rick is out of quarantine, is not contagious, and is on the road to recovery. In this podcast, Rick walks through what happened, his experience with the flu, and where he is currently. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-352-update-about-ricks-covid-journey-healing-and-future-plans/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

The whole world is at war. It’s a war between good and evil—as always. Some of the skirmishes are between military combatants, but the purpose of this piece is not between those warriors in the traditional theaters. I’m addressing those other warriors—specifically, those who have never been to war but have benefited from our most significant battles. I’m speaking to you and me. We have an adversary; he is the devil. He desires to devour us. The irony of our modern-day war is that it has come to us in the most innocuous of ways: should you take the vaccine or not? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/whats-the-big-deal-with-you-get-the-vaccine-already/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Shows Main Idea – Abuse cases continue to rise in the world and evangelical church. Christians are not impervious to the disastrous effects of abuse or the mishandling of abuse cases. Every week our ministry hears a story or receives a request from the abused, the accused, pastors, and biblical counselors. The noise is loud, and the division between Christians continues to rise. In this episode, I will speak to some of the complicating issues. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-351-why-most-biblical-counselors-should-not-take-on-abuse-cases/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Show Main Idea: Is there someone in your life with whom you have conflict? Stated differently, who bothers you? Has someone done something that has brought friction into your relationship with them? What if you flipped the question around: have you done something to someone that has caused friction? Did you know that you have no other choice but to resolve this problem? In this webinar, I will make a strong appeal to do all you can to reconcile with a fellow believer. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-350-webinar-you-have-no-choice-but-to-resolve-conflict/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Shows Main Idea – We’re nearing the end of 35 out of 40 days on the road, mainly in the midwest. In this episode, Rick shares highlights and interesting perceptions from traveling, speaking, and engaging with the body of Christ in the midwest. You will find much encouragement from these interactions. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-349-overview-of-how-we-help-local-churches-practically-speaking/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Show Main Idea: If you do not have a working definition of sympathy and empathy and, more vitally, a practical application of them, you may do much harm to those who need your care the most. This presentation is an exploration of clearing up the ambiguity between sympathy and empathy. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-348-sympathy-and-empathy-you-need-to-know-this/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Show Main Idea: During our 27-day speaking tour in Colorado, one of the more typical questions folks asked me was about the trans issue. Part of the reason for the concerns is that I did speak on transgenderism during the FaithPoint conference. During our Monument, Colorado meeting, someone asked how to respond when the church wants to accommodate a trans kid in children’s ministry. Here is how I responded. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-347-how-to-respond-when-the-church-accommodates-trans-people/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Show Main Idea: In 1975, there was a regrettable incident that took place on the ice during an NHL game. Boston Bruin Dave Forbes struck his Minnesota North Star competitor (Henry Boucha) in the eye, causing prolonged damage. Forbes was the first professional athlete taken to court for actions during the game. Through a series of providential circumstances, Dave reconciled with his former adversary forty-five years later. Listen as he tells this stunning story of God's grace. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-346-stunning-story-of-nhl-player-reconciling-with-a-competitor/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Transgenderism is part of a cultural and political avalanche in our country—this contagion coincides with social justice, identity politics, woke-ness, intersectionality, racism, and more. In this talk, I will break down the salient elements of the trans issue while offering practical help to engage our culture from a biblical worldview and hope-filled solutions. Show Notes: Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Shows Main Idea – During Rick's conference at FaithPoint Church in Longmont, Colorado, there was a question and answer session in which Lucia participated, too. They answered many questions that were written during the meetings as well as those who asked at the Q&A. Rick was not able to answer all the questions due to not having enough time, so he's answering the remainder in this podcast: what is pangender, what if someone does not forgive, and where does the Bible say transgender is a sin? Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-344-the-bible-does-not-say-transgenderism-is-a-sin-right/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Shows Main Idea – Transgenderism is part of a cultural and political avalanche in our country—this contagion coincides with social justice, identity politics, woke-ness, intersectionality, racism, and more. In this talk, I will break down the salient elements of the trans issue while offering practical help to engage our culture from a biblical worldview and hope-filled solutions. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-343-transgenderism-worldview-i-think-therefore-i-am/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

How do your attitudes, words, and actions move people? Our behavior motivates people in one direction or the other. We are pushing people toward Christ or away from Him. We’re not responsible for their choices, but we are vital secondary actors who must always think about how we can cooperate with the Lord in His good work in peoples’ lives. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/humbly-assessing-how-our-behaviors-may-push-others-away-from-christ/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Shows Main Idea – Abuse is a complex problem that requires extensive training and skilled counselors to help bring these situations to God-glorifying conclusions. In this interview, Rick Thomas talks with Julie Ganschow about her new book, "A Biblical Counselor's Approach to Marital Abuse—Roadmap to Reunification." Show Notes: Coming Soon Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

Shows Main Idea: When someone shares with you a personal struggle, you want to help them think through the internal tensions that have created the external outcomes. The source of our personal struggles finds its root in our hearts. The first course of action is to identify these heart controllers so we know what to put off and how to renew our minds. Rick Thomas does a brilliant job leading you through these issues in this webinar, The Target of Change. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-341-webinar-examining-and-identifying-the-target-of-change/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/

The sin that nobody wants to talk about is our penchant for pornography. If you want to silence a small group setting, bring up the topic of porn. It's uncomfortable because so many of our friends are addicted to it, and for many of us, sexual discussions are intimately personal. Regardless, we must talk about this silent spiritual killer. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/twelve-addictive-and-soul-capturing-reasons-men-enjoy-porn/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/recurring-membership/ Or you can make a one-time or recurring donation(s) here https://rickthomas.net/donations/