Life Over Coffee With Rick Thomas

Even with the best intentions and truest love, a marriage can go to some dangerous and dark places. Ours went there, which is why I decided the best thing we could do is blow up our marriage, reboot, and start over again, hoping to rebuild our covenant on a surer foundation. A caveat may appropriately modify the seeming hyperbole you just read. Lucia and I have always been best friends. From the moment we met on July 24, 1994, we clicked. There was hardly a time we didn’t enjoy each other. Though we did have a few common interests, more things were uncommon between us, which I believe is vital for two people to maximize all that God would have them to be. Initially, our differences did not matter because of our desire to be together, even though some of them were starkly antithetical. Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/the-day-i-intentionally-blew-up-my-marriage/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.c

Show Main Idea: This lesson reveals how God’s unconditional love frees us from the trap of seeking human validation. By renewing our minds with Scripture, we cultivate a mindset rooted in His grace. Through practical steps and reflection, we learn to make daily decisions that honor God, prioritizing His glory over human opinion. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-533-fear-of-man-reorienting-your-focus-pleasing-god-over-man/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

The best marriages are those where the distinct uniqueness of each partner works in a beautiful symmetry that enhances the other’s strengths while compensating for the weaknesses. The worst marriages are those partners who do not know how to help each other become a mature picture of Christ and His church. Their strengths do not support the other spouse, while their weaknesses become annoying interruptions. Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/let-me-draw-you-a-picture-of-a-marriage-in-trouble/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

If you could live your life over again, how would you live it differently? What values would you instill to give yourself a meaningful life? What if you could instill those values now? An excellent way to think about these things is to ask someone—people farther down wisdom’s road than you are. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/three-life-choices-you-dont-want-to-miss-before-you-die/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Show Main Idea: This lesson examines how a misplaced desire impacts our identity, breeds insecurity, and prevents genuine spiritual growth. Through practical self-reflection and biblical insights, we begin learning how to discern this idol, redirecting our hearts toward God’s approval as the true anchor of our identity. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-532-fear-of-man-understanding-the-root-of-approval-addiction/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

It is easy to make a decision when things seem clear and the future appears bright. With an optimistic heart, you decide on that thing, only to discover months or years later that it may not be wise to do what you did. What if that decision was to marry someone that you now believe was the wrong person? Sometimes, you cannot redo what you believe is a wrong decision. What are you supposed to do now? Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/i-think-i-married-the-wrong-person/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Shows Main Idea – Meet Al Haywood, a counselor and pastor from northeast Georgia who has dedicated his life to shepherding others in their walks with God. Al, a Mastermind student, has been using Life Over Coffee’s resources to guide not only his own friends but also fellow pastors in the area. Through the Mastermind Program, he’s gained new biblical tools and insights that are transforming his counseling, ministry, and partnerships with other leaders. God has been at work in incredible ways, and we recently had the privilege of sitting down with Al to hear how the gospel-centered training he’s learned are bearing fruit. Listen in as he shares his journey with our Mastermind Program and the powerful impact it’s having on his community. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about God’s work through Life Over Coffee’s resources. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-530-al-haywoods-journey-with-life-over-coffees-mastermind-program/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone?

Every person has two heads. The human community is a world of two-headed people. James called our common-to-man predicament double-mindedness, just one of the characteristics that comes with our Adamic packaging. At times, we think and act one way, and at other times, we think and act like a different person. If you find yourself occasionally oscillating between two or more personalities and unable to find your true north, you're normal. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/how-to-help-a-two-headed-person/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Have you ever tried to be perfect? Is it hard for you to let others know you messed up? Are you tempted to present yourself in ways that are not exactly true to who you are? Maybe when you think about others learning the real truth about you, it strikes momentary fear in your heart. Suppose your spouse brought a friend home unannounced. Does it matter what your home looks like at that moment? Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/torment-is-trying-to-be-perfect/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Show Main Idea: Parenting can be challenging, but it’s not an unresolvable puzzle. The Bible offers guidance to help parents lead their families in a Christ-centered way. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-529-webinar-parenting-practically-four-tips-you-can-implement-today/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

You have made your decision in faith. At the time, it seemed like the right thing to do. Now you're having second thoughts. Is it okay to change your mind? Or are you bound to the decision you have made with no other alternative but to live with the consequences? Is it possible to be in faith for the decision, but things have changed to such a degree that you have the biblical right to change your mind? Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/may-i-change-my-mind-after-deciding-something/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Biblical decision-making is not that difficult if you are the only one making the decision. There are challenges, of course, but it's much easier if you're the only one affected by the decision you make. Once the number of contributors to the decision-making process increases and the consequences are broader, it will be more challenging to navigate with humility, clarity, and mutually agreed-upon cooperation regarding the path forward. Having guidelines for couples and friends is crucial. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/guidelines-for-making-decisions-as-a-couple/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Show Main Idea: We will explore the impact of unresolved anger on relationships. Through a gospel-centered lens, we will offer practical tools and biblical wisdom to help us address the root of anger, exchange it for Christ-like patience, and foster an environment of love, forgiveness, and restoration. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-528-webinar-overcoming-anger-how-it-complicates-our-relationships/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

The gospel practicalized is a transcendent lifestyle that overrides cultural and religious traditions, preferences, and expectations. The convolution between primary and secondary things can be dizzying, especially in a world that works overtime to invert what is good with evil. A practicalized gospel teaches us to live well with others, especially those who make choices that are different from ours. In a world gone mad, all Christians must work hard to distinguish the negotiable from the non-negotiable. Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/how-to-live-with-people-with-different-preferences/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Show Main Idea: Our heavenly Father is the de facto leader of our lives and homes. To build strong marriages and families, we must determine that we will address our life with God, make the necessary changes, and then ask Him to enable us to export our life with Him to those we love. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-527-webinar-follow-the-leader-creating-a-redemptive-community/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Every four years in America, its citizens have the opportunity to vote for the next President of the United States. It’s the privilege of free countries where the political class serves the citizens, or that is what it says on paper. In America, it’s no longer that way in practice as the government has become the hegemonic power, making the right to vote a fragile and sober time when faith and responsibility intersect at a high level. Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/a-christian-perspective-on-the-presidential-election/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

This presidential election cycle is my sixteenth. Admittedly, I do not remember the first one because I was one year old, and they would not let me vote. It was 1960. I do remember the second one in 1964, but I had no opinion other than keeping Lyndon Johnson in there since he had not had an entire run. It seemed unfair to replace him. I remember the others and have had varying views depending on my awareness of what was happening. Now, it’s 2024, and here we are: who should we elect as our next president? Few election cycles have been as troubling as the last few. Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/who-are-you-voting-for-as-president-this-november/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Someone asked me why I share political messages on my personal X account. He then followed up by saying that politics stink. It was not one of those “stay in your lane” questions as much as it was a curious onlooker, a fellow Christian thinking about their role in the political arena. His question is worth exploring, and every Christian who wants to make a difference in their world should evaluate their role in politics and culture. Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/why-christians-should-engage-in-politics/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

In the summer of 2018, we were visiting Lucia’s sister in Minnesota when she told us about a nearby Trump Rally in Fargo, North Dakota. Our van just so happened to need a repair, and Fargo was the nearest Toyota dealer, so we decided to attend the rally while in Fargo. It was a memorable night, a bucket list type of event. Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/went-president-trump-rally-last-night/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Show Main Idea: Rick Thomas talks to Dr. Jenn Chen about her latest book, Biblical Counseling and Mental Disorder Diagnosis. Dr. Chen, formerly an integrated psychologist who later received her Master’s in Biblical Counseling, has written an excellent book that is culturally relevant to the dangers of secular psychology. This book is an outstanding tool for all disciple-makers as they engage our brothers and sisters immersed in and influenced by a psychologized culture. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-525-dr-jenn-chen-biblical-counseling-and-mental-disorder-diagnosis/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.