Life Over Coffee With Rick Thomas

One of the most essential places for your spiritual growth is the local church. Outside of your home, the local church is the dearest place on earth for a believer because it’s where God’s people gather to worship, grow, and serve together. The church is not a building but a body of believers, whether it’s two gathered for fellowship or two thousand in an auditorium. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-16-teen-devotion-your-local-church/ 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/.

Do you ever sense your life as a young adult is in a holding pattern—a time when you’re just waiting for life to begin? If so, you’re not alone. Some people act as though these early years are like an extended time out. It is a mindset that can lead to wasting valuable time. While you’re waiting to get your shot, here are eight things you can do to steward your time well and glorify God today. The key to remember is what you do today forms the foundation upon which your entire adult life will stand. If you procrastinate, as though life does not begin until later, you may develop the debilitating habit of procrastination. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-15-teen-devotion-while-youre-waiting-do-these/ 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/.

Let’s reflect on God’s grace and its power to guide you through life’s challenges. Here is how I want to frame God’s grace for this devotion: No matter what you’re facing, God’s grace is sufficient, offering answers to your questions and untangling the messiest problems. The question then becomes: Where will you go from here—wherever you may be at this juncture in your journey with the Lord? Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-14-teen-devotion-where-to-go-from-here/ 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/.

Today’s truth may not be easy to hear, but it’s crucial to understand: life is hard and doesn’t apologize. Fallenness is no respecter of persons, not even caring if you are a Christian. Everyone faces struggles, but what sets people apart is how they respond to their life challenges, which begs the question. Will you choose to complain and remain stuck in your trouble, or will you flip the script and become a difference-maker? Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-13-teen-devotion-life-is-hard/ 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/.

RISE Radio recently interviewed Rick Thomas of Life Over Coffee about his Substack article addressing the influence of Jordan Peterson. Peterson, though not a Christian, has garnered an unusually strong following within Christian circles—largely due to his moral clarity and psychological insights, many of which are shaped by Jungian philosophy rather than a biblical worldview. This curious devotion to a man outside the faith raises essential questions about discernment and the church’s appetite for cultural saviors. David, the host at RISE Radio, shares similar concerns and invited Rick to unpack why so many believers are drawn to Peterson’s message, and what this trend reveals about our theology, affections, and need for true gospel-centered leadership. Listen here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-552-jordan-petersons-concerning-influence-and-philosophies/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you

Let’s tackle a common cultural myth: the idea that being “cool” is the way to succeed. The truth is that chasing coolness is rarely fruitful. Instead, it often leads to dysfunctional relationships and a self-focused, enslaving way of life that demands that others notice, admire, and desire to be you. Perhaps it would serve all of us if we redefine what it means to be “cool” from a biblical perspective. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-12-teen-devotion-being-cool-is-not-the-path-to-success/ 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/.

Let’s explore a topic that affects us all: the shaping influences in our lives—those things external to us that impact how we love God and others as we love ourselves. Specifically, how social media and other technologies shape the way we think, feel, and live. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-11-teen-devotion-social-media-is-not-real-life/ 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/.

Today’s topic may sound harsh, but it’s an essential truth to embrace: life has winners and losers. I know that you know this, but I want to make it personal to you during this season of practical reflection. Participation trophies and grade inflation may soften the blow during childhood, but adulthood operates by a different set of rules. The self-esteem movement works hard to keep kids’ egos inflated, but life in a fallen world works harder, deflating our egos, making it imperative we know how to live well when fallenness falls on us. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-9-teen-devotion-life-has-losers-and-you-may-be-one/ 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/.

Ep. 551 Daniel Berger, Discipling a Fool's Heart by Rick Thomas

Shows Main Idea – Godly parents and educators ponder how they can practically help their child turn from being a foolish youth to becoming a wise lover of Christ (Proverbs 1:22-23). Though no parent can transform a child’s spiritual heart, all believing parents are called to discipline their children in wisdom so that God can convert them to be wise (Proverbs 1:8; 13:1). In this interview with Dr. Daniel Berger, you will find encouragement and clear direction as you parent your child, mature in friendship, and increase your skill as a biblical counselor. Watch or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-551-daniel-berger-discipling-a-fools-heart/ 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/.

Your parents weren’t always boring. Believe it or not, they had lives, interests, and a lot more freedom before you came along. Here’s the truth: your parents’ lives changed dramatically the moment you entered the picture. It’s not that you’re a problem; I’m not saying that at all, but raising a child comes with enormous responsibility. Paying bills, doing laundry, and keeping up with your needs leave little time for the fun or spontaneity they had prior to having children. Their sacrifices are often invisible, but they are made out of love for you and the belief that their life is worth more than their former freedoms. Parenting is a picture of the gospel: giving up your freedom for the good of others. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-8-teen-devotion-your-parents-were-not-always-boring/ 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://li

Today’s lesson is tough but essential: when you mess up, it’s no one’s fault but your own. It’s natural to want to blame others for our mistakes. Perhaps others are part of our mistakes or have influenced them. However, we cannot ignore our responsibility. We must not permit people’s problems to manage us. Adults struggle with owning their mistakes, so you’re not alone. But if your first instinct is to point fingers when things go wrong, it’s time to pause, recalibrate that mindset, and take responsibility. Owning your mistakes is a key step toward maturity and spiritual growth. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-7-teen-devotional-your-mistakes-are-yours/ 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/.

I want to share with you something many people overlook: the beauty of a mundane life. Your grandparents might have called it real life—the everyday, ordinary moments of living in an imperfect world. While the culture chases the next big thing, the spiritual person recognizes that even the most mundane moments are opportunities to glorify God. Hidden in the ordinary are the blessings that only a spiritual mind can see. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-6-teen-devotion-life-is-mundane/ 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/.

One of life’s great lessons is learning to respond well when you don’t get what you want—a challenge for 100 out of every 100 people. Coincidentally, if you think that not getting what you want is just something kids deal with, think again. Life is full of unmet expectations, and how you respond to those expectations now will shape your ability to handle the challenges ahead. The good news? Learning to respond humbly to disappointment is a key to living well in God’s world. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-5-teen-devotion-wait-until-you-get-a-boss/ 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/.

Let’s confront a popular but harmful idea: self-esteem. Our culture teaches that we need to esteem and think highly of ourselves. While it’s true that you should see yourself as a unique individual created in God’s image—what we call the Imago Dei, self-esteem, as the world defines it—putting yourself first—is a trap that elevates you while diminishes others. This way of thinking leads to internal frustration, external pride, and ongoing disappointment. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-4-teen-devotion-forget-about-self-esteem/ 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/.

Today’s topic might hit close to home: learning to accept that your parents aren’t perfect. It’s easy to agree that nobody’s perfect—until someone’s imperfections directly affect you. One of the most painful lessons I had to learn as a young adult was to accept my parents’ shortcomings. Our children are no different; they live with imperfect parents, which is not a justification but a fact of reality. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-3-teen-devotion-parents-arent-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/.

Shows Main Idea – In this episode, we explore the crucial distinction between biblical counseling and secular psychology. Rick Thomas joins us to unpack the historical roots of counseling and to highlight the sufficiency of Scripture in addressing life’s deepest struggles. Far more than behavior modification, biblical counseling offers true, gospel-centered transformation. Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-550-phil-sessa-interviews-rick-thomas-on-biblical-counseling/ 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/.

One of life’s most challenging truths is unfairness. You’ve heard someone say, “It’s not fair!” in response to a disappointment. Maybe you’ve said it yourself. This frustration is natural because fairness aligns with how we think things should work. However, the reality is that life hasn’t been fair since Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8-14). Adam’s fall unleashed sin and death into a world God originally designed to be perfect (Genesis 2:7-9). Ever since unfairness has been woven into the fabric of life (Romans 5:12). Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-2-teen-devotion-life-fair/ 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 rest of your life does not come with summers off. In school, you get days off—snow days, holiday breaks, and long summer vacations. Many kids complain the summers need to be longer and school is too hard. But once they step into adulthood, the rhythm changes. There are no built-in summers off, and life becomes a long, steady mundane journey—one that ends only when you drop dead and step into eternity. This perspective might not sound very encouraging, but it’s actually an opportunity to rethink your mindset about work, rest, and the purpose of your life. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-10-teen-devotion-you-dont-get-time-off/ 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/.

As you embark on this 31-day journey, consider six essential truths about life, God, and yourself. These truths are not just ideas to ponder but steps toward a more Christ-centered life. Pick the one that seems most challenging and make a plan to change. I share these with you in no particular order. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-1-teen-devotion-lets-begin-the-journey/ 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/.