Life Over Coffee With Rick Thomas

How do you help a teen with a porn problem? This podcast discusses the issue with porn and how to help anyone struggling with addiction. One of our members asked a specific question, "I've had the opportunity lately to counsel a teenage boy struggling with pornography. He is aware of the inappropriate, sinful nature of this and has displayed some guilt and remorse. The parents want to be involved in helping him through this. The dad is a stepdad." Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/help-teen-porn-problem/ Will you help us to continue providing 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Merry Christmas, everyone. The holiday season is the best time of the year, especially when our focus is Christ as we celebrate His birth and what it means to us. The Christmas season is a snapshot of what our ministry is about, sharing the practical message of Christ globally. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/we-are-less-than-four-feet-from-6-64-billion-hearts/ Will you help us to continue providing 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

On the radio today, a well-known pastor says that Christians should not describe themselves as "sinners saved by grace" but "saints who occasionally sin." If we define ourselves as the first, he says, "What a dangerous, miserable way to live." As Christians, how much focus should there be on the reality of daily sin versus the spiritual reality of our identification with Christ and His holiness dwelling within us? What does this practically look like in daily living?" – Supporting Member Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/am-i-a-sinner-saint-or-both/ Will you help us to continue providing 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Shows Main Idea – What is the relationship between mental illness and suicide? Is that the best way to ask my question? If not, how would you frame the problem of a person who commits suicide? What does the Bible say? I deal with many desperate people who are Christian and non-Christian, and the normalization of suicide over the past few years has created not just an interest in self-harm but an acceptable solution to commit suicide. What are your thoughts? – Supporting Member Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/biblical-perspective-mental-illness-suicide/ Will you help us to continue providing 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

There are two large groups of people in America today. They are the winners and the losers. The happy and the sad. The glad and the mad. The hopeful and the fearful. Which one are you on this morning (week) after an American election? What does the state of your heart reveal about your faith? Regardless of our camp, there is probably work to do in our hearts. For the victorious, the temptation is smugness and high-fives that looks down on the losers. For the losers, the temptation could be despair and anger. The election is the heat in our lives that reveals the pre-existing condition of our hearts. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/assessing-my-heart-the-morning-after-an-american-election/ Will you help us to continue providing 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Shows Main Idea – If a person in your church lives a sinful lifestyle and is a leader, how should I respond to that person? Should I sit under their teaching and leadership? Should I separate from sinners in the church? A lady asked, “I know I am to engage sinners for redemptive purposes because that is what Christ did to me. I don’t want to separate from them but influence them with the gospel. But what about the ongoing sinfulness of someone in your church?” Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/separate-sinful-people-church/ 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

One of the problems with some marriages is a lack of respect from the wife for the husband. A proper probing question follows: what does that mean? Is her lack of respect the entire problem in the marriage, or are other complexities that might contribute to her lack of respect? There are always complexities in relational conflict, but why do some folks focus only on a lack of respect in situations like this? It appears they are extracting Paul’s words about respecting the husband and missing the context. What if we take a look at the context and content of this pivotal passage about marriage? Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/wife-respect-unkind-husband/ 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Shows Main Idea – “I’m thinking of a person who is not concerned with the kingdom of God and is more concerned with a kingdom of self, especially a person who does not have a gospel-centered motive. They have a lot of pride and are not easy to teach. They want a certain way and do not consider God’s will. How do you counsel a self-righteous person?” – Doug Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/counsel-self-righteous-person/ 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Boys and girls are different. You cannot say that aloud or the culture will cancel you. But it’s true, and when it comes to the act of love in reciprocal relationships, the different ways they respond to each other are fully displayed. God made Adam a unique male and Eve a unique female. This news is not new for the believer. However, knowing these differences is vital, especially when a boy meets a girl. Understanding how the genders react to love provides wisdom while potentially saving a couple from much disappointment. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/a-girl-kissing-a-boy-is-different-than-a-boy-kissing-a-girl/ 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Being reproved or rebuked is tough stuff. Nobody enjoys it. I don't! When someone comes along pointing out a flaw in your life, it's typically a tense moment because it cuts against the grain of our Adamic hearts. To be willing to have others speak into your life is one of the high marks of Christian maturity, making it a great time to ask a few tough questions to examine our Christian maturity. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/six-tough-questions-that-examine-your-christian-maturity/ 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Shows Main Idea – Just curious if you might flesh out the differences between capacity versus character issues. I assume we would expect a response to God’s truth in whatever capacity someone could respond. I wonder what you think about a person unable to process truth because of diminished soul issues; thus, their behaviors reflect those compromised soul issues. It would help me understand this problem a bit better. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/respond-people-different-character-capacity-issues/ 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

As we head into the holidays, this is the most mission-critical season of the year, and we ask the Father to provide our financial needs for the proceeding year, 2023. Thankfully, a donor has stepped up, saying they will give us $50K if one, two, or more folks do similarly. I shared this news with our supporting community, and several have committed to praying and fasting during this vital season. Will you pray about this fantastic opportunity? For those who cannot donate at that level, will you give what you believe the Lord wants you to give? The majority of our finances come in during this season. I'm asking God to move many hearts, and I'd love for you to join our community and me as we petition the Father. You may donate here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Did you know God puts you in spots where He expects you to fail? This perspective might sound harsher than it is at first glance. But what if God could use your sins, mistakes, shortcomings, and weaknesses for your good and His glory? Have you ever considered how your disappointments and discouragements could provide the backdrop for the Lord to demonstrate His power and goodness through your inabilities and missteps? It’s true. God’s strength coming through our weakness is just one of the many ways He proves His love to us. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/when-you-are-beyond-your-ability-god-has-you-right-where-he-wants-you-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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Did you know that the rearing of the Millennial and Gen-Z cultures differs from the rest of us? Newsflash: It's true! The "moral lines" were more straightforward for you and me: sin was a sin, and it was evident most anyone. Regrettably, the culture and media have bombarded the last two generations with an "acceptance message" that embraces a "to each his own" worldview, so what is obvious to you, as clearly taught from the Bible, is questioned by the current generation. The abnormal is normal, which is why you need to know it's "okay" to be gay, a new message from our deteriorated culture. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/okay-gay-need-know/ 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

One of the most difficult challenges prohibiting a person from actively engaging and completing our Mastermind Program is procrastination. Because this struggle is a “common to man problem,” it is one of our most common questions. In this episode, I will answer this question fully, provide advice for a path forward, while offering a few other tips for your consideration if you’re looking for world-class training in all things discipleship—our Mastermind Program. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/can-procrastinator-un-disciplined-person-program/ 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Have you ever wondered what happens to a person who exchanges the truth of God for a lie? Perhaps you know someone who has made this troubling exchange. They were once walking in the truth of God’s Word, but now they have created a new reality—their truth, which conflicts with God’s truth, placing the “exchanger” in the unenviable position of going to war with God. Paul talked about such a person in Romans 1:21-25. Let me share with you what happens to such a person. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mind-person-exchanges-the-truth-of-god-for-a-lie/ 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Shows Main Idea: If you want a persevering relationship with someone, having the proper aim is vital. As you think about your most significant relationship, what is the singular secret to making it last with joy and fulfillment? In this episode, I want to share with you the secret to having a great marriage that lasts. You may apply this essential tip to any vital relationship you want to endure. Learn the secret and the process of building a relationship that lasts. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/secret-great-marriage-lasts/ 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Have you ever been alone? I’m speaking of the worst kind of loneliness, not your run-of-the-mill loneliness. It’s a sting that penetrates the depths of a person’s soul. This peculiar kind of isolation is different from being by yourself, as though hanging with someone will solve this problem. I’m talking about a type of loneliness that isolates you even in a crowd. You know you’re in a bad spot when living in community with others cannot satisfy the pain of loneliness; it has penetrated to the point of feeling it. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/when-god-is-not-with-me-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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

“He was nothing like this when we were dating. He would send me little notes, hold the car door open, and be thoughtful about almost everything. I’m not sure I exist in his world, except when he wants sex. I seem not to matter anymore. He is not the man I married. Are you saying that dating and marriage are different realities? What I thought I was getting, but what I got are two different people. What’s the point of dating? How can we fix our marriage?” Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/dating-the-artificial-season-that-doesnt-count/ 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/

Shows Main Idea – A supporter asked how best to describe our journey with Christ. He wanted to know the best label to describe the Christian experience? He added, “Some folks hold to a more rule-based lifestyle, called legalism. Others like to call themselves grace-centered. Where does gospel-centered fit with these terms?” If these are only three terms we have to choose, I would call myself a gospel-centered person. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-431-why-gospel-centered-is-better-than-grace-centered-and-legalism/ 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://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/