Life Over Coffee
Rick Thomas
Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.
In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master's University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master's University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 21, 2025 • 15min
Parenting Day 5: The Orientation of the Home
Jesus was clear when He said that you must follow Him if you want to walk in the light. The opposite is also accurate: if you do not follow Him, the only option is dark. Every relational construct has followers and leaders, which begs the question, who is the head of your home?
Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-5-the-orientation-of-the-home/
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Jan 14, 2025 • 17min
Parenting Day 3: Non-negotiable First Step to Build a Happy Home
Christians enjoy and benefit from the gospel because of forgiveness (See Romans 10:9, 13). For example, we confessed our sins and requested forgiveness, and our kind Lord forgave us. Confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation are the stepping stones to happiness (Deuteronomy 33:29). If you want a happy home, you must imitate God at this crucial point (Ephesians 5:1).
Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-3-non-negotiable-first-step-to-build-a-happy-home/
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Jan 11, 2025 • 1h 9min
Ep. 538 Jacob Valk: Parenting and P*rnography, the Masterclass
Shows Main Idea – Parenting & Pornography is a masterclass-style video series developed by Into The Light Ministries. Its purpose is to equip parents with biblical tools to nurture children of integrity who embrace God’s design for sexuality while resisting pornography. This series is free for families and churches, offering a theologically rich, practical, and gospel-centered approach to addressing sensitive topics in a family context.
Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-538-jacob-valk-parenting-and-prnography-the-masterclass/
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/.

Jan 9, 2025 • 15min
Parenting Day 2: Quality Parenting Comes from Good Marriages
Quality parenting, strong marriages, marital unity, biblical marriage, communication in marriage, teamwork in parenting, spiritual leadership, Christian parenting, family dynamics, relational health.
The Bible is not a parenting book, which is why it gives so little parenting advice. It is a relationship book. Rather than providing you with parenting tips, it provides you with a plethora of information about how to have great relationships within any community construct, whether it’s marriages, families, churches, businesses, friends, or neighbors.
Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-2-quality-parenting-comes-from-good-marriages/
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/.

Jan 7, 2025 • 15min
Parenting Day 1 – Parenting From Zero To Adulthood
The parenting goal is to release your child into adulthood as an individual living under God’s authority for His glory. This parenting process happens in three stages: Dependent Stage—0 to 2, Interdependent Stage—2 to 22, and Independent Stage—22+.
Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-1-parenting-from-zero-to-adulthood/
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/.

Jan 6, 2025 • 16min
Parenting Day 4: Two Rules Every Parent Must Teach Their Children
Biblical parenting incrementally releases children from your rules and authority while placing them under the most influential governing dynamic known to humanity—to love God and others supremely. If your child’s heart is motivated and governed by those two truths, and you help him to embrace that kind of affection for God and neighbor, you will serve your child well.
Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-4-two-rules-every-parent-must-teach-their-children/
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/.

Jan 2, 2025 • 19min
Ten Ways to Kill Your Marriage
Marriage counseling has historically been the most common type of counseling I have done, which makes sense because the marriage relationship is unique in that there is not supposed to be an escape clause. Marriage is for life. This fact makes marriage the perfect context for relationship sharpening. There are times when counseling is essential because of the fallenness of the couple and the need for community. If your marriage is bad, you more than likely are doing some of the following things. These are some of the most oft-repeated mistakes I have seen in poor marriages.
Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/ten-tips-to-kill-your-marriage/
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/.

Dec 31, 2024 • 11min
Here Is Practical Help to Restore a Broken Marriage
Some husbands and wives can have a hard time putting a broken marriage back together. Typically, expectations and disappointments create a backlog of unresolved conflict. Unforgiveness sets in, the death toll to any relationship. When a couple gets to this point, pride becomes the unscaleable wall between them. They have lost the vision of Christ and His church in their union. I’ve developed this reflective study to help a couple in this situation to tear down that seemingly insurmountable wall.
Read. Watch, or Listen:https://lifeovercoffee.com/here-is-practical-help-to-restore-a-broken-marriage/
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/.

Dec 26, 2024 • 9min
Something Must Come Between Us, or We'll Hurt Each Other
The cross of Christ has wonder-working power. It can change you and your relationships, but the process is not a passive “let go and let God” exercise. If Christ’s cross is not a practical governing reality in our relationships, we will hurt those we love the most. Though the cross of Christ is not the whole gospel, it’s a poignant reminder of the sacrifice needed to sustain a relationship with someone.
Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/something-must-come-between-us-or-were-going-to-kill-each-other/
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/.

Dec 24, 2024 • 21min
Do You Think It's Right to Correct My Authoritarian Husband?
No human has absolute authority over another. This perspective should be common sense, but it’s not for everyone, including Christians. A dictatorial husband and father can put wives and children in a difficult spot, which begs the question that folks have asked me for decades: “Do you think it’s right to correct my authoritarian husband?” This chapter will be instructive and directive for those in this type of relationship.
Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/do-you-think-its-right-to-correct-my-authoritarian-husband/
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/.


