Life Over Coffee

Mable has been the go-to person in her church, admired for her dedication to ministry and known for her willingness to serve. Whether counseling, teaching Bible studies, or leading events, Mable is always available and dependable. However, behind the scenes, her home life is far from the ideal picture that her public ministry portrays. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/the-darker-side-of-mable-the-ministry-mom/ 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 enjoy God? You know, like a good movie or a nice dinner. After a long day, you’re looking for a pleasant escape to something you enjoy. Is God at the top of your “things I enjoy the most” list? My wife was not that way for several decades. Because of her longstanding relationship with legalism, God was not as satisfying as He could have been, so other options competed for her affections. I’m not suggesting she lived in rebellion; she did not. She loved God as much as she knew how to love Him. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/my-wife-is-enjoying-god-finally/ 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/

Biff refuses to engage in meaningful conversation with his wife, Mable, often going weeks with only what she calls his “efficiency speech.” He speaks to her only to address logistical or practical matters of the home but avoids all intimate interaction, relationship building, and mutual care. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/the-silent-partner/ 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/.

Biff, a rising junior at a local Christian college, is struggling with pornography and masturbation. These temptations began when he was 12 years old, introduced to him by a friend. At the time, Biff found it strange but stimulating, though he was unaware of the addictive nature of what his friend encouraged him to do. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/if-i-tell-the-truth-my-christian-college-will-expel-me/ 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/.

Sometimes “extending grace” may mean you’re about to get into conflict with someone. Though you should never look for a fight, you should also not be looking for ways to avoid redemptive moments when it is within your competency and context to help someone who is struggling. Avoidance, masked as peacekeeping, is not peacemaking. Love speaks the truth—graciously, patiently, redemptively—but it speaks (Ephesians 4:15). Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/hiding-behind-grace-to-avoid-the-hard-things/ 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/.

Biff, a Certified Nutritionist and devoted father, is navigating the complexities of parenting children with a disease that suppresses their immune systems. While the children show no symptoms, Biff is highly aware that the bacteria in their bodies thrive on refined sugar. Determined to protect their health, he strictly avoids allowing his kids to consume sugar but occasionally compromises in social settings, leaving him overwhelmed with guilt and fear. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/case-study-the-fearful-parent/ 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/.

Mable has endured the pain of her husband Biff’s infidelity. After months of counseling and repentance, Biff has committed to restoring his relationships with Mable, the Lord, and their children. Although not perfect, Biff has shown consistent effort and progressive change, demonstrating genuine repentance. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/case-study-i-will-forgive-but-never-forget/ 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/.

Fundamentalism is one particular slice within the broader body of Christian evangelicalism. In addition to affirming the fundamentals of the faith, fundamentalists typically hold to strict, sub-biblical, ascetic practices that go beyond Scripture. Though they genuinely love Jesus and are passionate about following Him, many in this tradition embrace a form of legalistic, preference-driven Christianity. The negative effects of this kind of teaching are not only immediate but often generational. The impact carries forward, shaping minds, marriages, churches, and children. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/the-negative-effect-of-fundamentalism-on-the-soul/ 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/.

Biff sought counseling for his anger and shared that his previous counselor suggested buying cheap plates to throw into the fireplace whenever he felt anger rising. Biff explained that the sound, the aim, and the shattering effect temporarily helped him vent his anger. The advice stemmed from the psychologist’s belief that anger operates like a hydraulic system: pressure builds inside, and releasing it prevents an “emotional explosion. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/cheap-plates-can-overcome-anger/ 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/.

Mable struggles with the fear of man, often described as people-pleasing or codependency. Her functional theology is performance-driven, centering on earning approval from others rather than resting in Christ’s finished work. This exhausting lifestyle has left her broken and ready for change. While she is a believer, her faith feels more burdensome than joyful. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/poor-counseling-advice-you-need-to-please-god/ 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/.