Life Over Coffee

How many ways does the Lord have available for Himself to help us mature into Christlikeness? Most folks would say the Bible, prayer, church, and close friends. They are correct. Those essential means of grace are for growing us up into Christlikeness. Here’s another. Consider that the Lord would permit sin in your life to rattle your cage for Jesus. What do you think about the redemptive purposes of sin, as opposed to the non-redemptive goals of evil? Mable struggled with this concept. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/how-to-think-about-a-god-who-permits-sin-in-your-life/ 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/

Grumbling is a minor sin, but like tiny breadcrumbs leading you somewhere, the complaining person shows you the practical condition of their heart. The grumbler might not perceive what their words are saying about them or their need for a gospel recalibration, but you must know this to help them. My friend, Biff, is one of those undiscerning complainers. Perhaps this case study will provide insight into how to care for him or any other person with a grumbling, complaining spirit. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/what-to-do-when-your-suffering-reaches-the-limits-of-your-ability-to-endure/ 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 – Anton Krecic started Seven Weeks Coffee Company because he saw a need that nobody was fulfilling. He merged his love for coffee with a passion for the pro-life movement. Seven weeks is typical when a mother hears her child's heartbeat. The child is the size of a coffee bean. Seven Weeks Coffee gives 10% of its sales to pro-life centers around the country. Listen to Anton describe his passion and what God is doing with it. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-445-interview-with-anton-krecic-with-seven-weeks-coffee/ 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/

Working through pain is part of the human experience. Problems come and go as sparks fly upward. Trouble and trials began with the fall of humanity, and they will not go away until Christ comes to rescue us. The great news is that we can solve our problems, assuming we start at the right place. Did you know there is a unique first step to solving your concerns and that it flows out of your worldview? Here's the key idea: How you begin problem-solving will determine how things end for you. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/the-first-and-unique-step-to-solve-your-problems/ 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/

True freedom is only found when the singular opinion that governs your mind and conscience is the Lord’s. When His evaluation is the only one that holds sway in your heart, you are walking in the highest form of liberty. This posture before the Lord is how Jesus lived. Others did not manipulate him, nor was He governed by their approval or disapproval. No person could coerce Him, intimidate Him, or manage Him because His sole reference point was the will and perspective of His Father. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/a-practical-plan-to-break-free-from-being-controlled-by-peoples-opinions/ 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 – “How do you answer a friend who is not a Christian but searching when she asks why God let my baby die? The grief is seemingly insurmountable, and not having a relationship with God adds a layer of complexity. I’m unsure what to say to her other than to be a friend. What would you say to her? What advice do you have for me?” This question is one of the most difficult ones to answer, but we know God’s Word has an answer, and I want to share with you five things to help this distraught lady. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/why-did-god-let-my-baby-die/ 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/

To say that God is all you need reduces your life to a “you and God in a silo,” which might sound nice if you’re prone to spiritualize everything while not factoring in reality. Spiritualized sloganeering typically fails the eye test in real-world dynamics. For example, you must have friends if your aim is to live out the grander purposes of the gospel. I’m not speaking of needing friends in an inverted “what can you do for me” way, but a worldview of friendship that minimizes loneliness as a side-effect of other-centered initiatives. Thus, the question we want to explore is, “What are the objectives of friendships?” Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/i-want-more-than-god-is-it-wrong-to-want-someone-to-love-me/ 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/

The most crucial relationship in your life is God. The most practical way to experience Him is in a community of like-minded believers who are intentional about helping each other mature in their relationships with Him. To know God better means your primary relationships should provide you with contexts to deepen your experience with Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). If your essential relationships do not give you that kind of care, you should consider changing your closest network of friends (Matthew 5:30; Hebrews 12:1). Knowing the Lord and experiencing Him with friends is the relational sweet spot for Christians. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/how-to-build-and-enjoy-dynamic-community-life/ 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 reader asked, "How do you deal with people who claim to be Christians, yet they are brutally invasive with their tactics by forcing religion down someone's throat and condemning the other person based on their past experiences and choices? There is only one way for secondary preferences in their view, and this person is the sole arbiter of what is right and wrong. Let me give you an example of what I'm saying." Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/respond-unkind-christian-unkind-others/ 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/

To fully release your vulnerable and intimate soul to another person, you must know the individual is trustworthy and will lovingly steward all of your inner truth. This quality in a marriage is one of a husband’s most critical leadership requirements as he leads his wife in proper communication habits. We build our most vital and profound relationships upon trust, which is why we love God so much. Trust is why we share with Him our deepest and darkest thoughts; we know He will never condemn us (Romans 8:1). God provides a template for us to follow to break down communication barriers to enjoy the riches of intimate communication. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/leading-your-wife-in-intimate-conversations-part-two/ 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/