Life Over Coffee

There is a strange mercy in the way God works with His children. It is a mercy that runs against our instincts, our self-reliant reflexes, and our cultural expectations. We tend to assume that God leads us only into places where we can succeed, where our gifts shine, where our strength carries the day. We believe that if God is truly for us, then He would never place us in situations that surpass our competencies or expose our vulnerabilities. But Scripture teaches a very different storyline. The Bible shows a God who regularly, intentionally, and lovingly positions His people in circumstances where they are destined to fail unless He intervenes. He does this not to crush His children but to train them. He pushes them outside the boundaries of self-dependence so they will experience the supernatural life He intends for them. He will not compete with the strength of the creature; He will undermine it so that His glory is unmistakable and His love undeniable. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/when-you-are-beyond-your-ability-god-has-you-right-where-he-wants-you-2/ 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/.

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/

The litmus test for a mature Christian leader is their ability to replicate themselves into someone else. If a leader does not copy himself into another person, the Christian mission stops—at least in that Christian’s immediate sphere of influence. A Christian leader is always thinking about how to export his Christ-life to another individual so that person can be Christlike to others. Though we are different in how we accomplish these things, we have the same call: go and make disciples. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/what-is-the-litmus-test-for-a-leader-and-are-you-one/ 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/

What does your pastor think about when he thinks about you? Does that question sound strange to you? Perhaps you belong to a larger church where your pastor does not know you. Okay. But there is a leader at your church who does know you. What does that person think about when he thinks about you? My question is similar to what goes through your mind when you think about a special person in your life, perhaps a child. What I want to know is whether you are a joy to your pastor, a great, soul-searching query. Read Here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/dear-pastor-do-you-groan-when-you-think-of-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://rickthomas.net/donations/