Life Over Coffee With Rick Thomas

Show Main Idea: Some people are hard to be attracted to, and when I find myself thinking like this, I know I have lost my divine perspective, and my discipling of them is on the verge of being ineffective. Thus, I must recalibrate my heart to God's perspective and the gospel before I can help them change. In this practical webinar, Rick breaks down into a granular level the essential things you need to know before you can help others change. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-385-webinar-essential-things-before-helping-someone-change/ 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/

Show Main Idea: When one spouse is consistently critical and the other is insecure, the relationship polarizes and will not correct itself without radical changes. The problem is the insecure spouse wants the good, proper, and biblical desires of love, respect, and acceptance, but the critical spouse is sinning, choosing not to provide them. This vital webinar speaks to the underlying root problems with this type of relational conundrum, practical steps to change, and the ultimate solution. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-384-webinar-the-critical-spouse-the-insecure-spouse/ 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/

The gospel is more than a birth-to-death story. The life and death of Christ are part of an incredible golden chain that reaches from eternity past to eternity future. The best news of all is we can enjoy the full benefits of the gospel by faith—no works, just trust. Christ has done all the work for us. Our job is to apply and benefit from all aspects of the gospel. The key question is whether we are fully understanding and applying the full measure of the gospel to our lives. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-gospel-is-more-than-a-birth-to-death-story/ 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/

The interplay between the Christian and secular worlds is relevant for all believers. Knowing “what is truth” is always a struggle for anyone, but especially when those who own the airwaves breathe out one-sided stories predominantly. This past week, I benefited from a few smaller voices that shared contrary messages to the standard groupthink. These folks talked about some of the most critical events in today’s culture. I’m not suggesting they own the truth; these resources merely offer alternate opinions. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-383-six-resources-to-help-you-think-about-our-cultural-crisis/ 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/

Show Main Idea: A child’s earliest understanding of God the Father comes from their earthly fathers. The psychological term in early child development is mutual exclusivity, a child assigning one label to describe all items within the category. The culture understands the concept but they don’t have the best answers. In this webinar, Rick talks about how many children initially map their experience with their fathers over how they think about God the Father. He speaks to the problem while providing practical training for us to parent well. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-382-webinar-parenting-the-important-role-of-fathers/ 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/

The Christmas season is a double blessing for the believer. We get to celebrate the birth of Christ, a pivotal point of the gospel narrative. And we can enjoy the cultural Christmas, too. It’s okay to engage the things of this world if your heart does not crave those things in a sinful way (James 1:14-15). What are the benefits of penetrating the culture to engage those who do not know Christ while enjoying the season? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/enjoying-the-cultural-and-the-christian-christmas/ 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/

Rick, what are your thoughts on Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy as far as what you tell your kids? Do you say these characters are real or not? Is this harmless fun, or is there a problem with deception going on here? The culture continues to creep into our homes and lives. I'm not sure how to walk them through our seasonal intruder with younger children, especially when their friends are adamant about Santa being an actual person. – Supporting Member Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-santa-claus-question-what-do-i-tell-my-children/ 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/

Shows Main Idea – This episode review of The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill speaks to the aftermath of Mark Driscoll’s resignation from the church. Mike Cosper from Christianity Today interviews an eclectic group of folks who talk about the heartbreak, turmoil, fear, as well as the practical matters of finding new churches, jobs, and relationships. Meanwhile, Mark popped back up in Arizona; he rebranded and relaunched himself as though nothing happened. In this review, I will speak to five essential takeaways for all of us to learn. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-381-response-to-the-rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill-episode-14/ 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/

On Christmas day, people all over the world exchange presents. It is a cultural event full of fun memories. I do like many aspects of the cultural Christmas. Sadly, Christmas loses its meaning because of its secularization. For most people, Christmas is about the economy, presents, or family conflict. We lose the idea of a generous gospel in most of the world, which is why I want to talk about a theology of gift-giving. Perhaps a refresher on sacrifice will recalibrate our minds to the primary reason for the season. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/a-theology-of-gift-giving/ 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/

Show Main Idea: Our attitudes, words, and actions generate in our hearts. There should not be a discontinuity between who we are internally and our external selves. If we are ontologically affected by the gospel, the things we think, say, and do will have a gospel-centered vibe and effect. In this webinar, Rick presents a practical presentation on how to connect the gospel to our everyday lives. The goal is to be gospel-centered internally and externally. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-380-webinar-connecting-the-gospel-to-everyday-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://rickthomas.net/donations/

Marital dysfunction and potential separation of a spouse is a horrible experience that happens too often in Christian marriages. Did you know there is a way to separate well and a way to do it badly? Separation and divorce are not what we should do, but if it happens, we must do it the right way. In this case study, the wife is leaving; you can flip this fictional narrative around to where the husband is leaving because the truths apply to both genders. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/how-to-separate-well-from-your-spouse/ 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/

Hope in God is like a telescope that has a practical, eschatological application. It does not change your circumstances, but it gives you a perspective that buoys you while in your trouble. David talked about the hope he had in God in Psalm 42. I trust it will benefit you. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-379-hope-in-god-does-not-change-your-circumstances/ 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/

Show Main Idea: Having a disorder is accepted and common speak in today’s culture. But most people do not know what it means to have a disorder or think about the problem biblically. Though the disorder problem is real, the way we think about them and work to overcome them needs biblical precision. In this insightful webinar, Rick clarifies what’s wrong with the disorder language by recategorizing the issue biblically and then bringing practical solutions to these problems. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-378-webinar-a-biblical-perspective-on-disorders/ 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/

When you get to heaven, what will be the first words out of your mouth? I suspect it will be something along the lines of “thank you” for many of us. Two words. Two syllables. Because it will be true then, it would be good to self-assess now to see how gratitude characterizes us today. Are you practicing today what you’ll be saying throughout eternity? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-gospel-and-gratitude-are-you-characterized-as-a-grateful-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://rickthomas.net/donations/

Loving others the way God loves you can be a challenge anytime, but the difficulty intensifies during the holidays because some family members rub you the wrong way. There are two kinds of people in the world: Christians and non-Christians. Within these two groups are those you prefer to hang with and those with whom you would rather not spend your time. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/dealing-with-difficult-relatives-during-the-holidays/ 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/

What you are about to read are five core elements that are practical and replicate-able in your home. When practically applied, these ideas can have a transformative effect on those you want to influence the most. For some believers, the knowledge about the Bible far exceeds their ability to make it practical in their daily living, especially in their marriages. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/five-core-elements-of-a-healthy-marriage/ 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/

You have heard the saying, different strokes for different folks, right? It is a practical perspective when it comes to assessing people because every person presents a unique opportunity to figure out so you can care for them according to who they are. This concept is where the Bible is so helpful. Paul had this type of masterful discernment. He could peek into a person’s life to understand them and then sculpt a discipleship construct to bring the needed care to that unique person. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/why-each-person-needs-care-according-to-their-uniqueness/ 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/

Show Main Idea: Knowing how to ask the right questions to help people understand themselves while leading them to a better place in their situations and relationships is an essential discipleship gift. In this webinar, Rick does a deep-dive into questions asking. He does not give you ten questions that you can ask anyone but trains you how to discern a person's soul so you can customize your care to that unique individual. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-377-webinar-the-skill-of-asking-insightful-questions/ 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/

Shows Main Idea – This particular episode is number ten from the Christianity Today podcast series, though it’s the thirteenth total episode in this long-form narrative about the rise and fall of Mars Hill Church. They title this episode “The Tempest” as Mike Cosper retells the final two-year of events that led to Mark Driscoll’s resignation. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-376-response-to-the-rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill-episode-13/ 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/

A biblical counselor interviewed Rick Thomas about a situation he is counseling with parents who discovered their child is watching porn. The counselor asked questions that are in italics, with Rick’s responses underneath. The fictionalized, flattened version of the story is the dad came to the counselor asking for advice. He said his son has been sneaking out of bed, looking at porn on the computer, circumventing the protective software. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/you-just-caught-your-child-in-porn-what-are-you-to-do/ 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/