Life Over Coffee With Rick Thomas

Relatives can avoid each other and conflict because of their busy lives and lack of intentional interaction throughout the year. Then there are the holidays and those other special occasions. We must engage those we don’t usually hang with during these seasons and events. If our extended relationships are not strong, the season’s joy can turn into conflict quickly. Learning how to love them well, even during these brief encounters, is crucial. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-relatives-are-coming-the-relatives-are-coming-what-am-i-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/

Show Main Idea: Being controlled by the opinion of other people is a problem every person struggles with to varying degrees. Biblically it is called fear of man. In this webinar, Rick does a deep dive into the issue and solutions. It's riveting, biblical, revealing, and practical. If you struggle with fear of man, peer pressure, insecurity, or self-censoring, you want to watch and learn how to submit yourself to the only opinion that should manage you. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-375-webinar-how-to-overcome-the-fear-of-others/ 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/

As a former lonely man who dreaded the holidays, I know encouragement from a friend can make all the difference in the world. The holidays tend to amplify what we don’t have, and if a person is not relationally connected, this season intended for special memories becomes a nightmare to endure. Perhaps you can share your life with a struggling friend. Whom can you bless this holiday season? Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/no-thanks-for-thanksgiving/ 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 deciding anything, you must be “in faith” regarding that decision before you move forward, which is why the most critical question you will ever ask yourself when making a decision is, “Am I ‘in faith’ to (insert the thing you’re thinking about doing)?” In this webinar, Rick delves into the granular decision-making process, discussing beliefs, a weak or hard conscience, fears, doubts, freedom, and other vital aspects to sound decision-making. This training is essential for every believer. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-374-webinar-how-to-make-a-decision-about-anything/ 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/

Brandon Burlsworth was a below-average kid with no game plan for his life. But he believed in God and had an insatiable desire to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team. Brandon died eleven days after the Indianapolis Colts drafted him. Hollywood made a movie of his life. Rick talks to Marty Burlsworth about the stunning abbreviated life of his little brother. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-373-interview-with-marty-burlsworth-of-the-greater-movie-fame/ 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 – A pastor asked about an interview with Wayne Grudem and the “Quick to Listen” podcast crew from Christianity Today where Wayne talked about his newly discovered third reason for divorce, which is in abuse cases. I produced a video response for this pastor, which you may watch in these Show Notes or on our Rumble or YouTube channels. You may also listen to the podcast version. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-372-critical-response-to-grudems-new-view-on-abuse-and-divorce/ 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/

Halloween, from a degree of difficulty perspective, is the most challenging of all our holidays. A few days out of each October, we must give a little mental energy to this tradition. The good news is that this makes Halloween no different from any other thing in your life. It is just another discipleship opportunity—a privilege the Lord gives you to bring a fitting response to this annual interruption. God does not leave you alone. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/a-biblical-response-to-halloween/ 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 no choice about being dysfunctional. We’re all broken in different ways. Even on our best days, imperfections show through like a stain under the white paint. Our collective fallenness is why the local church is so fabulous. It’s the place where you can be your authentic self. I’m not making a case for sinning your brains out, but when you do, you’re in a safe place to find the help you need. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/the-perfect-place-to-be-dysfunctional/ 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 – I had the privilege of interviewing wrestling legend Nikita Koloff one of my childhood heroes. The Lord mercifully saved Nikita shortly after the conclusion of his wrestling career. Nikita talks about his career, the death of his wife, how he came to Christ, and the beautiful narrative the Lord has been writing in his life. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-371-interview-with-professional-wrestler-nikita-koloff/ 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 – Sexual abuse is one of the worst things that could happen to anyone. It’s worse when it occurs in the church because of the assumed protection and safety among God’s people. You want to respond appropriately to the abused, abuser, and the local body when it does happen. Here are a few practical considerations. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-370-a-practical-response-to-sexual-abuse-in-the-church/ 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/

Self-reliance is the self-deceiving and isolating process of trying to be stronger and stronger while resisting the help of other people, especially help from the Lord. It is a sinful desire to build a lifestyle and reputation that releases a person from trusting God. The self-reliant person lives in a fantasy world. It is not real-world because it is an impossible feat to achieve. In this webinar, Rick presents the self-reliant worship structure, dismantles it, and provides a practical gospel-centered solution that teaches you how to rely on God. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-369-webinar-how-to-dismantle-self-reliance-and-overcome-unbelief/ 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 – There is a thin line between standing for God and falling into pride. The determining factors are a person’s character and how they use the gifts God has given to them. If a person’s character is wrong, they will manipulate their talents to satiate their craving hearts. The believer with a gospel-saturated character will resist pride’s temptations and love God and others more than anything else. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-368-response-to-the-rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill-episode-12/ 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 – Because of my former relationship with Sovereign Grace Ministries, now Sovereign Grace Churches, people come to me asking for my take on that organization. They are frequently asking because they are in a Sovereign Grace church or are thinking about attending or leaving one. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-367-is-it-wise-for-me-to-attend-a-sovereign-grace-church/ 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/

One-to-one interaction is the most efficient way to help another person change. For too many believers, discipleship in a community, in the context of a local church, is not the norm. Favorite books and preachers become our disciplers, which is not God’s best no matter how wonderful the celebrity preacher or your favorite book is. Nothing displaces a competent, caring friend, who can exegete you with God’s Word in a customizable way. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/a-crazy-idea-for-sanctification-the-local-church/ 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/

Some relationships can become so painful that you must retreat while implementing self-protective measures to prevent being hurt again. The unintended consequence is that the strategies for protection can imprison you, which is what happened to Mable. Her husband was harming her so she did what any of us would do. In time, her fortress became her prison. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/when-the-thing-that-protects-you-becomes-your-prison/ 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/

Sometimes stereotypical counseling can get in the way of what you want to do with an individual, especially when the counselee has a preconceived, pessimistic instinct about what might happen. You’ll see this with some teenagers because they sense a three against one setup—parents and counselor versus the teen. Knowing how to predict this possibility and customizing your care accordingly is essential. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/you-must-know-this-before-you-counsel-a-teen/ 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: There is a full-on culture war as social evangelists try to persuade, intimidate, censor, and influence anyone to their worldview. It’s no longer acceptable for conservatives to sit on the sidelines, siloing, hoping for a better day. Silo Christianity is when believers draw lines that separate themselves from those in the culture who need the gospel. They critique the other side but do not engage them. Jesus has called us to go and make disciples. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-366-webinar-engaging-the-culture-bringing-jesus-to-the-world/ 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 – Is it wrong for a church to have multiple campuses? What about one preacher who preaches video messages to several locations? In this episode of the Christianity Today podcast series, The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, Mike Cosper shares the motive and method of Mark Driscoll’s desire to share the gospel globally. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-365-response-to-the-rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill-episode-11/ 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 – Making a decision that you hope won't end with disappointment is a tedious task. How can you ensure there is no future disappointment after you take the plunge? You do due diligence; you follow sound advice, but it leads you into hard times. Should you not have listened? How should you respond when life goes sideways after you take the advice of someone and do due diligence? Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-364-how-can-you-know-your-decisions-wont-disappoint-you/ 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/

Sometimes in life, you have to get in a conflict with someone. This dreaded reality is not a wish, desire, or prayer request but rather a common-sense perspective that comes with living in a sin-cursed world. It is impossible to have two humans living close to each other for an extended period and not have relational conflict. Sin does not accommodate our desires for peace or a hope for the path of least resistance. Watch Webinar: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-363-webinar-pursuing-conflict-for-unitys-sake/ 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/