Shows / Life Over Coffee
Life Over Coffee
Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating. In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in…
Episodes
Life Over Coffee48 Case Studies 27: The Sexually Abused
Biffina, in her 30s, represents many lonely people who have faced the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse. Biffina, also like so many others, has…
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48 Case Studies 26: Mable's Search for Self-esteem
Mable, a nineteen-year-old, grew up in a tumultuous home. Her father’s instability, expressed through pouting and anger-laced outbursts, created an environment…
Life Over CoffeeEp. 563 Webinar- The Heart of Anger—What It Costs
Shows Main Idea – Anger is more than a behavior problem—it’s a worship issue. In this powerful webinar, The Heart of Anger: What It Costs, What It Reveals…
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48 Case Studies 25: The Christian Prostitute
Mable described her marriage in deeply painful terms, saying she feels like a prostitute. She went on to admit that she uses intimacy as a tool to manipulate…
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48 Case Studies 24: Meds and More
Three years ago, Biff and Mable became Christians. Biff, 38, and Mable, 39, joined a church shortly after their conversion and began engaging with their…
Life Over CoffeeChapter 1: Marriage or Mayhem: Marriage Asunder
Marriage is hard. That may not sound spiritual, but it’s certainly biblical. From the moment sin entered the garden, marriage has been both a battlefield and a…
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Ep. 562 Rachel Coyle: Help! She’s Struggling with Porn
Shows Main Idea – In this powerful conversation, Rick Thomas interviews biblical counselor and author Rachel Coyle about her mini-book, Help! She’s Struggling…
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48 Case Studies 23: The Aspiring Counselor Wannabe
Biff, a 42-year-old husband and father, believes the Lord is calling him to pursue a biblical counseling ministry. Seven years into his Christian walk, Biff is…
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48 Case Studies 22: The Darker Side of the Ministry Mom
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…
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Enjoying God- My Wife’s Break From a Legalistic Perspective
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…
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48 Case Studes 21: The Silent Partner
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…
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48 Case Studies 20: If I Tell the Truth, They Will Expel Me
Biff, a rising junior at a local Christian college, is struggling with pornography and masturbation. These temptations began when he was 12 years old…
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Hiding Behind Grace To Avoid The Hard Things
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…
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48 Case Studies 19: The Fearful Parent
Biff, a Certified Nutritionist and devoted father, is navigating the complexities of parenting children with a disease that suppresses their immune systems…
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48 Case Studies 18: I Will Forgive But Never Forget
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…
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The Negative Effect of Fundamentalism On the Soul
Fundamentalism is one particular slice within the broader body of Christian evangelicalism. In addition to affirming the fundamentals of the faith…
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48 Case Studies 17: Cheap Plates Overcome Anger
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…
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48 Case Studies 16: You Need to Please God
Mable struggles with the fear of man, often described as people-pleasing or codependency. Her functional theology is performance-driven, centering on earning…
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How God Delivered an Entrapped Soul from Christianity’s Baggage
There are instances—far more common than many would admit—when Christianity’s baggage can entrap a person, and they never even realize it. They never make the…
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48 Case Studies 15: Don't Tell the Elders
Biff, a 32-year-old aspiring pastor, has anchored his identity in ministry rather than in Christ. His parents have perpetuated this mindset with a two-tier…
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48 Case Studies 14: I Don't Know What to Do with My Life
Biff, a 24-year-old, has cycled through seven jobs in five years and is currently unemployed. His pattern of chasing big plans and get-rich-quick schemes every…
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Ep. 561 Molly Bertles: Counsel for Women Struggling with Masturbation
Shows Main Idea – In this episode, I talk with Molly Bertles—biblical counselor and author of You Are Not Alone: A Biblical and Hopeful Approach to Women…
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48 Case Studies 13: He Cannot Lead His Wife
Biff and Mable have sought biblical counseling after transitioning to their new church, following a recommendation from their previous pastor. The pastor noted…
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48 Case Studies 12: I Want Out of This Marriage!
Mable contacted a Christian counselor to address her dissatisfaction with her marriage. During her initial session, she made it clear that she wanted to leave…
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Ep. 560 Nine Tips for Launching a Counseling Ministry at Your Church
Shows Main Idea – Question: Our leadership and pastoral staff have identified a need to support those in our midst who experience challenges with living in…
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48 Case Studies 11: Don't Tell Anyone I'm in Counseling
Mable sought counseling with a specific request: under no circumstances should her pastor find out. Her insistence on anonymity is common among Christians…
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48 Case Studies 10: She Has an Anxious Need to Be Right
Mable is a perfectionist driven by an anxious need to be right. She holds herself and others to impossible standards, striving to present a carefully edited…
Life Over CoffeeEp. 559: Joby Martin: Stand Firm and Act Like Men
Shows Main Idea – In this episode, Rick Thomas talks with Pastor Joby Martin about his book Stand Firm and Act Like Men and the urgent need for Biblical…
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48 Case Studies 09: Are You Certified?
Biff and Mable have been married for 17 years, but their covenant relationship has been fraught with challenges for much of that time. They have two teenage…
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48 Case Studies 08: When Thin Is In
Mable is consumed with her appearance, weight, and food choices. She frequently fasts, not out of a heartfelt desire to glorify God with her body or soul, but…
Life Over CoffeeEp. 558 Giving Hope to Anxious Hearts
Shows Main Idea – An anxious heart is not merely a soul issue to manage, but a discipleship opportunity to shepherd the heart—guiding our children (and…
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48 Case Studies 07: When Prayer Kills a Church
Biff is an angry man whose temper has caused significant issues in his marriage. Two weeks ago, Mable gave him an ultimatum: seek help or face the end of their…
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48 Case Studies 06: Counseling the Un-Counsel-Able
Mable presented herself as an ideal counselee: open, honest, and seemingly eager for change. In your first session, she shared her struggles with remarkable…
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48 Case Studies 05: Suicide
Mable picked up the phone and started calling people at random. Somehow, she ended up with your number. Mable confessed she didn’t know why she was calling you…
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48 Case Studies 04: The Nagging Wife
Mable has struggled with insecurity her entire life. Her earliest memories involve her parents' consistent displeasure with her, valuing her outward appearance…
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Legalism Is a Fear-based Culture That Leads to a Complex Life
Legalism is a complex subject. It stirs passionate responses from many Christians. If you’re in a legalistic culture, it’s hard to get out. If you did come out…
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48 Case Studies 03: Exchanging Prisons
Mable, at 28, was single and deeply desired marriage. She had a degree, a great job, and a seemingly full life, but she felt an emptiness that she attributed…
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48 Case Studies 02: To Date or Not to Date
Biffina is 18 years old, the oldest of four children in a close-knit Christian family. Her parents, Biff and Mable, have consistently taught their children…
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The Unintended Spiritual Benefits of Legalism
Pursuing holiness is not legalism. Living as a committed, obedient, and disciplined follower of Christ does not mean one is trapped in legalism. When something…
Life Over CoffeeEp. 556 Boasting in Weakness—a Primer
Shows Main Idea – Dying to self is the most painful and ongoing task the Christian will ever face. It’s not a single moment of surrender at the altar or a…
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48 Case Studies 01: Procrastination
Mable is a highly successful woman who has achieved much in her career and personal life. She is married to Biff, and together, they share a strong faith and a…
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Day 31 – Living Boldly: Whatever You Do, Do This
As we conclude this series, we will focus on the most crucial aspect of your life—the one thing that should shape every decision, every action, and every…
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Ep. 555 The Cyber Effect- Nine Ways Technology Shapes Us
Shows Main Idea – In this episode, I’m diving into something that’s quietly shaping our thoughts, our relationships, and even our sanctification—the digital…
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Day 30 – Living Boldly: Unveiling Your Secret Weapon
Let’s uncover and discover one of the most powerful tools God has given you for growth: repentance. The typical Christian understands repentance as something…
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Day 29 – Living Boldly: Re-Evaluating Your Self-Esteem
I want to re-evaluate a prior devotion and rethink the cultural message of self-esteem. While the world tells you to focus on yourself to find freedom, the…
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Ep. 554 Why We Must Forgive and How to Do It
Shows Main Idea – Forgiveness is not a sentimental release of offense; it’s a Christ-exalting act of worship. In this episode, I will unpack why biblical…
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Day 28 – LIving Boldly: The Reason to Love
Let’s talk about love—not the kind that looks like an empty love cup but the kind that reflects God’s character by giving and serving in a way that glorifies…
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Day 27 – Living Boldly: Self-Sufficient Life Is a Myth
Learning to overcome our all-time and number one problem and the cultural myth of self-reliance is vital for a robust Christian life. Self-sufficiency is a…
Life Over CoffeeEp. 553 A Relational Philosophy for Local Church Engagement
Shows Main Idea – I often get asked about our next speaking engagement—as if speaking from a stage is central to our ministry. It’s not. In this episode, I…
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Day 26 – LIving Boldly: Controlled By the Opinions of Others
Overcoming the fear of others disapproval is a universal struggle for those who base their identity on what others think of them. When we act like this, we…
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Day 25 – Living Boldly: Sex Before Marriage
Today’s focus is a sensitive but vital topic: sex before marriage. God’s design for physical intimacy is within the context of marriage, and stepping outside…
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Day 24 – LIving Boldly: How to Make a Decision
Many people struggle with decision-making. The most crucial question you can ask yourself when making a decision is this: Am I in faith to do this? In other…
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Day 23 – Living Boldly: The First Step Before You Start
An essential first step in discipleship is how you view others. If your disappointment in people is greater than your desire to help them, your ability to…
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Day 22 – Living Boldly: Disciple Your Parents
Today’s focus is on a challenging but vital responsibility: discipling your parents. As a believer, you are called to disciple and evangelize those in your…
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Day 21 – Living Boldly: Describe Your Friendships
One of the most influential aspects of your life is your friendships. The relationships you keep play a significant role in shaping who you are and how you…
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Day 20 – Living Boldly: Voice Training
Your conscience that God gave you acts as an internal moral thermostat. It’s your inner voice that sounds off when you have done well or poorly. Your…
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Day 19 – Living Boldly: "Will God Forgive Me?"
Today’s topic touches on a question many struggle with: “Will God forgive me?” Thinking that the good Lord will not forgive us typically comes from an…
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Day 18 – Living Boldly: Who Is a Good Teen?
What makes someone good? Before you answer the question about yourself or a friend, I want you to consider this perspective. On the surface, it might seem easy…
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Day 17 – Living Boldly: Five Teen Traps
Five common traps many young adults face can hinder their growth and keep them from living the life God has for them. The good news is that recognizing these…
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Day 16 – Living Boldly: Your Local Church
One of the most essential places for your spiritual growth is the local church. Outside of your home, the local church is the dearest place on earth for a…