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 CoffeeLiving Boldly Day 15: While You're Waiting, Do These
Do you ever sense your life as a young adult is in a holding pattern—a time when you’re just waiting for life to begin? If so, you’re not alone. Some people…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 14: Where to Go From Here
Let’s reflect on God’s grace and its power to guide you through life’s challenges. Here is how I want to frame God’s grace for this devotion: No matter what…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 13: Life Is Hard and Does Not Apologize
Today’s truth may not be easy to hear, but it’s crucial to understand: life is hard and doesn’t apologize. Fallenness is no respecter of persons, not even…
Life Over CoffeeEp. 552 Jordan Peterson's Concerning Influence and Philosophies
RISE Radio recently interviewed Rick Thomas of Life Over Coffee about his Substack article addressing the influence of Jordan Peterson. Peterson, though not a…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 12: Coolness Is Not the Path to Success
Let’s tackle a common cultural myth: the idea that being “cool” is the way to succeed. The truth is that chasing coolness is rarely fruitful. Instead, it often…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 11: Social Media Is Not Real Life
Let’s explore a topic that affects us all: the shaping influences in our lives—those things external to us that impact how we love God and others as we love…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 09: Life Has Losers; Don't Be One
Today’s topic may sound harsh, but it’s an essential truth to embrace: life has winners and losers. I know that you know this, but I want to make it personal…
Life Over CoffeeEp. 551 Daniel Berger, Discipling a Fool's Heart
Ep. 551 Daniel Berger, Discipling a Fool's Heart by Rick Thomas
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Ep. 551 Daniel Berger, Discipling a Fool's Heart
Shows Main Idea – Godly parents and educators ponder how they can practically help their child turn from being a foolish youth to becoming a wise lover of…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 08: Your Parents Weren't Always Boring
Your parents weren’t always boring. Believe it or not, they had lives, interests, and a lot more freedom before you came along. Here’s the truth: your parents’…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 07: Your Mistakes Are Yours
Today’s lesson is tough but essential: when you mess up, it’s no one’s fault but your own. It’s natural to want to blame others for our mistakes. Perhaps…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 06: Life Is Mundane; Get Used to It
I want to share with you something many people overlook: the beauty of a mundane life. Your grandparents might have called it real life—the everyday, ordinary…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 05: Wait Until You Get a Boss
One of life’s great lessons is learning to respond well when you don’t get what you want—a challenge for 100 out of every 100 people. Coincidentally, if you…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 04: Forget About Your Self-esteem
Let’s confront a popular but harmful idea: self-esteem. Our culture teaches that we need to esteem and think highly of ourselves. While it’s true that you…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 03: Parents Are Not Perfect
Today’s topic might hit close to home: learning to accept that your parents aren’t perfect. It’s easy to agree that nobody’s perfect—until someone’s…
- Life Over Coffee
Ep. 550 Phil Sessa Interviews Rick Thomas on Biblical Counseling
Shows Main Idea – In this episode, we explore the crucial distinction between biblical counseling and secular psychology. Rick Thomas joins us to unpack the…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 2: Living Boldly: Life Is Not Fair
One of life’s most challenging truths is unfairness. You’ve heard someone say, “It’s not fair!” in response to a disappointment. Maybe you’ve said it yourself…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 10: You Don't Get Time Off
The rest of your life does not come with summers off. In school, you get days off—snow days, holiday breaks, and long summer vacations. Many kids complain the…
- Life Over Coffee
Living Boldly Day 1: Embracing the God-centered Life
As you embark on this 31-day journey, consider six essential truths about life, God, and yourself. These truths are not just ideas to ponder but steps toward a…
- Life Over Coffee
You Must Work to Rest to Enjoy the Gift of Rest
Living a life honoring God requires a person to rest well. If you rest well, you will work well, and the other parts of your life will be satisfying, too. I…
- Life Over Coffee
Eight Ways to Practice and Enjoy and Effective Prayer Life
Prayer is every believer’s desire and opportunity, but many Christians struggle to have a consistent and dynamic prayer life. That’s why I want to share eight…
- Life Over Coffee
Bridge Ministries Interviews Rick and Lucia Thomas
Shows Main Idea – Bridge Ministries of Laredo, Texas, recently hosted Rick and Lucia Thomas for an in-depth and encouraging interview that spotlighted the…
- Life Over Coffee
How the Gift of Fasting Can Change Your Life
When you consider spiritual disciplines, where does fasting rank? Most Christians pray, read, and study their Bibles regularly. Praise God! Many engage in…
Life Over CoffeeEp. 549 Daniel Berger, The Schizophrenic Unicorn 2.0
Shows Main Idea – In this compelling interview, Dr. Daniel Berger joins Rick Thomas to unpack the whirlwind of response—both praise and pushback—that followed…
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15 Tips to Overcome Insomnia
I have struggled with insomnia—intermittently—since 2003. It has been so long that I rarely talk about it unless someone asks. I resigned myself to insomnia as…
- Life Over Coffee
How Does the Ongoing Sin of Others Impact Your Health?
The interplay between our physical and spiritual selves needs responsible engagement within the Christian community, especially how a conflict between two…
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Confession of a Former Cigarette Smoker
Rose was a member of my small group. One night, she asked me what I thought about smoking cigarettes. I said, “It’s not what’s between your fingers that is a…
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Idol Swapping: I Stopped One Sin and Gained 30 Pounds
All external, behavioral idols have the same insidious root cause—unbelief, or its synonym, self-reliance. The self-reliant spirit is not trusting God. If you…
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The Blessing of Doing Things Without Thinking
Doing things without thinking about what we’re doing is one of God’s greatest favors to us. It is a communicable attribute. God has given us the ability to…
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There Are Three Ways to Overcome Sin and Temptation
The New Testament provides three categories to help people think about and work through their temptations. Resolving debilitating short-term and life-long…
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Parenting Day 31: You Cannot Change Your Children
One of the hardest things a Christian parent will ever experience is a child choosing not to walk with the Lord. Attached to this personal struggle is the…
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Parenting Day 30: Teach Your Children to Laugh at Themselves
If our children learn not to take themselves too seriously, it will be easier for them to live in relationships with others today and after they become adults…
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Parenting Day 29: One Reason Children Rebel Against Their Parents
Parents have the responsibility and privilege of guiding their children into a practical experience of knowing and loving God. Though all children are born…
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Parenting Day 28: Seven-point Checklist to Have Fantastic Children
Every loving parent wants their children to turn out well. However, they are also aware they have a role to play. Though God is the primary change agent…
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Parenting Day 26: The Perfect Goal for Your Child
What do you hope your child will be after he grows up? Many Christians would say they hope their child loves God and others more than himself (Matthew…
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Parenting Day 25: A Secret Weapon to Motivate a Child to Change
When you think about your heavenly Father, you are immediately aware of His kindness, patience, forbearance, and affection for you. These thoughts about your…
- Life Over Coffee
Parenting Day 24: Some Parents Should Stop Parenting
You cannot create unity from disunity. What is on the inside will come out on the outside. If disunity is in your marriage, disunity will flow out of it. If…
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Parenting Day 23: I Failed As a Parent, Now What?
Parents love and care for their children, which is a good thing. Some parents over-care for their children, which is challenging, especially when their kids…
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Parenting Day 22: Five Tips from the Best Parent in the World
The best way to learn how to be the best parent is to learn from the best parent. God, the Father, is the best parent the world has ever known. Understanding…
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Parenting Day 21: Two Acceptable Conflicts in Your Home
Two people can’t agree on everything completely. If you are married, you know this is true. Two fallen people living in proximity to each other will always…
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Parenting Day 20: The Danger of Pragmatic Parenting
Pragmatic parenting is a rule-based, heavily structured, and self-reliant methodology. Some of the family rules are good and biblical, while others are based…
- Life Over Coffee
Parenting Day 19: If You Could Export Only One Thing to Your Child
After all these years of counseling and all the trouble I’ve seen in people’s lives, it has become more real to me than ever how we need a better worldview and…
- Life Over Coffee
Parenting Day 18: The Wisdom of Teaching Your Children Curse Words
Teaching curse words, language use, biblical parenting, cultural engagement, redemptive speech, heart motives, child training, gospel-centered language…
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Parenting Day 17: The Wisdom of Introducing Your Children to the World
Introducing children to the world, biblical parenting, cultural awareness, gospel-centered parenting, sheltering vs. exposure, child training, spiritual…
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Parenting Day 16: The Wisdom of Engaging the Sin in Your Family
A family with a gospel-centered view of sin experiences something that never crosses the mind of their culture. Once you tap into God’s grace at this level…
- Life Over Coffee
Parenting Day 15: Parental Discipline Comes from a Heart of Love
How do you discipline your children? What if I asked the question from your child’s perspective? What is their experience with your corrective care? Biblical…
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Parenting Day 14: Love Your Chidlren, Just Because
One of the most practical things a parent could do for their children is to love them just because. You don’t need a reason other than they are your kids. God…
- Life Over Coffee
Parenting Day 13: A Biblical Perspective on Critiquing Children
If a person’s parenting model primarily consists of bringing critique from a heart of personal frustration, the parent’s model needs to change. Biblical…
- Life Over Coffee
Ep. 543 Webinar: Small Group Leader Development
Shows Main Idea – A small group is more than a meeting—it’s a place for transformation. Learn how to engage, grow, and build a gospel-centered community. Watch…
- Life Over Coffee
Parenting Day 12: Rule-based Parenting Create Dysfucntional Children
Being authoritarian is a good thing because, as image-bearers, we want to emulate our Father. Thus, we must learn to live under God’s authority and learn how…
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Parenting Day 11: Easy Way to Disqualify Yourself As a Parent
Too often, parents with sinning children focus too quickly on the disruptive child as they overlook their reactions to their disappointing child. Here are two…
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Ep. 542 When Christians Fail You: Trusting God in the Aftermath of Betrayal
Shows Main Idea – When someone experiences deep betrayal at the hands of Christians, it can shake their faith to the core. They may wonder how God could allow…
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Parenting Day 10: Fussy Parents Make Insecure Children
Mable couldn’t get a handle on her insecurity. Burdened by a failed marriage, teenage children in rebellion, and too many relational conflicts to count, she…
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Parenting Day 9 – Give Your Child Fewer Rules And More Attitude
A right heart attitude will create the right behaviors, but knowing and obeying all the rules does not mean the heart is good or even agrees with the actions…
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Parenting Day 8: Dads, the First Picture a Child Sees of a Father
We were sitting at an intersection when our then 6-year-old daughter said, “Daddy, that Blues Clues paw print is orange.” This instance was the second time it…
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Parenting Day 7: Your Words Shape Your Child’s Life
I had a conversation with our son when he was younger, sharing with him how he would be my replacement. It was a sobering thought. One day, our son will grow…
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Ep. 540 Bradley Pierce, Fighting for the Pre-born in a Post-Roe America
Shows Main Idea – Bradley Pierce is the president of the Foundation to Abolish Abortion, a constitutional attorney with nearly two decades of experience…
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Parenting Day 6: Before You Can Help Your Child, You Must Wait
You can only help a child if he wants help. If your child is not serious about change, your care for him will have a limited impact. Your primary parental role…
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Parenting Day 5: The Orientation of the Home
Jesus was clear when He said that you must follow Him if you want to walk in the light. The opposite is also accurate: if you do not follow Him, the only…
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Parenting Day 3: Non-negotiable First Step to Build a Happy Home
Christians enjoy and benefit from the gospel because of forgiveness (See Romans 10:9, 13). For example, we confessed our sins and requested forgiveness, and…