Life Over Coffee With Rick Thomas

Shows Main Idea – It’s common for folks to think they are a bother to someone when they need help. This kind of thinking is problematic in the body of Christ. I’m not sure how to change that mindset since so many folks say it. They assume the person is busy, and they don’t want to “bother” them. Though I appreciate the show of respect and kindness to whatever may be happening in the discipler’s life, that perspective is counter-productive to the Christian mandate to make disciples. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-288-its-time-to-start-bothering-people-for-your-good/ 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 – Lucia and I were meeting with a couple, and the conversation centered on the idea of confession. I shared some things with them to help as they continue to grow in loving each other well. At one point, the wife said she had not considered how confession and repentance require two willing parties. She only thought of the offender’s responsibility, not the offended’s. This episode is some of the things I shared with them, specifically about confession. https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-287-considering-the-curious-contours-of-confession/ 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 – In this episode, Rick answers several questions from our community. There are Mastermind questions, plus how not to feel like a failure after an unwanted divorce, how to react to a narcissist who lies about you, working through PTSD, and some practical pointers for overcoming grief. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-286-how-do-you-live-with-a-narcissist-who-accuses/ 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 – When your child begins to embrace a worldview from the culture, there are a few things you want to assess as you talk to your child. There is a full-on culture war, as they are trying to persuade, intimidate, censor, and influence the public to their worldview. It’s no longer acceptable for conservatives to sit on the sidelines because the war is real. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-285-fighting-the-culture-war-for-the-sake-of-our-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 – Transgenerism is a small percentage of people. Still, it's an ideology that sits on top of a humungous iceberg designed to fracture the culture, destroy conservative views, and promote ideas that are blatantly against God and His Word. Not seeing and understanding this problem while not redemptively reacting to it is not an option for us any longer. We must educate ourselves while mobilizing to turn back the tide in these culture wars. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-284-the-transgender-problem-is-the-tip-of-a-larger-iceberg/ 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 – One of the things that I talk about in our Mastermind program is how there is no passing or failing: how traditional education and training work. Appealing for a good grade could be one of the worst things we could do for our students. We’re developing leaders, which is more than making sure they have the right information. In addition to their competence, we assess and help them in areas of character, compassion, and courage. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-283-why-our-counselor-training-program-is-unlike-any-other/ 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 – Social media platforms are not interested in selling your information. They intend to get you addicted to their platforms, so you stay on them longer. They call you a user, which is the language of addiction. How aware are you of what Silicon Valley is doing to you, and what are you doing about it? Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-282-social-dilemma-what-social-media-is-doing-to-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/

Shows Main Idea – EMDR is Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy. Though it has been around for decades, it has gained a lot of momentum within Christian circles the past few years. It’s a common question that comes to our ministry. In this episode, Rick explains what it is, does it work, and how Christians should view this soul care method. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-281-emdr-eye-movement-desensitization-reprocessing-therapy/ 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 was listening to a Dennis Prager show, and someone asked him if he could go back to his twenties, what would he do differently. I started reflecting on that question, and though I don’t live in guilt and regret, it was helpful to think about a few things I would do differently. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-280-a-few-things-i-would-do-if-i-could-go-back/ 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 are always two guilty people in any relationship problem. One could be “more guilty” than the other, but neither of them operated flawlessly during their relationship. If you’re not honest about what happened between them, you will not have a chance for proper reconciliation. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-279-the-problem-with-overly-blaming-men-for-relationship-problem/ 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 are many sides to all of us. If any of us were under the scrutiny that President Donald Trump has been under the past four years, none of us would fair too well. There are things that we do exceptionally, and there are other areas that need improvement. In this episode, I share my opinion on a few vital metrics about Donald Trump. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-278-an-interpretation-of-the-political-and-personal-life-of-donald-trump/ 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 – Our culture has lost respect for each other and proper authorities. They did not just become this way as young adults but received early training from childhood because too many parents gave up their responsibility to train a child to honor and respect others. The children lost their way because the parents lost their way first. You don’t have to do this to your children. There is a path to respect, honor, and appreciation for authority. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-277-people-who-do-not-respect-others-were-trained-to-be-this-way/ 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 – When it comes to correcting others, we are all over the map. We can do it harshly. We may choose to do it behind their backs. Others decide to cave to their insecurities, daring not to bring up the tough conversation. Perhaps you shouldn’t, but you must understand and practice the sequential steps for correcting others if you do correct someone. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-276-ten-sequential-and-vital-steps-when-correcting-someone/ 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 – How would you counsel a lady with a passive husband, who shows her a lack of interest? It has been going on for decades. She presents her case to you, and it’s your opportunity to walk her through her disappointment. This case study is an actual assignment for our Mastermind Students. Enter our classroom. Get a sneak peek behind the curtain of our training as you read an actual report to one of our students. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-275-counseling-the-imposters-wife-a-students-case-study/ 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 – Biff and Mable are in conflict again. Biff wants to buy Mable a car, and Mable does not want a car. One of the most typical disputes between couples is when one partner wants to do something, and the other does not. In this episode, Rick uses a common-life example of buying a car to clarify how to work through decision-making. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-274-common-sense-tips-for-solving-marriage-disputes/ 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/

Jay Adams is the father of the biblical counseling movement. Every person who does biblical counseling today owes a debt of gratitude to Jay. He was the person the Lord chose to raise the flag of discipleship practices in the modern church. I had a few interactions with him, which I share in this episode and some thoughts about his memorial service. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-273-a-few-thoughts-about-my-history-with-jay-adams/ 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/

All of us have transgressed God’s moral law. For different reasons, some of these folks live in the victimhood of the sinful choices they made. They are unable to understand how God can use their sin sinlessly. In essence, they see what they did as more controlling, powerful, and narrative-influencing than God’s ability to transcend or circumvent their sinful actions. It’s a confusion and conflation of God’s decreed will with His moral will. Biff was one of these people. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-272-how-to-navigate-gods-decreed-will-moral-will-and-messy-will/ 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 – You have an adult child. Let’s say the child is 25-years old and wants to leave their childhood home to live independently. Is it okay for them to do so? What are some of the dynamics you would like to explore when working toward making this decision? In this episode, Rick explores this case study—a question that a Mastermind Student asked. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-271-is-it-okay-for-an-adult-child-to-live-on-their-own/ 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 – We live in three worlds today, or perhaps it would be better to say that there are three cultures. There is the Christian culture, which is a sub-set of the larger one. The larger one divides in half: some are conservative, generally speaking, and the other is against traditional conservative values. In this episode, Rick challenges you to make some practical decisions about your alliances to maintain a vibrant Christian impact on our culture and world. You can no longer be passive about cultural dynamics. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-270-non-traditional-ways-to-mobilize-to-make-a-difference/ 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 – President Trump is like great light that highlights all the evil and perspectives of every soul in our country. He is one of the most intriguing people that I have ever known—from a distance. When people talk about him, they cannot hide the ball—their sin or opinions. He has that effect on us. I’m not saying this personality feature is good or bad. I’m merely making a supportable commentary. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-268-trump-is-the-heat-that-exposes-what-was-previously-hidden/ 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/