Bible knowledge is incredible and a non-negotiable for any serious believer. But knowledge without application is futile, practically speaking. For the Bible to master any of us, we have to do more than read it. Think of it like two silos side by side. One is full of knowledge, and the other is replete with applications. When you examine your “silos,” are they keeping up with each other, or is one lagging behind? If you’re building your life knowledgeably with proportional applications, you’re a...
Mar 23, 2022•30 min
Shows Main Idea – There are many kinds of rest, i.e., power naps, sleeping, vacations, your career, mental breaks, coffee breaks, and the list continues. But there is one rest that transcends them all, and nobody will enjoy the fullest possibilities of rest until they learn and practice this one. It's a transcendent rest that rises above them all. There are two keys to ascertaining this most exquisite rest. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-402-two-keys-to-mature-into-the-best-rest-y...
Mar 21, 2022•30 min
Traditional biblical counseling does not work well if a counseling session, sprinkled here and there, is all you have. That strategy places the burden of change on the counselor rather than on the individual who needs a new kind of habituated lifestyle. Biblical discipleship happens in a 24/7 context where the person who desires change is availing himself of all the means of grace the Lord provides for transformation. I have listed a few of these means that have worked for me when helping a stru...
Mar 18, 2022•30 min
Shows Main Idea – A theology of suffering is a theoretical reality with life-transforming implications if we can live it out robustly and practically, with God’s fame and the benefit of the community in view. Of course, the saying is true: “It’s easier said than done.” Learning how to live well with suffering should be every Christian’s desire because the promise from God, in the beginning, was that life would be a suffering one. In this episode, Rick presents four crucial ideas for those who da...
Mar 14, 2022•30 min
Authentic health initiatives require both body and soul transformation. In my article, Let’s Talk about Losing Weight, Practically Speaking, I spoke about this crucial worldview on body health perspectives. A comprehensive approach to losing weight is the secret sauce because behavioral modification might provide quick visual results, but if we don’t change our hearts, those external transformations will revert to an old manner of living. Since I have discussed the soul aspects in the previous p...
Mar 09, 2022•40 min
One of the most sensitive subjects we can talk about today is weight loss. It matters not if you’re a Christian; image-type discussions are more personal than the things we cannot observe about each other. Some folks are so opposed to talking about it that they have redefined what overweight and obesity are; we prefer to think of ourselves as body positive regardless of how healthy we might be or what comorbidities we’re accumulating. Thankfully, the Bible cuts through the confusion with clarity...
Mar 07, 2022•42 min
Shows Main Idea – The most popular people are those who do things for others. If you have something to give, a product or service, for example, people will want what you have to offer. Generally speaking, most people will leave you alone if you have nothing to give. This concept might sound strange on the surface, but it is how God wants us to live; He has asked us to love Him and others more than ourselves. Thus, our instinctive orientation should be outward, not inward. However, this concept h...
Mar 06, 2022•30 min
Shows Main Idea – Finding good friends begins with defining the word friends. We have Facebook friends, and we have our most intimate friendships. Between those two points on the “friendship map” are many other categories within the friendship nomenclature. Identifying your best friends and carefully assessing those you don’t want in your inner circle is vital for obvious reasons. In this podcast, I’m examining the ins and out of building great friendships and how to create distance from those w...
Mar 04, 2022•30 min
Part of every Christian’s calling is to take care of their Father’s money. Stewarding finances is one of the many privileges that He gives to His children. It’s a stunning thought to think that God would entrust something so needful to steward for our good and His fame (Psalm 24:1-2). Of course, money matters are one of the most significant concerns for individuals and couples, which is why I’ve built this practical mind map that will help you spread God’s fame by managing His money well. Read H...
Mar 02, 2022•23 min
We have no choice about personal suffering (Genesis 2:16-17). It is part of the human condition, Christian or non-Christian. Suffering does not discriminate. Not even Christ could escape personal pain and disappointment, including a mob murdering Him on the cross. To be human is to suffer. There are times we do it to ourselves. In other instances, people hurt us. It’s also random, making no sense about where it came from or when it will leave. Knowing these truths about suffering is soul-disturb...
Feb 28, 2022•33 min
Confrontation is one of those sticky things many people shy away from because they prefer the path of least resistance. Why get in a dust-up with someone where feelings are hurt and the relationship may change forever? Of course, the obvious answer is that our allegiance must be to God, and honoring His Word is essential to fortifying that allegiance. The question then becomes, what are a few biblical tips when you find yourself in the undesirable place of a potential confrontation? Show Notes: ...
Feb 26, 2022•30 min
How do you feel when inconsiderate people say unkind things about you? If you’re like me, it stings a bit. It’s exceptional for a person to shrug off uncharitable comments completely. In these unsavory moments sometimes a person will throw up Matthew 7:1—Judge not, that you be not judged—like an impulsive shield to the unkindness. Did you know that text is not your best defense against unfair judgments? There is another way, a gospel-orientated mindset that becomes your soul’s most potent anchor...
Feb 24, 2022•30 min
What are your thoughts about "his money and her money" in a marriage? Is it wise or unwise? Somewhere in between? As you ponder my questions, please include your thoughts on what a one-flesh marriage means. Perhaps you have heard the cliche about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Is that a good idea when it comes to marriage money? Is it wise for couples to have a worldview and practice where they don't know what the other one is doing with their money? Lots of questions. L...
Feb 21, 2022•30 min
God promised that life would be challenging because of the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:17-19), and all those who came from the first couple would struggle similarly (Romans 5:12). From the fall of humanity to the end of each as we know it, the promise of pain, suffering, difficulty, and personal problems is what it means to live in a fallen world as fallen creatures. It sounds gloomy because it is, but this dose of reality must be our worldview and baseline understandin...
Feb 19, 2022•30 min
Anger is a relationship fracturing phenomenon that happens too often between individuals. The angry heart desires something from someone who does not provide it or is not responding quickly enough. Because their desire is not finding satiation, the craving soul begins to manipulate the other person with anger. I'm speaking of sinful anger, of course. It is as though they are saying, "I will only be content if you meet this need." In nearly all these cases, the short-tempered person has too many ...
Feb 17, 2022•30 min
Shows Main Idea – I belong to a local church and love biblical counseling. How do I propose a counseling ministry for our church, which does not have one? What are a few things I need to consider as I prepare a presentation to my leaders? This webinar is not an exhaustive treatment on this subject, but a few essential things to begin building a biblical counseling ministry in a local church. It's for pastors who want to know how to identify the correct point person, the leader, so they have reas...
Feb 16, 2022•1 hr 4 min
A recurring question inquirers ask about our Mastermind training program is if they take our course, will it go toward certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). This podcast provides the direct answer and a few other thoughts about certification. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-396-why-acbc-does-not-accept-our-training/ Will you help us so we can continue to provide free content to the world? You can become a supporting member here rickthomas.net/r...
Feb 14, 2022•30 min
All Christians bring parts of their past lives into their new salvation experience with God. If we do not see how we carry over these things from our pasts, we will continue to accommodate our old habits, practices, and delusions (Ephesians 4:22). The consequences can be awful. The aim is to identify and break those old patterns that have always been with us so we can live a life for God and others. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/anger-alleviation-a-quest-to-be-god-a-case-study/ Will you help...
Feb 12, 2022•30 min
Shows Main Idea – God is complete. He cannot be more or less than what He is at every moment. He is self-existing and not dependent upon or manipulated by anyone. The confusion comes when people misunderstand how the Bible uses human language to communicate what God is like, to help us understand Him. Some believers believe God is like them, i.e., capable of experiencing oscillating manipulated emotions. We don't want a God so easily moved by fallenness, or one we can command to bring justice to...
Feb 10, 2022•40 min
Angry people are like puppets on strings, always controlled by their cravings—something they cannot get from others. James said it this way, “You desire and cannot have, so you murder.” The mad puppet can’t get what he wants, so he reacts with manipulative anger. The cure for angry puppets comes when they see how these desires control them rather than God, and attempting to manipulate others to give them their cravings is futile and relationally suffocating. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/to-...
Feb 09, 2022•30 min
Shows Main Idea – The “Y Chart” is an old, albeit helpful biblical counseling tool that some disciple-makers use to help folks see the differences between good and destructive behaviors. A few of these soul-care providers have tended to focus more on the behaviors than the source of our behaviors, which come from the heart. This webinar is “The Gospel Y Chart,” which comprehends the entire change process from who we are in Christ to how we should believe and practice as Christ-followers. Show No...
Feb 07, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Sinful anger is a universal problem. Everybody does it. For many people, it’s the most recurring sin pattern in their lives. It’s easier to be harsh than kind, to uncharitably judge than think the best, to shut people down than build them up. For the individual who does not want to stay stuck in sinful anger, the number one key to overcoming this habit is seeing yourself correctly. Like all our sinful patterns, if we don’t place the log carefully into our eyes, we’ll never successfully work thro...
Feb 05, 2022•30 min
Expressing anger through silence is an all-too-common communication conflict in too many relationships. The silent partner pretends the other person does not exist by ignoring them. Silent treatment sounds horrible enough, but if you place it within James’s framework for anger, what we’re talking about is murder. Though consequentially not as bad as physical murder, it’s a heinous sin nonetheless. Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/weekend-shorts-silent-treatment-is-the-sanitized-version-of-murde...
Feb 03, 2022•30 min
Shows Main Idea – This podcast interview brings insight from a young adult who has engaged her friendships and culture. She sees essential things you want to avoid and a few essentials to build well with a future spouse. Whether you are interested in someone or dating with the intent of getting married, here are a few red flags to help illuminate where you and your significant other stands on the most vital issues for a future relationship. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-393-make-...
Jan 31, 2022•30 min
There are times when it’s hard to tell if a person’s anger is righteous or not. Of course, there is the added issue of thinking the best of ourselves when it comes to our anger. Thus, the temptation to reclassify our angry moments is alluring. Righteous anger is the term we use to describe someone who is not sinning when angry; it is possible to be angry and sin not, but the question is, how do you know if your anger is righteous or unrighteous? What does righteous anger do that sinful anger can...
Jan 29, 2022•30 min
The number one question folks ask us is, "What do you do?" Or, "What is your ministry about?" These are valid queries, and in this episode, I explain to you the what, why, and how of our ministry. Succinctly put, we exist to help people by providing life-changing resources so they can go and help others. You're welcome to listen to the podcast or watch the thirty-minute keynote presentation that breaks down what we do and why and how we do it. Show Notes: https://rickthomas.net/podcast/ep-392-th...
Jan 27, 2022•30 min
Shows Main Idea – Christianity is not a spectator sport; God has called us to participate in the good things He is working into our lives. Not participating in our sanctification by appropriating His grace is a sign of death, not life. In this webinar, I explain through mind mapping what it means to be doers of the Word, a process that leads to Christian maturity. Show Notes: https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-391-webinar-mind-mapping-christian-maturity/ Will you help us to continue providing...
Jan 24, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Sinful anger is regularly minimized, even among Christians, especially among Christians. We often reclassify anger to lesser-sounding offenses—to better-sounding sin categories. Typically, when I talk to people about being angry, the response is usually along the lines of, “Oh no, I’m not an angry person. I think if I were angry, I would respond differently than this. I’m just frustrated.” Read Here: https://rickthomas.net/damaging-effects-of-our-anger-when-we-dont-own-it/ Will you help us so we...
Jan 22, 2022•30 min
Show Main Idea: Today’s sexually confused society is not difficult to understand if you interpret the problem through the correct filter. It used to be that everyone identified as a male or female, based on objective anatomical evidence at a child’s birth. In the past few decades, what has always been evident to the naked eye is now fluid; it is “to be determined,” based on other criteria that you can’t know until the child becomes an adult. In this talk, I seek to make sense of sexual confusion...
Jan 20, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Have you ever wondered what is going on in the mind of the angry person? It’s not what you might think. Anger is our most common and problematic enemy that can set up camp in our hearts. If practiced often, it can become a habit that destroys our minds and relationships. Yes, our minds; it’s more than a behavior. It’s a heart condition, first of all. To get rid of it, we must understand its exact cause. We will begin to take down the behavior as we address the source practically. Read Here: http...
Jan 18, 2022•33 min
