Nobody is perfect, which implies there are times when we argue with each other. Fortunately, the Christian does not have to despair in these moments of conflict because the Bible provides answers to our relational challenges. Here are five proven tips that will aid you when you're tempted to argue with someone. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: http://bit.ly/2ggwJTF Learn more about our training here: http://bit.ly/2u2oD25 Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

Social media is ubiquitous, and there are many redemptive applications of it. But with all good things, there is always the Adamic smell of death that lures some people into the darker side of what should be a means of grace. Social media has many temptations, one of those is the comparison trap that stirs a desire to compete with the culture’s view of appearance, attractiveness, and acceptance. Many women succumb to this temptation, especially as they age. As one wife asked me, “How do I compete with cyber women as my body continues to waste away?” You may Read, Watch, or Listen to this resource here: https://bit.ly/3lcGctq Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: http://bit.ly/2ggwJTF. Learn more about our training here: http://bit.ly/2u2oD25 If you would like to talk to us, go here: http://bit.ly/2ieukJz Video produced by H.M.G.T.: https://bit.ly/2y9szpo Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il TikTok: https://bit.ly/3i1moZI YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

Get Ready – For Your Best Marriage Now – If you are thinking about dating, courtship, or getting married, this could be the most important book you’ll ever read. I realize what I just wrote may come across as an overstatement or hyperbolic marketing, but it is not. Go here https://rickthomas.net/portfolio/get-ready/ Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: http://bit.ly/2ggwJTF. Learn more about our training here: http://bit.ly/2u2oD25 If you would like to talk to us, go here: http://bit.ly/2ieukJz Video produced by H.M.G.T.: https://bit.ly/2y9szpo Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il TikTok: https://bit.ly/3i1moZI YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

What you are about to see are five core elements that are practical and replicate-able in your home. These ideas, when practically applied, can have a transformative effect on those that you want to influence the most. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Read the article here https://bit.ly/2DjEAZh Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: http://bit.ly/2ggwJTF. Learn more about our training here: http://bit.ly/2u2oD25 If you would like to talk to us, go here: http://bit.ly/2ieukJz Video produced by H.M.G.T.: https://bit.ly/2y9szpo Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il TikTok: https://bit.ly/3i1moZI YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

It is not unusual for a marriage to be out-of-balance or spiritually off-kilter. There are many reasons for this problem between two formerly inseparable people who now have something between them that keeps them asymmetrical. Before addressing how to deal with a spouse who does not see a problem in their marriage, I have a few ideas of how these partners could have been so in love at the beginning and drift apart within a few years. Afterward, I will provide a few practical solutions for the spouse who wants to restore the marriage. You may Read, Watch, or Listen to this resource here: https://bit.ly/3sne3nv Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: http://bit.ly/2ggwJTF. Learn more about our training here: http://bit.ly/2u2oD25 If you would like to talk to us, go here: http://bit.ly/2ieukJz Video produced by H.M.G.T.: https://bit.ly/2y9szpo Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il TikTok: https://bit.ly/3i1moZI YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

One hundred out of one hundred people struggle with the fear of man. Caring about what others think about us is part of our Adamic packaging. I have never counseled a person who did not struggle with this problem to some degree. Our secular community calls it co-dependency or peer pressure. It hardly matters as long as you can biblically define what is happening and apply God’s solutions. In this case study, I will address fear in the context of marriage—specifically, insecurity as the inhibitor that keeps a husband from leading his wife well. You may Read, Watch, or Listen to this resource here: https://bit.ly/3yTwNiz Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: http://bit.ly/2ggwJTF. Learn more about our training here: http://bit.ly/2u2oD25 If you would like to talk to us, go here: http://bit.ly/2ieukJz Video produced by H.M.G.T.: https://bit.ly/2y9szpo Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il TikTok: https://bit.ly/3i1moZI YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

Transformation starts in a person’s soul as he relates to God while refusing to make excuses for why things are the way they are. The motivation for change must be a singular desire to glorify God while giving lesser consideration to the things happening in an individual’s life and relationships. If a person focuses more on horizontal complications than God-glorifying, vertical necessities, it will be challenging to bring their soul to a place of authentic, long-term heart change. You may Read, Watch, or Listen to this resource here: https://bit.ly/3O5XxBd Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: http://bit.ly/2ggwJTF. Learn more about our training here: http://bit.ly/2u2oD25 If you would like to talk to us, go here: http://bit.ly/2ieukJz Video produced by H.M.G.T.: https://bit.ly/2y9szpo Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il TikTok: https://bit.ly/3i1moZI YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

Two radically different things are knowing God through personal study and experiencing Him in the crucible of suffering. This autobiographical short story briefly walks you through the worst day of my life, the day I met the Lord in the crucible of suffering. Everything changed that day, and it took years to process His fearful work in my life. The good news is that after He completed this phase of my life, I was on the right track for an unimaginable adventure with God. But first, the hard part. You may read or listen to this resource here: https://bit.ly/3v3bs2j Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: http://bit.ly/2ggwJTF. Learn more about our training here: http://bit.ly/2u2oD25 If you would like to talk to us, go here: http://bit.ly/2ieukJz Video produced by H.M.G.T.: https://bit.ly/2y9szpo Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il TikTok: https://bit.ly/3i1moZI YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

A husband who devalues his wife did not just become this way. There is always a trail that leads to this outcome. Devaluing a spouse is a symptom, not a cause. There are two ways to keep from marrying such a selfish, devaluing man. One, you must recognize the early signs and run before the trail heats up. The second is much harder; you have already married him and are reaping the whirlwind of his selfishness. There is still hope and help for this second situation, though it will come through God’s strength perfected in your weakness. You may read or listen to the podcast here: http://bit.ly/33FutZT Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: http://bit.ly/2ggwJTF. Learn more about our training here: http://bit.ly/2u2oD25 If you would like to talk to us, go here: http://bit.ly/2ieukJz Video produced by H.M.G.T.: https://bit.ly/2y9szpo Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il TikTok: https://bit.ly/3i1moZI YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

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. Let’s explore. You may read or listen to the video here: https://bit.ly/3vi1VXd Life Over Coffee provides hope and help for you and for others. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: http://bit.ly/2ggwJTF. Learn more about our training here: http://bit.ly/2u2oD25 If you would like to talk to us, go here: http://bit.ly/2ieukJz Video produced by H.M.G.T.: https://bit.ly/2y9szpo Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il TikTok: https://bit.ly/3i1moZI YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

Mable came to me, exclaiming, “I’m frustrated! I am always approaching my husband with my sin, asking for his forgiveness, but he seems never to see his need to ask me for forgiveness. Many times he won’t even bother to forgive me. What am I to do? How can I respond to him when he shows no interest in working with me through our problems?” Her complaint is not unusual in relationships, married or otherwise. Her situation is probably the norm because folks do not mature equally or at the same pace. Let me share with you what I told her, and, of course, you can apply these things to either gender, not just Biff. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook:https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram:http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter:https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble:https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest:https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube:https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

Marriage is a long-term, forever relationship with no escape clause. I realize there are biblical reasons for divorce, but it’s not how things should be. Typically, when there is a divorce, it’s because the couple has done something to kill their marriage. A gentleman wrote me a few years ago in tears. He saw my graphic about ten ways to kill your marriage and said he did all ten. Here are those ten things, and I wrap up with ten ways to bless your marriage. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook:https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram:http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter:https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble:https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest:https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube:https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

I met Mable at a conference, where she approached me with a soft-bound copy of my Help! My Marriage Has Grown Cold booklet in her hand. She said that God had transformed her life and marriage through this little booklet. She asked me to sign it, which I gratefully obliged. The storyline is about a lady who decided to work on her marriage despite her husband’s unwillingness. I hope many more couples find the same hope and help as Mable did as they read and apply what I have written. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook:https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram:http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter:https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble:https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest:https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube:https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

After a couple of sessions of getting to know Mable, I began to ask her specific questions regarding her fundamental understanding of theology and how that theology worked out practically in her life. I knew that if I could uncover what she believed about God and how she applied her understanding of God to her life, I would start to understand how she had gotten to this place in her life and marriage. The answer to every issue that she would ever encounter, including her current marriage problems, would, in the final analysis, flow out of her theology: specifically, how she thought about God and how she practically applied those thoughts to her life. My initial point-of-focus was Romans 8:28. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook:https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram:http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter:https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble:https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest:https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube:https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

The most significant trap that tripped up Mable was that her desire for marriage and companionship had morphed into something God never intended. She had gotten caught up in the self-centered craving for perceived needs, as popularized by our culture. She saw the good God offered her through the lens of contemporary Christian literature rather than through the lens of Scripture. “Love Languages,” “Love and Respect,” “His Needs, Her Needs”: these are some of the books and buzzwords that are bandied about Christendom to find wholeness, resolve relational conflict, and live your best life now. While I understand why such materials exist, in marriage counseling specifically, these concepts are generally more of a hindrance than a help. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook:https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram:http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter:https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble:https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest:https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube:https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

Once Mable understood the gospel, I began to walk her through how she should respond to Christ. The gospel is God’s most extravagant outpouring of His love to the world. There is nothing more profound that the Father could have done to prove His love to us than execute His Son on the cross. The gospel is God’s final and complete answer to the question, “Is God good?” He is good. He is profoundly good. Unfortunately, though Mable told me that God is good, there was an objective disconnect between what she knew to be accurate and how she lived that truth out in her life. She did not practicalize the gospel, speaking of God’s goodness specifically. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook:https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram:http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter:https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble:https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest:https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube:https://bit.ly/3i0UmN

When a person does not trust God, there are three primary reasons. I call these our faith-killers. We cannot trust God if we are angry with Him. We cannot trust God if we are afraid of Him. We cannot trust God if we do not know Him well. Mable had a hard time trusting God, which positioned her to succumb to a self-reliant worldview and practice. If we’re not going to trust the Lord, we must trust ourselves, making us self-sufficient. I wanted Mable to see these things, so I dismantled each faith-killer during our next counseling sessions. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here:https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website:https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook:https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram:http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter:https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble:https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest:https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube:https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

When a marriage grows cold, and only one spouse is willing to work on it, that spouse must juxtapose two Biblical responsibilities: being free in Christ while working on the marriage alone for the advancement of the gospel. Paul said in Philippians 1:12, reflecting upon his prison sentence, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has served to advance the gospel.” I wanted Mable to have a firm grip on the gospel, how it can free her in the prison of her marriage while releasing her to be a redemptive force in Biff’s life. Mable needed to know that she could walk in the Savior’s steps with supernatural joy, regardless of the future state of her marriage. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

I have a friend who lived in open adultery for eighteen years. He was not a Christian and was not shy about his lifestyle. His wife, like Mable, knew most of his sins. My friend’s wife chose to honor God by staying in the marriage. She did not have to because she had biblical grounds for divorce, but she decided to stick it out, which the Bible does not prohibit. There is no doubt that God gave her supernatural grace to persevere through her husband’s many sins. He finally repented of his sins in June 1988, the day God regenerated him. Since then, he has faithfully loved and served his family in the context of a local church. The story of my friend is analogous to Biff and Mable’s story. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

A common rebuttal to the need theory concept is that we need love. I understand the perspective, but the truth is that we need a relationship with God; if we have that, and our relationship with Him is proper, our demands on other humans to meet our cravings for love should not control us. If we are practically realizing and resting in the gospel, we can turn the tables on all our relationships; rather than being deficient takers, we can be abundant givers. We can love others rather than expect others to meet our desires for love. We will be Christlike: the way to get is to give. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

During the six months, I worked with Mable, I began reorienting her life toward a God-centered way of thinking and living. The process was not easy, and there were a few setbacks. Perseverance was vital, as well as her humility. God does provide His empowering favor to the humble. Though Mable did struggle with rebuilding her theological foundation, identifying her faulty worship structure, and applying the gospel practically, she stayed the course, appropriated God’s grace, and experienced Divine favor. I asked her to process and implement the following assignments, projects, and initiatives. Some of these items she could start immediately, while others would take practice to create the necessary disciplines to mature in sanctification. Finally, I gave her a few thoughts as she cooperated with God to restore her husband, Biff. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

I have been accused (my word, not theirs) of writing too much about how husbands need to change. Of course, my “accusers” are husbands. They may be right. I do think a lot about husbands for two primary reasons. I am a husband, which motivates me to give more thought to how to be a better one, and men should be servant leaders in their families, so I typically begin with me—how can I change? But those priorities do not negate the truth that some women are mean. So, to all husbands everywhere, let’s talk about those mean wives and the husbands who must work extra hard to love them well. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: http://bit.ly/2ggwJTF Learn more about our training here: http://bit.ly/2u2oD25 Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND

It is common for someone to confuse their various roles within a hierarchal structure and their coequality with everyone within those structures. For example, a wife can be a sister, mother, employer, employee, church member, and citizen. She fits within all those structures and she’s equal to every person within those contexts. This perspective does not negate each other but expand the possibilities for how she can love God and others most effectively. One of the misguided roles that some women accept (or resign to) is that they are lesser than their husbands, with no responsibility to speak into their lives. This perspective can be tragic, especially if the husband walks away from God and His Word. Life Over Coffee exists to bring hope and help to you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. Helpful Links Would you please help keep our resources free by donating here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/ Learn more about our training here: https://lifeovercoffee.com/mastermind-program-overview/ Connect with Us: Website: https://bit.ly/3yNZc76 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3wGkWQp Instagram: http://bit.ly/2He98il Twitter: https://bit.ly/2SF1BQE Rumble: https://bit.ly/3CotmPt Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3IcKGuE YouTube: https://bit.ly/3i0UmND