Join us beginning this January as we explore how to keep your faith simple in just 5 minutes a day. Not over complicated, simple faith is a great way to start each day. And don't forget to bring a friend!
Emmanuel: God with Us in Every Moment
On this Christmas Eve, the traditional hustle slows, offering a moment of quiet reflection. Pastor Rusty takes us on an evocative journey through the scriptures, illustrating God's unwavering presence from Genesis to the birth of Christ in a humble manger. It highlights that God's promise to be 'with us' is alive, not just in historical events but right now, amidst our darkness, ordinariness, and uncertainties. This touching narrative reminds us that Emmanuel, 'God with us,' is a continual promise, even in our everyday struggles and triumphs. As we celebrate the light brought by hope, peace, joy, and love, we're reassured that we are never truly alone. Merry Christmas.
00:00 A Quiet Christmas Eve
00:26 The Promise of God's Presence
01:08 God's Pursuit Through History
03:04 The Birth of Jesus
05:20 Jesus' Life and Empathy
06:20 Emmanuel in Our Lives Today
08:24 The Light of Christmas
09:52 Final Reflections and Blessings
Join us beginning this January as we explore how to keep your faith simple in just 5 minutes a day. Not over complicated, simple faith is a great way to start each day. And don't forget to bring a friend!
Welcome to Simple Christmas with Rusty George!
Rediscovering Joy
In this heartfelt episode, we explore the compelling difference between joy and happiness, and why many of us have forgotten what real joy feels like. Drawing from personal anecdotes, biblical references, and practical advice, we reveal the four biggest joy thieves: comparison, expectations, busyness, and guilt. Discover how to tap into enduring joy through gratitude, celebrating small wins, and making a conscious choice to be joyful, regardless of life's circumstances. Join us as we light the joy candle in this week's advent, reminding ourselves that joy flows from a deeper source—Christ—and is accessible to everyone. Next week, we'll delve into the profound subject of how love came down. Keep it simple, and embrace joy.
00:00 Introduction: The Illusion of Christmas Joy
00:41 Rediscovering True Joy
01:36 The Four Joy Thieves
04:05 Finding Joy in the Bible
06:15 Practical Steps to Rediscover Joy
08:35 Conclusion: Choosing Joy
And don't forget to check out https://PastorRustyGeorge.com for more great sermons, podcasts, and tools to keep your faith simple.
Join us beginning this January as we explore how to keep your faith simple in just 5 minutes a day. Not over complicated, simple faith is a great way to start each day. And don't forget to bring a friend!
Life can often feel overwhelming with constant notifications, the demands of work, and family obligations. Many of us equate peace with having no problems, but life doesn’t work that way. Control over circumstances doesn't bring peace; it brings chaos. The peace offered by the world is conditional and fragile, but the peace Jesus offers transcends circumstances. Jesus’ peace, referred to as 'shalom,' represents wholeness, completeness, and harmony. This peace doesn't eliminate chaos but sustains us within it. To experience this peace, one must surrender control, stay present, and seek God’s presence. The peace of God guards our hearts and minds, acting as a sentinel against anxiety and fear. As we light the second Advent candle, the candle of peace, we remember that Jesus came to be our peace in imperfect situations.
00:00 The Chaos of Modern Life
00:50 Redefining Peace
02:32 Jesus' Promise of Peace
03:38 The Meaning of Shalom
04:24 Experiencing Peace in the Storm
05:19 Practices to Cultivate Peace
07:42 Conclusion: Embracing Peace
Join us beginning this January as we explore how to keep your faith simple in just 5 minutes a day. Not over complicated, simple faith is a great way to start each day. And don't forget to bring a friend!
Welcome to Simple Christmas with Rusty George!
The Purpose of Waiting: Discovering Hope in the Waiting Room
In this episode, Pastor Rusty George explores the discomfort and frustration commonly associated with waiting. Drawing parallels from everyday life and biblical examples, he delves into how waiting is a crucial part of our faith journey. He illustrates how figures like Abraham, Joseph, and David underwent prolonged periods of waiting that ultimately deepened their trust, refined their character, and redirected their futures. Pastor George emphasizes that waiting is not wasted time but a period of divine preparation. He offers practical advice on maintaining hope through trust in God, staying connected to community, and serving others. The episode ties in the significance of the Advent season, highlighting the 'candle of hope' as a symbol of confident expectation based on God's proven track record. As we navigate our own periods of waiting, Pastor George reassures us that we are not alone; God is with us, filling us with joy and peace.
00:00 Introduction: The Agony of Waiting
00:27 The Biblical Perspective on Waiting
01:18 Modern Culture's Impatience
01:45 Personal Struggles and Lessons Learned
02:29 Biblical Examples of Waiting
03:32 God's Purpose in the Waiting
05:56 Practical Steps to Embrace Waiting
08:36 Conclusion: Hope in the Waiting
Rediscovering Advent: Light in the Darkness
In this episode, journey back to the fourth century and explore the origins of Advent. Discover how early church leaders grappled with preparing for Christ's coming amidst societal turmoil and how their profound question of 'how to prepare for God becoming human' still resonates today. Understand the staggering impact of depression, anxiety, and political polarization in 2025 and how Isaiah’s promise of light offers hope. Learn about the roots and significance of Advent as a season of active waiting, not just for Christ's birth, but for His promised return. Watch and be inspired to embrace Advent as a time of acknowledging darkness, practicing active anticipation, and keeping Christ as the blazing light in our modern world.
00:00 Setting the Scene: The Fourth Century Church
00:54 Modern Struggles and Ancient Questions
02:06 Isaiah's Prophecy: Light in Darkness
03:31 The Messiah's Unexpected Arrival
04:57 The Early Church's Waiting Game
06:06 The Birth of Advent
07:03 Advent's Relevance Today
08:38 Practical Steps for Advent
09:39 The Promise of Light
In this week’s episode, Rusty sits down with counselor and coach Leah A. Ondiek to break down EMDR and mindfulness in a clear, accessible way. Leah explains how these practices help us process stress, calm our minds, and stay grounded in our faith—without overwhelming terminology.
If you’re curious about mental health tools that actually make a daily difference, this episode offers simple steps and encouraging insight.
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that make faith practical!
Pain is something we all experience — but what if hope can still be found right in the middle of it? In this episode of Simple Faith, Rusty George sits down with Brooke Martin, author, speaker, and storyteller, to talk about how faith can anchor us through life’s hardest seasons.
Brooke opens up about her personal journey through loss, healing, and rediscovering joy — and how God met her in the midst of heartbreak. Together, she and Rusty explore how simple faith can bring extraordinary peace when life doesn’t go as planned.
📚 Books by Brooke Martin:
Whether you’re walking through grief, searching for strength, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone, this conversation will leave you encouraged and inspired.
✨ Subscribe for more real conversations about faith, life, and finding God in the everyday.
In this heartfelt episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George sits down with Pastor Mike Linch and author Ira Blumenthal for an inspiring conversation about guiding others back to faith. Together, they explore what it really means to help someone “come home” to Jesus—through compassion, patience, and genuine relationship.
Mike Linch shares stories from his ministry that show how simple acts of love can open hearts, while Ira Blumenthal—renowned author of books like Your Best is Next and Ready, Blame, Fire!—reflects on the power of transformation, hope, and second chances.
Join Rusty, Mike, and Ira as they discuss how faith can change everything when we make space for others to find their way back to God. Whether you’re deep in your faith journey or just beginning, this episode will remind you that everyone has a path home.
🎧 Listen now and discover how you can help someone find their way to Jesus—one simple act of faith at a time.
In this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George sits down with Justin Moxley, a seasoned church consultant and pastor, to explore the changing landscape of the modern church. Together, they unpack the latest church trends, discuss how leaders can adapt with clarity and purpose, and dive into practical ways to make generosity simple and meaningfulfor every congregation. Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, or someone passionate about building a stronger faith community, this conversation offers real-world insights and encouragement to help your church thrive.
In this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George sits down with Dubb Alexander—author, speaker, and global Kingdom influencer—to ask a powerful question: “Is the Kingdom of God different than the Church?”
Dubb, author of From the Cult to the Kingdom and Kingdom Theology Vol. 1, shares his incredible journey from growing up in a cult to becoming a voice of Kingdom transformation at the U.N. and beyond. Together, Rusty and Dubb unpack what it really means to live in the Kingdom, not just go to church.
If you’ve ever wondered how God’s Kingdom and the Church intersect—or differ—this conversation will challenge, inspire, and deepen your faith.
🎧 Listen now and discover how to live as a citizen of the Kingdom in today’s world.
THIS WEEK on Simple Faith, Rusty sits down with guest Jason Cusnick, a chaplain, pastor, and author. Jason talks through what it looks like to be a father whose heart is centered in Christ. You won't want to miss this episode no matter what stage of life you might be in.
Check out more below!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonq6/
Church Website: https://journeyoffaith.com/author/jason-cusickjourneyoffaith-com/
In this episode of Simple Faith with Rusty George, Rusty welcomes Becky Harling, author of How to Listen So Your Kids will Talk for an inspiring conversation on “Making Motherhood Simple.” Becky shares her heartfelt insights on how to navigate the ups and downs of motherhood with grace, faith, and authenticity. Together, she and Rusty explore how simplifying expectations, embracing God’s presence, and prioritizing meaningful connection can bring peace to the chaos of everyday family life.
Whether you’re a new mom, an empty nester, or someone longing for deeper relationships, this conversation offers practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement to help you find joy in the journey.
THIS WEEK on Simple Faith, joining us are guests Mike and Debbie Breaux, speaking about marriage, parenting, and everything in between from a Biblical perspective. Mike has been a pastor for over 40 years, and married to his wife Debbie for over 30 years. Together, they have three children, nine grandkids, and have learned a lot over the years about what Biblical parenting and marriage looks like. Tune in to hear more about this!
Rusty George sits down with Rodney & Michelle Gage—pastors, authors, and founders of The Winning Family
—to talk about what makes a marriage thrive. With over 30 years of marriage, three kids, and a ministry dedicated to helping families stop drifting and live with intention, they share practical tools for unity, communication, and faith.
Discover more from the Gages: Winning Family Podcast
| Books
In this episode of Simple Faith, Pastor Rusty George sits down with Mike Foster, author of Primal Questions. Together, they explore the core questions that shape how we see ourselves, our relationships, and even our faith. Mike unpacks how understanding your primal question can bring clarity, healing, and a deeper connection to God’s truth. Rusty and Mike show how these big, sometimes overwhelming questions can actually be made simple—and how you can begin to live with greater freedom and purpose.
If you’ve ever wrestled with identity, belonging, or self-worth, this conversation will give you practical tools and hope-filled insight to help you walk forward in faith with confidence.
Primal Question Website: https://www.primalquestion.com/primal-book
Mike Foster Instagram: MikeFoster2000 - The Seven Primal QuestionsInstagram · mikefoster200062.6K+ followers
In this episode of Simple Faith, Pastor Rusty George sits down with Jim Dalrymple, Executive Vice President of College Advancement and Professor of New Testament at Ozark Christian College. Together, they unpack how spiritual growth doesn’t have to be complicated. With wisdom from years of teaching and ministry, Jim shares practical ways to deepen your walk with God, build lasting habits of faith, and keep your focus on what truly matters. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of “growing spiritually,” this conversation will encourage and equip you to take simple, meaningful steps toward a stronger faith.
On this episode of Simple Faith, Pastor Rusty George sits down with Joey Odom, founder of Aro—a company dedicated to helping families find freedom from phone addiction and rediscover meaningful connection. Joey shares practical insights and simple strategies to help you and your kids break free from unhealthy phone habits and create space for what matters most. If you’ve ever struggled to set boundaries with technology or wished your family spent more time together without screens, this conversation will inspire and equip you to take the next step.
Website:
Joey Odom | Aro - Praxis Labshttps://www.praxislabs.org › people › joey-odom
Instagram:
Joey OdomInstagram · joey.odom820+ followers
LinkedIn:
Joey Odom - Keynote Speaker on Intentional Tech UseLinkedIn · Joey Odom2.3K+ followers
When life feels overwhelming, how do you find peace and clarity? In this episode of Simple Faith, Pastor Rusty George sits down with Pastor and author Damian Boyd, the mind behind The Gospel Challenge Devotional. Damian opens up about what it means to hold on to simplicity when everything around you seems chaotic.
They discuss practical ways to anchor your faith during a crisis, why returning to the basics of the Gospel changes everything, and how you can experience true hope even in uncertain times. Whether you’re in a personal storm or simply want to strengthen your foundation, this conversation will encourage and equip you.
Website: https://www.damianlboyd.com
The August 25th Monday Minute is here! Listen in for a minute of encouragement and thoughts that didn't make it into the weekly sermon from Pastor Rusty. Tune in now!
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, confusing, and impossible to overcome—but what if it could be made simple? In this episode of Simple Faith, Pastor Rusty George sits down with therapist Matthew LaGrange to unpack practical ways to understand and manage anxiety.
With years of experience helping people navigate mental health, Matthew brings wisdom, clarity, and encouragement for anyone who feels stuck in worry or fear. Together, he and Rusty explore how faith and therapy can work hand-in-hand to bring peace in the middle of life’s stress.
Whether you struggle with anxiety yourself or want to better support someone who does, this conversation offers hope—and a simpler path forward.