Rusty George Podcast

In this special episode of Leading Simple, we honor the life and legacy of Tony Morgan—Founder of The Unstuck Group, Pastor, and Podcast Host. Tony went home to be with Jesus on September 4th, 2024. Recorded earlier this summer, this conversation highlights Tony’s infectious sense of humor, deep love for his family, and passion for helping churches and young pastors break free from barriers. Listen in as we celebrate his impact and continue his mission of helping others grow in their faith. To learn more, visit www.theunstuckgroup.com and discover how you can become "unstuck."Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUnstuckGroupTwitter: https://x.com/unstuckgroup?mx=2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunstuckgroup/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theunstuckgroupMasterclasses: https://theunstuckgroup.com/landing-page/staff-restructure-bootcamp/Resources: https://theunstuckgroup.com/learning-hub/resources/Books:Purchase Rusty's "Friend of God" book here! https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/pro

Welcome to the Monday Minute! Today, we're diving into a key point from yesterday’s message. Proverbs says, "As a man thinks, so he is." Our thoughts shape our identity and how we live. In 1 Peter, he reminds believers—though they may feel scattered or persecuted—they are a royal nation, a holy priesthood. This identity isn’t just for others; it's for youtoo. So, what if this week you saw yourself as a child of the King? That’s your Monday Minute—see you next week for more!

We're excited to start a new series called Different, exploring how the word "different" can be both positive and negative. Sometimes different means better, exceeding expectations, while other times it feels isolating. In a world that’s increasingly chaotic and overwhelming, we all crave something different—something better. Through this series, we’ll dive into 1 Peter, a letter written to early Christians facing persecution, to find guidance on living differently in a crazy world. Join us as we unpack how to embrace being different with faith and hope amidst the chaos.

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Schrage from Good News Productions International (GNPI), and we dive into a pretty sobering reality—6 billion people in the world don’t know Jesus. That’s right, 6 billion. Even more staggering, 3 billion of them have never even heard His name. Mike shares not only these shocking stats but also his own journey from being a directionless college student to becoming a missionary in Kenya, where he worked with an unreached people group.Mike’s story is incredible. God completely transformed his life, even overcoming his lifelong struggle with stuttering, which allowed him to share the gospel in places where people had never heard of Jesus. His work with GNPI is making a massive impact by using media to spread the gospel globally, and now, through their mission15.global initiative, they’re on a mission to share the good news over 1 billion times in the next few years.You’re not going to want to miss this conversation. If you’re someone who’s passionate about missions or just c

John Burke shares extraordinary near-death experiences (NDEs) from people he has interviewed around the world. These individuals were clinically dead—no heartbeat, no brain activity—yet were revived through medical intervention or miraculous means. Upon their return, they describe being more alive than ever, often in the presence of a God of light and love they never wanted to leave.Starting as a skeptic and an engineer, John spent over 35 years researching how these experiences align with biblical truths. Having interviewed over 1,500 people, he has uncovered common themes that point to the reality of the afterlife and the boundless grace of the God of Heaven. These profound stories reveal a glimpse into God's love for all nations and testify to the truth of life beyond death.Thank you for listening. For more, visit CrossroadsChristian.org Spotify Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/2lFSYuunThhSRgbcYnyUl1?si=8f7684e76de24a01

In this episode, Rusty chats with Scott Pederson—owner of "Celebrate Positive," a business dedicated to spreading positivity. A proud graduate of the University of Nebraska (Go Big Red!), Scott has an impressive background in sports, including working with the late Rush Limbaugh at the Kansas City Royals, serving as the Recruiting Director for Oklahoma State University, and collaborating with former Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward to recognize positive athletes. This engaging conversation is a must-listen for sports fans and non-fans alike! Stay tuned for a fascinating story about recruiting Garth Brooks to OSU, along with some insights about Limbaugh.Books:Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

In this week’s Monday Minute, we reflect on the powerful message from our recent sermon: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? While we addressed many tough questions, there’s one verse we didn’t get to dive into — Hebrews 4:15. This verse reminds us that our High Priest, Jesus, understands our weaknesses and has faced the same trials we do. Unlike other religions that teach how to reach God, following Jesus shows us how God came to us, walked with us, and suffered for us.We encourage you to check out the full message if you missed it and take the next step in your faith journey. Don’t forget, next week we’ll be joined by John Burke! If you’re in the DFW area, make sure to attend in person, or watch online. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you next week!

In this message from the series Is God Good?, Rusty George addresses the challenging question many people face: if God is good and great, why do bad things happen? He acknowledges that many of us grow up believing in certain versions of God that don’t hold up when we face real-life struggles, such as suffering or unanswered prayers. Rusty explores the false images of God, like the "Bodyguard God," the "On-Demand God," and the "Guilt God," and encourages us to let go of these misconceptions. Instead, he invites us to seek the true God revealed in Jesus, who walks with us through our doubts and struggles, even when life doesn’t go as we expect. Through humor and heartfelt reflection, Rusty reminds us that while life’s challenges can make us question God’s goodness, faith is about trusting God’s presence in the midst of it all.

In this episode, Rusty welcomes John Burke, the founding pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas, as well as a speaker and author known for his works on heaven and near-death experiences. John shares a collection of incredible and often harrowing stories from around the world, shedding light on what he has learned through these experiences. This episode is truly one you need to hear—or see—to believe!Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnburkeofficial/X: https://x.com/J0hnBurke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnburkeofficial?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-burke-21957471/Focus on the Family: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/contributors/john-burke/Gateway Church Austin: https://www.youtube.com/@gatewaychurchaustinBooks:Purchase Imagine The God of Heaven by John Burke: https://imagineheaven.net/Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

In this Monday Minute, Rusty George reflects on the recent weekend message at Crossroads, where he discussed the different versions of God that people often believe in but shouldn't. He highlights the story of a man who asked Jesus to heal his daughter, saying, "I believe, but help my unbelief." Rusty encourages listeners to adopt this prayer in their own lives, especially when struggling with doubt or skepticism about a version of God they were taught as a child that may not hold up in adulthood. The call is to seek and know the one true God, revealed in Jesus, and to be honest in our prayers, asking for faith amidst our unbelief.

Rusty George engages his audience with humor and relatable stories, discussing his football allegiances and his family's experiences with prayer, while addressing the deep questions people often have about God's nature. Through a series of anecdotes, he challenges common misconceptions of God, such as the "on-demand" God, the "boyfriend" God, and the "guilt" God, which can lead to a distorted faith experience. Rusty invites listeners to rethink these false views and explore a new understanding of a God who is compassionate, loving, and ever-present, even in moments when He seems silent. Emphasizing the true God revealed in Jesus, Rusty encourages his audience to embrace a faith that offers grace, freedom, and the assurance of God’s presence through life's struggles.

In this episode, Rusty sits down with Lee Coate, the co-founder of "Growmentum," author of the book "Being Peter," and Executive Pastor at The Crossing Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. They discuss the importance of aligning church vision, strategies for encouraging impulsive volunteers, and the unique challenges of working with the often unpredictable personalities in worship ministry, particularly musicians. Join them for an insightful and entertaining conversation on navigating the complexities of church leadership!Social Media:Website: https://leecoate.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lee.coate/X: https://x.com/leecoateInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/leecoate/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-coate-45001b236/Books:Being Peter Permission To Live and Lead... Loud and Large: https://a.co/d/dgOaVVH Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

Damian Boyd opens with a powerful prayer, calling the congregation to surrender to God and listen for His voice. He intercedes specifically for those who are deeply wounded and wrestling with offense, asking God to bring healing and hope to their hearts. Damian highlights that being "unoffendable" is central to the Beatitudes, the culture of God's Kingdom, and the very essence of the cross.Approaching his message with humility, Damian sets the foundation by focusing first on who God is, then reflecting on his own journey, and finally turning to the congregation. He challenges the idea that we can simply move on from offense without a deep, transformative response rooted in God's character.Damian's sermon is a powerful invitation to understand and embrace the distinct yet interconnected gifts of mercy and grace. He encourages believers to develop an unoffendable spirit, recognizing mercy as God's compassionate withholding of judgment—"You did wrong, but you won’t face the full consequences"—and grace as His un

In this episode, Rusty sits down with Jan, an author, professor, and spiritual director who currently chairs the Dallas Willard Ministries. Together, they explore the concept of "Kingdom Living," discuss the unique weather of Southern California, and delve into the writing process. Jan also shares insights on how to discern when God is speaking to us versus other influences. Join them for a thought-provoking conversation that blends faith and practical wisdom. Social Media:Website: https://janjohnson.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorJanJohnson/Books:When The Soul Listens: https://janjohnson.org/shop/when-the-soul-listens/Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

Monday Minute is here! We just wrapped up a powerful discussion on church hurt—a topic that hits home for so many. If you missed the message, don't worry—you can catch it on Crossroads or through our podcast.This week’s episode dives deep into what happens when the hurt comes from within the church. Here’s a thought-provoking quote from Stanley Hauerwas: "The most creative social strategy we have to offer is the church. We serve the world by showing it something that is not—namely, a place where God is, forming a family out of strangers."

In today's sermon, we explore the topic of "Church Hurt," addressing the all-too-common experience of feeling offended or let down by the church. Drawing from Philippians 4:2-3, where Paul addresses a conflict between two members of the early church, we examine how unresolved personal issues can escalate into community-wide drama. The key takeaway is that true Christian community is not about avoiding conflict but embracing a spirit of reconciliation.Whether it's unresolved issues from a past church experience or current frustrations, this message encourages us to seek healing and unity. The church is not perfect—it's a community of broken people striving to live in harmony through the grace of God. As Paul advises, we should avoid taking sides in conflicts and instead foster a spirit of reconciliation, ensuring that personal grievances do not hinder the work of God within the church.

Kirk Freeman, a former country music writer, now serves as the preacher at CrossBridge Community Church in San Antonio, Texas. He’s also the author of "Threads," a book that explores how everyone can become a disciple. In this episode, Kirk shares a memorable story about discovering the essence of disciple-making during his daughter’s wedding. The conversation also dives into Kirk and Rusty's shared passion for country music, making for an engaging and heartfelt discussion.Social Media:Crossbridge Community Church Website: https://crossbridgecommunitychurch.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirkfreeman.143/X: https://x.com/KirkFreeman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirkfreeman_/?__d=1%2FLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-freeman-76718313/Books:Threads: Weaving Disciple Making Into The Fabric Of Your Life: https://disciplemakingthreads.com/Purchase Rusty's Friend of God book: https://pastorrustygeorge.square.site/product/friend-of-god/155

Did you miss this weekend's sermon? Clay Scroggins, a familiar face at Crossroads, shares his excitement about returning after a few months away and dives into the theme of being "Unoffendable." He humorously recounts a personal story of inadvertently taking a long nap on his kids' first day of school, leading to an amusing but slightly embarrassing encounter with the school principal. Clay explores how easily we get offended, especially when relationships become competitive. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing relationships over winning arguments or competitions, drawing on 1 Corinthians 9 to illustrate how the Apostle Paul made it his mission to win people over through love and service, rather than through conflict or offense.

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in! This segment is all about diving deeper into what we didn’t have time to cover in our weekend message. And here’s something crucial I didn’t get to mention:Why should we strive to live unoffendable?Well, one of the key reasons is because Jesus absorbed our offenses on the cross.  Let’s reflect on Romans 4:25: “Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses and was raised because of our justification.”In other words, every offense we’ve ever committed or felt toward God—Jesus took it all upon Himself on the cross so that we could be justified. Think of it as being "just as if I hadn’t sinned."This week, I encourage you to live unoffendable. Let go of those offenses because He’s already taken care of them.If this message resonated with you, hit the like button, share with a friend, and don’t forget to subscribe for more insights like this every Monday!#MondayMinute #LiveUnoffendable #JesusAbsorbedOurOffenses #FaithInAction #Romans425 #CrossroadsChurch #SpiritualGrowth

We have all been OFFENDED by someone or something. This message uses common mousetraps and bug zappers as metaphors to illustrate how easy it is to fall into life’s various "traps," such as consumerism, sweets, gossip, and digital distractions. Pastor Rusty recounts personal experiences, leading to a deeper discussion about the ultimate trap laid by the enemy: offense. Rusty urges listeners not to take the bait of offense, which can lead to bitterness and distraction from what truly matters. He emphasizes the importance of letting go of offenses and avoiding being the cause of others' stumbling, while encouraging a balanced approach to expressing and dealing with issues. The message ultimately calls for living in grace, not letting offenses take root, and moving forward with wisdom and patience.Thank you for listening. For more, visit CrossroadsChristian.org and PastorRustyGeorge.com, and check out our podcast, Simple Faith with Rusty George.