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.

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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:

• Hope in the Dark: Trusting God When Life Hurts
• Light After Loss: Finding Grace on the Other Side of Pain

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.

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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/