Back to Rurality
Why did God pick you to glorify Him in the middle of nowhere -- and how are you supposed to do it? Join rural pastor, TJ Freeman, each week as he explores why your life in a town no one ever heard of matters. He'll tackle tough questions like how to get through suffering, what to do if you don't like reading the Bible, and how to fight a life-dominating sin. Back to Rurality is meant to help you take the next step toward becoming a healthy Christian -- in the middle of nowhere!
Episodes
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ, a rural pastor, addresses the challenges of living peacefully with others in small towns. He emphasizes the Christian responsibility to glorify God by maintaining harmonious relationships, even with difficult people. TJ shares personal anecdotes from his teaching days and references various Bible passages that advocate kindness, forgiveness, and love toward...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, rural pastor TJ Freeman discusses how to confidently know if the Holy Spirit lives within you. TJ addresses common misconceptions about spiritual experiences, Bible knowledge, and Christian duties. He emphasizes that true saving faith is found in trusting Jesus Christ alone. TJ explains that the presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life is evidenced...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, Pastor TJ Freeman addresses the feelings of monotony and insignificance that can come with living in rural areas. Using personal anecdotes and biblical principles, TJ encourages listeners to recognize their unique purpose as representatives of God. He emphasizes the importance of living out the values of love, joy, and peace, and how to find joy in sharing God&...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: TJ Freeman hosts Joshua MacClaren on today's episode of Back to Rurality, discussing how to use one's home and possessions to serve the Lord and bring Him glory. Josh shares his personal journey of transitioning from a camper to building a new home, all while striving to show hospitality and care for others. The conversation emphasizes that everything we own belongs to God and should be ...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, Pastor TJ Freeman addresses the common frustration of unanswered prayers. Drawing from Tom Ellif's book 'A Passion for Prayer,' TJ identifies seven barriers that may hinder prayers: neglecting personal holiness, praying with wrong motives, unresolved relational issues, relying on worldly sources, Satan's opposition, divine purposes, and a la...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, pastor TJ Freeman addresses the feeling that some people in our lives might seem beyond God's reach. He uses the story of Saul's conversion in Acts 9 to illustrate how no case is too hard for God. TJ also discusses his travels for the Brainerd Institute, aiming to create a theology of rural ministry and recruit young men for an upcoming residency prog...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, addresses the common disappointments in life when we place our hope in relationships, jobs, or health, only to be let down. He reads from Ezekiel 6, where God condemns idolatry and emphasizes the folly of placing hope in anything other than Him. TJ explains how God desires us to trust Him completely, as only God can save us. He encou...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, discusses how to deal with people who drive you crazy. TJ emphasizes the importance of recognizing that everyone is made in God's image. He explains that as Christians, we should show mercy, grace, and love to those who frustrate us, reflecting God's nature in our interactions. TJ draws on the Book of Genesis and personal i...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman addresses the struggles of being open and authentic in a small-town church. He shares the story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts to illustrate the dangers of faking external appearances while hiding inner struggles. TJ emphasizes the importance of authenticity, transparency, and building genuine relationships within the church. This episode encourag...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of 'Back to Rurality,' TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, addresses the time when we face the consequences of our poor decisions. TJ uses the story of Ezekiel, who, along with the people of Israel, faced exile due to their own sins. Despite their stubbornness, God met them in their distress and called them to return to Him. TJ encourages listeners to read Ezekiel 1 and see how G...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of 'Back to Rurality,' host TJ Freeman discusses the sense of isolation that can come from living in rural areas and how it can make you feel distant from God. TJ is joined by guest CJ Dematitis, who shares his journey from an urban upbringing in D.C. and Baltimore to finding God glorifying ministry in rural Pennsylvania. They explore the challenges and blessings of rural...
Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren
Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ, Joe, and Joshua discuss the misconceptions and challenges of discipleship in small, rural churches. They emphasize that discipling isn't just optional but a biblical mandate. The conversation sheds light on the sufficiency of Scripture in guiding discipleship efforts and how organic, relationship-based discipleship ...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, host TJ Freeman discusses the concept of true and lasting refreshment sourced from our satisfaction in the Lord. Through his own personal experiences and in his study of Acts 3, TJ emphasizes that, unlike temporary fixes, true refreshment comes from repentance and turning away from sin. He closes the podcast by inviting listeners to reflect on their lives, sugg...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, rural pastor TJ Freeman addresses the guilt many Christians feel about not sharing the gospel. TJ offers up a powerful tool for evangelism he calls 'grace stories'—narratives of God's grace in one's life. He reassures listeners that it's okay not to have all the answers and encourages them to be genuinely interested in others' stor...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode, rural pastor TJ Freeman addresses the exhaustion and struggles many face in their daily lives. He brings encouragement through Revelation chapter 7, emphasizing that faithfulness amidst challenges is not in vain. He likens life to assembling a puzzling and reveals that scripture provides a clear vision of the ultimate picture. TJ reassures Christians of the future victory in Chris...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, rural pastor TJ Freeman talks about the purpose we can find in everyday tasks, from chores to work to school, by recognizing God's greater plan. He shares personal anecdotes, including his time working in a freezer, and biblical insights to encourage listeners to see all of their actions as expressions of God's glory. He emphasizes that all work, whet...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, reflects on the holiday season's mixed feelings and emphasizes making the most of it to point people to Christ. He shares personal stories, traditions, and practical steps to help listeners glorify God during the holidays. Using the acronym 'GLOW,' Freeman encourages his audience to remember the true reason for Christm...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of the podcast, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, addresses the challenge many Christians face of not regularly engaging with the Bible. He shares personal stories of his own struggles and how finding a different translation helped him understand Scripture better. TJ emphasizes the importance of prioritizing time for Bible reading, offers practical tips for integrating it into a busy sch...
Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, delves into whether Christians should listen to Christian radio. He shares that we should listen to songs, radio hosts, and radio preaching with discernment. TJ also shares some helpful examples through his own experience with radio. If you feel like this might be a silly question to ask, this episode is for you!
Key Points:
...Host: TJ Freeman
Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, delves into the endless pursuit of satisfaction in worldly things and its futility. He shares his own experiences of chasing material things and legalistic spirituality, only to realize true fulfillment comes from a deep relationship with God. TJ encourages listeners to focus on knowing and delighting in God in prayer and the study o...
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