Godly Goosebumps

At only eight years old, Bridgette Czarnecki started to lose her vision and did not know why. Her parents thought she was beginning to have her mothers vision and need glasses, but the prognosis was much worse – Bridgette had a cancerous tumor in her brain that was causing several physical and emotional ailments to her body.

On today’s episode of Godly Goosebumps, Pastor Dudley Rutherford talks with Bridgette and her mother about her struggles with cancer and the faith it took to get through it.

On today’s episode of Godly Goosebumps, Pastor Dudley Rutherford shares the story of Dr. David Livingstone. Livingstone left his home, his culture, pleasure and wealth to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to Africa. Not having the ability to contact him, many people thought Livingstone dead until a man named HM Stanley travelled all of Africa to eventually find him and asked him to come home. 

In his older years, and becoming very ill, Dr. Livingstone is presented with the opportunity to live out his remaining years in comfort and wealth, yet he chooses to stay in Africa, having promised God he would serve and die there.

On today’s episode of Godly Goosebumps, Pastor Dudley Rutherford shares a story about Dr. John R. Claypool. John was nationally and internationally recognized as one of our nation’s most gifted preachers, but it wasn't until after the death of his daughter that his preaching gave him an unshakable conviction that “life is a gift,” a spiritual insight he used to encourage countless "fellow strugglers". Dr. Claypool could have allowed this tragic episode in his life to pull him away from God, but instead, it fueled him to be like the apostle Paul who said, "for when I am weak then I am strong".

This story comes from Pastor Bob Russell from Southeast Christian in Louisville, KY.

On today’s episode of Godly Goosebumps, Pastor Dudley Rutherford shares a story about a man named Joe, who is filled with anger and bitterness for life because things have not quite gone his way. From being a recovering alcoholic to a widow to being divorced, Joe can't seem to find happiness in anything. But, as God would have it, a man enters Joe's life that would show him a life he never thought possible.

This story comes from Pastor Andy Stanley from Northpoint Community Church in Alpharetta, GA.

On today’s episode of Godly Goosebumps, Pastor Dudley Rutherford shares the story of Edward Kimble, a simple shoe salesman and Sunday school teacher. Little did Edward know that when he began to evangelize to and eventually bring his co-worker to Christ, that this co-worker would become the greatest evangelist of his time. This co-worker's name was Dwight L. Moody.

All because of one man's faith – Edward Kimble, Dwight L. Moody came to Christ, who touched Frederick Meyer, who reached Wilbur Chapman, who helped Billy Sunday, who invited Mordecai Ham, who ultimately reached Billy Graham.

On today’s episode of Godly Goosebumps, Pastor Dudley Rutherford shares a story of two brothers with adjoining farms. After 40 years of living in peace and harmony, they begin to bicker and fight over small circumstances that escalates to the younger brother building a river between their two farms. But, as God would have it, an unlikely character visits the older brother to help with more than just building a fence at the river bank.

Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Maria Rodriquez came to the United States with her family age the age of 5 in hopes of a better life. Not knowing what it would do, at the age of 15, Maria started to drink alcohol socially with friends. Fast forward to after high school, Maria is now married with children, an alcoholic and addicted to drugs.

After losing her home and needing food stamps to feed her family, Maria is given a choice once her lifestyle is discovered by authorities; either lose her children or go into a 7-day sober living home. With the threat of losing her children, it is this opportunity that God uses in Maria's life to start her on a path to recovery.

On today’s episode of Godly Goosebumps, we listen to part two of Pastor Dudley Rutherford's interview with Maria Rodriquez about how she overcame her addiction to drugs and alcohol that ultimately brought her into a loving relationship with Jesus.

If you live in the greater Los Angeles area and need help with addiction or substance abuse, Shepherd Church has a program to help. Christ Powered Recovery (CPR) is a fellowship that helps those struggling and recovering from substance abuse, sexual addiction while offering support to the family members who love them. Learn more at https://shepherdchurch.com/supportgroups.

Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Maria Rodriquez came to the United States with her family age the age of 5 in hopes of a better life. Not knowing what it would do, at the age of 15, Maria started to drink alcohol socially with friends. Fast forward to after high school, Maria is now married with children, an alcoholic and addicted to drugs.

After losing her home and needing food stamps to feed her family, Maria is given a choice once her lifestyle is discovered by authorities; either lose her children or go into a 7-day sober living home. With the threat of losing her children, it is this opportunity that God uses in Maria's life to start her on a path to recovery.

On today’s episode of Godly Goosebumps, we listen to part one of two as Pastor Dudley Rutherford talks with Maria Rodriquez about her addiction to drugs and alcohol.

If you live in the greater Los Angeles area and need help with addiction or substance abuse, Shepherd Church has a program to help. Christ Powered Recovery (CPR) is a fellowship that helps those struggling and recovering from substance abuse, sexual addiction while offering support to the family members who love them. Learn more at https://shepherdchurch.com/supportgroups.

Caleb Kaltenbach was raised by LGBT parents, marched in gay pride parades as a child and experienced firsthand the hatred and bitterness of some Christians toward his family. Invited to a Bible study by a friend, Caleb thought he would go and dismantle their faith, but was surprised to find a loving, caring God that wanted a relationship with him all along. From that day on, Caleb has dedicated his life to ministry and has become one of the nation's leading experts on how to help churches love and foster community with LGBTQ individuals without sacrificing theological convictions.

On today’s episode of Godly Goosebumps, Pastor Dudley Rutherford talks with Caleb Kaltenbach about growing up in the LGBTQ community with three gay parents, and how "Christians" interact with the LGBTQ community. Caleb also shares practical ways for us as Christians to love on and share the message of Jesus with the LGBTQ community.

You can learn more about Caleb and his ministry Messy Grace at calebkaltenbach.com.

Residing in the United Kingdom, J. John became a follower of Jesus on February 9, 1975, and has since made it his life’s purpose to tell as many people as he can about the difference encountering Jesus can make in their lives. He has been married to his wife, Killy, for 38 years with many children and grandchildren.

On today’s episode of Godly Goosebumps, Pastor Dudley Rutherford talks with J. John about what it is like being an evangelist across the entire globe in today's world. J. John also shares how as followers of Christ we are all evangelists and gives us practical ways to share our faith with others.

You can learn more about J. John and his ministry at canonjjohn.com.