Rusty James talks to fellow "Riders" during his daily commute about issues in our culture and how the Bible has the answers we need to reach our full potential. 

The Ride Episodes

Written as a dedication to my sister Mara
"...her giftings makes the water good to drink."

From the album Full Circle, 1992.

Bitter Water at Marah
Exodus 15:22-27

Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the desert of Shur. They traveled in this desert for three days without finding any water. When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means “bitter”).

Then the people complained and turned against Moses. “What are we going to drink?” they demanded. So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink.

It was there at Marah that the Lord set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him. He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”

After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water.

Bitter Water

God's Word (Cafe' style)

Rusty thinks about doing an Ironman 70.3, or, more appropriately, thinks about others doing one. Even those of us who couldn't imagine entering a race like this know many of the challenges, but I'm guessing you haven't thought about the issue that Rusty dwells on today. It is an unlikely topic for an event involving thousands. Tune in to consider this important spiritual truth.

The Ride

The Ride - 241 - You Are Not Alone

Rusty addresses the elephant in his ride - the lack of attentiveness to his wife. In a truly repentant 'cast, Rusty let's God remind us all about the importance of preferring our spouse and renewing our thought life from the disease of the improperly fed mind.

The Ride - 242 - Avoiding the Old Man Mind Disease

Rusty thinks about what would be possible if all people chose to live in such a way to align with God's will. Our world would be a much different place. Until this utopia occurs, Rusty is concentrating on how much he is depending on God to tackle the hurdles of life. Trying to do it on our own is simply inadequate. Remember the true blessing of God does not resemble a simple gift given as much as it is the perspective change that only hanging out with the Giver can provide.

The Ride - 243 - The Thought Experiment

Rusty goes into personal territory today and pays tribute to his father who recently went to his heavenly home. Filled with laughter, some tears, and a good dose of actionable intel, Rusty recounts some memorable actions that helped shape the life of his dad and how these multiplied into the eternal lives of those he touched.
One correction: Dad accepted Christ on Mother's Day - not Easter Sunday.

The Ride - 244 - Eternal Actions - Rusty's Tribute to His Father

Rusty considers the remainder of his years on earth. Reminded that his father had 25 years on him, Rusty encourages all to live for the right reasons and purpose a life that is sacrificial in the way we share love with others. It has less to do with how we are remembered and more to do with what impact are we making in the lives of others... now.

The Ride - 245 - Sacrificial Love & the 25-Year Chunk

Rusty James thinks about how we sometimes cannot understand the plan God has for us, let alone the entire world. Looking at how our mortality causes us to be limited in our thinking, Rusty reminds us that it's ok to not understand it all but that is no excuse for not operating according to the pattern that Christ has given us. We have our walking papers... let's walk on with a purpose larger than we can accomplish on our own.

The Ride - 246 - The Currency of Heaven

Rusty remembers that our earthly life has a way to confuse and get us to unfocus from the one thing that can bring us ultimate joy and freedom. Our ride through life has but one key - perhaps down deep we already know what that is - or rather, Who. Let's not be confused but clear -- Jesus is the key and he offers a the only freedom that we will ever need.

The Ride - 247 - Misplaced Keys

Rusty contrasts some of the motivations we have against the vision that God would have for us. Knowing that God's plans are wholly good for us, why would we ever want to seek destinations that don't align with the Master's? Are we shining up a badge that means less than nothing when the important things are counted?

The Ride - 248 - The Polished Badge

Rusty spends some much needed time discussing the tongue and how it plays a major part in the life of a believer. James tells us that blessing and cursing should not come from the same place - "it should not be so". We must keep control over what we say - especially when the words from our own mouth may not, at times, fully agree with the truth of the Word.

The Ride - 249 -  The Taming and the Tongue

Rusty receives the prayer that Paul prayed over the Ephesians and gets reminded that the fullness of God can be active in the life of every believer. Let us break free from the simple and comfortable mindset that restricts us to the confines of... the keep.

The Ride - 250 - The Keep

Rusty focuses on the importance, and really, the end-goal of relationships and how they meet a desperate need we all have by providing nutrients to our life. By hearing and acting on God's Word, we can focus our energies on the most appropriate sources of this 'life nutrition' and actively root out that which hinders our intended harvest.

The Ride - 251 - Relationships and the Flower

Rusty puts a cinematic hat on today to describe an odd dream about death and dangerous living that may or may not have to do with anything - you be the judge. What he does know is that although our enemy is just a 'little yang', we must choose our life result or the default condition of our existence will lead us straight into the Death Trap.

The Ride - 252 - Death Trap and the Escape

Rusty recalls a very special message from T.D. Jakes about the crushing issues of life and how to understand why they happen and how to approach these events that seem to defy God's victorious plan for our life. Could it be that in these times of testing our dependence upon God grows stronger - helping us fulfill His ultimate calling for our life?

Link to T.D. Jakes conversation with Steven Furtick at Elevation Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzP23Zti-YI

The Ride - 253 - The Crushing and the Relief Valve

Rusty looks at how our mind and emotions can get overwhelmed due to past hurts and failures. As we look at what Christ did on the cross, we choose to alter our gaze and focus on this completed work and the new life His Holy Fire brings forth when given permission to destroy the power of the dead things - in the Fire Zone.

The Ride - 254 - The Fire Zone

Rusty fills you in on what has gone on in the last 12 weeks since the podcast went dark. Focusing on what he has considered is a true accomplishment, Rusty relives a bit of a personal struggle that has little to do with a leg injury and more to do with properly preparing for the adulthood of children. Come get encouraged if you face the coming prospect of "removing the brace."

The Ride - 255 - Removing the Brace

Rusty shares a few thoughts about our ministry to the family and how we should remember that our family members will each have different needs. God knows this and provides us the appropriate help to us so that we can provide the appropriate help to them. Continuing on yesterday's theme of removing the brace, we should also be reminded that maturity requires walking through things when we may not feel ready, but the braces needs to come off so that God's strength can be released in our walk and ensure scar tissue does not hinder us down the road.

The Ride - 256 - Removing the Brace - Part 2

Sometimes we need a burst of God-inspired reality in the midst of our self-pity. Rusty is in smackdown mode, dishing out the encouragement with the reminder that we already have the victorious life regardless of what the surrounding voices might tell us. So... get ready to receive what you need today and by the end of it, I'm pretty sure you'll say... Thank you sir, may I have another!

The Ride - 257 - Spanked

Rusty looks at a few instances when simple actions made with intent created much more than the sum of the parts. Being reminded of the deliberate action of Christ to bring about abundant life should be a catalyst to actively follow Him and live out a life that though requiring faith to see, still brings about God's perfected plan at all points along the path.

The Ride - 258 - Making the point to make a point

Rusty James is the host of The Ride Podcast. Come along during his daily commute and get a fresh perspective on life, love and our true purpose within the culture of today.