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 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

The Ride - 243 - The Thought Experiment

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.