The Ride

Written to celebrate the marriage of Russ & Christy Rowgo, March 15, 1997.

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.

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!

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.

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."

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.

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

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.

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.

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.