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Voices in My Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast) Episode 637: The Faith We Receive In this special episode of Voices in My Head, recorded during a hospital chapel service, I reflect on what it means to receive a faith that was handed down long before us and to pass that faith on to the next generation. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15 and the story of the Road to Emmaus, I explore how the Christian story is not something we create but something we enter into, a living tradition shaped by worship, Scripture, community, and the presence of Christ. Along the way, I share personal thoughts about teaching my son the faith, offer encouragement to those facing illness, grief, or uncertainty, and remind listeners that God meets us even in our most difficult moments. Through prayer, worship, and the timeless hymn Victory in Jesus, this service celebrates the hope of the gospel and the truth that, through Christ, each of us is invited to shine as a light in the world. Rick’s Latest Single “Heaven Is Full of Criminals” https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/heaven-is-full-of-criminals Connect with Rick Lee James Website: RickLeeJames.comEmail: [email protected] Listen / SubscribeSubscribe, rate, and review Voices in My Head wherever you listen to podcasts. Music & MerchBandcamp (music + merch): RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.comStreaming: Search “Rick Lee James” on your favorite music platform or on Spotify https://t.co/S7nCRl0xqa AudiobookOut of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms (Audible):Audiobook Link Special Offer10% off at Bandcamp: use code 10off at checkoutRickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com Hosted byRick Lee James — Voices in My Head Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

Voices in my Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast) Episode 636: East Meets the West: Kirk Sauers of The Wood Drake Sessions Rick Lee James welcomes Kirk Sauers of The Wood Drake Sessions back to Voices in My Head to talk about their new album, East to West. Together they explore songwriting, worship, Scripture, anxiety, depression, work, financial uncertainty, death, and the persistent human struggle to believe that we are truly loved by God. Kirk shares the story behind the album and its title track, rooted in Psalm 103 and the assurance that God’s love never fails. Listen to East to West and learn more about The Wood Drake Sessions: East to West | The Wood Drake Sessions. Rick’s Latest Single “Heaven Is Full of Criminals” https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/heaven-is-full-of-criminals Connect with Rick Lee James Website: RickLeeJames.comEmail: [email protected] Listen / SubscribeSubscribe, rate, and review Voices in My Head wherever you listen to podcasts. Music & MerchBandcamp (music + merch): RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.comStreaming: Search “Rick Lee James” on your favorite music platform or on Spotify https://t.co/S7nCRl0xqa AudiobookOut of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms (Audible):Audiobook Link Special Offer10% off at Bandcamp: use code 10off at checkoutRickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com Hosted byRick Lee James — Voices in My Head Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

Voices in my Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast) Episode 635: Targets of Jesus In this short, early-morning episode of Voices in My Head, I share some reflections from my reading of Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, particularly its observation that Jesus and His disciples often focused their ministry on those who were chronically ill, disabled, and marginalized. Drawing from my experiences as a healthcare chaplain, I talk about the many people I meet who long to be part of a faith community yet often feel excluded, overlooked, or underserved by the church. I reflect on what Scripture teaches about caring for those on the margins, from the Good Samaritan to the ministry of Jesus Himself, and I consider what it means for the church today to embody Christ’s inclusive love. Rather than offering guilt or criticism, this episode is a heartfelt invitation to greater awareness, compassion, and community, reminding us that every person bears the image of God and has an essential place in the Kingdom. Rick’s Latest Single “Heaven Is Full of Criminals” https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/heaven-is-full-of-criminals Connect with Rick Lee James Website: RickLeeJames.comEmail: [email protected] Listen / SubscribeSubscribe, rate, and review Voices in My Head wherever you listen to podcasts. Music & MerchBandcamp (music + merch): RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.comStreaming: Search “Rick Lee James” on your favorite music platform or on Spotify https://t.co/S7nCRl0xqa AudiobookOut of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms (Audible):Audiobook Link Special Offer10% off at Bandcamp: use code 10off at checkoutRickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com Hosted byRick Lee James — Voices in My Head Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

Voices in my Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast) Episode 634: The Politics of Jesus This episode of Voices in My Head explores “The Politics of Jesus” through Mark 1:15 and the announcement that the kingdom of God has come near. Drawing on Wendell Berry’s Jayber Crow and the work of John Howard Yoder, Stanley Hauerwas, and William Willimon, Chaplain Rick considers politics not simply as elections and parties, but as the way human beings learn to live together. Jesus’ call to love enemies, serve rather than dominate, welcome the stranger, forgive, and care for the vulnerable becomes a vision for Christian community, especially in the hospital, where suffering strips away our labels and reminds us that every person deserves to be seen and heard. The message closes with the song “Shine a Light in the Darkness,” an invitation to choose love, blessing, and hope in a divided world. Rick’s Latest Single “Heaven Is Full of Criminals” https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/heaven-is-full-of-criminals Connect with Rick Lee James Website: RickLeeJames.comEmail: [email protected] Listen / SubscribeSubscribe, rate, and review Voices in My Head wherever you listen to podcasts. Music & MerchBandcamp (music + merch): RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.comStreaming: Search “Rick Lee James” on your favorite music platform or on Spotify https://t.co/S7nCRl0xqa AudiobookOut of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms (Audible):Audiobook Link Special Offer10% off at Bandcamp: use code 10off at checkoutRickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com Hosted byRick Lee James — Voices in My Head Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

Voices in my Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast) Episode 633: Sturdy Worship Music I’ve been struggling to put into words why so much of the worship music I’ve encountered in the church, especially over the last couple of decades, leaves me unsatisfied. I think this is why. I spend my days with dying patients, grieving families, people battling addiction, loneliness, and unanswered prayers. Could the songs we sing in our worship gatherings bear the weight of those realities? Many of our songs revolve around repetitive calls to praise and focus heavily on the worshipper’s actions: I sing, I praise, I shout, I declare, I come out of the grave, I dance, I get wild, etc… My concern isn’t that these songs call us to worship. Scripture certainly does that. But too many of our songs seem to have very little to say beyond that call. To be fair, there are exceptions. New works from Every Moment Holy, The Porter’s Gate, and CityAlight, among others, give voice to suffering, loss, doubt, and hope. They remind me that there are writers creating songs for people living through real life hardship. But those songs seem few and far between in the worship life of many congregations. The Psalms, Israel’s hymn book, give us language for lament, grief, repentance, waiting, and hope. They tell the truth about life while bearing witness to God’s faithfulness. I wish more of our worship music did the same. As a songwriter, when I write for congregations, I don’t want to write songs that simply work in a worship set. I want to write songs that can survive in hospital rooms, in the funeral parlors, in the midst of a divorce, or in the difficult transitions of life. I want to write and sing songs that mean something when the miracle doesn’t come, when suffering doesn’t go away, and when death is near. We need more songs that are sturdy enough for real life. To paraphrase the apostle Paul, I have not already attained this, but I press on. I hope other writers and music leaders will too. Rick’s Latest Single “Heaven Is Full of Criminals” https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/heaven-is-full-of-criminals Connect with Rick Lee James Website: RickLeeJames.comEmail: [email protected] Listen / SubscribeSubscribe, rate, and review Voices in My Head wherever you listen to podcasts. Music & MerchBandcamp (music + merch): RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.comStreaming: Search “Rick Lee James” on your favorite music platform or on Spotify https://t.co/S7nCRl0xqa AudiobookOut of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms (Audible):Audiobook Link Special Offer10% off at Bandcamp: use code 10off at checkoutRickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com Hosted byRick Lee James — Voices in My Head Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

Voices in my Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast) Episode 632: Phil Keaggy and John B. Hatch On this episode of Voices In My Head, I’m joined by two very special guests, John B. Hatch and Phil Keaggy, to talk about one of the most remarkable albums in the history of Christian music: What A Day, by Phil Keaggy. John is the author of Oh What A Day!: Exploring the Genius of Phil Keaggy’s Iconic Debut Album, a fascinating deep dive into the story, faith, influences, musicianship, and creativity behind this groundbreaking recording. As I read the book, I found myself hearing What A Day with fresh ears, and I can only imagine what it will be like for those who have loved this album for decades to hear some of the stories and musical insights John has uncovered. Today, we get to talk about the album with the person who wrote the book about it—and the person who actually created it. John B Hatch and Phil Keaggy, welcome to Voices In My Head. Get the Book Here: https://a.co/d/02YwIfJL Rick’s Latest Single “Heaven Is Full of Criminals” https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/heaven-is-full-of-criminals Connect with Rick Lee James Website: RickLeeJames.comEmail: [email protected] Listen / SubscribeSubscribe, rate, and review Voices in My Head wherever you listen to podcasts. Music & MerchBandcamp (music + merch): RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.comStreaming: Search “Rick Lee James” on your favorite music platform or on Spotify https://t.co/S7nCRl0xqa AudiobookOut of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms (Audible):Audiobook Link Special Offer10% off at Bandcamp: use code 10off at checkoutRickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com Hosted byRick Lee James — Voices in My Head Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

Voices in my Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast) Episode 631: Garden of the Lord with Justin Gambino My guest today is Justin Gambino, an award-winning Texas-based singer-songwriter whose music is rooted in redemption, hope, and faith. After a troubled past that included an arrest at age 18, military service in the U.S. Navy, combat deployment to Iraq, and battles with PTSD and depression, Justin experienced a life-changing encounter with God that transformed his story. Today, he’s known for powerful songs like “Just Like Jesus,” “Courage,” and “Fighting On My Behalf,” and was named Christian/Gospel/Inspirational Male Artist of the Year at the 2024 Josie Music Awards. His latest worship project, Garden Of The Lord, invites listeners into a deeper, more personal walk with God. Justin, welcome back to Voices In My Head. More about Justin Here: https://turningpointpr.com/2026/06/justin-gambino-to-deliver-first-ever-worship-set-garden-of-the-lord-july-17/ Rick’s Latest Single “Heaven Is Full of Criminals” https://rickleejames.hearnow.com/heaven-is-full-of-criminals Connect with Rick Lee James Website: RickLeeJames.comEmail: [email protected] Listen / SubscribeSubscribe, rate, and review Voices in My Head wherever you listen to podcasts. Music & MerchBandcamp (music + merch): RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.comStreaming: Search “Rick Lee James” on your favorite music platform or on Spotify https://t.co/S7nCRl0xqa AudiobookOut of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms (Audible):Audiobook Link Special Offer10% off at Bandcamp: use code 10off at checkoutRickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com Hosted byRick Lee James — Voices in My Head Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

Voices in my Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast) Episode 630: Every Moment Holy with Douglas McKelvey and John Lowry In this episode of Voices in My Head, I sit down with acclaimed author and songwriter Douglas McKelvey and singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and Unspoken member John Lowry to talk about Every Moment Holy: Prayer Songs and their newest project, Anchoring the Heart in Hope. We talk about how prayers from the Every Moment Holy books became simple, endlessly loopable songs designed not for commercial success, but for meditation, prayer, grief, and the ministry of presence. Douglas and John share the stories behind the music and explain how these songs can bring comfort in moments of crisis, hospice, loss, and uncertainty while also cultivating hope in everyday life. As a hospital chaplain, I found myself especially drawn to the way these songs give us words to pray when we don’t have answers. We also talk about the upcoming Every Moment Holy Live tour, an experience that brings together music, prayer, storytelling, and visual art to create a shared journey through sorrow, grief, hope, and the promise of new creation For more information about all Every Moment Holy: Prayer Song, visit this link: https://mailchi.mp/turningpointpr/pre-release-every-moment-holy-prayer-songs-2026-q3-anchoring-the-heart-in-hope?e=b6e6ddccfb “Heaven Is Full of Criminals” Hear Now Connect with Rick Lee James Website: RickLeeJames.comEmail: [email protected] Listen / SubscribeSubscribe, rate, and review Voices in My Head wherever you listen to podcasts. Music & MerchBandcamp (music + merch): RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.comStreaming: Search “Rick Lee James” on your favorite music platform or on Spotify https://t.co/S7nCRl0xqa AudiobookOut of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms (Audible):Audiobook Link Special Offer10% off at Bandcamp: use code 10off at checkoutRickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com Hosted byRick Lee James — Voices in My Head Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

I recently joined Father Gerard on CFN Live from the Catholic Faith Network for a conversation about my song “Heaven Is Full of Criminals,” my work as a healthcare chaplain, and how chaplaincy has influenced my songwriting and life as an independent artist. Here’s the full conversation from August 11, 2026. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Bandcamp Friday Today is Bandcamp Friday, which means Bandcamp is waiving its share of sales, allowing more of your purchase to go directly to the artists you support. Since its release, Heaven Is Full of Criminals has been viewed more than 7,000 times on YouTube, streamed nearly 5,000 times on Spotify (and added to 44 playlists), and continues to find listeners on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other streaming platforms. I feel so blessed that this song seems to be connecting with so many people, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has listened, shared it with a friend, added it to a playlist, or taken the time to send an encouraging message. As an independent artist, that kind of support means more than you know. If you’ve been enjoying the song and would like to help support the creation of more independent music, today is one of the very best days to do it. Every purchase on Bandcamp helps make future recordings possible and allows me to continue writing and recording songs that explore grace, hope, and redemption. You can find Heaven Is Full of Criminals, along with my other music, here: https://rickleejames.bandcamp.com Thank you for listening. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for supporting independent music. Blessings, Rick Lee James This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

Voices in My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) Episode 628: Truth, Justice, and the Way - Episode 11: Supergirl - Redemption or Revenge? This week on Voices in My Head, i'm sharing an episode of my other podcast that I host with David Dault, Truth, Justice and the Way. What happens when a superhero story trades redemption for revenge? In this episode of Truth, Justice, and the Way: Superman & Spirituality, Rick Lee James and David Dault explore one of the most surprising changes in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and ask what it reveals about heroism, justice, mercy, and the moral imagination. Comparing the film to Tom King’s original graphic novel, they wrestle with questions of violence, forgiveness, redemption, and whether we still believe people can truly change. Along the way, they reflect on Superman’s enduring example of hope, the power of storytelling to shape our moral lives, and why the best heroes call us not simply to defeat evil—but to become better people. In This Episode * Rick shares the story behind his new single, “Heaven Is Full of Criminals,” featuring Phil Keaggy, and the surprising conversations it has sparked about grace, worthiness, and hope. * The theological inspiration behind the song includes the Good Thief, the possibility of redemption, and the question of whether God’s welcome extends farther than we imagine. * A spoiler-filled discussion of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrowand how its ending differs dramatically from Tom King’s acclaimed graphic novel. * Why the graphic novel’s ending offers a vision of redemption, while the film chooses an act of lethal justice. * The idea of redemptive violenceand why so many modern stories assume evil can only be defeated through killing. * Superman’s refusal to kill and why restraint—not power—has always been one of his defining virtues. * Whether James Gunn may be setting up a larger redemption arc for Supergirl as his new DC Universe unfolds. * Why stories shape our moral imagination, influencing what we believe is possible for heroes, villains, and ourselves. * Mark Waid’s famous criticism of Superman killing General Zod in Man of Steel, and why he insists, “That’s not Superman.” * Comparisons to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Odyssey, Avengers: Infinity War, and the Gospels as examples of stories that wrestle with hope, loss, and redemption. * Reflections on Pope Francis, Karl Barth, and the Christian hope that no one is beyond the reach of grace. * Why Superman continues to matter—not because he is the strongest hero, but because he refuses to let violence have the final word. * A closing reflection inviting listeners to consider how the stories we tell shape the people we become—and whether hope may be the bravest choice of all. “Heaven Is Full of Criminals” Hear Now Connect with Rick Lee James Website: RickLeeJames.comEmail: [email protected] Listen / SubscribeSubscribe, rate, and review Voices in My Head wherever you listen to podcasts. Music & MerchBandcamp (music + merch): RickLeeJames.Bandcamp.comStreaming: Search “Rick Lee James” on your favorite music platform or on Spotify https://t.co/S7nCRl0xqa AudiobookOut of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms (Audible):Audiobook Link Special Offer10% off at Bandcamp: use code 10off at checkoutRickLeeJames.Bandcamp.com Hosted byRick Lee James — Voices in My Head Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

Today, Heaven Is Full of Criminals is finally here. This song has been living in my heart for a long time, and over the past several weeks I’ve been grateful to share a little of the journey that brought it to life. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of introducing you to some of the remarkable people who made this recording possible: Craig Adams, Brandon Shattuck, Phil Keaggy, and Rick Stull. Their gifts made this song far better than anything I could have created on my own. I’m also thankful to the radio programmers and music directors who believed in this song before it was ever released, helping it chart internationally on PLAY MPE. That kind of encouragement is something I’ll never take for granted. As a hospital chaplain, I spend most of my days listening to other people’s stories. This song grew out of those experiences and from the conviction that grace has always been God’s answer to our brokenness. None of us earns it. That’s what makes it grace. My hope is that Heaven Is Full of Criminals points beyond itself—to the hope, mercy, and love of Christ. Thank you for listening. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for supporting independent music and for allowing me to keep making it. The song is now streaming everywhere music is found. If it resonates with you, I’d be grateful if you’d share it with someone who needs the reminder that grace is still amazing. Listen now: rickleejames.hearnow.com/heaven-is-full-of-criminals Blessings, Rick Lee James This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

As we arrive at the eve of tomorrow’s release, I want to recognize one more person whose work helped bring Heaven Is Full of Criminals to life: my friend Rick Stull of Media Explosion. I’ve had the privilege of working with Rick on a number of projects over the years, and every time I’m reminded what an exceptional artist he is. His creativity is remarkable, but what I appreciate most is his commitment to making sure the message is what people hear. His work never overshadows the song. It helps the story shine through. I’m deeply grateful for the care, creativity, and artistry Rick poured into this lyric video. The complete song in its entirety, paired with these beautiful visuals of the lyric video, will be unveiled tomorrow on YouTube with the release of the song at www.YouTube.com/RickLeeJames. Make sure to subscribe. Thank you, Rick, for helping tell this story so well. Tomorrow, Heaven Is Full of Criminals will be available everywhere music is streamed. If you’d like it to be waiting for you the moment it releases, you can pre-save it on Spotify here: Spotify Pre-Save: https://show.co/sOrc2zb Thank you for walking this journey with me. I can’t wait to share this song with all of you tomorrow. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe

The People Behind Heaven Is Full of Criminals: Phil Keaggy If you’ve spent any time around guitar players, you’ve probably heard the old story. Someone asks, “Who’s the greatest guitarist in the world?” and the answer is, “You’ll have to ask Phil Keaggy.” It’s a great story. It’s also almost certainly not true. Even Phil has graciously debunked it over the years. But here’s the thing: legends don’t spring up out of nowhere. Phil Keaggy really is one of the most extraordinary musicians I’ve ever known. His guitar playing is unmistakable, his voice is every bit as beautiful as his playing, and his humility is even more remarkable than his talent. He’s one of the kindest, most generous, and most Christlike people I’ve had the privilege to know. It’s an incredible honor to have him on Heaven Is Full of Criminals. Thank you, Phil. Heaven Is Full of Criminals releases this Friday. Pre-save it here: https://show.co/sOrc2zb This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe