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Tangible Expression Jesus appeared to me, nearly forty-five years ago. Once I invited Him in, the tangible expression of God to my twenty-one year old heart, continued unabated for months. To "appear" is to come into sight; be obvious and clear. My new found clarity was facilitated through a co-worker,…

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Crossbeam

Crossbeam Perhaps you have seen the crucifixion portrayed in film, with Jesus carrying either a crossbeam or a full cross. Historical research seems to indicate wooden uprights as being permanent placements at Roman execution sites, while the convicted person only had the crossbeam roped to his shoulders to carry to…

Posted on September 9, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Living on the Foretaste

The Ultimate Power Source We have tasted the heavenly gift...shared in the Holy Spirit...tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age. Heb. 6:4-5 (emphases mine) On a grand scale, we are living in the intersection of the ages. (see diagram below) Christ's first…

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Fragrant Acts of Devotion

Act One - Pharisee's House "When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came…

Posted on August 26, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Growth

God’s Love Language

God's Love Language Speaking the same language connects hearts together. Language is a "system of words for communication." The term "love languages" was made popular in the early nineties by marriage author Gary Chapman. Along with "words", Chapman lists four other "languages" by which to express love: gifts, time, touch,…

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Inspirational

A Place at the Table

A Place at the Table... If I could be transported back in time to experience a Bible story first-hand, the choice would be difficult. But for today, I am going to ponder having a place at the table, when Jesus shared his final meal and message with the apostles. We…

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Wilderness of Soul

Wilderness of Soul... I distinctly remember as a new believer, the first time that I felt as if God had left me. There I was, navigating an emotional valley, seemingly on my own. It was a weighty declaration as I recall, to tell a fellow believer that you were going…

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

marriage

Consistency in Prayer

Consistency in Prayer Consistency in prayer will only be realized when we are intentional in conversation with God. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your…

Posted on July 8, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Inspirational

Father of Lights

Father of Lights Writing to encourage those who were enduring trials and suffering, James assures his audience that God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. But we are tempted by our own evil desires, which give birth to sin and eventually to spiritual death. “Do not…

Posted on July 1, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Arriving or Abiding?

Arriving or Abiding? This phrase, "arriving or abiding", crossed my mind today, as I was pondering some recent ministry goals. Most of you are familiar with our book, Vertical Marriage: A Godward Preparation for Life Together, which was published in 2015. The book launch was an "arriving" moment, to be…

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Blog

Spiritual Growth

Jesus Appeared

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Crossbeam

Posted on September 9, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Living on the Foretaste

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Fragrant Acts of Devotion

Posted on August 26, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Growth

God’s Love Language

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Inspirational

A Place at the Table

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Wilderness of Soul

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

marriage

Consistency in Prayer

Posted on July 8, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Inspirational

Father of Lights

Posted on July 1, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Arriving or Abiding?

Posted on June 24, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo