Spiritual Formation Archives - MIKE & ANNE RIZZO

Spiritual Formation

Dark Night

Dark Night The "dark night of the soul" is a term made popular by St. John of the Cross, in the 1500"s. It is used to describe a spiritual crisis in the journey toward union with God. I recently read a book on this topic, written by Christian psychiatrist Gerald…

Posted on July 1, 2020June 29, 2020 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

A Long Obedience

Long Obedience in the Same Direction It's the title of a book that I'm just finishing up. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society by Eugene Peterson. Many of you know him as the author of The Message Bible. Peterson presents a solid exegesis of…

Posted on June 1, 2020May 30, 2020 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

An Attractive Gospel

An Attractive Gospel If you are a follower of Christ, what first made the gospel attractive to you? I've heard it said that desperation and revelation are two primary forces that draw a person to God. In my case, it was desperation. My life as a twenty one year old…

Posted on April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Undying Love

A Love That Never Dies Something that will never die is imperishable; not liable to corruption. As I was concluding my reading of Ephesians this week, I was struck by the last verse: "Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love." Eph. 6:24 (emphasis mine)…

Posted on February 10, 2020February 10, 2020 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

storehouse

Spiritual Formation

Building A Storehouse

As I approach the forty-five year mark of walking as a disciple of Christ, I've been pondering the importance of building a storehouse. Celebrating my spiritual birthday, is even more enjoyable than celebrating my natural one. Being "born again" was more exciting than being born the first time! In retrospect,…

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

One Thing

One Thing One thing. Kind of narrows it down, doesn’t it? “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Mt. 13:44 (emphasis added) …

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Angels and Ravens

"Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 'Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.'” 1 Kgs. 17:2-4 Elijah had just completed an intense…

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Mike & Anne Rizzo by Mike & Anne Rizzo

Spiritual Formation

Harvest is Happening

Harvest Now Harvest time reveals the fruit of our planting. It is right for us to look forward to accomplishing goals and celebrating God's provision. But what if there is another "harvest" taking place, perhaps a bonus that we're not aware of, but that is very much on God's radar? …

Posted on September 30, 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