It is God’s desire for us to enjoy the life we have been given and the fruits of our labor all the days of our lives, for it is our inheritance. God has given us the power to run the uniquely designed race that He has called each of us to run. When we truly understand and embrace this, we won’t be tempted to compare or wish we had what someone else has. You won’t think, “If only I had... Read more
Summits, Self-Denial, Discipleship – a symboiotic trinity One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer. But one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up – Rene Dumal I’m on the plane, having left a week of wonderful teaching and fellowship in Southern California as I return, refreshed and sun drenched, to the wonderful work I’ve the privilege of doing in Seattle. The work, as... Read more
We have SO many ways that we “measure”, but God only has one. Under the Old Covenant, God’s Law talks about using honest scales and measures. In the New Covenant, we are told that we will be measured by the same measure that we use. What does all that mean? I remember about 2 ½ years ago, the Lord really started talking to me about all of this. He began to show me all the external things I had used as a measure... Read more
All of us have numerous areas in our lives that are broken and out of place. This is the result of a chain reaction through multiple generations due to the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve. Although all human beings have been confronted with the guilt of their own sin (whether they have heard the gospel or not, the Holy Spirit was sent to convict the world of sin; read John 16:7-8), those of us who are believers... Read more
Converging Zone – FireCreek Retreat! September 26th – September 30th, 2012 Read more
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV) God is building a house. It is not a physical structure. It is relational. It isn’t defined by geography – we don’t go to the house of God.... Read more
Shortcuts in life are often just an illusion. Shortcuts toward authentic life often make the journey longer. If we try to circumvent our journey with God, and His designed pathways for learning, growth, and maturity, we may cause a destiny delay. There aren’t many actual shortcuts anyway, and direct paths usually work best. Most people don’t like to take the direct and often illuminated path because of fear, or because it seems to be too difficult, therefore desiring an easier... Read more
I’ve been living in the book of Colossians a fair bit recently, diving in some mornings after coffee with God, and at other odd times during the week. Over and over again, I’ve found myself saying, ‘this is the truth that we need right now – at this anxious, polarized time in history, when it appears that so much all around us is either collapsing (think Egypt, Syria, Greece, the Eurozone), or built on untruths (think every campaign ad about... Read more
“Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” (Hebrews 10:38) The summer sun was unseasonably hot. The strength and conditioning coach, nicknamed “Mad Dog” by the players, seemed unreasonably intense as he pushed harder and harder upon those trying out for the football team during two-a-days in August 1990. The college football world was buzzing with the University of Colorado’s golden season the year before, and now everybody wanted on... Read more
God created us in His image, and we have returned the favor by creating Him in our own image. God designed us to live in His image and ways, while humanistic religion presents a God who is an advocate for their need for power, dominance, and control. Before ego has a chance to start another war, end another relationship, or abuse the defenseless, we must be reminded that the one true God is a God of love, life, and liberty... Read more
Robert Ricciardelli
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