RANT RAV!NGS 2013 - Righting societal atrocities...since 1981.

The Passion of Dino Rizzo

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." -- Romans 8:1

One year ago this past week, Dino Rizzo suddenly stepped down from his post as Senior Pastor of Healing Place Church amid a sea of controversy and rumors.

Immediate shockwaves were felt throughout 19202 Highland Road, shaking the very DNA of the church body and the surrounding community to the core.

Over the weeks and months that followed, a dejected congregation made its best effort to press on, seemingly without a step lost.

But beneath the surface, there was still an air of sorrow and grieving. Not audibly, but silently, seen in the eyes of smiling members who walked through the halls of the very building their former Pastors tirelessly championed, who were represented by wall murals still hanging hauntingly in the connect foyer.

The Birthday Sigh

It's incredible to find the mixed bag of birthday messages waiting on my Facebook timeline (and on my phone) the last two days. Family and friends - some who I spoke to the day before, the week before, and others that I haven't communicated with for months or even years - all send well wishes and congrats on living another year. And for those who point to the "built in Facebook birthday reminder" as a way of cheating (as if the birthday wish is less sincere), I say phooey. I don't really care how you found out. It was the fact that you even cared to write a well wishing that means the most. So, with that I say "thank you".

Every year we view approaching birthdays in dread, with an attitude that our life seems to be passing faster each time and leaving us behind. But over my 32 years on this terrestrial voyage, I've learned how precious life can be, and how every moment is a blessing. Why should we lament another year of life? Of being able to breathe the air?

Update on Dad - 8/22/13

Update on Dad
Thursday, August 22nd - 10:30PM

"You walk with my through fire. You heal all my disease. I trust in You..."

It's been over 2 months since Dad's pacemaker surgery, and he returns to Oschner tomorrow for his first major check-up. 

Since the installation of the pacemaker, Dad has more energy now than I've ever seen. He feels better than he has in over a decade, despite his previous misgivings about the idea of a foreign object in his chest. In short, he could give the Energizer Bunny a run for his money. He now sees the pacemaker as God's miraculous healing for his heart condition.

He meets with Dr. Ventura in the morning to see if his heart has improved enough to handle higher doses of meds to continue the strengthening process. He'll have the pacemaker itself evaluated in September. 

Prayer point: In the meantime, the focus is on the strength of his heart, which they say is not always evident this soon. Still, his outward transformation HAS TO BE the result of internal improvements. Pray that (unlike before) this visit will now be a POSITIVE experience for Dad, and that he can enter into the hospital in boldness and thankfulness, knowing what God has brought him through. 

God's mercies are undeserved yet always new. We move into the future with a fondness for where we've been and anticipation for the things to come. He has done GREAT things. Bless His holy Name!

Dino Rizzo brings experience to ARC

It's official! Pastor Dino joins the ARC staff in a pastoral care capacity.

From Greg Surrat:

Dino and Delynn will be moving to Birmingham for the next year of supervised ministry. Dino will be serving on staff at Church of the Highlands for one year and also serving part-time for the ARC (Association of Related Churches) assisting the team in providing pastoral care for the hundreds of church planters that have planted through the ARC.

In July, the ARC board of directors met for our annual board meeting and - based on the recommendation of the Overseers - formally installed Dino back into this season of ministry. We laid hands on him and released him to fulfill the call of God on his life again. We are looking forward to the value he will bring to ARC, providing care and relationship to fellow pastors as we move forward together in our goal of seeing life giving churches planted and nourished in every community.

So excited and proud to see this awesome man of God restored! A true portrait of grace.