Longing for Eden: Embracing God's vision in your marriage. [Kindle Edition]

Mike Rizzo (Author), Anne Rizzo (Author), Mike Bickle (Foreword)

Book Description

Longing for Eden: Embracing God's vision in your marriage, is a newly released inspirational book that will challenge couples and inspire singles, to more clearly see God's intent for marriage. The authors write from thirty years of pastoral experience, much of which has been in the realm of

marital and pre-marital counseling. Their passion is to see husbands and wives dwell together as "married disciples."

Small Group Study Guide (covers all 14 chapters) is included in the book. Over 170 questions, designed for individual couples or small groups to study together.

"Being a Christian married to a Christian will not automatically mean that your marriage will be a God-centered one." It is imperative that we be intentional in pursuing the gold that God is developing from our one flesh marriage union. A key component in this process is to see beyond the rewards and blessings of this life, into the age to come. "Every marriage must choose its world. A marriage invested in the age to come will reap the greatest return in this age."  Longing for Eden is a call to come up higher. We don't just want to view the Promised Land of marriage blessing; we want to enter in.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

A part of the inspiration for this book came from a song, written by our son Justin, entitled "Longing for Eden." The verse speaks of our separation from God: How far did we plummet that day in history. In one moment forever all men condemned to be. Chained to the shadow the distant memory. Of God and His glory all men now long to see. The chorus depicts the cry of every human heart: It's the longing for Eden deep inside of me...A husband and wife, able to harness this longing, turning it into passion for Christ, will find themselves welded together in common purpose.

From the Back Cover

Learn how the power of the age to come can impact your marriage today...

"Longing for Eden will inspire you to: persevere in challenging seasons, be renewed in vision, and make the radical heart decisions unto a healthy marriage." (From the Foreword by Mike Bickle, Director IHOP-KC)

"Longing for Eden gives an eternal vision for marriage, unlocking keys to the mystery of the marriage between Christ and His bride. Whether you're newly married or a seasoned couple, this book will strengthen, challenge, and encourage you in your marriage." (Justin Rizzo - Worship Leader - IHOP-KC)

"A must-read for all married or engaged couples.  Mike Rizzo gives practical and amazingly helpful insights into what it looks like to live your married life in light of eternity. No matter your age or where you are on your marital journey, 'Longing for Eden' will offer you a treasury of knowledge and godly counsel." (Matt Gilman - Worship Leader - IHOP-KC)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 234 KB
• Print Length: 155 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1477643958
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008GHKS2E
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,760 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend!! July 2, 2012

By Justin D. Rizzo

Format:Paperback

We all know the Ephesians 5 verse that talks about husband loving this wives just as Christ (the Bridegroom) loves the church (His bride). The way that Mike unpacks the reality of the eternalness of marriage and God's original intent when He created the earth is very insightful and will give fresh vision and passion to your marriage. Knowing that my marriage has eternal weight to it and is actually a gift from God to awaken longing for more of Him and to be great in eternity. This is a profound biblical truth that is talked much about in this book. I highly recommend it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful resource and tool!! August 5, 2012

By Emily Sarmiento, Executive Director Orlando House of Prayer Missions Base

Format:Paperback

Longing for Eden should be in the hands of every engaged and married couple. What a wonderful tool and resource for those who want their marriage to be strengthened and encouraged. Mike and Anne give us practical insights into the correlation between our earthly marriage and the marriage between Christ and His Bride. I highly recommend this book!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read! July 3, 2012

By Lynn

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I first saw the title for this book I was immediately intrigued. This book talks about living for the age to come but applied to marriages. Mike says that "Every marriage must choose its world. A marriage that is invested in the age to come will reap the greatest return in this age." Mike talks about how God never throws us into new seasons, but rather He grows us into them. As a couple God is always helping us to become more like Him as we grow closer to each other as a couple.

Whether you're single or married I strongly suggest you pick up this book and give it a read. It will strengthen and encourage you.

More About the Author

Mike and Anne Rizzo were born and raised in Buffalo, New York, committing their lives to Christ as young adults in 1975. They met one another while attending Elim Bible Institute in Rochester, NY and were married in 1981. From 1982 to 2003, they served the Lord in full time ministry: as an Assistant Pastor in a large congregation for 10 years in Orchard Park, NY, and then as Senior Pastor of a church in Lockport, NY, for 10 years. Anne home schooled their three children all the way through high school, during which time they were actively involved in the leadership of a homeschool support group.

Mike and Anne took a sabbatical from official pastoral ministry in 2003 and went into the workplace for a season. During this time they assisted in the planting of a new church, which is currently their home fellowship. (www.harborlightsfellowship.org)

Their son Justin (www.justinrizzo.com) joined the staff of the International House of Prayer in 2004 and after making frequent visits for a couple of years the Rizzo's felt that God was leading them to dedicate their lives to the prayer movement. In the spring of 2007 they left their jobs, sold their house and relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. At this writing, their entire family serves on staff at the IHOP-KC Missions base.

They see their current ministry assignment as being two-fold: 1) to dedicate their lives to the prayer movement; to see kings and priests take their rightful place before the Throne in intercession. 2) To work with married and pre-marital couples; to see the prophetic picture of Christ and the church reflected in every marriage.

To contact Mike and Anne, or for more info, please refer to their blog/website: (www.mikerizzo.wordpress.com)