Tetelestai Today

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A Date With Destiny

The Spiritual Connection Between Humans and Animals

Glowing human figure interacting with wolf, deer, eagle, bear, fox, and owl amid a starry night forest

“There will be two of every kind of bird, animal, and crawling thing. They will come to you to be kept alive.” (Genesis 6:20)


You care deeply about animals, and you understand their fundamental value to the ecosystem of this planet. You sometimes prefer the company of animals to humans because you appreciate their non-judgmental acceptance.

You realize that the human connection to animals is a deeply spiritual bond. Medical breakthroughs and scientific discoveries are dependent upon the animal kingdom to guide the way.

Animals play a vital role in the development of life-saving medical procedures. Throughout the centuries, animals, both domestic and wild, have been the inspiration for  countless human inventions and technological advancements. By studying and mimicking the unique traits of other species, humanity was able to survive.

You are intrigued by the interconnectedness of the ecosystem. You hold a deep sense of honor and respect for conservationists. You admire people who preserve the natural habitats of untamed creatures who reside on this planet.

You are a good person because you hold deep appreciation for the wild world.


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A Date With Destiny

Pursuing Purpose: The Real Treasure in Life

Open wooden treasure chest with glowing gold and jewels inside in a dark stone cellar

“Don’t store treasures for yourselves here on earth. Moths and rust will destroy earthly treasure; thieves can break in a steal them.”(Matthew 6:19)


Your life is much too valuable to waste time worrying about the accumulation of wealth.  God has promised to take care of your needs as you take care of His.

The value of your life is very precious. God designed you in a unique way so as to provide you with the proper skills and experience you would need with which to accomplish the assignments He selected just for you.

Significance and personal value comes from pursuing your purpose in the Kingdom. You are passionate about sharing the grace you have received and sharing the good news of hope carries its own reward. 

You find the true value of life from a spiritual perspective. You know that life is more important than mere possessions. The true value of life far exceeds things which can only be measured by human currency…


A Date With Destiny

Sheltered by Faith: Understanding Noah’s Journey

“But I promise to keep you safe in the ship, with your wife, and your sons and their wives.” (Genesis 6:18)


The story of Noah began with a simple request from God to build a boat, long before the rain appeared. God selected a good man who was living in the midst of a violent, unjust, hate-filled world. 

Much like Noah, you are a good person living in a very hostile time. And, like Noah, God has selected you for a special task which will protect your family and preserve the values you treasure.

Knowing that it is the Spirit who protects you from evil, you and your loved ones remain in a position of safety and security.

The forces of darkness cannot overpower the Creator of the Light and in this light, you gather your family to safety.

No matter how brutal or relentless the storms of life may be, you and your loved ones are sheltered in the safety of God’s protection. 

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A Date With Destiny

How Spiritual Connection Transforms Your Life

“But they who join themselves to the Lord become spiritually one with Him.” (1 Corinthians 6:17)


Your physical body is aging, but your spirit is timeless and eternal.

Because of your connection to Jesus and the power of His resurrection, you have become one with Him. The Spirit of Christ lives in you and lifts you to new levels of enlightenment.

Springing up with Living Water, your spirit rushes like a river, creating the current which propels your physical form to each new assignment from God.

In union with the Spirit of Christ, you are able to generate supernatural energy.

This effect infuses the atmosphere surrounding you with a positive charge. This is why you are known as one who lights up the room wherever you go.

In this way, you are living inside-out, using the power produced by the Spirit to transform your human experience into an eternal, supernatural adventure.

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A Date With Destiny

How Patience with Yourself Leads to Spiritual Growth

We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

(2 Corinthians 6:6)

Happy Birthday 6/6


You have an amazing ability to make others feel accepted.  You are known for creating a safe space where people can relax and be themselves.

Sometimes, it seems your patience is offered to everyone except yourself. You struggle to accept your own shortcomings. You are often very impatient with that one child of God you see in the mirror each morning.

You accept the various weaknesses and imperfections of others readily, yet you often expect perfection of yourself.

Even though God has given you an amazing ability to be patient and tolerant with others, you struggle to be consistent in applying that patience to your own shortcomings as well.

But as you practice patience with yourself, you will begin to sense a deeper awareness of the special place you hold in the heart of God.


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A Date With Destiny

Creating Safe Spaces: The Role of a Peacemaker

“Surely there is someone in your group wise enough to resolve a complaint between two believers.”

(1 Corinthians 6:5)

In a world filled with humans fighting for power through complaints and arguments, you choose to exhibit the power of praise and peace instead.

You stand out as a beacon of light to those who are lost in a swirling sea of conflict. You are a peacemaker.

The Spirit of God enables you to create a safe space in which differences can be addressed and forgiveness can flow. You are able to make peace when there is conflict and hold onto it when there is a chance it might slip away.

Others rely on your logical input when settling disputes or searching for a reasonable compromise. As you walk in the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding, you are able to guide others toward a common goal.

The peace you bring to your circle of influence is often the glue which repairs broken relationships and holds organizations together.

It is one of your most intriguing talents and even you don’t know exactly how it happens. All you know is, you are delighted to see peace win, and you are thrilled to be a part of making it happen.

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A Date With Destiny

Finding Strength When You Are Exhausted

“I am worn out, O Lord; have pity on me. Give me strength for I am completely exhausted.” (Psalm 6:2)

Moving toward the goal is not always easy. Some days you are required to push through the pain and keep your eye on the prize.

You know that Christ has equipped you for your race, but there is also a constant need for His supernatural strength and endurance.

When you are discouraged or tired of the strain, you remember that there is a reason Christ called you. There is a purpose for your life and a destiny that only you can fulfill. 

It is your goal to discover your gifts and talents, then cooperate with Jesus in order to put them to use for His Kingdom.

Christ took hold of you so that you can take hold of the assignments that are yours.

On some days your mission is very clear; other days, not so much. That’s why your life and your pursuits are a collaborative effort between your Creator and yourself.  As the two of you work together, your objective comes into focus and the Kingdom of God is advanced.

Because He is there to carry the heaviness you feel after having been wronged,  you are able to move freely into forgiveness where healing can be found. 

Assured that the Creator of the universe is interested in your emotional well-being and is willing to listen as your pour out your heart, you are able to experience hope and healing that can only come from divine intervention.

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Tetelestai Recovery

Transcending Addiction: A Progressive Approach

The Tetelestai Recovery Series is a collection of faith-based recovery books written by Marc and Lori Ridenour, based on their own experience with alcoholism and drug addiction. Rooted in the biblical declaration “It is finished” (John 19:30), the series offers a faith-based approach to finding lasting freedom from addiction and the emotional wreckage that accompanies it. 

Available in Paperback, Kindle, and Audiobook formats.


Volume 1: Tetelestai Recovery: It is Finished
Introduces the core concepts of the series. It targets suffering addicts, chronic relapsers, and their loved ones. The authors provide evidence of permanent sobriety by focusing on Christ’s ultimate healing rather than the traditional life-long struggle.

You can browse this volume on Amazon.


Volume 2: Our New Normal
Focuses on the often awkward and overwhelming early stages of sobriety. This book guides readers through identifying and resolving emotional and social dysfunctions, helping them navigate fears and resentments.

https://a.co/d/04079fyX


Volume 3: Leveling Up
A lifeline designed to assist individuals in achieving long-term, lasting victory over any addiction to reach their full potential. 

https://a.co/d/06VM8Qz1


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Tetelestai Recovery

God’s Omniscience and Forgiveness: Can He Truly Forget?

We find comfort in the fact that God identifies with us on such a personal level, He chose to make us in His own image. However, we sometimes get this twisted. Rather than recognizing ourselves as an extension of Him, we imagine Him as an extension of ourselves.

We tend to view Him through the lens of our own cognitive distortions, and we project our humanity onto Him. We envision a God who thinks the way we do. We assume that He struggles with the same things we struggle with, particularly regarding forgiveness.

Forgiveness is so difficult for us because it requires enormous effort. It is such a heavy lift for us to forgive, so we assume that it is equally difficult for God. We sense that He struggles to forgive us the way we struggle to forgive others.

However, we also have some questions about God’s attributes that are vital to our process of leveling up. One question that comes up in reference to forgiveness. Can God forget things? Can He actually forget our sins?

In our discussion of the way God forgives, it is important to understand how God can forget. If He is all knowing, how can he forget?

Considering whether or not God can actually forget our sins, leaves us with two important theological questions:

  • If God can forget things, then how can He be omniscient; all knowing?
  • If God can’t forget things, then how can He say that He remembers our sins no more?

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Tetelestai Recovery

The Metaphorical Universe: Inspiring Spiritual Growth

We know that God created the universe. But we wonder why. We know He could have simply created only one planet and everything on it to support His human children. However, by creating the entire universe, He gave us something to look at, something to explore, dream about, and gaze upon with curiosity. Perhaps He wanted to give us an earth-bound glimpse of what our next journey will look like when we enter the spiritual realm once our physical bodies expire.

We realize that just as the universe is God’s creation, so are we. In the same manner, we too are called to inspire others to dream, explore, and grow. We are the metaphorical universe to others. We are made in God’s image to be the creative spirit which continues the expansion of His Kingdom on earth…