Hello Again, Old Friend

Tim Riter June 9, 2014

Relaxing in the small cabin, the novel I’d been reading for pleasure began to bore me, so I pulled out my J.B. Phillips version of the New Testament. Now, you gotta understand the context. I’ve read the Bible a lot. Pastoring for several decades, writing Christian books, teaching in a Christian school and an adult Bible study class tend to encourage that. And, even though much of the reading is “professional,” I always ran the text through the grid of my life before sharing it with others.

But this differed...

Deadheads

Tim Riter June 2, 2014

No, as much as I loved their music, this post won’t focus on the Grateful Dead band and their fans. Sorry to all the deadheads, but the allusion is unavoidable for a 60s child! As we prepped our house for an overnight visit from my sister, her husband, and her friend, I got the task of “deadheading” our eight Iceberg roses in the front yard. Icebergs produce abundant white roses, flowers that die and need to be pruned for new blooms to blossom. Hence the name “deadheading:” taking some clippers and sniping off all the rose heads now dead.

Up High

Tim Riter May 26, 2014

Even when loving people, I need relief from them. Even when loving the comforts of civilization, like warm showers and soft beds, I need the relief of more primitive living. Even when loving the ease of modern life, I need the relief of challenge. Of going up high. Of going beyond beaten paths.

Two points. At least, that’s the plan right now

Just Generational Differences?

Tim Riter May 19, 2014

When I ride the motorcycle to work, I pray and meditate. When taking the Mustang, I listen to sports radio. This last week, Colin Cowherd of ESPN talked about the differing responses to the NFL drafting Michael Sam, the first openly gay draftee. He noticed those over 65 tended to feel uncomfortable, while those under 30 didn’t see it as an issue. Yeah, the repeatedly televised kiss played a key role.

“Generational differences” was his conclusion...

Free Will?

Tim Riter April 21, 2014

Let’s flip the coin. Last week, we began to explore God’s role in daily life with a story of how he overwhelmingly directed a major change in moving me to Taos. One repeated response by readers dealt with the rarity of such clear direction. Though seldom for many of us, it does happen. But my time in Taos ended in a radically opposite form.

I’d spent a year in youth ministry a few years earlier, and upon getting fired, declared I’d rather drive a truck. Not long after, the manager of a parts house offered me a job—driving a truck. God has a nice sense of humor, but I should have said I’d preferred being a movie star!

Determinism?

Tim Riter April 14, 2014

We all face critical change points, events that significantly shape the rest of our lives. What puzzles me, though, is life determined for people of faith? Some, like Calvinists, lean toward God choosing all. Arminians blend free will into the mix, and deists acknowledge that although God created the world, he has little involvement in daily operations.

For me, one of the three greatest change points came with my move to Taos NM. I’m absolutely clear that God determined that—here’s why. Tired of SoCal congestion and smog, I determined to move to Colorado, where I had a job lead. The route led through Taos, where I’d lead mission projects for two summers. Then came nine issues, each essential for the final result.

I pulled into Albuquerque on a rainy Saturday...

Knocking in Heaven's Door

Tim Riter March 24, 2014

Saturday, a chance to catch up on yard and house maintenance, at least until my body screams, “Enough.” Trying to remember the good times when I could work all day, I put some classic rock on Pandora and cranked up the outside speakers. Bob Dylan’s “Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven’s Door” soon brought back a Facebook discussion over the previous several days, ranging from do all people go to heaven, why or why not, can people change, forgiveness, and justice. Some deep issues done well with divergent views.

Since Unconventional exists to discuss what it means to follow Jesus, we can all benefit from making sure we’re on track, so that when we stand, knocking on heaven’s door, that door will open. So, some basics that touch the results of following Jesus.

First, all people go to heaven who want to go there. Honest. But...

Feline Fellowship

Tim Riter March 10, 2014

Pet lovers will get this. Non pet lovers may not. But hang in there, because this really isn’t about cats, but people. Particularly, principles for deeper connections between fellow followers of Jesus, necessary ones, that I learned from Sandy, our cat. I thought he was just a lost kitten when he strolled into our lives along the top of a bank, and nobly ignored us as we called him. He had business to attend to. I did as well, and walked away.

Our grandkids, Josh and Hannah, soon brought him to me.

Unconventional

Old Faith, New Following