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The Power of Yielding

Tim Riter June 22, 2015

Paradoxes comprise faith, and that continues to attract me—I like the concept of a God I can’t comprehend fully. Like Jesus’ statement, “if you save your life you’ll lose it.” Or, the tension between what we do and what God does in transforming us. I’ve battled that one. A lot...

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In Poetry Tags Poetry, Yielding, Spiritual Formation
LoudRock by daman.co.id.jpg

Whispers Lost

Tim Riter May 11, 2015

This semester will wrap up my teaching career, and it’s time. Just one of many reasons—in our discussion-based English classes, I frequently have to ask students to repeat their comments, but louder. When the old guy receives a questioning look, I merely respond, “Listened to way too much loud rock and roll at your age. Just wait…”

That listening loss bothers me. Sometimes I smile and miss parts of the conversation rather than asking for a rerun. It’s not bad enough for a hearing aid, vanity says. But perhaps all of this yields a metaphor...

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In Poetry Tags Loud Rock and Roll, God Whispers, Spiritual Formation

Caught

Tim Riter April 13, 2015

A common fallacy is bifurcation, also known as false dichotomy or being caught on the horns of a dilemma. Basically, this gives only two options, forcing the reader to choose one. Obviously, a fallacy when more than two alternatives exist. But this can also be a good argument—some issues yield only two choices. I’ve found this concept abounds in growing closer to Jesus. How do we start our day with God? We have an abundance of options; let’s just find what works best for us. We explored this in a recent post. But some other options are limited.

Only with pain did I learn that.

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In Poetry Tags One Way, Fallacies, Poetry, Passion, Spiritual Formation
image by bio.miami.edu

image by bio.miami.edu

Starting Fresh. Again

Tim Riter March 9, 2015

The cushy beds in the tent trailer in Convict Lake’s campground claimed my son-in-law and grandson as I rose alone at early dawn to entice the trout in the creek. Yes, I caught a few. But better than the rainbows was the reminder of God’s patience. Mountain mornings bring a freshness unique to them. I enjoy the newness as I ride my Honda to work most mornings, but being immersed in God’s world makes it more vivid, more encompassing, more ...

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In Poetry Tags Sierras, Convict Lake, Hope, Patience, God's Forgiveness, Spiritual Formation
image by beerboard.tv

image by beerboard.tv

Home Brew

Tim Riter January 26, 2015

I realize some of my socially conservative readers may not fully agree with the topic of this post, but I encourage you to read on. Beer brewing provides a metaphor for how spiritual formation, or following Jesus, gets sidetracked so easily, often without our knowledge. Enjoy the message even as you avoid the brew. For those who make home brew, you’ll quickly get the point! For those who imbibe but don’t brew, you’ll like it too!

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In Poetry Tags Brewing beer, Spiritual examination, Good

Christmas Freedom

Tim Riter December 22, 2014

Distractions come easy, especially this time of year. The joy of picking and giving gifts. The beauty of houses extravagantly lit. The comfort of getting with family so often scattered in needed pursuit of separate lives. Congenial gatherings with friends and coworkers. All so focused on the fun of Christmas that I, at least, sometimes miss deeper truths. Not about the birth of Jesus, the wise men, the shepherds, and all. They get ample attention. But this year, another Christmas thought captivates me...

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In Poetry Tags Christmas, Transformation, Spiritual Formation
image by airphotona.com

image by airphotona.com

Born to be Wild, Living Mild

Tim Riter December 8, 2014

Every choice changes our direction. We examine our options, weigh the cost/benefit ratio, and decide. Yet confidence in the benefit doesn’t eliminate regrets over the cost. A major part of spiritual formation flows from accepting that tension, and not allowing regrets to eat at our soul. Some of my best decisions have had the highest costs, but I don’t want to reset my life. Well, a little. But not enough.

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In Poetry Tags Taos, Adventure, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Choices, Regrets, Spiritual Formation
Image by waysideweb.org

Image by waysideweb.org

Transcendence--In All The Wrong Places

Tim Riter September 1, 2014

One of my closest lifetime friendships was forged in high school and college. Ken and I then both followed Jesus, both left, only I returned. Now living in Paris, Ken has trekked the world. His innate curiosity and hunger for knowledge has led him to many worship events, in many faiths. During one of our conversations on his yearly trip back to the states, he offered, “Worship is funny. I visit my parents’ evangelical Christian worship, or that of my Muslim friends, and they all look the same.”

 I’ve pondered that a lot, and believe Ken both saw something significant, an outer similarity, but missed on ...

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In Poetry Tags Transcendence, Spiritual Formation, Zeal, Worship, Muslim
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TimGlacierMcDonald.jpg

A bit of an unreconstructed Jesus freak. Almost old enough to have known him when he walked this world. About 27 on the inside. Investing his life in university and teen students. Inveterate cross country motorcycle rider. Nature lover. Entranced with the power of written and spoken words. Still learning.

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Unconventional

Old Faith, New Following