70 Isn’t 28

Tim Riter September 14, 2020

Every so often, “Unconventional” features a fresh post from a 2018 ride at the age of 70--an Iron Butt that covered 1,080 miles in just over 16 hours, from Temecula to Dillon MT, all on the fairly straight, sometimes barren and sometimes scenic I-15. My Honda ST1300 was without music and the interstate quite uncrowded, providing time to think and pray and ponder. Leaving at 4 AM and traveling 450 miles, the bike entered Cedar City UT at 10:30. Good time, but already some tiredness arrived. So a longer pit stop provided an early lunch and rest. During the last two hours of the ride, I wanted nothing more than…

Find Your Fountain

Tim Riter July 27, 2020

Stressors abound right now. COVID-19 has disrupted so much of our lives. We can’t gather with friends and families and worship. People have lost jobs and housing. And in the ultimate disruption, over 146,000 have died just in the US, and over 650,000 worldwide. We face protests and sometimes riots in many cities as we struggle with responding to racism. Hurricane Hanna just hit Texas, one of the states hit hardest by COVID-19. Like they need more stress.

So how do we chill? Well…

When Less Prayer is More

Tim Riter July 6, 2020

Prayer. Often, one of the greatest struggles that followers face. A conference leader once asked me to keynote their retreat, and like an idiot I didn’t first ask about the topic—she wanted prayer. Yeah, I still struggle with it. Then a friend’s recent Facebook post sparked a discussion between Leilani Smith and myself. That…

Mix It Up

Tim Riter June 8, 2020

Leilani Strong Smith, a very good friend, writer, artist, and educator recently put this painting and text on her blog “Godhead Here in Hiding.”

“Most of the oil paints I use are made from minerals that give the paints its characteristic colors. The child-like thrill I feel when I squeeze the paint from the tube onto the palette is visceral. But my highest joy comes from mixing the bold colors together. I can dull the color or brighten a color, depending on what paints I mix. From the mixing of any two colors many more colors can be made! Sometimes I am surprised by the color produced, and sometimes I can predict what colors will be created.

When I paint, I am reminded that God does not want a mixing of…

Friends With Benefits

Tim Riter June 1, 2020

Friends with benefits. This common term describes “a friend with whom one has sex without a romantic relationship or commitment” (dictionary.com). But you already knew that, right? And while the term is fairly recent, it’s gone by a number of names for quite some time. I’m sure you already know them. But don’t expect…

Challenge Yourself

Tim Riter May 18, 2020

Paul the apostle implied we need to challenge our limits, “…become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants…Instead…we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:13-15). Growth is normal when following Jesus, but we can’t grow when we’re content with mediocrity, when we cling to our current state. So we push our limits. Move beyond…

Reflections on a Life Well Lived

Tim Riter March 30, 2020

Almost a year ago, my good friend John Southwood and I journeyed north to the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. John had a book concept—on the much-needed topic of integrity, based on Job. Not long after, some issues arose that the doctors diagnosed as brain cancer. Just last Saturday, that cancer took John’s physical life even as he received a full healing. Yeah, I’m a bit jealous, but my day will come. Many of you knew John, many of you prayed for him this year and I so appreciate that. Our lives have been entwined since…

Secrets of Serenity

Tim Riter February 17, 2020

Most of us enjoy serenity. Yeah, I love the adrenaline rush of hitting 112 in a Lamborghini Gallardo 550 just before a 170-degree turn, or riding 1,080 miles in one day on the bike, but I also need the times to relax, to just sit, to enjoy God’s creation. Today was an example—after awesome worship and a great Mexican lunch, we headed to our winery to chill. This pic shows my wineglass and the view. Serenity. I also love Facebook…

Unconventional

Old Faith, New Following