Baby Girl-Discovering by Microcontroleur

Hope for Today?

Tim Riter November 4, 2013

Our times oppress us. Tonight’s news focuses on the inhumanity of the LAX killing of a TSA agent. Other news covers the extra security of the New York City Marathon resulting from the explosive pressure cookers at the earlier Boston Marathon. Growing secularism pushes the practice of faith to the periphery. Radicals killed more Christians, for being Christians, in the last century than all combined. A climate scientist just stated that some climate changes may be beyond the point of reversal. Let’s not even address the uncertainty that circles the roll out of Affordable Health Care!

And many Facebook friends bemoan current conditions, conveying a sense that nothing can be done.

They may be right.

And I don’t care.

Image from Massage Center, Thousand Oaks

Ministering on a Massage Table

Tim Riter October 28, 2013

The core group of this summer’s ride to Glacier National Park broke up in Redding, in north California. Jerry spun off the day before near his home in Oregon; Brad got released from the hospital after his collision with a deer, and he and Mick stayed a few days to celebrate the birthday of Brad’s dad, who was also Mick’s brother-in-law. I headed south alone for the last 600 mile leg.

Now, I love riding, but at the end of a trip the desire to get home grows, and I was ready to see my wife and our cats. Notice the order, OK? So I pulled out about 4:30 in the darkness before dawn, and hit the garage door remote about 2:30. 10 hours and 600 miles is a good day’s ride, but even with the sport touring bike my body felt it. And, I knew the solution.

The Eagle

Tim Riter October 21, 2013

His soul yearns to soar

but gravity binds

denying his destiny of flight

until he spreads his wings

and breaks away

for gravity cannot conquer

the wildness at his core

That wild streak lives in me

The Role of Rules

Tim Riter October 14, 2013

On that mission trip to Penasco that I mentioned a few weeks ago, two of us cruised there on bikes. Both looked custom. Mine—a 750 Honda, slightly chopped, “Easy Rider” American flag paint, a custom seat, but basically the bike the factory made. Chris’ had a 750 motor, but totally custom and totally cool—winning the foreign show bike competition at that year’s Winternationals.

From New Mexico I rode the bike on to Nashville to see family, about 5000 miles for the overall trip. The only problem came when a piece of grit got caught in the carb jets, and half an hour took care of that.

Chris had a different story...

Angel Wings

Tim Riter October 7, 2013

Sunrise carried beautiful conditions into our Conejo Valley on Friday. At about 6 AM, walking out to get the morning paper, I found clear, calm blue skies, and a temperate temperature. Why so many move to SoCal. By 10 AM, everything changed. The typical slight southwest wind reversed itself into a Santa Ana condition, a high gale coming from the northeast, with gusts up to 70 mph.

And I was headed into the wind that afternoon...

Fog Lingers In, by Don Bartletti, LA Times, 2010

Temecula

Tim Riter September 30, 2013

Clouds rolled in

shutting out the sun

its warmth

energy

and joy

leaving life in shades of gray

letting darkness reign

even penetrating my soul

The sun then...

Balancing, by John M. Becker, at johnmbecker.com

Rules or Relationships? Or Both?

Tim Riter September 23, 2013

I suspect the Pope has been poaching my posts! Just last week I explored the toxicity of legalism, and that post engendered more visits and replies than any other (OK, the blog’s been up less than two months. But even so…). Within a few days, an interview with the Pope came out that created a firestorm of discussion, both within the Roman Catholic and Protestantism, of protest and support and uncertainty. Francis’ premise: the church needs to move away from emphasizing rules to focusing on faith.

Have a Beer?

Tim Riter September 16, 2013

In the early 70’s, 9 of us took a mission trip to Penasco, NM, just outside of Taos. One Saturday afternoon, the local lady, Laura, who set up the trip came by with a six pack of beer to relax with us. She offered a beer to one of the group, who graciously declined. As did the next. And the next.

With each, Laura seemed to take the decline as rejection; you could see her shrink within herself. Back in the legalistic day, Christians didn’t drink. Shouldn’t drink. Couldn’t drink, and still be viewed as a good Christian. And, many of our group genuinely didn’t indulge out of preference, not legalism. But Laura didn’t seem to make that distinction.

I did indulge, but didn’t feel the urge then. But I popped out, “Laura, I’d love one.”

Unconventional

Old Faith, New Following