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Trophy Debate.jpg

Unexpected Consequences

Tim Riter September 4, 2017

The pic above of a debate trophy represents a hasty decision I made, one motivated by fear and done without knowledge, one that changed the course of my life. Here’s the backstory. Back in junior high, with knees knocking to produce more sound than my voice, I gave an oral report. It...

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In Happenings Tags Pepperdine, Eugene Gillam, Fear, Stage Fright, Communication Anxiety, Debate, Decisions, Consequences, Spiritual Formation, Christian Living
image by Josh Garcia

image by Josh Garcia

Lamborghini Lessons

Tim Riter August 28, 2017

My first exposure to Lamborghinis came in college—my roommate Ron Stump brought a mag about it, and I got hooked on the Italian supercar. But I’d never even sat in one, until Sheila gifted me with 7 laps with Exotics Racing at the Fontana Speedway. In a Lambo Gallardo 550. The 550 proclaims the horsepower, it tops out at 200 mph, and scorches 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds. Naturally, I posted a pic and thoughts on Facebook, but the exhilaration transcends the day. Driving home in our slow Honda Accord, I realized the Lambo taught me some lessons. I learned…

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In Happenings Tags Lamborghini, Gallardo 550, Exotics Racing, Fontana Raceway, Ron Stump, Push the envelope, Speed, Control, Racing
image from HotAir

image from HotAir

Making God Smile

Tim Riter August 21, 2017

While working outside a few days ago, an older praise song came on Pandora, and one line echoed in my mind, a line based on the verse, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD” (Psalm 19:14). Then, during lunch we caught up on the news, with the riot in Charlottesville topping the list. Hateful and vile speech and actions abounded. I wonder if...

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In Happenings Tags Charlottesville, Riots, Alt Right, Alt Left, Speech, Disagreeing, spiritual formation, Christian Living, Conversation, Thoughts, Neo Nazis, White Supremism, Black Lives Matter
image by fanpop

image by fanpop

Selling Cheap

Tim Riter August 14, 2017

Back in 8th grade, Sheila’s artistic streak caused her to yearn for colored pencils. The nun who taught at her school, aware of Sheila’s love of colored pencils and that her family couldn’t afford them, tried to bribe her by offering those pencils if she became a nun. Sheila REALLY loved the pencils, but not that much. By the way, to my family and friends who follow the Catholic faith, I don’t mean to imply that is standard church policy. Her self control beat mine...

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Tags Compromise, Consequences, Choices, God's Best, Esau, Spiritual Formation, Christian Living

Tough Times

Tim Riter August 7, 2017

About every other week, Jim and I meet here at the Swing Inn. Breakfast and God talk and job and health issues and well, just life. Guy times. Good times. At our last get together, Jim brought up a friend of his who had a marvelous job opportunity in another state, and every step seemed orchestrated by God. Prayer inundated it all. They asked for input from trusted friends. Too many coincidences to be coincidental. The job turned out to be the proverbial “died and gone to heaven” type. Until…

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Tags Tough Times, Problem of Pain, Knowing Jesus, Difficulties, Discouragement, spiritual formation, Christian Living, Swing Inn Temecula

Give a Little

Tim Riter July 31, 2017

Some of the best experiences of my life have come when I knew enough to compromise. A recent ride with Rich Klinsky, above at Michael’s Restaurant in Taos, provides an example. We go back a long time, growing up at the same church in Long Beach CA, and began riding together as soon as I got a bike 47 years ago. He rides a Harley, I a Honda, but we’re close. Honest. But…

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In Happenings Tags Taos, Submitting to Others, Love, Motorcycles, Enchanted Circle, Christian Living, spiritual formation

Free Dive

Tim Riter July 24, 2017

Sheila adores the beach, and would love to live there. A nice chair, some food and drink for snacking, and the day is great. But the water scared this girl who grew up in Kansas, so she stuck to the sand. Until we visited Kauai and booked a cruise to the Napali Coast. One that featured snorkeling. The captain found an isolated bay, and we geared up. Except for Sheila. That captain and I almost had to force her to try it, and she only agreed if I’d hold on to her. A tough job, but….

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In Happenings Tags Free Dive, Stretch Self, Contentment, Spiritual Formation, Snorkeling, Christian Living
Rio Lucio on Hwy 75

Rio Lucio on Hwy 75

Letting Dreams Go

Tim Riter July 17, 2017

A trip of memories. A ride with a friend from high school days. Meeting in Taos, my home for two summers and then two years. Delighting in New Mexico sopapillas and stacked enchiladas. Memories of a dream I let go. And the question remains, why? The pic above shows where I stopped along the road in Rio Lucio...

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In Happenings Tags Taos, Dreams, Yielding Dreams, The Good is the Enemy of the Best, spiritual formation, Serving God, Obeying God, Christian Living
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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