Unconventional

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Tweak Bit.jpg

Tweak It a Bit

Tim Riter October 30, 2017

Last Saturday Sheila and I relaxed at our waterfall with some wine and cheese and chips to celebrate a new book contract. In the midst of kicking back, I had to rise. Some rocks in the fountain had been moved. Honest, none of you would likely have noticed, but I couldn’t miss the change. Likely from raccoons or coyotes or possums or neighboring cats coming by for a drink. The birds bathe there, but their weight wouldn’t move a rock. One shift caused the water...

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In Happenings Tags Small Changes, Baby Steps, Growing, Obedience, Spiritual Formation, Changes, Christian Living, Waterfalls
Rock Creek.jpg

Know Your Target

Tim Riter October 23, 2017

The location of the above spot on Rock Creek will remain a secret. Well away from any campground or road. No recently stocked trout, so if you happen to find it, forget using Power Bait. Wild trout reign here; at a minimum, stockers have lived here long enough to get cagey. So walk softly, watch your shadows, and stalk the fish with worms. Night crawlers are best. Techniques that land trout in campgrounds with newly stocked trout won’t work here. Ya gotta know the habits and leeriness of your targeted trout. Sharing Jesus...

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In Reflection Tags Rock Creek, Trout Fishing, Evangelism, Spiritual Conversations, Spiritual Strategies, spiritual formation, Christian Living, Knowing Jesus
Jane's House.jpg

Do It Right

Tim Riter October 16, 2017

Several months ago my sister began begging me to come up from Temecula in SoCal to Redding in NoCal to paint her house. Well, I delayed it, having a lot of our own projects. Sibling love finally won, and I blended in three days of fishing at Rock and Hat Creeks, both on the way. Their house had a nice wow factor, except for the painting. Blah tones of tan and brown and yes, a purplish hue on some. The plan: ...

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In Happenings Tags Painting, Construction, Do it right, Serve Jesus, Spiritual Formation, Christian Living
image by KPCC

image by KPCC

Embrace Chaos

Tim Riter October 9, 2017

I love the line in a current worship song, “He brings our chaos back into order.” The universe began in chaos, formless and void, until he spoke it into being, with order. Enough order for us to design smart phones and sent rockets to Saturn, and, well, you get it. God also does that in our lives—we simultaneously head in different directions with contradictory goals, and he brings consistency so we can be productive. But…

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In Reflection Tags Chaos, Order, Regimentation, Rigidity, spiritual formation, Christian Living
image by SnowTart

image by SnowTart

Demon Faith

Tim Riter October 2, 2017

Demon Faith--the ultimate oxymoron and insult, perhaps. James, the brother of Jesus, stated that many believe in Jesus without trusting him. The demons do that. Hence, demon faith.  In an extended definition of genuine faith, James said, “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?” (James 2:19-20 NLT, but see verses 14-26). But could we possibly have some elements of demon faith in our lives? Not that our faith is...

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In Reflection Tags Demons, Faith, Trust, Obedience, Spiritual Formation, Christian Living, Sin, Grace, Forgiveness, Restoration
image by ReGenesis

image by ReGenesis

First Love

Tim Riter September 25, 2017

The early days of a romance possess a quality that comes to possess us. We stay up all night, talking. Listening, genuinely. We think of nothing else. We’d do anything for them. But gradually, we get to know them. We get comfortable. We settle in. Following Jesus can follow that example. But should it? Can we escape that all-too-common trap?...

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In Poetry Tags First Loves, First Romances, Lukewarm, Spiritual Intimacy, Spiritual Formation, Christian Living
ChickenSwimming.jpg

Blind Faith?

Tim Riter September 18, 2017

What can swimming chickens teach us about blind faith? More than I ever imagined. Robin, a friend from high school days, has chickens in the neighboring town, and posted this pic of Pearl the swimming chicken. Honestly, I’d never heard of that before, and asked why she swam. Robin’s response? “Blind faith.” She proceeded to educate me on...

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In Happenings Tags Chickens, Murrieta, Blind Faith, Leap in the Dark, Trust, God's Love, God's Faithfulness, Our Trust in God, Christian Living, Spiritual Formation
Squamous Scar.jpg

Reasons to Believe

Tim Riter September 11, 2017

A week or so ago I gave a Facebook update on my skin cancer surgery, that the margins were all clear and the cancer had not spread. In relief, I added, “God is good.” Then I thought of the many friends, some who love God deeply, who currently struggle with very serious cancers and other health issues. For some, death approaches and when is the only question. What about them? I had to add, “And, he would be just as good if the news had been bad, but I do rejoice.” That prompted more pondering, about God and trouble, about the reasons people enter into faith, about... 

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In Happenings Tags Skin Cancer, Hard Times, Trouble, God's Sovereignty, God's Love, Faith, Reasons to Believe, Fall Away, Mediocre Faith, spiritual formation, 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