Unconventional

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image from DeMarcoto

image from DeMarcoto

Mean People Suck--But Kindness Works

Tim Riter December 9, 2019

Not long ago while driving on a traffic-engorged freeway, a red Honda Civic cut in front of me so close I had to slam on my brakes to keep my F150 from ramming him. Yeah, likely lost a number of miles of tread with the skid. And I got close enough to read the sticker on his window: “Mean People Suck.” Honestly, the humor of the hypocrisy mellowed my madness somewhat. Somewhat. About then…

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In Happenings Tags Kindness, Mean People, Anger, Revenge, Payback, Karma, Forgiveness, Love
DC White House.jpg

Works in Progress (WIPs)

Tim Riter December 2, 2019

On our fall visit to the east coast and DC, we strolled down Pennsylvania Ave in front of the White House. Lafayette Park and its protestors at our backs, we saw the above pic of the WH undergoing construction of some sort. Likely external security on the fence, but the Secret Service wouldn’t tell. Can’t figure out why. 😉

We’d toured a traveling WH model a few years back at the Reagan Library, and the lessons there and the fence combined to make me see the White House as a Work in Progress, or WIP to writers. Here’s its story…

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In Happenings Tags White House, United States, Lafayette Park, Work in Progress, WIP, Flex, Love God, Love People, Love Selves
image from Nora Carol

image from Nora Carol

Fake News

Tim Riter November 25, 2019

This post may be my most politically relevant and unyieldingly nonpartisan. A few weeks back a commentator, who’s been around since Watergate, expressed that he is more concerned about the future of our country now than at any time in his life. Why? We can’t agree on truth. We don’t seek truth. Partisans, on both sides, decry as “Fake News” anything that doesn’t match what they already want to believe. We accept, as gospel, rumors with no evidence. The divide between left and right grows. And I’m not sure electing more “people with our values” will help…

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In Reflection Tags Fake News, Opinion, Evidence, Truth, Prove Truth, Arguing, Politics, Partisanship, Honesty, Christian LIving, Spiritual Formation
Outside Stewart, British Columbia

Outside Stewart, British Columbia

Serenity or Stress--Your Choice

Tim Riter November 18, 2019

We all face sources of stress. Jobs. Relationships. Family. Finances. Neighbors. Life isn’t always a stroll in the park, but perhaps we can extract a lesson from my bike trips. The pic above came from the ride from SoCal to Alaska in August 2019 with Rich. The stretch of road between Kitwanga Junction and Stewart BC, right next to Hyder, Alaska, held chances to spot grizzlies and moose and deer and glaciers. But no one mentioned it ranks among the most…

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In Happenings Tags Hyder Alaska, British Columbia, Stress, Serenity, Creation, God's Majesty, God's Love, Wind Therapy, Christian LIving, Spiritual Formation
white-flag-surrender-.jpg

Celebrate Our Surrender

Tim Riter November 11, 2019

The riddle for the day: What do you call a husband and wife when she has a Ph.D. in History, and he's an oncologist? Answer: a paradox. OK, corny and old, but cute. A paradox, in reality, is two contradictory statements when both are true. My preeminent example comes from Jesus as a double paradox, "If you save your life you'll…

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In Reflection Tags Paradox, Surrender, Trancendence, God Sovereign, Obstacles, Christian LIving, Spiritual Formation
Churchill Quote.jpg

Do Words Matter?

Tim Riter November 4, 2019

I’ve seen this post multiple times, and can’t express how profoundly these words impact me. From Sir Winston Churchill as it claims? Likely not, but that’s immaterial. The purpose, often put up by people whom I know love Jesus, attempt to justify bad and offensive language by leaders and ourselves, and this can be from both political persuasions. However, this Unconventional rant is NOT political—but essentially spiritual. The question: do these words represent or oppose how Jesus and the Bible view words? Good words…

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In Happenings Tags Words, Language, Winston Churchill, Godly Speech, Christian LIving, Spiritual Formation
image by shutterstock.com

image by shutterstock.com

Why Worship Together?

Tim Riter October 28, 2019

Many say they can worship God just as well at the beach, or the mountains, or the golf course. And, some of my most glorious worship occurs in the mountains. Immersed in the beauty of the world that God created, away from the overpowering touch of man, my ego shrinks as I get lost in God’s transcendence. But must we worship together?

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In Reflection Tags Worship, Worship Together, Corporate Worship, Spiritual Formation, Christian LIving
Cruise1.jpg

To Cruise or Not to Cruise

Tim Riter October 21, 2019

need for speed. Frankly, that caused some cramping on long rides, and my third bike, a ’78 Goldwing, had a throttle lock that I loved. Get to the speed you want, set the throttle lock, and it held it there, saving your hand and wrist muscles. But when a hill arrived, you slowed down going up, and sped up going down. Not ideal! The first pic shows the throttle lock on my ST1300. Then I…

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Tags Cruise Control, Cramp Buster, Throttle Lock, Cruise, Attention, British Columbia, Alaska, Motorcycles, Christian LIving, Spiritual Formation
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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