Unconventional

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image from zazzle.com

image from zazzle.com

No Whining

Tim Riter May 25, 2020

I understand how many Christians have genuine concerns for our changing culture, where we’ve abandoned the Judeo/Christian ethic. I share that. But perhaps we should tweak our attitudes in how we respond. A friend on FB recently mentioned a post on spiritual matters that was deleted by the FB “Powers That Be.” A flood…

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In Happenings Tags Whining, Complaining, Victim, Persecution, Hard Times, God Wins, Revelation, Christian LIving, Spiritual Formation
image from quotefancy.com

image from quotefancy.com

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…

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In Reflection Tags Iron Butt, Motorcycles, Push Limits, Challenge, Change, Grow, Spiritual Growth, Christian LIving, Spiritual Formation
Coffee Pour3.jpg

Go Slow

Tim Riter May 11, 2020

Remember the title a few weeks ago for a post “Start Hard?” Now it’s “Go Slow.” This apparent contradiction doesn’t necessarily express early onset dementia, but reflects the complexity and paradoxes of life. In setting up the coffee pot for the next AM, I fill the pot and pour it into the reservoir. I’ve learned to start the flow slowly, but once established, I can gush it in, like the pic. Without spilling. But starting fast would…

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In Happenings Tags Impulsiveness, Quick Decisions, Plan Ahead, Count the Cost, God's Omniscience, God's Love, Urgency, Christian LIving, Spiritual Formation
image from museyci.io

image from museyci.io

Jump into the Flames

Tim Riter May 4, 2020

God and I have an unusual approach/avoidance issue. I love him and am drawn to him, yet simultaneously draw back. I see the threat he represents to my complacency and self will, and resist those changes. Ironically, unless I resolve that paradox, I’ll be torn, stuck in the middle, and will never receive the best he offers. Worst of all, I know that. Deeply…

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In Poetry Tags Fire, Purified by Flames, Commitment, Dedication, Holiness, Issues, Christian LIving, Spiritual Formation
Vacuum Bottom2.jpg

Try the Unexpected

Tim Riter April 27, 2020

We purchased this Hoover vacuum over 25 years back, when just about all our floors had carpeting. So it got a lot of use, with only a few minor repairs. One of those occurred last week, when the rubber drive belt connecting the shaft to the roller shredded itself. Wearing an N95 COVID mask, I picked up a new belt at a local store, and utterly failed to get the new one on. Before, I’d slide out the roller, put the belt on it, then use a screwdriver to pull the belt onto the shaft. Well, either the rubber is more stiff than before, or my hand strength isn’t quite what it was. Assume…

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In Happenings Tags Unexpected, Working Backward, Contradictions, Serve Jesus, Humility, Ego, Change, Christian LIving, Spiritual Formation
Iron Butt 1.jpg

Start Hard--Iron Butt 1

Tim Riter April 20, 2020

Some ideas, like fine wines, require time to mature, to age, to get ready to go public. Back in 2018, I attempted an Iron Butt Ride, over 1,000 miles on 2 wheels under 24 hours, at the age of 70. Those experiences spent some time simmering, and will be shared once each month for a bit. The plan: to jump on I-15 and head north to Dillon MT, 1,080 miles north.

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In Happenings Tags Iron Butt Ride, Count the Cost, Plan Ahead, Margin, Push Limits, Christian LIving, Spiritual Formation
Lawn Strip.jpg

When I Took Jesus Too Seriously

Tim Riter April 13, 2020

I never thought I’d write a title like that. To me, American Christianity’s greatest struggle comes with not taking the words of Jesus seriously; we prefer following our desires and cultural values. But a recent event showed my error. Here’s the backstory. Jesus taught…

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In Happenings Tags Serve, Sacrifice, Ego, Self-Absorption, Self Centeredness, Greatness, Following Jesus, Spiritual Formation, Christian LIving
Goldwings are great bikes, but sometimes a tire goes flat. Still did the 630 miles this day

Goldwings are great bikes, but sometimes a tire goes flat. Still did the 630 miles this day

A Six-Foot Perspective

Tim Riter April 6, 2020

I don’t know how many others suffer from this malady, but I see the world through a six-foot perspective. That’s the average height of most men, although I came up just a little short on that one. Back in Boy Scouts, I learned to measure how tall a tree was by having a six foot person stand next to it, I’d then hold out an arm with a thumb raised to equal his height and count the number of times it took for his height to reach the top. Multiply by six, and you got pretty close.

However, six feet represents more than just height, but a worldview. I tend to…

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In Happenings Tags Perspectives, Humanism, Relativism, Egotism, God's Love, 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