Be Filled

Tim Riter June 5, 2017

Growing up, I sincerely yet shallowly gave my life to Jesus. That superficiality caused enough spiritual struggles to leave me feeling guilty, so in college I left faith. Four years of searching and studying brought me back to Jesus, much more deeply, but some struggles remained. Then Wayne, the custodian at the Christian junior high where I taught, encouraged me to study about the Holy Spirit. Understand that in reaction to some overemphasis on charismatic gifts and some weird stuff going on, the church I grew up in minimized talk about the Holy Spirit. My study revealed one reason for my struggles...

Who IS This Guy?

Tim Riter May 29, 2017

After the political year we’ve had, with politicians of all stripes (an intentional animal allusion) promising what no human could possibly deliver, I hesitate to make this claim. But out of over 200 posts on Unconventional, this week may be the most central to following Jesus. Seeing Jesus as he truly is will radically change how we follow him, so I ask you read it carefully, apply it to your life, and share the post if it blesses you. Here’s why...

The Look of Faith

Tim Riter May 8, 2017

What does authentic faith look like? For a clue, check out the pic above and the story of Abraham in Genesis. A pretty good example of faith, he set out blindly following God, and became the father of the Jewish people, who in turn gave us Jesus. But his journey included some missteps. Serious ones. Sometimes repeated ones. So, let’s...

Garden Walking

Tim Riter May 1, 2017

Just what does it mean to “follow” Jesus? Not long ago, for many it just meant being an American. That day is done. Obeying God? That’s important, but being good is not good enough. Telling people you follow? That expression is crucial, but not central. Going to church? Nope, going to church makes you no more of a Christian than going into a barn makes you a horse. Years back I came across a verse that began a change process in me.Jesus proclaimed...

Achieving

Tim Riter April 24, 2017

For the last five years of my teaching career, I had the privilege of teaching Advanced Placement English Language and Composition, a course that had the most practical significance of all I taught over several decades.It had two portions—a semester examining style, or how to use words for the best effect, and another semester on persuasion, or how to analyze or craft political speeches, sales pitches, or asking your folks to borrow the car. Regardless of your political leanings, these ...

When Pigs Fly

Tim Riter April 17, 2017

Don’t let those wings deceive you, that pig will remain earthbound. It represents the impossible, like when Hell freezes over. So let’s consider if the impossible exists. Absolutely, and here’s one—me being drafted to play center on an NBA team. In my prime I had white man’s disease to the max, with a vertical lift of six inches, and even at 5’11” my speed just exceeded the normal turtle. Now add 50 years, and clearly the impossible does exist. But perhaps it’s not as pervasive as we often think...

Give It Up

Tim Riter March 20, 2017

If Jesus asked you to give up your biggest obstacle to following him, what would it be? No, that’s not rhetorical, but real. Here are some ...

Chaotic Devotions

Tim Riter March 6, 2017

I love Jesus. I appreciate personally knowing the transcendent Creator of the universe (one of my books, A Passionate Pursuit of God, focuses on this). I realize the need to nurture this relationship regularly. Not once a week, not even once a day, but moment by moment. And I’ve tried just about every method suggested by those who know. Daily devotion books. Christian living books. Study guides. Practicing the presence. And they have all worked. Until…

Unconventional

Old Faith, New Following