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 Zumwalt Tree, from www.americansouthwest.net

 Zumwalt Tree, from www.americansouthwest.net

Lost Battles, Shattered Dreams

Tim Riter November 18, 2013

Tall

            twisted

                        gnarled

                                    red cedar

                        on the side of a hill

 

What have you seen in your long years?

What can you teach me?

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In Poetry Tags Red Cedar, Following Jesus, Spiritual Failure

Trojan Fun, by Gary Klein in LA Times

We Just Wanna Have Fun

Tim Riter November 11, 2013

 

Cyndi Lauper got it right, in part. We all wanna have fun. It enlivens life and motivates us. Pat Haden, the Athletic Director of USC, removed the football coach partway into this 2013 season. The 3-2 record, bad as it was, dimmed in view of the dispirited and disorganized play of the team.

The new coach, Ed Orgeron, instituted several goals for the team--one was to have fun. So, he brought In and Out burgers and cookies to the menus. It’s worked. My Trojans are now 4-1 under Mr. Ed, playing hard and smart and having fun with football. And I’m having fun watching them!

Fun works, but sometimes it dominates the church.

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In Reflection Tags Fun, Ed Orgeron, USC Trojans, Joy, God's Presence, Suffering

Baby Girl-Discovering by Microcontroleur

Hope for Today?

Tim Riter November 4, 2013

 

Our times oppress us. Tonight’s news focuses on the inhumanity of the LAX killing of a TSA agent. Other news covers the extra security of the New York City Marathon resulting from the explosive pressure cookers at the earlier Boston Marathon. Growing secularism pushes the practice of faith to the periphery. Radicals killed more Christians, for being Christians, in the last century than all combined. A climate scientist just stated that some climate changes may be beyond the point of reversal. Let’s not even address the uncertainty that circles the roll out of Affordable Health Care!

And many Facebook friends bemoan current conditions, conveying a sense that nothing can be done.

They may be right.

And I don’t care.

Read More
In Reflection Tags Hope, Climate Change, Spiritual Dimension, Problem of Pain, Persecution
Image from Massage Center, Thousand Oaks

Image from Massage Center, Thousand Oaks

Ministering on a Massage Table

Tim Riter October 28, 2013

 

The core group of this summer’s ride to Glacier National Park broke up in Redding, in north California. Jerry spun off the day before near his home in Oregon; Brad got released from the hospital after his collision with a deer, and he and Mick stayed a few days to celebrate the birthday of Brad’s dad, who was also Mick’s brother-in-law. I headed south alone for the last 600 mile leg.

Now, I love riding, but at the end of a trip the desire to get home grows, and I was ready to see my wife and our cats. Notice the order, OK?  So I pulled out about 4:30 in the darkness before dawn, and hit the garage door remote about 2:30. 10 hours and 600 miles is a good day’s ride, but even with the sport touring bike my body felt it. And, I knew the solution.

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In Happenings Tags Massage, Motorcyle rides, spiritual person
SoaringEagleMountain.jpg

The Eagle

Tim Riter October 21, 2013

 

His soul yearns to soar

    but gravity binds

    denying his destiny of flight

until he spreads his wings

    and breaks away

    for gravity cannot conquer

    the wildness at his core

That wild streak lives in me

Read More
In Poetry Tags Wild, Wilderness, Conventional, Soar
My '73 in '74

My '73 in '74

The Role of Rules

Tim Riter October 14, 2013

 

On that mission trip to Penasco that I mentioned a few weeks ago, two of us cruised there on bikes. Both looked custom. Mine—a 750 Honda, slightly chopped, “Easy Rider” American flag paint, a custom seat, but basically the bike the factory made. Chris’ had a 750 motor, but totally custom and totally cool—winning the foreign show bike competition at that year’s Winternationals.

From New Mexico I rode the bike on to Nashville to see family, about 5000 miles for the overall trip. The only problem came when a piece of grit got caught in the carb jets, and half an hour took care of that.

Chris had a different story...

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In Reflection Tags Choppers, Abundant Life, Rules
Blue Angel Wings, by redbubble.com

Blue Angel Wings, by redbubble.com

Angel Wings

Tim Riter October 7, 2013

 

Sunrise carried beautiful conditions into our Conejo Valley on Friday. At about 6 AM, walking out to get the morning paper, I found clear, calm blue skies, and a temperate temperature. Why so many move to SoCal. By 10 AM, everything changed. The typical slight southwest wind reversed itself into a Santa Ana condition, a high gale coming from the northeast, with gusts up to 70 mph.

And I was headed into the wind that afternoon...

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In Happenings Tags Clouds, spiritual formation, Guardian Angels, Reminders
Fog Lingers In, by Don Bartletti, LA Times, 2010

Fog Lingers In, by Don Bartletti, LA Times, 2010

Temecula

Tim Riter September 30, 2013

 

Clouds rolled in

            shutting out the sun

                        its warmth

                                    energy

                                                and joy

            leaving life in shades of gray

            letting darkness reign

            even penetrating my soul

The sun then...

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In Poetry Tags spiritual formation, Depression, Reality, Fog, Temecula
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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