Morning Devotions

Tim Riter March 7, 2016

On a late June morning we fired up the bikes and rode out of Kalispell, Montana, expecting great things at Glacier National Park. Early indications didn’t encourage us. The chill cut deep, even through our leathers and layers of clothing, and we had to endure 30 miles of mostly urban traffic before approaching the park. So far, the shivers from cold and the frustrations from traffic seemed like a typical day. Nothing awesome, just unpleasant conditions. Then we entered Glacier...

Perpetual Tinkering

Tim Riter February 29, 2016

Many have followed the Facebook progress of transforming our neglected, dead, and dated back yard into a relaxing retreat. OK, I'm retired, so I have less stress to retreat from, but I still need it. Building the waterfall provides a metaphor not just for the entire job, but more so for the spiritual life. We'd built one at our previous house and had an idea of what we wanted, then a friend ...

Defeats and Identity

Tim Riter February 22, 2016

Previously invulnerable in the fight ring. Undefeated in 18 bouts. Champion. Rhonda Rousey had it all, until Holly Holm knocked her out in late 2015, not only stealing her crown but her identity: "I was sitting in my corner and was like, 'What am I if I'm not this? I was literally thinking about killing myself...I'm nothing. What do I do anymore and no one gives a (rip) about me anymore without this.'" Rousey yields a great example of ...

Super Bowl 50

Tim Riter February 15, 2016

Superbowl 50: a marvelous defensive game, particularly by the Denver Broncos. Close fought, except for the final score. Two dueling quarterbacks with different styles, one a rising star who moves well, the other the veteran epitome of a pocket passer. Blend in a bit of controversy, with the losing quarterback giving a short, curt postgame interview, one that garnered a load of comments, mostly negative, prompting him to explain his conduct. But lost in the resulting discussion was ...

The Duel

Tim Riter February 8, 2016

The hopeful Republican and Democratic Presidential candidates have become quite testy with one another just before the New Hampshire primary, eagerly pointing out character flaws and ignorance and incompetence, which merely confirms the disgust many of us have toward the politicians in Washington. But the worst of this cannot match the first levels of political disagreement in our country.Aaron Burr served as Vice President ...

Know the Times

Tim Riter February 1, 2016

John Thurston, whose house is above, raised his grandson, my father, when my granddad abandoned his new family. Thurston rassled a grizzly and won (otherwise I wouldn't be writing this). He knew the world he lived in, and navigated it well. How about us?

Be Nice to be Godly

Tim Riter January 25, 2016

Decades back, I first knew her when she was in the college group I led. We've stayed in touch over the years and I appreciate how she thinks. Her Facebook post this morning struck quite a chord with a number of readers.

” I am having breakfast at a cute place... A nice little family just came in. They have not ...

Voting Our Values

Tim Riter January 18, 2016

Immigration. Terrorism and war. Welfare and entitlements. Abortion. The economy. Crime. Drug legalization. Gay marriage. These topics dominate conversations and the airwaves. Yep, another election year. And I'm sure you're eagerly awaiting my input on how you should vote...not. But I will anyway, because ...

Unconventional

Old Faith, New Following