Whispers

Tim Riter April 15, 2019

Yeah, I’ve reached 71, and that explains it some. Add much too much loud rock and roll in earlier years, dancing right in front of the speakers to sense the vibration in my chest, and together they explain my frequent, “Can you please repeat that?” Not quite bad enough for artificial ears, but enough to bother me some. I find myself copying my mom—when she didn’t hear what someone said, she’d smile and nod her head, praying she didn’t commit herself unknowingly. But …

Earthbound

Tim Riter December 3, 2018

God created us as physical creatures in a physical world, and that’s good. I love the slow melting of dark chocolate held in my mouth. The cleansing experienced riding the motorcycle. The joy of embracing my wife. These, and so much more. But we also face physical frustrations. How do we balance them?

The Glory of Guilt

Tim Riter September 10, 2018

Pain from a broken leg keeps us from doing more damage to the injury. So we limp to see a doc and get it casted to enable healing. We don’t all break our legs, but we do sin. Perhaps, just wondering, but does guilt serve a similar role spiritually for those times?

Hope Lies Eternal in the Divine Breast

Tim Riter May 14, 2018

The cushy beds in the tent trailer at Convict Lake claimed my son-in-law and grandson as I rose alone at early dawn to entice the trout in the creek. Yes, I caught a few. But better than the rainbows was the reminder of God’s patience. Mountain mornings bring a unique freshness. Something about being immersed in God’s creation makes me more aware of him, and the following flowed from…

Worship's Courage

Tim Riter March 19, 2018

Some wit once compared the church to Noah’s ark, we couldn’t stand the conditions inside if it weren’t for those outside. That haunts me. Research reveals that over half of self-identified Christians have no connection with a larger group of followers—meaning we may have more Christians outside the church than inside. The church that Jesus died to create.So...

First Love

Tim Riter September 25, 2017

The early days of a romance possess a quality that comes to possess us. We stay up all night, talking. Listening, genuinely. We think of nothing else. We’d do anything for them. But gradually, we get to know them. We get comfortable. We settle in. Following Jesus can follow that example. But should it? Can we escape that all-too-common trap?...

A Desired Beauty

Tim Riter June 12, 2017

Ever wonder why wrong seems so right, or why good seems so difficult? Ever wonder why we do wrong so often and so easily? Me too.

A welcoming smile

a keen mind...

Jump Into The Flames

Tim Riter May 22, 2017

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 some changes. Ironically, unless I resolve that paradox, I’ll be torn, stuck in the middle, and will never receive the best he offers. So, why does God scare me?

Unconventional

Old Faith, New Following