Compared to our southern California, all arrives early in Idaho, but somewhat irregularly. In mid-September, Sheila and I visited our grandkids there and discovered The Village at Meridian, a small “city” of streets and shops and cafes, centered by a marvelous fountain with hourly shows that synced music with the streams of water and lights. But while sitting at an outdoor table at Bodovino by the fountain, Sheila pointed out what may be even more intriguing. A nearby tree, maybe in the maple family, was already…
Read MoreI Need a Baked Potato
Context is everything. Well, almost. But it does give the backstory and brings in other elements of a situation that may change how we perceive it. So, the context for our recent trip to Idaho to visit our grandkids, Josh and Kate: my wife Sheila LOVES baked potatoes, and could have one every night. On our drive through countless miles of California and Nevada desert to the potato mecca, she voiced her desire for an IDAHO baked potato. Idaho did bring us to our grandkids, but…
Read MoreI See Hints
If we look, intentionally, we can see suggestions of God in nature. And more in our lives. But sometimes, I need more than hints. Thankfully, we can garner more than hints when we…
Read MoreHi, I'm Tim, and I'm...
“Hi, I’m Tim, and I’m a home reno project addict” could very well be how I introduce myself, if such a self-help group existed. I thought we had completed all the needed projects within a few years of moving back to Temecula, then about two weeks ago I saw the neighbor’s vines growing up their slope and over the small berm next to our lawn. So, I took…
Read MoreChanges and Mistakes
Funny how some changes and mistakes can benefit us. Although a regular at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers conference near Santa Cruz, I missed the previous seven years before returning in 2016. However, my confidence never dimmed regarding directions, so I left the map at home. Never even glanced at it. A well-traveled route. But Palm Sunday came early that year, right at the switch to Daylight Savings Time, and the conference changed its close from lunch to a 7:15 breakfast, so I left in the darkness at 6 AM, hoping to beat the metro LA afternoon traffic.
Those changes led to my mistake. You need…
Read MoreGod Touches
Decades back, Wayne and I yearned to be the next stellar photo/journalist pair, and headed to Yosemite for material. He’d take the pics; I’d write the copy. You’ve heard of us, right? Yeah, thought so. On the long ride up, Wayne mentioned he saw every scene for its potential picture value. I thought that diminished one’s appreciation of creation’s beauty, so we chewed on it a bit. He didn’t convince me, until…
Read MoreCursed by Quality
A few years back on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, our pastor made it a long week off. Most of the praise team grabbed the same opportunity. Totally deserved, by all of them. After decades as a pastor (not once leading music, praise God!), I know that spiritual leaders need recharging. Jesus patterned that for us, by the way. I suspect he knew some would slide into workaholism.
But their absence impacted the overall worship service. Our pastor does a fine job applying solid Bible truth to living as a follower of Jesus. Our praise team leads in both energetic and meditative genuine worship. And, frankly, the fill in teacher and pared down praise team just didn’t deliver the quality I…
Read MoreTry Some Road Kindness
Brad and I stopped to stroll to the General Sherman tree at Sequoia NP, then hopped back on the bikes heading for the north exit. As luck would have it, we quickly caught up to a very slow pickup towing a very big trailer, with double lines on the road, meaning “DON’T PASS,” so we obeyed. Yeah, we got frustrated a little at the pace, but the driver kindly took the first chance at a turnout, and our bikes became bikes again. As we carved the turns I pondered…
Read More