A Passionate Pursuit of God--1

Tim Riter October 12, 2026

Several years ago, a woman walked into Haagen-Dazs, and noticed Paul Newman in his prime standing next to her. He smiled and said hello as his blue eyes captivated her. She got her change and the ice cream and left, only to discover she didn’t have her cone. Turning back, she encountered Newman at the door, “Looking for your ice cream cone? You put it in your purse, along with your change.”

She got excited and giddy and ecstatic merely at being in the presence of Newman. Many God-seekers feel that way about God. Some. Not all.

First Love

Tim Riter July 7, 2025

The early days of a romance possess a quality that possesses 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…

Spiritual Anemia--a Fix

Tim Riter February 13, 2023

A fellow teacher who struggles with anemia posted this on Facebook, “Why am I so exhausted after only teaching two days? Oh boy.” I understand; I taught also. But a more significant anemia is the spiritual one that so infects American Christianity. We lack energy and motivation for the things of God. We care, but not deeply. We serve, but not joyfully. We give, but not sacrificially.

The antidote may be found in a…

Moderation in All?

Tim Riter October 18, 2021

I must admit that Freak Alley in Boise surprised me. Our grandson Josh and his girlfriend Kate led us to this L-shaped alley that featured dozens of paintings on the buildings’ walls. Frankly, some was incomprehensible, except for a pic and quote of Jimi Hendrix that impressed me. But then the one above captivated me: a half empty alcohol bottle laying down, the top half containing positive traits like love, happiness, peace, freedom, and joy. But

Mix It Up

Tim Riter June 8, 2020

Leilani Strong Smith, a very good friend, writer, artist, and educator recently put this painting and text on her blog “Godhead Here in Hiding.”

“Most of the oil paints I use are made from minerals that give the paints its characteristic colors. The child-like thrill I feel when I squeeze the paint from the tube onto the palette is visceral. But my highest joy comes from mixing the bold colors together. I can dull the color or brighten a color, depending on what paints I mix. From the mixing of any two colors many more colors can be made! Sometimes I am surprised by the color produced, and sometimes I can predict what colors will be created.

When I paint, I am reminded that God does not want a mixing of…

Unconventional

Old Faith, New Following