Monthly Archives: December 2016

The Lush Life

Posted on December 31, 2016 by

An Embarrassingly True Story I was 11 and it was my first New Year’s Eve party. Sort of. It would be at least two more years before I was allowed to attend a Real Party. The moment we stepped into Aunt … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Story Power | Tagged , , , , , | 27 Comments

Deep in December

Posted on December 30, 2016 by

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” ~Mother Teresa “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 30 Comments

…and Goodnight, Debbie

Posted on December 29, 2016 by

I posted a tribute to Carrie Fisher yesterday, with no idea that today I’d be posting one about her mother, Debbie Reynolds. My childhood crush, Debbie broke through to stardom in the film Singin’ in the Rain (possibly the greatest film musical ever … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Memoir, Movies, Popular Culture & Entertainment | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

Goodnight, Sweet Princess…

Posted on December 28, 2016 by

Nimble-witted, tempestuous, and almost too tender-hearted for her own good–that’s the Carrie Fisher I remember. Goodnight, sweet princess. Praying* for the girl I met long ago and for the woman she became. I wrote an indirect tribute to her a while back. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Memoir, Movies, Popular Culture & Entertainment | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

The Wishing Map 45

Posted on December 28, 2016 by

Originally posted on Mitch Teemley:
Note: To read The Wishing Map from the beginning, click here. The Wishing Map Chapter Eleven: …and Found (Continued) Previously: Zack continued to search for his sister Gina, while she herself sought the help of…

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Overlooked

Posted on December 27, 2016 by

Some of my friends’ birthdays fall on or near Christmas day and so, sadly, they tend to be overlooked. Take my friend Jesus, for example.

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Ants on the Sidewalk

Posted on December 26, 2016 by

Socrates said, “The only thing that makes me wiser than anyone else is that I know I know nothing.” It’s good to remind ourselves from time to time how clueless we truly are. Think of it this way: You are … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith, Story Power | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

A Different Kind of Wall

Posted on December 24, 2016 by

Bil was a proud man (yes, he spelled his name that way). Trust me, I know because I have an excess of pride myself. I came to know him when he played the lead role in my production of A … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Memoir, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith, Story Power | Tagged , , , , | 27 Comments

Christmas on Pleasant Hill

Posted on December 23, 2016 by

Looking for a last-minute gift book? May I recommend Christmas on Pleasant Hill by my friend, gifted author Colleen Scheid? Pleasant Hill is a compassionate and moving collection of twelve modern day Christmas stories that is perfect for reading aloud and sharing with other … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Culture, For Pastors and Teachers | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

What Song is This?

Posted on December 23, 2016 by

One of my favorite Christmas melodies What Child is This? (Greensleeves) is believed by many to have been written by Henry VIII for Anne Boleyn. When religious leader Thomas More refused to let them marry, Henry had More executed. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments