Category Archives: Religion/Faith

My Leap of Life

Posted on February 11, 2019 by

You’re caught in a blinding blizzard and you reach the edge of a cliff. The way back is death. The way forward is unknowable. And so you leap, hoping—without evidence—that you will land on something, rather than plunge into the … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Blessed to be a Blessing

Posted on February 10, 2019 by

“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). But it is also a blessing to learn how to receive. Many of us spend our lives blessing ourselves–striving to make sure all of our own needs (real and … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

In Our Father’s House

Posted on February 3, 2019 by

My dear cousin Ellen passed away yesterday. Ellen responded to an altar call many years back, after a performance by my old Christian comedy act Isaac Air Freight. And so did our mutual grandmother, by the way (Grandma died a … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Memoir, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 60 Comments

Mixed Blessings

Posted on February 1, 2019 by

Originally posted on Mitch Teemley:
Part One of Two The term “mixed blessings” is redundant. Why do I say that? Because all blessings—all real ones—are mixed. I only fully realized that this morning while contemplating the day I met the…

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Memoir, Movies, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Up to you

Posted on January 30, 2019 by

Originally posted on Short visits with an honest God:
“Up to you,” God said. This is a lonely answer. My hot bath had steamed the bathroom mirrors. I was brushing my teeth, contemplating all the irritating, confusing choices humans face.…

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

My Dress Rehearsal for Death

Posted on January 28, 2019 by

In the year 2000 I found a golf ball-sized lump in my neck. Not having swallowed any golf balls recently, I decided I’d better see a doctor. Dr. Yamagata was the opposite of the cold-but-efficient Asian doctor stereotype. He was … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 92 Comments

Count the Cost

Posted on January 27, 2019 by

“Count the cost… Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” ~Luke 14:28, 33 “(But) if you continue in my word, then you are truly my disciples. And you will know the truth, … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments