Tag Archives: challenges

I Honestly Had No Idea

Posted on January 22, 2026 by mitchteemley

I Honestly Had No Idea Forty-Three Years Ago… I met a woman who would change my life forever. And almost entirely for good. The “almost” being purely subjective, since those are the parts of each other we haven’t finished sculpting … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 113 Comments

Change Is Inevitable and That’s OK

Posted on December 15, 2025 by mitchteemley

“The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The realist adjusts the sails.” ~William Arthur Ward Thought for the Week In 2025, the world changed so much we could hardly recognize it as the one we once … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Life Is a Jam Sandwich

Posted on December 4, 2025 by mitchteemley

Life Is a Jam Sandwich ‘Twas soft below us and easy to chew ‘Twill be soft above us when we get through But now we’re trapped in the middle, and wham! We find ourselves suddenly stuck in the jam Still, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Poetry, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Overcoming Curses

Posted on September 14, 2024 by mitchteemley

Photo by Vasiliy Skuratov “Life isn’t just about fulfilling dreams; it’s also about overcoming curses. We were put in this world to help each other do both.” ~The Wishing Map φ

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, The Wishing Map | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Failure

Posted on June 12, 2024 by mitchteemley

Failure is the fertilizer that feeds success. It stinks and is unpleasant to handle, but without it, success is unattainable.

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

The Cairn

Posted on September 6, 2023 by mitchteemley

Source: pixabay.com My Featured Blogger this week is poet, essayist and nature photographer, Mike Utley of Silent Pariah. Mike, who lost his hearing in his late teens, created his blog site, he says, “to finally come to terms with my … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Precarious!

Posted on August 4, 2023 by mitchteemley

“Life is precarious, and life is precious. Don’t presume you will have it tomorrow, and don’t waste it today.” ~John Piper Click on any image to enlarge it, or to begin slide show.

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 39 Comments

Two Years of Writing Tips!

Posted on June 8, 2022 by mitchteemley

I’m up to my proverbial eyeballs in projects once again – the chiefest of which is my daughter’s wedding (which I’m officiating, btw)! Hence, I’ll be on hiatus for a week or so. Therefore, this is the perfect time for … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

When Life Gives You Lemons…

Posted on May 9, 2022 by mitchteemley

Photo by Aleviva-Medien Thought for the Week Be quick to protest when you see others treated wrongly–and slow to protest on your own behalf. Rather, learn to use what happens to change your circumstances. Here’s a brief account of one … Continue reading →

Posted in Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Mixed Blessings

Posted on February 3, 2022 by mitchteemley

The term “mixed blessings” is redundant. Why do I say that? Because all true blessings are mixed. God isn’t just in the blessing business, he’s in the growth business, and growth requires challenges, difficulty. Just as our muscles don’t grow … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Memoir, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , | 58 Comments