Tag Archives: empathy

The Two-Way Power of Forgiveness

Posted on February 1, 2026 by mitchteemley

Broken Stone, Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand (photo by Victor Guntin) The Two-Way Power of Forgiveness David Seamands, author of the counseling classic Healing for Damaged Emotions, once told my friend, pastor Jerry Kirk, that half the people in … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Have You Discovered Your Superpowers Yet?

Posted on January 26, 2026 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week: Have You Discovered Your Superpowers Yet? The Term Superpower… Often gets used tongue-in-cheek. I sometimes jokingly refer to my ability to burp-on-demand (despite frequent requests not to) as a superpower. But real superpowers exist. Seriously. Have … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Story Power | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 61 Comments

Comfort Is Infectious – Pass It On!

Posted on October 5, 2025 by mitchteemley

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we may comfort others who are in trouble with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Remember to Look for the Crack

Posted on October 4, 2025 by mitchteemley

โ€œListen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.โ€ ~Shel Silverstein โ€œHold fast to dreams, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Poetry, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

Grace Is a Living Stream

Posted on September 21, 2025 by mitchteemley

Grace isnโ€™t a private pond Itโ€™s a living stream and if it doesnโ€™t keep moving into us and through us into others it stagnates It was never meant to be hoarded โ‰…

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

You Are Never Truly Alone

Posted on September 10, 2025 by mitchteemley

โ€œIf we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world,โ€ observed C.S. Lewis. And thus it follows that we are being sought, longed for … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Writers: Use Your Stories to Heal!

Posted on August 25, 2025 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week In my fantasy novel The Wishing Map, a fierce impromptu battle breaks out between two groups of naims (gnomes) in the midst of a storytelling contest. One beloved old naim, Tuber, is fatally injured while trying … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Culture, Movies, The Wishing Map, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

A Love Beyond Forgiveness

Posted on June 22, 2025 by mitchteemley

Imagine meeting someone who is so breathtakingly good, so kind and intelligent that you fall instantly in love with them. So you beg them to come and live with you. And they say, “Yes!” Now imagine they’ve acquired videos of … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Posted on May 21, 2025 by mitchteemley

โ€œBlessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.โ€ ~Matthew 5:9 โ‰…

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

It’s Time to Share the Load

Posted on April 12, 2025 by mitchteemley

“If we donโ€™t share one anotherโ€™s burdens, are we even truly alive?” ~The Wishing Map ฯ†

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes, The Wishing Map | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments