Tag Archives: fear

Scheduling Happiness

Posted on November 14, 2022 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week It was 1987 and, thanks to the tremendous growth of the mutual fund into which I’d wisely poured our money, we were taking our first real vacation together. It was autumn, and so we’d opted for … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , | 28 Comments

A Calm in the Midst

Posted on October 30, 2022 by mitchteemley

Some speak of the calm before a storm. But there is also a calm in the midst of storms, one that comes from knowing you are not alone. §

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Poetry, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Future Shock

Posted on September 2, 2022 by mitchteemley

Many years ago, I read a book entitled Future Shock. The title referred to the experience of culture shock within one’s own culture. Future shock hadn’t happened yet, its author argued, but it was coming. And now? Many people, perhaps … Continue reading →

Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Eclipses Are Illusions

Posted on August 7, 2022 by mitchteemley

The word eclipse, from the Greek ekleípō, means to “fail” or “abandon,” reminding us that throughout most of human history, eclipses have been viewed with horror as the sun’s light “abandoning” us, it’s “failure” to continue shining. But eclipses are … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 49 Comments

My Phobia

Posted on March 29, 2022 by mitchteemley

My Real Memoir Last week I wrote about one of the darkest experiences of my life (it must have triggered some algorithm because WordPress cancelled all notifications). A train was involved. Then, a month later, a very different train encounter … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 81 Comments

Sunrise or Sunset?

Posted on February 25, 2022 by mitchteemley

Have you ever looked at the sun in a photo and wondered whether it was coming up or going down? The sun doesn’t change, so what does? Our world. When the day begins, the air is cool and clean — the … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

Demonstrators Wanted

Posted on January 30, 2022 by mitchteemley

“If you love life and desire to see good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceit. Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.” ~Psalm 34:12-14 “And finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Popular Culture & Entertainment, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 26 Comments

A Sudden Reversal of Fate

Posted on January 29, 2022 by mitchteemley

Photo by Corey Rich The Wishing Map is a full-length fantasy that is being posted episodically at this site. To read the previous episode, click here. To read the entire novel, begin here. Zack was about to die! How had … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Humor, The Wishing Map | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The True Tale of Toby the Turtle

Posted on January 13, 2022 by mitchteemley

My Real Memoir Shortly after the legendary Fat Cat incident, our neighbors matched it with an equally outrageous one involving their beloved Toby the Turtle. Odd pet? Hardly. Half the kids I knew had tiny pet turtles living in plastic lagoons … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , | 35 Comments

Redeeming All Hallows Eve

Posted on October 31, 2021 by mitchteemley

 “If we are honest, we acknowledge that we are dying throughout our life, and this is what we learn if we are attentive: grace is found at the depths and in the death of everything.” ~Fr. Richard Rohr Few people realize … Continue reading →

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