Tag Archives: inspiration

The True Meaning of Sacrifice

Posted on May 25, 2026 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week It’s Memorial Day in My Country The True Meaning of Sacrifice: Today we honor those who’ve sacrificed their lives for the sake of others. But as deeply as the word “sacrifice” resonates in us, the key … Continue reading →

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

Can We Reverse Our “Wing Flaps”?

Posted on May 18, 2026 by mitchteemley

Photo by Nathan Dumlao Thought for the Week Regarding the Butterfly Effect… Can we reverse our “wing flaps”? I find the idea intriguing that the mere flap of a butterfly’s wing in, say, Nebraska could start a chain reaction leading … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Memoir, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Our Butterfly Effect

Posted on May 17, 2026 by mitchteemley

Seek First the Kingdom of God Each of Us Has a Role to Play It’s our butterfly effect. People tend to think of Matthew 6:33 as a promised reward for righteousness (or justice), and in a sense it is that. … Continue reading →

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

Should I Celebrate My Own Birth?

Posted on May 14, 2026 by mitchteemley

Image courtesy of Cake Designs It’s My Birthday, So What?* Should I celebrate my own birth? Merely soliciting “Congrats!” responses seems rather pointless. And as an essayist, I always want to have a point. But then, even as I type … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 148 Comments

What’s Wrong with Our World?

Posted on May 11, 2026 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week “It will never be known what acts of cowardice have been motivated by the fear of not looking sufficiently progressive.” ~Charles Péguy What’s wrong with our world? I don’t know of any nation or society that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 50 Comments

Every Day is Mother’s Day

Posted on May 10, 2026 by mitchteemley

Photo by Mitch Teemley Happy Mother’s Day! And remember, every day is Mother’s Day. I took this photo of my wife Trudy and our recently-born first child when Trudy was exhausted. And yet all I see is her bottomless, heart-melting … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Memoir, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

I Always Knew You Loved Me, Mom

Posted on May 7, 2026 by mitchteemley

I made the above Mother’s Day video a few years back. I’ve posted it here so you can share it with others, if you wish. To show it at a church or other public gathering, click here. Mom was twenty … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Movies, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , | 42 Comments

It’s Getting Better All the Time

Posted on May 4, 2026 by mitchteemley

Photo by Isabella and Zsa Fischer Thought for the Week “I’ve got to admit it’s getting better, a little better all the time. (Echo: It can’t get no worse.)” “It’s Getting Better All the Time.” Although the lyrics to this … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Madly in Love With God

Posted on May 3, 2026 by mitchteemley

Source unknown Getting Heaven Into Us Are you madly in love with God? Think of it this way: Your friend asks someone to marry them, and they say “yes,” and then your friend goes and tells everyone, “Guess what? I … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

The Kindness of Strangers

Posted on May 1, 2026 by mitchteemley

All photos by Mitch Teemley, except Tulip the bulldog (by Elliot Teemley) She Was Completely Dependent Upon… The kindness of strangers. A few weeks ago, our firstborn Elliot was walking near their apartment, when they* spotted a rotund little bulldog … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 61 Comments