Tag Archives: joy

Make Me an Instrument

Posted on July 9, 2017 by mitchteemley

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” ~Matthew 5:9

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Meaning of Life

Posted on July 2, 2017 by mitchteemley

I don’t usually get choked up over doctrinal statements. But the first time I read this summary of the purpose of human life drafted by the Westminster Assembly, a gathering of English and Scottish clergy in 1646, something in me … Continue reading →

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

Happy Mother’s Day

Posted on May 14, 2017 by mitchteemley

I had a wonderful mom, and am truly grateful for her. But I also want to celebrate the beautiful girl who first loved me, then without losing a drop, magically filled up with love for our first child (every time … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Call Me Mr. Sunshine

Posted on May 13, 2017 by mitchteemley

In honor of my birthday (as if I needed an excuse to talk about myself), here’s a reblog of a post about me (aren’t you lucky?).

Posted in Humor, Memoir, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Blades of Grass

Posted on April 28, 2017 by mitchteemley

A personal paraphrase of Psalm 90 Father You have always been our home Before the mountains were thrust up Or the earth itself was shaped You were our God Yet at your word we turn to dust For time has no … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Poetry, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Ever Green

Posted on December 15, 2016 by mitchteemley

A companion piece to The Ugly Time Some lives are leafy limbs compelling eyes to gaze at them to acknowledge their convulsive beauty Naïve in their baseless joy they reign a scant and unremembered season then die having never truly … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Poetry, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

Thank You!

Posted on November 24, 2016 by mitchteemley

“Happiness is a habit. And gratitude is the behavior that forms it. Want to be happy? Practice. Not just on the holiday that tells you to. But every day!” ~from How to be Happy “Enter with the password: ‘Thank you!’ making yourself … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Mitchellaneous | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Rough Grace

Posted on November 18, 2016 by mitchteemley

It was 30 years ago, just before Thanksgiving weekend, on one of the busiest travel days of the year. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was crawling with pre-holiday misery. Planes were late and tempers were flaring. The holidays might be … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , | 31 Comments

Lose the Luggage!

Posted on November 13, 2016 by mitchteemley

Baggage “Knowing that you’re the one who’s been rejected, God it makes you feel isolated. I felt as though I’d walked into the house trailing all this baggage.” ~Anthea Turner “We all have baggage. The question is: What baggage can … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Happiness is Nowhere

Posted on October 15, 2016 by mitchteemley

Happiness is nowhere. Happiness is now           here. What’s the difference? Only air That sometimes fills the space for years   But know that it in time will come Although its presence may be fleeting They say it lingers long for some … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments