Tag Archives: love

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

How a Fake Christmas Tree Became Real

Posted on January 29, 2026 by mitchteemley

How a Fake Christmas Tree Became Real Our Old Tree… Came in a box. It was made in China from plastic and steel by people who may or may not have known what Christmas was about. It was shiny and … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 47 Comments

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

Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness

Posted on January 19, 2026 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week: Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness “In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

Created Through Him and For Him

Posted on January 18, 2026 by mitchteemley

The Reason We Are Here “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” ~Colossians … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

It’s Time to Wage Peace!

Posted on January 16, 2026 by mitchteemley

It’s Time to Wage Peace! Right now, my country and many others are in desperate need of peacemakers, people who can bridge the gaps that others cannot bridge. Peacemaking is the opposite of weakness, it is strength in its purest … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 55 Comments

New Year, New Opportunities to Love

Posted on January 15, 2026 by mitchteemley

New Year, New Opportunities to Love Dear preachers, teachers and group leaders: A new year means new opportunities to love others. Not just for you, but for everyone in your congregation, classroom, or group. If you’re looking for a great … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Religion/Faith, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Give and You Will Receive?

Posted on January 13, 2026 by mitchteemley

Photo by Jorg Angeli Give and You Will Receive? What I Really Want From Others It’s embarrassing to admit, but what I really want from others is their attention. I want to be understood and appreciated. Why? Because to Little … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Dear God, We Need to Talk

Posted on January 8, 2026 by mitchteemley

Image source: Deconstruction of Negative Labels Dear God, We Need to Talk My Note to God Dear God, we need to talk. I understand why you’ve allowed me to suffer in the past. Because I learned from those trials and, heck, … Continue reading →

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

Loving Her Just the Way She Was

Posted on January 6, 2026 by mitchteemley

Image Source: AmoMama My Real Memoir: Loving Her Just the Way She Was But Did I Love Her? Billy Joel’s biggest hit “Just the Way You Are” was on the radio and on my mind that fall —constantly. Did I … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Memoir, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments