Tag Archives: meaning of life

Let’s Reclaim Our Sense of Wonder

Posted on November 24, 2025 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week It’s been a hard year. This week, Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving. Yet in truth, many will wonder what there is to be thankful for. But they’ll be wondering about the wrong things, wondering about what’s lost, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

Time to Experience a Fool’s Odyssey

Posted on October 21, 2025 by mitchteemley

Dear blogger friends: I’m in the midst of a week-long project. And so, in an effort to avoid creative overload, I’m taking a break from blogging. Meanwhile, I’m inviting you to read my award-winning poetic novella, Fool’s Odyssey. To begin your … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Culture, Inspiration and Motivation, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

There’s No Such Thing as Nothing

Posted on October 13, 2025 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week The word nothing doesn’t mean “non-existence.” It only means the absence of a specific or expected condition. For example, a buyer might ask a property owner whether there is “anything” on a particular parcel of land. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Are You Still Wearing a Mask?

Posted on October 2, 2025 by mitchteemley

‘Self-Portrait With Mask’ by Felix Nussbaum (1928) “We are intensely attached,” Matthew Kelly observes, “to being perceived in a positive light. Even by people we don’t know and will never meet. Perhaps most telling, we even want to be perceived … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

Yes, Your Life Has a Purpose

Posted on September 29, 2025 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week We are not the only creatures on earth who look up at the stars. But we are the only ones who look up and ask, “Why?” “Yes, your life has a purpose,” said Rhema. “What?” Gina … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Fiction, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

The Biggest Leap of My Life

Posted on August 26, 2025 by mitchteemley

My Real Memoir “You don’t have to cough,” I told God. To wit, “You don’t have to make a sound or produce a theatrical burst of light for me to believe you’re here.” In fact, looking back, it seemed God … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

My Heart Was in Your Hands

Posted on August 2, 2025 by mitchteemley

Thank you, everyone, for your prayers and encouraging words! It looks like I may be around for a while. My heart procedure was deemed a success. A dicey one, mind you. I have tachycardia due to premature ventricular contractions. Translation: … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 203 Comments

Looking Back: Ten Years Ago Today

Posted on July 14, 2025 by mitchteemley

Image by Johannes Plenio Thought for the Week Oh, how the world has changed. Ten years ago, I’d just seen Pixar’s Inside Out and cried like a baby; president Obama was normalizing relations with other countries; and Donald Trump had … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 77 Comments

Knowing Why We Are Here Matters

Posted on June 16, 2025 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week An agnostic friend asked, “What is the purpose of life? Why don’t religions tell us?” I responded, “Actually, Jesus and others in the Bible do tell us the purpose of life. It’s to know and love … Continue reading →

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

Running the Race Set Before Me

Posted on June 1, 2025 by mitchteemley

It’s true, Jesus is my hero. But he’s so much more than that. And, yes, I’m aware that some (non-historian) people believe he never existed. Or that he was only loosely based on an obscure, deluded rabbi. And then later … Continue reading →

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