Tag Archives: meditation

Praying God’s Words Back to Him

Posted on September 14, 2025 by mitchteemley

Some years ago, my prayer life, and in many ways my life-life, had grown stale. I knew the truth, but I wasn’t resting in it, rejoicing in it, growing in it. So I began memorizing, meditating upon, and praying Scriptures. … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

How I Accidentally Became a Buddhist

Posted on July 8, 2025 by mitchteemley

Illustration by Jenn Wei My Real Memoir I had time again. Which was bad. Time was my enemy. Having time meant constantly obsessing over controlling my thoughts. I’d felt almost normal during rehearsals for my musical Adam and Eve. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Memoir, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

How to Change the World: Step One

Posted on May 18, 2025 by mitchteemley

“For the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” ~James 5:16 Prayer changes people, and people changed by prayer change the world. ~AΩ~

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Is Jesus Still on the Cross?

Posted on March 5, 2025 by mitchteemley

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the traditional season of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter (the Greek word for Lent means “forty”). So what? That’s just old, dead tradition stuff, right? Even after my conversion, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

My Secret Search for That Missing Something

Posted on February 25, 2025 by mitchteemley

Photo by Marco Carmona My Real Memoir I was a romanticist who was disappointed in romance, an idealist who was disappointed in his ideals. I’d once seen a hippy-ish movie about Francis of Assisi, and thought about him now. Like Francis, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

How to Overcome the Unexpected

Posted on February 20, 2025 by mitchteemley

“Expectations are premeditated resentments.” ~Unknown It was late autumn. Following my twice-yearly ritual, I’d ascended to the roof of our house, trusty electric blower in hand. Thereupon to blast the leaves and seedpods out of our rain gutters, and then clamber … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Looking for Love and the Meaning of Life

Posted on February 11, 2025 by mitchteemley

Photo by Ron Lach My Real Memoir It wasn’t the first time my heart had been pierced. But it was the deepest cut it had ever received. Why? Because, when my first two “I love yous,” Marty and Dar, had left, they’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

How I Discovered the Real Me

Posted on February 9, 2025 by mitchteemley

I prayed before sunrise this morning, confessing my failings, admitting my fears, seeking to better know my God. Later on, at the bathroom mirror, I was startled to see the face of an adult staring back at me. Why? Because … Continue reading →

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

Windows Are Never “Just Windows”

Posted on February 7, 2025 by mitchteemley

Few objects are so suffused with meaning. Windows are symbols of the past or of the future, of possibilities or missed opportunities. They taunt us with freedom. Or separate the unruly world outside from the neat little worlds we’ve made … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 39 Comments

It’s Time Once Again to Reflect

Posted on December 27, 2024 by mitchteemley

The end off the year is a time of reflection. But when we do, let us remember that, while the peaceful times are pleasant, they’re also static. It’s our trials that cause us to grow — if we allow them … Continue reading →

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