Tag Archives: sin

Scapegoatism

Posted on August 1, 2022 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week Scapegoats were the animals the ancient Hebrews laid their hands on in order to cast away their sins. It was a symbolic act, meaning, “I’m ashamed of the evil in myself and I publicly disown it.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

The True Tale of Toby the Turtle

Posted on January 13, 2022 by mitchteemley

My Real Memoir Shortly after the legendary Fat Cat incident, our neighbors matched it with an equally outrageous one involving their beloved Toby the Turtle. Odd pet? Hardly. Half the kids I knew had tiny pet turtles living in plastic lagoons … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , | 35 Comments

Learning to Love My Broken Self

Posted on August 14, 2021 by mitchteemley

The idea that we’re all broken isn’t a popular one. It seems many dislike the term because they assume it means either: Unfixable, or Unlovable But it means neither. In fact, it means quite the opposite. Jesus famously taught that … Continue reading →

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

God, Save Us From Ourselves

Posted on March 28, 2021 by mitchteemley

“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out… Oh, what a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me … Continue reading →

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

Is Halloween Evil?

Posted on October 28, 2020 by mitchteemley

It’s tempting to answer, “Sure, this year everything is!” But taking a post-pandemic view, the question is posed every year by a lot of well-meaning people… “Is Halloween evil?” Short answer: No, we are. Evil lives in people, not in … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Quips and Quotes, Videos | Tagged , , , , , | 70 Comments

Temptation

Posted on October 18, 2020 by mitchteemley

“Watch and pray so that you don’t fall into temptation.    For the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”   ~Matthew 26:41    In pondering Jesus’ words, it occurred to me that he doesn’t say, “Don’t be tempted.” Why? … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

Flooding in Your Spiritual Basement

Posted on August 25, 2020 by mitchteemley

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house upon a rock. And the rains fell, and the floods came and the wind blew… Yet it stands, for … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

The Revolution to End All Revolutions

Posted on June 28, 2020 by mitchteemley

“Love your enemies.” Outrageous! No one had ever dared propose such a thing before. It’s called grace, unmerited favor toward those who don’t deserve it (which is everyone, by the way). And it’s at the very the core of Jesus’ … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 34 Comments

Blades of Grass

Posted on June 30, 2019 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, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 21 Comments

The Gallery of Sin

Posted on May 15, 2019 by mitchteemley

My Featured Blogger this week is Vera Poh of To Dad with Love Poetry. Vera is a Melbourne, Australia-based writer whose thoughts and feelings never fail to intrigue me. There’s the immediate effect: thoughtful and insightful, sometimes witty, always visceral. … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Poetry, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments