Tag Archives: sin

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 , , , , , | 69 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

Originally posted on To Dad With Love Poetry:
Clarity is rarely expected A relaxed focus A pattern out of Pale constellation Provocative Understanding I would never ask you to Explain it away What astonishes me is our ignorance Of our…

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

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

Posted on April 19, 2019 by mitchteemley

Q. What’s wrong with this picture? A. It should have been you (and me). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ~Romans 3:23 “But God proves His love for us in this: that while we … Continue reading →

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

Two Things

Posted on March 24, 2019 by mitchteemley

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” ~John 15:13

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

“They” is Us!

Posted on March 19, 2019 by mitchteemley

The scandal du jour in my country surrounds a passel of privileged folks, two of whom are TV stars, bribing corrupt college officials to admit their privileged children to famous universities—kids who would never otherwise have been accepted. String ‘em … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , | 45 Comments

Popular Idea, Unpopular Word

Posted on February 7, 2019 by mitchteemley

“There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable.” ~Mark Twain “He tried to name which of the deadly seven might apply, and when he failed he decided to append an eighth, regret.” ~Charles Frazier               (Sinner) “They … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, The Wishing Map | Tagged , , , , , | 24 Comments