Category Archives: Quips and Quotes

Brief thoughts. Big ideas.

“Jesus Wasn’t a Christian”

Posted on September 27, 2026 by mitchteemley

“Jesus Wasn’t a Christian” Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Inspiration and Motivation, Quips and Quotes, Religion and Faith, Self-Improvement | Tagged , , , , , , | 41 Comments

Autumn Makes Me Sing!

Posted on September 24, 2026 by mitchteemley

Image created at craiyon.com Autumn Makes Me Sing! Happy Autumnal Equinox to all of my fellow Northern-Hemispherians! (And Happy Spring Equinox to all of my Southern-Hemispherian friends!) OK, so technically the equinox (“equal night”) was two days ago — or … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment and Popular Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 47 Comments

A Broken and a Contrite Heart

Posted on September 20, 2026 by mitchteemley

Photo by Ante Gudelj A Broken and a Contrite Heart From the film and soon-to-be-published novel, Healing River: “You know how you can’t actually fly in a picture of an airplane?” Peter asked. “Huh?” The boy sat up despite himself. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, For Pastors and Teachers, Inspiration and Motivation, Movies, Quips and Quotes, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

To See the World in a Grain of Sand

Posted on September 18, 2026 by mitchteemley

Nikon Small World: Liverwort plant leaves by Magdalena Turzanska “To See the World in a Grain of Sand” It’s hard to believe William Blake wasn’t looking through a microscope when he wrote those words. I was astonished when, as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Culture, Photography, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Yesterday I Was Clever

Posted on September 14, 2026 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week: “Yesterday I Was Clever… “…so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” ~Rumi No one can remain young. Although some manage to approximate it by remaining foolish. Sadly, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Inspiration and Motivation, Quips and Quotes, Self-Improvement | Tagged , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

Make a Joyful Noise!

Posted on September 13, 2026 by mitchteemley

Make a joyful noise! Today is the second day of Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the Jewish New Year, traditionally tied to the birth of Adam and Eve, which is to say the human race. Its biblical name is Yom … Continue reading →

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

The Long Hot Summer

Posted on September 11, 2026 by mitchteemley

‘Melting Men’ by artist Nele Azevedo The Long Hot Summer It’s finally “summtumn” in the Northern Hemisphere, the transitional season between summer and fall. It’s been a scorcher, and still is in some places. Undaunted, Trudy and I daytripped to … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Culture, Entertainment and Popular Culture, Photography, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

25 Years Ago This Week

Posted on September 10, 2026 by mitchteemley

The Tribute in Light, New York City 25 Years Ago This Week September, 2001 was a tumultuous month for my family. We’d sold our Orange County condo, the only home our children had ever known, and on Labor Day moved … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Inspiration and Motivation, Memoir, Photography, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 55 Comments

Forgivness and Mercy: Our Greatest Strengths

Posted on September 7, 2026 by mitchteemley

Wounded Lion, Lucerne, Switzerland Thought for the Week: Forgiveness and Mercy Our current culture loves to point out people’s failings. It makes us feel strong and righteous. But how often do we really know why others act–or fail to act–the … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Inspiration and Motivation, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

What Is Prayer?

Posted on September 6, 2026 by mitchteemley

Photo © by Mitch Teemley What Is Prayer? It’s a deceptively simple question. Consider pondering each of the following perspectives thoughtfully and, of course, prayerfully.  “Prayer is a refusal to settle for what is.” ~Walter Brueggemann “To clasp the hands … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Inspiration and Motivation, Quips and Quotes, Religion and Faith, Self-Improvement | Tagged , , , , , , , | 23 Comments