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Progressive Christian
Health, Fitness and Religion

2025-12-15T10:10:00-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Can sad music be uplifting? “Smile” and “Rejoice”

Last updated on: December 15, 2025 at 10:10 am By Olapeju Simoyan, MD, MPH

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Joyful music can lift our spirits, but can sad music have the same impact? In an interview with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Josh Groban shared a story about how he was asked to sing the song “Smile” at a wedding and he responded by asking the person making the request to consider the lyrics of the song. Despite the title, “Smile” is a sad song, encouraging us to push through sad times in anticipation of a better future. Here is... Read more

General Christian

Religious Music and Entertainment

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Advent

Christmas music

history of Christmas carols

music theory

2025-12-19T22:17:11-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Inspiring Stories Behind Our Beloved Christmas Carols

Last updated on: December 19, 2025 at 10:17 pm By Olapeju Simoyan, MD, MPH

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Creators of the Carols Have you ever wondered about the stories behind your favorite Christmas carols? The people who composed and wrote the lyrics for these songs were regular people, and some of them experienced major setbacks in life, yet they gave us the gift of Christmas music. I hope you will be inspired by the stories highlighted in this essay! William Chatterton Dix – What Child is This? William Chatterton Dix developed a life-threatening illness and was bedridden... Read more

General Christian

History and Religion

Uncategorized

Christmas music

Christmas songs

history of Christmas carols

Joy to the world

Musician biographies

Seasonal Holidays

2024-10-29T08:28:37-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Two hundred years from now” – Writing for posterity

Last updated on: October 29, 2024 at 8:28 am By Olapeju Simoyan, MD, MPH

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“Two hundred years from now, someone will find it useful.” That was my father’s response to me when I wanted to throw an old calendar away. This incident occurred while I was tidying up his room shortly after my mother passed away. My father lived for eleven more years after this incident and passed away on October 29, 2019. As the anniversary of his passing approached, I reflected on his legacy as a writer. I couldn’t see the value in... Read more

General Christian

Religious Music and Entertainment

Uncategorized

history of Christmas carols

O Holy Night

Silent Night

Writing

writing for posterity

2025-12-21T23:23:23-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Healing Power of Music – David’s harp & Joseph’s guitar

Last updated on: December 21, 2025 at 11:23 pm By Olapeju Simoyan, MD, MPH

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In recent years, there has been a growing amount of interest in the role of music in the healing process, but the concept of music as therapy is nothing new. Ancient civilizations knew a lot more than we give them credit for. In addition to recognizing the importance of the connections between the mind and body, they understood the important role that music can play in the healing process. David, the Healing Harpist When the name “David” (in the... Read more

General Christian

Religious Music and Entertainment

2024-10-11T19:46:54-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It’s Financial Planning Month and Tithing Won’t Save You

Last updated on: October 11, 2024 at 7:46 pm By Olapeju Simoyan, MD, MPH

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“Anyone who isn’t paying tithes isn’t going to heaven,” said the preacher. Those were the words of a prominent Nigerian pastor with a worldwide following. The video in which those comments were made was circulating on the internet a few years ago. The good news is that he recently recanted … (sort of). He came out with an apology, stating that he was wrong to have said that tithing was a requirement for getting into heaven. While he deserves credit... Read more

Evangelical

Business, Finance and Religion

Uncategorized

finances

financial literacy month

2025-12-15T09:59:14-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Feliz Navidad” in July!

Last updated on: December 15, 2025 at 9:59 am By Olapeju Simoyan, MD, MPH

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According to legend, Christmas in July was first celebrated at a girls’ summer camp in 1933. Not too long after that (1940), the movie Christmas in July was released. In the movie, a man is tricked into thinking he has won $25,000, and goes on a spending spree. Now, Christmas in July sales are a big phenomenon with retailers. As the month of July ends, it seems appropriate to revisit the story behind one of the most popular Christmas songs... Read more

General Christian

Religious Music and Entertainment

2025-12-17T14:09:32-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Sing Joy to the World!

Last updated on: December 17, 2025 at 2:09 pm By Olapeju Simoyan, MD, MPH

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Joy to the World It may surprise you to know that the famous Christmas carol, “Joy to the World,” was not intended as a Christmas song. It was written by Isaac Watts, who, in addition to becoming one of England’s best-known preachers, was also an educator and author. He wrote books on astronomy and philosophy that were used in universities but is best remembered for his hymns. The words – Isaac Watts Isaac Watts was born in 1674, in... Read more

General Christian

Religious Music and Entertainment

Uncategorized

Advent

Christmas music

history of Christmas carols

Isaac Watts

Joy to the world

Seasonal Holidays

2024-05-31T12:42:08-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The speech Butker didn’t give – what were you born to do?

Last updated on: May 31, 2024 at 12:42 pm By Olapeju Simoyan, MD, MPH

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Congratulations, Class of 2024! You have all worked very hard to get to this point, and your hard work has paid off! A world of opportunities awaits you…. Some of you will join the workforce, others will go on to graduate school and some may become homemakers. Each is a valid option, and the decision is yours to make! To the men in the audience I would like to address the men in the audience, since you have been... Read more

Evangelical

Careers, Workplace and Religion

Kansas City Chiefs kicker

toxic masculinity

2024-05-17T11:30:44-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Benny Hinn and John MacArthur are human beings

Last updated on: May 17, 2024 at 11:30 am By Olapeju Simoyan, MD, MPH

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“I’m a human being. I’ve made mistakes. I let pressure get to me. And because of that pressure, I said things and did things I should not have done. And for that, really, I am sorry.” Benny Hinn, apologizing for his mistakes, including prophecies that “were not from the Lord.” In an interview with The Strang Report, the world famous televangelist and faith healer, Benny Hinn, stated that his main regrets were endorsing the prosperity gospel and giving... Read more

Evangelical

Religion News

2024-05-10T18:15:19-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Mica’s story is not a noble lie – Mental illness is real

Last updated on: May 10, 2024 at 6:15 pm By Olapeju Simoyan, MD, MPH

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Mica Miller, a 30-year-old pastor’s wife was found dead on April 27, 2024. Her husband, John-Paul Miller, announced her death in church the next day and said it was “self-induced”. The coroner’s report confirmed that it was a suicide. According to reports, Mica had filed for divorce earlier that month. Police records indicate that she expressed fear for her life shortly before her death. John-Paul Miller said his wife had been battling mental health issues for years, and that she... Read more

Evangelical

Home and Religion

Uncategorized

churches and mental health

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