Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Strategic Monk

Home
Contemplative

2014-11-30T04:40:01-08:00

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.

Advent is About Making a Fresh Start

Last updated on: November 30, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

Spiritual life is a series of fresh starts, new beginnings. Some people think that spiritual life is about maintaining a perfect record, not making any mistakes. Spiritual life is, in fact, about starting new again and again and again. We learn from mistakes. One of the most important things we learn is to keep starting over, keep learning. Each year, each month, each week is an opportunity to begin again. Each day, each moment, each step can be a fresh start. I... Read more

Blog

Spiritual Practices

2014-11-25T04:10:47-08:00

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 Humility of Leadership

Last updated on: November 25, 2014 at 4:10 am By Greg Richardson

We tend not to think of humility having much to do with leadership. Leaders, after all, are people who seek opportunities to lead, which might be the opposite of humility. We see humility as being a little insecure. We believe that people with humility shy away from the spotlight, avoid becoming the center of attention. We see leaders as being happy to be out in front. We assume leaders are dynamic and charismatic. I do not perceive humility as a lack of confidence. It... Read more

Blog

Leadership

2014-11-22T04:40:22-08:00

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.

Spiritual Life Runs Deep

Last updated on: November 22, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

Spiritual life makes eye contact. Spiritual life does not look away, and we see ourselves reflected in its gaze. We feel ourselves caught up in the embrace of spiritual life. Spiritual life can feel warm and protective, like a great hug. There are times when spiritual life can feel constraining, like we are being held whether we want to be or not. Spiritual life is an intimate relationship. Spiritual life sees us as we are, beyond the identities we construct to... Read more

Blog

Spiritual Practices

2014-11-20T04:40:21-08:00

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.

An Art of Work

Last updated on: November 20, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

We will travel great distances, pay admission, and stand in line to experience works of art. We may have a favorite artist, sculptor, composter, musician, or dancer. We may be drawn to abstract expressionists or realists, pre-Raphaelites or muralists. We may prefer ancient artifacts or contemporary creations. Great works of art are reflections of the people who created them and the worlds in which they lived. They inspire us to see our world in new ways. In addition to the works of... Read more

Blog

Work

2014-11-18T04:40:15-08:00

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.

Leading Like a Turkey

Last updated on: November 18, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

No, not by strutting around while you let everyone else do all the real work. No, not by gobbling up all the credit or recognition within reach. Not even because Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the wild turkey the national bird rather than the eagle. Turkeys inspire our leadership a little later in their life stories. It is only after making real sacrifices that turkeys come into their own as examples of leadership. Turkeys are raised and nurtured in ways that prepare them for significant... Read more

Blog

Leadership

2014-11-15T04:40:32-08:00

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.

Spiritual Life is a Breath of Fresh Air

Last updated on: November 15, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

There have been times when spiritual life felt like holding my breath. We do not want to upset anyone, to make anyone feel uncomfortable. We know what people expect of us and are careful to give them the right impression. We know what they want us to do or say. We know the answers we are supposed to give. Then someone gets a little too honest, gives a little too much information. We hold our breath. We hope no one notices... Read more

Blog

Spiritual Practices

2014-11-13T04:40:15-08:00

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.

Working on Gratefulness

Last updated on: November 13, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

Some of my friends spend November practicing 30 Days of Gratitude. They post on various social media each day, describing how they are grateful for the good things which fill their lives. I appreciate their gratitude. There are days when something they share inspires me to see my own experience in new ways. Gratefulness can be a challenge for me. My first inclination is to find a problem to solve or avoid, not blessings for which to be grateful. I appreciate... Read more

Blog

Work

2014-11-11T04:40:43-08:00

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.

Leadership is a Search for Truth

Last updated on: November 11, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

Like determined detectives, leaders are sparked by curiosity. Relying on a combination of rational analysis and intuition, leaders search for deep truths. Leadership is motivating people toward common goals. Some people look like they are trying to motivate the people around them through fear and brute force. They do not seem interested in inspiring people, drawing out their best from them. They just want to fit enough pieces together to get things done. They appear not to be concerned with uncovering... Read more

Blog

Leadership

2014-11-08T04:40:24-08:00

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.

Spiritual Life Grows in the Dark

Last updated on: November 8, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

We tend to be afraid of what is waiting for us, hiding in the dark. We prefer to deal with things we know we can control. When we cannot see what is out there in the dark, we do not know whether we can control whatever it is. We try to control the darkness around us with street lights, headlights, flashlights. Darkness is more powerful, more primal than we realize. We are born in darkness, our eyes tightly shut against... Read more

Blog

Spiritual Practices

2014-11-06T04:40:09-08:00

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.

Peace of Work

Last updated on: November 6, 2014 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

There are projects, teams, organizations, and people that draw me to continue working, to do more. They are not the the most lucrative, nor do they provide the greatest recognition. They are not the easiest, nor the ones that give me the most enjoyment. They can be difficult, filled with challenges. The projects and people that keep me working bring me to a point where I find peace in work. They are places and experiences that show me how I can become more.... Read more

Blog

Work

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the primary form of transportation in Biblical times?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Camel Donkey Chariot Horse

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Blog Book Reviews Everything Else Guest Posts Leadership Monastic Strategies Neighborhood Pilgrimages Sacred Stillness Spiritual Direction Spiritual Practices Work

Select a Month May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010

TRENDING AT PATHEOS Contemplative