Patheos Blog
3,381 FOLLOWERS
A place to learn about spiritual guidance. Covers church leadership, Christianity, spiritual discernment, healing, evangelicalism, and mind-body-spirit. Written by Teresa Blythe.
Patheos Blog
1w ago
Spiritual directors are fond of saying we find God in all things and all places, which means each of us has experienced the power and spirit of God in some way. A key aspect of spiritual direction is assisting people in uncovering their own awareness of the Holy. Language for God Here’s some of the ..read more
Patheos Blog
1M ago
Becoming aware of God’s presence in our lives and in the world is a crucial step in spiritual transformation. It solidifies our faith and inspires us along the way. In Incline Your Ear: Cultivating Spiritual Awakening in Congregations, Rev. Chad Abbott and I write about how faith communities and congregations can become more reflective about ..read more
Spiritual Direction 101
2M ago
A favorite question many spiritual directors ask after hearing their clients describe a difficult life situation is: “Where is God in this for you?” I’ve never liked using that question because I figure that is likely why the person came for spiritual direction. To explore God’s presence in that chaotic mess, which can be difficult ..read more
Patheos Blog
3M ago
You’ve made the commitment. You’ve set aside the time for spiritual direction. But you wonder “what do I need to talk about today?” When we have a burning question, situation or spiritual experience to explore with a spiritual director, then it’s no problem. That’s where you begin. But what if you don’t? Here are some ..read more
Patheos Blog
4M ago
By guest blogger, Anne Randerson, PhD In my previous post, I wrote about taking a Whit Monday stroll through our local park to get some fresh air and inspiration. Nature is a healthy option for combatting stress and fatigue; it nourishes my soul. I wrote about the obstacles, inspiration and discernment I experienced along this ..read more
Patheos Blog
5M ago
By guest blogger, Anne Randerson, PhD May 20th was Whit Monday, referred to as Lundi de Pentecôte in French, or Pinkstermaandag in Dutch or Flemish—the feast day after Pentecost Sunday. All shops were closed, and most people didn’t have to work, since it was a bank holiday here in Belgium: a holy day, a time ..read more
Patheos Blog
5M ago
One of my colleagues at the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction, Rev. Dr. Kelly Murphy Mason, feels a strong call to encourage dialogue among people and factions in our nation that are conflicted and polarized. Murphy Mason published this piece “Us in the Absence of a Them” recently for the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace ..read more
Spiritual Direction 101
7M ago
Apprenticing is how spiritual direction training took place for centuries. This ancient mode is again popular, only now it’s portable and highly personalized, thanks to ease of online conferencing. I have been training apprentices since 2019 in the Apprentice Training Program of the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction, using a curriculum I created that focuses ..read more
Spiritual Direction 101
8M ago
Spiritual directors many times ask what it is you desire most in life. That’s because our deepest, truest desires are one way God reaches out to us to say “walk in this way.” The “Desire Prayer” is one of my favorite practices because it allows us to get our desires before God openly, unabashedly and ..read more
Patheos Blog
9M ago
Anne Randerson in Brussels, Belgium on how becoming a spiritual director has increased her awareness of the unfolding of beautiful moments. Anne is my guest blogger this week and we appreciate this look into her world! – Teresa Blythe On my morning walk the other day, I expected the usual greetings from passersby ..read more