Ancient Christian Wisdom
for Everyday Life
Wisdom for those with the wild ambition of getting as close to Jesus as they can on earth and living the kind of life that God desires every single day
Welcome to the Daily Monastic. I’m Barnabas the Monastic.
I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I attempt to do that by learning to become a modern monastic. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in my modern everyday life. I write about it here. Feel free to write to me about your own journey. I currently reside in the “Great White North.”
Is your strength too small?
Life can be quite unpredictable. Who knows what challenges you might face in the future? Struggling finances. Conflict in relationships. Health challenges. Work issues. Will you have the strength to face the challenges that might come your way?
Influences and Decisions
We’re making decisions every single day. Some decisions we make are inconsequential. For example, it usually doesn't matter whether I wear a red shirt or a blue shirt today. It's a decision that…
Opportunities and Uncertainties
Life is full of both opportunities and uncertainties. Opportunities in life may include things like receiving a new job offer, getting into a relationship, entering into business, purchasing a home, and starting a family. Uncertainties may include…
The Still and Small Voice of God
I've never heard the voice of God in a distinct audible way. I'd like to. Perhaps it will happen one day. Or perhaps it will only be something I will experience when I reach heaven and meet God there. But so far, it hasn't happened. I'm not bothered by this. Despite not…
At the “Beach” Any Time
A couple of months ago, I was sitting on a beach taking in the view of the beautiful sand and water. It was a serene moment. Calm. Peaceful. For a few short hours, I didn't have to think about any worries or problems. I felt…
Prayer is a Vehicle
I attempt to spend about three hours in prayer, Scripture, worship, and contemplation each and every day. My primary goal is to get as close to Christ as I possibly can while on earth. If we have a friendship with Christ…
The Place of Hard Work in Spirituality
Anything of value in life comes at the cost of effort and hard work. Having a healthy body requires effort and hard work—you have to take care of your body through disciplined food choices and engaging in adequate exercise. Having a…
The Better Questions
"How much time should I spend with the Lord each day in prayer?" I get this question all the time. Personally, I try to spend about 3 hours per day in prayer, Scripture, worship, and contemplation. (The 3 hours is usually broken up into 3-4 portions spread throughout the day.) Although I may…
Strengthen Yourself in the Lord
Life can be quite unpredictable. Life can throw you a curveball that you never expected. You lose your job. A relationship that you thought would last forever is broken. You come face to face with a health issue. A financial crisis occurs. You lose a loved one. There's no telling what the future will hold. Only God knows. Where can we find strength to go through these unpredictable crises in life?
Better is One Day in Your Courts
There are days when I can go a whole hour or more of simply being in the presence of God, thinking about Him, and saying very little. It's taken a while to acquire a taste for this and to build up the spiritual stamina to actually do it. But after months of practice, it's now becoming a very enjoyable spiritual activity for me. Sometimes, I can't wait to just be…