Reading Resources to Encourage and Equip Your Soul
Richard Parrish Ministries provides timely blogs and articles to help you grow in your relationship with Christ. We encourage you to learn more and join us as we extend care for the soul.
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Discover Hope and Encouragement
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- Facing Fear with Faith
- Faithful Capacity: Living Within the Limits God Has Given
- Hope
- RPM Ministries
- Spiritual Formation
When Hope Is Delayed
“I know you’re in a difficult situation, but you have to just wait.” I’m sure he meant well. And I knew he wasn’t questioning my faith. But after seven years of praying, seeking God’s direction, and trying to remain faithful in trusting Him, I was weary of waiting. I had fought discouragement throughout those years.…
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The Anchor of Our Hope
Have you ever questioned whether God is trustworthy? I know I have. At times, my circumstances have challenged my belief that God is reliable. I want to believe that God is at work even when I cannot see what He’s doing. I want to have confidence that God keeps His promises. But the waiting, difficult…
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What Is Hope?
We use the word hope rather casually. I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow. I hope the doctor’s report is good. I hope the flight is on time. I hope things work out. Usually, when we say we hope something will happen, we mean that we would like it to happen. We want a particular outcome, but we’re…
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When The Future Feels Uncertain
I’ve noticed that my expectations about the future can change quickly. A few encouraging words can leave me feeling optimistic about what lies ahead. Then a troubling news report, an unexpected expense, a difficult conversation, or a disappointing diagnosis can quickly change the way I view tomorrow. We are constantly receiving messages about the future.…
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The Loneliness No One Sees
I first recognized loneliness as a child in Newton, Kansas. Forced to move again, I told myself, “There’s no point in making friends.” I was in fifth grade and had already attended four different schools – from Washington to Michigan and beyond. Stability seemed out of reach for this eleven-year-old boy. When my parents told…
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Being a Non-Anxious Presence in Anxious Times
As we come to the final reflection in this series, it’s important to name something honestly: fear is not only something we experience internally. It shapes our conversations, our reactions, our tone, and even the way we see one another. We live in anxious times. That anxiety shows up in many ways – harsh words,…
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Practicing Faith When Fear Persists
In the first two reflections of this series, we’ve acknowledged that fear is a human experience – not a spiritual failure – and explored how fear often exposes where we have placed our trust. Together, we’ve begun naming fear honestly while gently re-centering our trust in God’s faithful presence. Even if we honestly name our…
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What Fear Reveals About What We Trust
Someone once shared with me that there are 365 commands in the Bible telling us not to fear. While I’ve never personally verified that number, I do know that “fear not” is a recurring reminder throughout the Bible. I’ve yet to meet a person who has entirely escaped fear. It’s something we all experience. The…
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Christ’s Strength at Work Within Us
“For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” – Colossians 1:29, ESV Even responsibilities God entrusts to us can become tiring. We may begin with clarity, enthusiasm, and a sincere desire to obey. But over time, the work may require more of us than we anticipated. Our energy…
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Discerning What to Carry
“Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!’” – John 21:22, ESV Not everything I am capable of carrying has been entrusted to me by God. That truth sounds simple. We may even acknowledge it. But living that truth is…
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A Capacity for Christlikeness
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV My desire is to live in a way that reflects Christ, but my actions do not always resemble Jesus. I remember a time when…
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The God Who Works Within Our Limits
Last week, we considered what happens when life’s demands exceed our capacity. Moses discovered that even faithful people can carry too much. Jethro’s words – “You are not able to do it alone” – were not a condemnation of Moses’ weakness. They were words of grace, allowing him to acknowledge what his weariness was already…
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When Demands Exceed Our Capacity
Have you noticed? Demands often exceed our capacity. Just check your email inbox: promotions insisting you need the latest… another request to meet… and reminders that you have not replied to previous requests. For some individuals and small businesses, the pressure is far more serious as expenses exceed income. And for some of us, keeping…
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The People Who Walk With Us
One of the greatest misconceptions about spiritual growth is the belief that we can do it alone. Many of us value independence. We appreciate the ability to solve our own problems, carry our own burdens, and quietly work through our own struggles. While there are certainly seasons when solitude is necessary, Scripture consistently reminds us…
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Stories: The Language of Belief
I’m aware that the strongest voices shaping me are often the conversations taking place within my own heart. When a conversation doesn’t go as I expected, I can quickly begin wondering if I’ve said something wrong. A mistake revives an old narrative, and the looped message tries to convince me: “I always seem to fail.” …
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The Habits That Shape Us
Small Choices. Lasting Formation. I believe there is a tendency to underestimate the power of small things. Dramatic moments and significant decisions are much more noticeable. We celebrate major accomplishments and life-changing events. Yet much of life is shaped not by a single moment, but by thousands of small choices repeated over time. The same…
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The Voices We Listen to Matter
One of the realities of modern life is that we are surrounded by voices. Some come from people we know and trust. Others come through news outlets, podcasts, social media, books, advertisements, and the steady stream of notifications appearing on our phones throughout the day. Silence has become a rare commodity. While we often think…
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The Formation of a Nation – and the Formation of a Heart
Reflections on Faith, Unity, and America’s 250th Year This year marks an important milestone in our nation’s history. For 250 years, the United States has existed as an independent nation. Anniversaries like this invite us to pause and reflect. They encourage us to look back with gratitude, acknowledge God’s faithfulness, and consider the values that…
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Making Space for God Isn’t Easy
Learning to Create Space for God My intentions are good. My follow-through does not always match my intention. Let me explain. I really want to spend time with God. That’s a good desire. But it is common for something to always get in the way – preempting my desire by distraction. It’s not a lack…
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Learning to Abide, Not Strive
Most of us know what it feels like to try harder. We try harder to be patient, pray consistently, stay focused – to be peaceful, faithful, and spiritually grounded. While effort certainly has a place in our lives, many people quietly discover something discouraging: Striving alone does not transform the heart. Effort may change behavior…
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Clarifying Spiritual Formation – What It Is and Isn’t
If you’ve ever heard the phrase spiritual formation, you may have wondered what it actually means. For some, it feels unfamiliar. For others, it sounds unclear – maybe even a bit intimidating. It can bring to mind structured programs, spiritual expectations, or the quiet pressure to “do more” in order to grow. For some, it…
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What Is Shaping Your Heart?
It happens – whether we realize it or not. From the earliest moments of life to the end of our days, we are being shaped. Most of the time, this shaping is quiet – almost imperceptible. We may not have the language to describe it, and yet it is real – steadily, patiently, and powerfully…
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Why Is Everyone’s Vineyard More Attractive Than Mine?
“They made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.” – Song of Songs 1:6b (ESV) Most in ministry recognize the importance of rhythm: prepare, preach/teach, lead, shepherd, pray, plan, care, respond – repeat. We’re also aware of how “life” continually disrupts our flow. As servant ministers, we are present…
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Waiting With Hope
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” – Romans 8:18-19 -(ESV). Waiting isn’t easy – and it’s rarely comfortable. Struggles, conflicts, and trials…
Read More Hear from pastors, leaders, and learners who have been impacted
Rev. John Fairchild
Pastor, Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church
Deacon Richard Kijewski
Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
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