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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Latest Blogs and Articles
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- Uzbekistan
Love: A Command to Live, Not Just to Say
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8 ESV). Many admonish us to “love.” Social media memes and posts amplify the need for love—often sharing…
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When Our Desires Conflict With God’s Commands
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble…
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A Never-Ending but Reasonable Sacrifice
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers [and sisters], by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is…
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A Costly Commitment
“Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” – Matthew 16:24 “I can’t wait till I’m on my own!” My 16-year-old daughter’s words were punctuated by the flip of her hair and a defiant scowl as she proceeded to her…
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A Song of Surrender
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV). Americans acknowledge that we trust in God. “In God We Trust” is printed and embossed on our currency. But do we? What evidence…
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An Unusual Resume
“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 11:30; 12:10 ESV). When interviewing candidates for a position, the process typically begins with…
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Is It Time to Exchange Your Burden?
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29 ESV). When I was a young boy, I had the opportunity of…
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Keep Planting Seeds of Goodness
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 ESV). Weariness weakens our desire to do good. Just ask the apostle Paul. Paul is weary of those “on a mission” to undermine Christ’s gospel (the Good News). One cannot read…
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The Antidote for Weariness
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be…
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We’re Not There Yet!
“…I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 ESV). Each December, I reflect on my progress…
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Fourth Week of Advent: An Unlikely Place of Peace!
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore, he shall give them up until the time when she who is in…
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Third Week of Advent: Share the Joy!
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:4–5 NRSV). The third candle of Advent is a pink or rose-colored candle. Historically, it is also known as “The Shepherd’s Candle,” symbolizing joy. A shepherd’s presence provides comfort and assurance, transforming despairing…
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Second Week of Advent: True Love Does Not Wink at Sin
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God”…
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First Week of Advent: The Day Is Coming
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In…
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Thanksgiving: A Posture of the Heart
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded of the timeless words of the Apostle Paul: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It’s easy to give thanks when life is smooth and blessings abound. But what about when we face hardships, uncertainty, or…
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A Song of Assurance
“In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. – Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.” – Psalm 120:1-2 (ESV) The New Oxford American Dictionary defines “distress” as: “distress | dəˈstres | noun 1 extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain: to his distress he saw that she was trembling. • the state of…
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A Song for The Wilderness
“I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade…
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Be Good Citizens
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” – Romans 13:1 (ESV) November 7th will decide which Presidential candidate will take office. If political polls are even somewhat reliable, we have a strong indication that nearly half of…
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Pray Or Criticize?
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…”…
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From Anxiousness to Assurance!
“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you’.” – Isaiah 35:1 (ESV) Have you noticed? Assurance appears to be decreasing while anxiousness increases. …
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Humility & Conflict
“A defensive posture stops communication. Remaining unwilling to examine my motives or how I may have contributed to the problem (knowingly or unknowingly) prevents emotional and spiritual growth in my life.” Humility is not always a word we associate with bravery or strength or progress. In fact, we might even associate humility with weakness, passivity,…
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Dependability & Conflict
“Staying ‘in the room’ and learning how to verbalize our thoughts (rather than running to a “dry well”) encourages conversation.” Trust is so important. The ability to depend on something or someone is foundational to our lives, our sanity, and overall well being. So many aspects of our lives are built upon the reliability and…
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Misplaced Desires (Where it All Begins)
Water. Food. Sleep. Shelter. We all have basic needs. We all have basic desires. From the moment we’re born, we need things. We desire things. The story is as old as time (literally). The first man, Adam, needed—desired—a helper. And in their perfect state, both Adam and Eve needed and desired fellowship with God. Later,…
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The Origin of Conflict
Where does conflict come from? James, the brother of Jesus, asserts that all human disputes begin with base desires and jealousies. “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot…
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Curse, Conflict, and Christ
We aren’t very old when we realize that something is very wrong with the world. We begin to experience outward pain. We begin to see relationships fraught with struggle. We begin to understand that every area of life—every piece of our glorious world—is permeated, in one way or another, with conflict. When our desires are…
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Two Paths
Her instructions were clear. Her cute British accent was sophisticated—and confident. I listen to and trust her, often. That day was different. A significant—early morning meeting—was scheduled on the other side of town, but I had given myself sufficient time, allowing for traffic. She’s most accurate with her instructions. But that day, I chose not…
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Connection with Christ: our Comfort in Conflict
Conflict is a gift. But discovering this gift requires an intentional desire for an intimate connection with Christ. Many are familiar with pressures that feel as if they will crush us: Secularism, non-stop demands of others, how to reflect Christ in a non-Christian world, staff and board disputes, unrealistic expectations, how to balance a healthy…
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Free To Serve Others
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…” (Romans 1:1 ESV). “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them” (1 Corinthians 9:19 ESV). Much is said today regarding “freedom”—the power or…
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Trusting God’s Word in a World Gone Wild
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Psalm 56:3-4 ESV). Who among us is not troubled by the conditions of our world? The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Armenia and…
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Free from SIN, Not Righteousness
“… Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! [T]hanks be to God, [you] who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of…
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Free From Slavery
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1 ESV). Most people today revolt against the thought of slavery—and rightfully so. Any condition where one human is owned by another or considered by law as property or chattel is appalling. When free…
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Free to Love, Not Lust
“For you were called to freedom, brothers [and sisters]. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13 ESV). We love freedom. But freedom is not a license to lust! The modern usage of the word “lust” is often confined to sexual desire.…
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A Fulfilled Life
It happens more frequently as we age. It wasn’t as noticeable when I was in my 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s. But lately, I’m more aware of how time appears to be passing, more quickly. Logic reminds me that time is established. There are only 24 hours each day. Each hour has 60 minutes, and each…
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The Cost of Freedom
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19…
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Ancient Landmarks…Modern Implications
“Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set.” – Proverbs 22:28 (ESV) The wise words recorded in Proverbs can be challenging for people raised in a non-agrarian society. A farmer could increase the size of his property by decreasing his neighbor’s property simply via moving stones (ancient landmarks). Before sophisticated modern survey…
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Trusting the Lord and Doing Good in a World of Deception
“Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit…
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A Present Help in Trouble
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah” (Psalm 46:1-3 ESV). Even a casual look at the…
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Shepherd or Starbucks?
For me, the ministry is more than a profession. Perhaps it’s that understanding that keeps me in the game. I admit: there have been times in my ministry when I’ve been enticed to believe that a position in a corporate setting would be more attractive. And, when times are unusually testing (like when the sheep…
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Thirsty!
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1-2). Do you remember a time when your thirst was so intense, it was the only thing on your mind? Every time I read the Psalmist’s words, they transport me…
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Waiting In Hope
“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!” (Psalm 130:1-2 ESV). Read those words slowly. What do you notice? Perhaps my struggle caused me to stop and re-read these words. Or possibly it’s my desperation…
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How Well Do You “Shabbat?”
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8 ESV). “It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed” (Exodus 31:17 (ESV). It was apparent my friend was searching for the…
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Guard Your Anger
“A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression” (Proverbs 29:22 ESV). Have you noticed? There are a lot of angry people today. Public protests regarding any issue increasingly move from dialogue to insults and, often, from name-calling to violence. Angry people are quickly offended and reactionary. I’m not…
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Keep “Short Accounts,”Not “Long Accounts”
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV). As a boy, my mother disciplined me for behavior prompted by my anger. Unfortunately, my insistence on having my way, combined with my immaturity, caused me to fail to…
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Let Go of Anger
“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15 ESV). Why is it difficult to “keep short accounts?” Why do I continue to relive an injustice? Do you ever find yourself reliving an…
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Be Angry for The Right Reason!
“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!” (Psalm 37:8 ESV). “And he [Jesus] looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart…” (Mark 3:5 ESV). The Bible often defines anger as sinful. The Psalmist admonishes us to “refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.” Yet Mark allows us to see that Jesus was not…
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Character Assassination
Unresolved conflict can bring out the worst in us. You’ve tried to resolve issues but appear to be at a stalemate. What do you do? One unhealthy maneuver is to find ways to attack your opponent’s character. “If I can’t get her to budge, I will do what I can to damage her reputation or credibility!” You…
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“Lumpy Carpets”
Recognizing conflict appears to be reasonably straightforward. But is it? When two individuals have a heated argument over some disagreement, it’s usually a sign of conflict in the room. Referees officiating a basketball game call fouls based on their point of view (from what they observe). But what they see is not always what the…
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In God We Trust: Our Anchor in Uncertain Times
“And again, ‘I will put my trust in him’” (Hebrews 2:13a ESV). I’m from an era where one’s word was their bond. When someone committed to something, you could trust them to ful fill their promise. It used to be that a handshake was more than a polite gesture. It was a firm, reliable commitment…
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Despair and Hope
The other day I read the following passage from Psalm 6: “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord—how long?” (Psalm 6:2–3). As I slowly reflected on those words, they revealed emotions I had been…
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Armenian Refugee Update
Where will we go? What will we do? How will we survive? These are agonizing questions that arise because of adversity. These are questions many refugees ask each day. On February 20th, I’ll be returning to Armenia to minister to pastors and leaders and check on several of our outreach projects. I’ll also be helping…
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Freedom to Speak
It appears that rudeness is more popular than respectful behavior these days. I’m appalled at the growing inflammatory conduct displayed in society. For as many issues that divide us, it seems that the one who yells the loudest believes they will win. But is life only about “winning?” If I win today’s argument, it’s only…
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Make Us One
When I was young, I was asked to serve a congregation in Southern California. Full of zeal and short on leadership experience, I was quickly introduced to the world of political maneuvering by individuals having specific agendas. My first board meeting included a contentious debate surrounding what color we would paint our church buses! I…
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Armenia Trip
I am setting out to Armenia this week to minister to pastors and leaders and to check on several of RPM’s ministry projects. I will be able to see firsthand how things are going and what more is needed for the churches and for the refugees they are helping. It is a joy to see…
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Thankful for God’s Work in Armenia
I thank God for a safe and productive trip to Armenia! One of the most impactful parts of my trip was spending time with refugees from the Artsakh region. These individuals were forced to flee their homes with only what they could carry, escaping a harrowing situation for the safety of their families. Our ministry…
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ARMENIA UPDATE REPORT!
I just returned from a blessed trip to Armenia, where I witnessed firsthand the powerful work God is doing through our ministry and His faithful servants in Armenia. One highlight of the trip was my visit with the refugees in the Artsakh region of Armenia. A number of the women and children came to the…
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Handling Anxiety
What are five years of your life worth? A study from the Daily Mail revealed we waste years of our lives worrying. Their research shows the average person frets one hour and 50 minutes a day. That calculates to almost 28 days per year or approximately five years of your entire life.[1] We worry about a lot…
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Bringing Hope to Uzbekistan Women
Meet Zamira. She is a woman who spreads the transformative power of God’s love everywhere she goes! She brings hope to Uzbekistan’s often confined and oppressed women. In December of last year, RPM made the decision to help Zamira begin a ministry outreach to the women of Uzbekistan. Already, we see how this outreach…
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E Is Not Enough
One day, I had an early appointment at the office. Where I live, traffic congestion is extremely heavy from 6 in the morning until around 9. Already running a little late, I noticed my fuel gauge. I muttered: “‘E’ does not mean enough, Richard!” I was annoyed at myself for neglecting to fill my car with…
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The Dark Side of Christmas
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2). One evening, several years ago, I had dinner with a friend and realized that I was not alone in how I struggle during the Christmas Season. As I…
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Joy comes in the morning
Here’s a question for you. Do you open your Christmas gifts before Christmas day? When I was a boy, our Christmas Tree was set up and decorated shortly after Thanksgiving. Although I appreciated the garnished evergreen tree, what I truly envisioned was the joy I would experience come Christmas morning, as I opened the gifts!…
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Putting Shoulders to the Plow Together
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor…Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12). People ask me why I go to Eastern Europe. This is my answer: Caring for the souls of our pastors/leaders is…
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Deceptive Appearances
Things are not always as they appear. There is an area of town where I live with beautiful, expensive homes. People who live in these luxurious surroundings drive expensive cars. By all appearance, they are successful. Many are. However, appearance can be deceptive. It’s known that some people who live in these homes are on…
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Looking isn’t Seeing
Seeing is not the same as looking. Someone said: “Eyes that look are common; eyes that see are rare.” I think the difference comes down to observation vs. discernment. It’s common for leaders to observe trends and processes and identify what’s working and what’s not. Leadership decisions made through casual observation happen every day. However,…
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Naming Our Real Problem
“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities [sin], O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared [revered].” – Psalm…
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Adapt of Die
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (ESV) Leading in an ongoing, ever-changing world requires adaptation. Businesses, ministries, churches, or corporations who…
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Tired but Refreshed
“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” – Jeremiah 31:25 (ESV) Twenty days ago, I boarded a flight that would take me to Karakalpakstan. I was tired before I left! My plans, which had included time to rest before leaving, were pre-empted by several unplanned and unexpected interruptions.…
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How Should We Suffer?
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” – James 1:2-3 (ESV) She was unable to conceal the tear sliding down her cheek. Then, exhaling a deep sigh, she said, “It’s difficult to stay strong when my faith is…
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Collective Decision-Making
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) Long-time CEO Jack Welsh, reflecting on the long history of General Electric, commented: “It’s embarrassing to reflect…
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Where do you place your trust?
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not…
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How Long?
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” “…A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8 (ESV). “This too will pass!” The expression commonly follows a heavy sigh prompted by weariness. The utterance reveals an…
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A “Trust Barometer”
Influential leaders recognize the benefits of trust. Productivity increases when employees trust management. Sales and repeat business flourish when customers trust your business. Trust grows when you do what you say you will do. It’s called integrity. Creating confidence requires ongoing attention and diligence. Too often, our “Trust Barometer” is neglected. Sales are not where…
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Peace In Persecution
“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” – John 20:19 (ESV). Reading John’s account of what it was like for Christ’s disciples after…
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Our Dreams in God’s Hands
“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:9-10 (ESV) This week I attended two incredible church services in the only “registered church” in Nuuk, Karakalpakstan, led by Pastor A and Pastor J. The…
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How Critics Make You A Better Leader
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17 (ESV) Sometimes we find ourselves in an unexpected or unwanted leadership role. We didn’t pursue or ask for the position. But unplanned events beyond our control place us there. A project director suddenly falls ill, and you’re asked to lead the campaign to completion.…
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Feeling Insecure Can Be a Gift
Does God have a preference in calling the insecure? I’ve been rereading the story of Moses, one of the greatest leaders known to humankind. Moses’ leadership was exemplary: a beneficial model that has – and continues to – inspire and demonstrate valuable leadership principles for leaders throughout the world. The story of Israel’s deliverance from…
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When Is “Enough” Enough?
Recently a friend of mine asked me: “At what point can you say ‘It’s done’?” She knows me well. She was referring to my relentless persistence to scrutinize every word, sentence, and paragraph in something I’ve written. My tendency to make things better extends beyond writing. It’s not that I’m a perfectionist; I struggle with…
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How to Have Healthy Confidence
Our world is increasingly uncertain. The global economy is complicated and unpredictable. Team members in any business, ministry, or corporation need leaders who radiate confidence. Assured leaders inspire passion and energy. Their clarity motivates others to act, provides a sense of security and ownership, and their confidence becomes contagious. However, effective leadership requires more than…
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Letting Go
“Just hang in there!” His words were meant to encourage me. They didn’t. The burden was heavy. I had carried it for many years. I knew he meant well. I smiled. “What else can you do?” I replied. We’ve all heard phrases from well-meaning friends who try to bolster our spirits when life is hard.…
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Do You Value the Small?
Are you inclined to make things more complicated than necessary? In full disclosure: I’ve spent too much of my life overthinking, redoing, and complicating matters, rather than embracing simplicity. Perhaps that behavior is spurred by a deep sense of inadequacy. Have you ever wondered why at the end of Jesus’ ministry on this earth he…
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Are You Afraid to Fail?
The dream woke me. My heart was beating rapidly. I was now awake. “Where did that come from?” I thought. Have you ever had a dream or recollection trigger something from the past? I don’t claim to understand dream therapy. It’s easy for me to shrug off dreams or those random, out-of-nowhere memories. But this…
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Is it possible to have joy in suffering?
“The hits just keep coming!” “I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.” “Will life ever get easier?” “How much more can I take?” We often hear statements like these from those who struggle. Possibly, you have uttered similar comments. I know I have. Maintaining a bright, positive outlook in times of adversity requires…
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Relevant or Righteous?
“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.” – Ephesians 6:18 (NRSV) There’s been a growing awareness within me of the importance of praying for our leaders and parishioners. Perhaps this consciousness is spurred by my conversations…
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Be Patient
Psalm 37:7 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. — Colossians 1:11 (ESV) A few years ago, I spoke with a friend of mine. It was more than a casual conversation. It was deeper than “How’s the weather in your neck of the…
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The Golden Rule for Leaders?
My mother wasn’t a businesswoman. She never held a corporate position or even worked in a business. She was a mother, wife, and a “director” of three unruly boys! So, perhaps she had more leadership skills than what her apron-clad appearance revealed. When my misbehavior created conflict with my brothers or friends, she would pull…
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Living When Life Makes No Sense
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68 ESV) Where do we go when life doesn’t make sense? Who do we turn to when we have more questions than answers? Do you ever feel alone? A close observation of the life-rhythm of Jesus reveals…
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Whom do you serve?
“Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” — Psalm 2:11 (ESV) “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the…
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How to make trust a priority
When leaders ignore the development of trust, change of any kind is more challenging. Creating trust is essential; a top priority if we intend to lead others out of the status quo, beyond the present, and to the future. Adapting to change requires trust. Trust is the bedrock that supports change. When trust is strong,…
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Are we Unashamed?
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” — Romans 1:16 (ESV) Lately, I’ve noticed people are selective in what they say — and don’t say. We can become quite vocal in our attempt to right injustice, destroy discrimination, and stop oppression.…
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Whom Do You Trust?
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! — Psalm 40:4 (ESV) “False News!” That claim is not limited to political candidates. Suppose we hear something we don’t like, a claim that may be uncomfortable, or an assertion…
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Frantic Or Fruitful?
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. – John 15:16 (ESV) Here’s a question. Is your life frantic or fruitful? Several…
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Peace Be With You!
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” – John 20:19 (ESV) I met him for the first time at the airport. He was…
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Flashback: God’s Gift of Delay
“Your plane’s delayed,” the airline employee said. It wasn’t the first time I’ve heard those words. I’m sure it won’t be the last. When I was younger, delayed flights would annoy me. I would find myself complaining. Why me? There’s an important meeting I’m required to attend. Or, I’ve been gone long enough, and I…
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A Need for Weakness
Strength may be overrated! Since I was a child, I’ve been keenly aware of my weakness. At times my sense of deficiency has been debilitating. Rather than risk failure and embarrassment, it’s tempting for me to refrain from participating. It was apparent to me — even at an early age — that I wasn’t the…
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The Best of Times, The Worst of Times
“Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27 (ESV) Dickens’ memorable opening paragraph from A Tale of Two Cities is as relevant today as it was during the…
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Exiles, Culture, and Conflict
Increasingly I find myself in conflict with our culture. And that struggle seems to intensify each day. As a follower of Jesus, I’m obliged to be obedient to his teachings. Although I fail at times and certainly have not obtained perfection, my imperfection does not release me from my obligation. So, when I fail, I…
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Flashback: A Change of Heart
Have you noticed it? When life gets uncomfortable, we want our circumstances to change; the faster, the better. We’ll stop at no end to find ways to restore comfort as quickly as possible — even if the solutions may be harmful. Don’t believe me? Just ask the addict who has resolved to quit hundreds of…
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Living as the Remnant
“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? “Lord, they…
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Constructive Steps In Handling Conflict Step Three: Listen Attentively.
“When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation, the heads of the families of Israel who were with him, heard the words that the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh spoke, it was good in their eyes.” – Joshua 22:30 (ESV). Being an instrument of peace…
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Constructive Steps In Handling Conflict
Step One: Get the facts before you react! Discord is in every corner of life: Marriage, work, politics, school, and the church. Even people with well-meaning intentions can create conflict. Just ask Joshua. In the Old Testament (Joshua 22), God’s chosen people are united in serving Him. Aside from occasional spats, they remain united as…
Read More Unity Above All
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” — 1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV) I need a respite from conflict! It doesn’t matter where you…
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How can I love someone who’s hurting me?
“How is it possible to love the Azerberjanis?” An Armenian pastor asked me that question while grieving the loss of young men from his church killed in a needless war. “I know we must love our enemies,” he said, “but how?” It was an honest question from a grieving heart, one I hear more and…
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Avoid the Door of Covetousness
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” – Exodus 20:17 (ESV) It’s tempting to view God’s commandments as restrictive and suppressive. However, God is loving and desires to…
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Constructive Steps In Handling Conflict
Step Two: Clarifying the facts requires a qualified team. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1 (NASB95) When we experience unity, it’s rest for the soul. The Psalmist provides a visual image of experiencing unity: “It’s like the precious oil on the head that…
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The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth!
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” – Exodus 20:16 (ESV) “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false…
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Fearless in the Storm
“God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in sea-storms and earthquakes, before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us. – Psalm 46:1-3 (The Message). Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase…
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Don’t Steal
William Barclay writes: “One of the rarest things in modern society is to carry out the Christian Ethic of absolute honesty in a society in which strict honesty has almost ceased to be a virtue.”[1] Some things are still wrong, even if our friends say, “it’s okay.” My friends thought it was “cool.” I was…
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No still means no!
Almost daily, we hear of an adulterous affair. Infidelity by celebrities, politicians, clergy, businessmen, and women is attractive bait for the media to increase audience ratings. It’s challenging to find television programming that does not include or insinuate an adulterous relationship. The “forbidden” somehow becomes a winsome, magnetic attraction that draws the audience in —…
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There’s More to Murder Than You Think
It’s common for people to see conflicting commandments in the Bible. In Exodus 20:13, the commandment is emphatic: “You shall not murder.” Pretty straightforward, right? But one chapter later, we are instructed: “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.” – Exodus 21:12. So, what is it? If we are…
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Rest Is Not Optional
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock,…
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
Inspiring and Compassionate Speaker
Invite Richard Parrish to speak at your church, event, or podcast!