Posts by Richard Parrish
Wait Like a Watchman
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” – Psalm 130:5-6 -(ESV). There’s a moment from childhood I can’t seem to forget—especially when I’m tired of waiting. I’m eleven, camping in…
Read MoreWaiting 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 often make…
Read MoreHow Long, O Lord?
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” – Psalm 13:1(ESV). Is it just me—or does God sometimes feel slow when we need Him to move fast? Perhaps I’ve become too comfortable with expecting quick solutions. After all, today’s tech-driven world doesn’t just offer convenience—it…
Read MoreHow 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 under…
Read MoreReal Love Requires the Right Kind of Hate
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26 ESV). In a world already filled with anger, do we really need Scripture seemingly urging us to hate our family?…
Read MoreReal Love Requires Boundaries
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” – John 3:36 (ESV) Is it possible to “truly” love without boundaries? Our culture often promotes a version of love centered on feelings, personal freedom, and unconditional acceptance. We…
Read MoreReal Love Requires More Than Infatuation
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. For his steadfast love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:1 (ESV). Infatuation and love can feel similar initially, but a closer inspection reveals their differences. Do you remember your first crush? That rush of excitement when you saw them? Their attractiveness and charm made your heart race,…
Read MoreHow To Love Philadelphians
“Let brotherly love continue.” – Hebrews 13:1 (ESV). Or as Paul writes, “Love one another with brotherly affection.” – Romans 12:10 (ESV). Have you ever visited Philadelphia? My first visit to the “City of Brotherly Love” felt more like the city of “brotherly shove.” Caught in the five o’clock rush, I quickly realized that I…
Read MoreLove: 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…
Read MoreWhen 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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