Hope for the Journey: Reflections of God’s Faithfulness

By Richard Parrish MDiv

Even believers sometimes have doubts. Many followers have issues of faith at some point in their spiritual journeys. Some are content to ignore those questions, and eventually, their faith may wane. Even those who don’t leave their churches do not have the spiritual lives they could have. Others, however, look to discover the reasons behind their doubts or other concerns and become stronger in their faith.

In Hope for the Journey: Reflections of God’s Faithfulness, author Richard Parrish MDiv helps believers work through their faith issues. Sometimes that requires a major overhaul of who we believe God to be. Through this devotional, Parrish shows us how to adopt a different view of the Deity and become closer to God, to know God, and not just in the religious sense. Questions for reflection help you think deeply about and internalize what you’ve read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Aug 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483435589

Book preview

HOPE

FOR THE JOURNEY

Reflections of God’s Faithfulness

RICHARD PARRISH, M. Div.

Copyright © 2015 Music Serving the Word.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

All scripture references in this devotional were taken from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. unless otherwise noted by version abbreviation (all emphasis added).

Alternate versions used herein include:

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

Common English Bible®, CEB® Copyright © 2010, 2011 by Common English Bible.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. The CEB and Common English Bible trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Common English Bible. Use of either trademark requires the permission of Common English Bible.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-3559-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-3558-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015913918

Cover photo: Autumn Light, Central Park, New York by Carmen Cordelia,

used with permission EULA Freeimages.com

Book layout and cover design, Maura Dean EX3535.com

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 08/21/2015

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

WHEN BELIEVING ISN’T ENOUGH

GOD’S CHILD

DOES GOD HAVE LARYNGITIS?

MAINTAINING A CORRECT PERSPECTIVE

ANYWHERE BUT HERE

MERCY FOR A PROBLEM-FILLED WORLD

LIVING WITHOUT ANSWERS

DON’T WORRY

WEARY TO THE BONE

STUCK!

GRACE IS WHERE HOPE LIES

MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS

LONG STORIES, COMPLEX ISSUES AND GRAY AREAS

PASTORS, PROPHETS, PRIESTS AND NEW BEGINNINGS

A GOD-CENTERED HOPE

WALKING ON WATER IS OVERRATED

SACRED SPACE

REJOICE IN HOPE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book would not be possible without the gifts and talents of many wonderful people. I am personally indebted to Maura Dean for her graphic and layout gifts, Larissa Johnson who kept the project moving, and Lori Geare for her editing skills.

To Bob and Gretchen Ravenscroft, who have faithfully encouraged my life, thank you! You both are a blessing and faithful servants of our LORD.

DEDICATION

Finally, to my wife Vicki, I am grateful for your on-going inspiration. Your wisdom, insight and confidence in me has graced my life beyond measure. This book is a result of your faithful motivation for me to write. Thank you for being all that God has made you to be, and for allowing me to ask you for the umpteenth time: "How does this sound to you?" You are loved and cherished.

WHAT OTHERS SAY

Debby DeBernardi

Pastor, Certified Spiritual Director,

Director of Christian Formation at Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church

As a spiritual director I appreciate the intriguing questions for self-reflection, which connect life with cries of the soul. Richard’s bonding of practical theology to personal and global experiences through reflective engagement provides space to deepen the dimension of divine intimacy. A great resource for anyone desiring to journal as a spiritual practice.

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Deacon Richard Kijewski

Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

Hope for the Journey is truly what Richard Parrish brings in this engaging, thought-provoking collection of thoughts and reflections. A must read for any pilgrim on the journey who is seeking to deepen their faith and grow in relationship with the Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

_____________________________

Millie Lungren

Prayer and Spiritual Leader for Make and Deepen Disciples,

The Evangelical Covenant Church

Knowing about Jesus is totally different than knowing Jesus. In this thoughtful devotional, Richard Parrish provides meaningful insights on the scripture passage along with reflections based upon his own experience in knowing Jesus. Through his honesty and transparency, Richard challenges us to consider ways in which the text intersects with our own lives. Thought-provoking questions at the end of each section encourage us to grow in relationship with Jesus.

The Reverend Ryan Michael Hersch

Pastor, Ascension Lutheran Church

What a delightful collection! Richard’s devotions are brief enough for busy people, and meaty enough to stick with them in their busy-ness. Give them a try!

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Rev. John Fairchild

Pastor Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church

If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, how much more important is our morning devotion? One can have the typical fare; a verse and a couple personal paragraphs, a bit like a breakfast of yogurt and juice. Or, one can go for the full meal with eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast, and jam. Richard’s devotions are that full devotional breakfast with enough meat to last you through the day, enough thoughtful questions to keep you going deeper and wanting to come back to the Word again and again. Each of these devotions will fill you, starting your day with thoughtful reflections and hopeful anticipation for what God will do in you.

FOREWORD

HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY

I met my friend Richard Parrish in a coffee shop years ago where we were enjoying strong coffee and our love of studying the Bible.

Hope for the Journey is aptly titled since everyone is on the journey of life, and life on earth needs hope. The news is replete with stories of desperation–– which