All things Sonya & Josh

Wow, it's hard to believe it's been a year since Josh & I first met in person. I remember it like it was yesterday of course. He looked so handsome at the airport standing there with a single red rose. *Sigh* I love my boy so much!! I find it still harder to believe that we will soon be married. Josh is everything I ever wished for in a spouse and more. A friend of mine when proposed to said she was overwhelmed with the calabre of man God had give to her, I totally understand that feeling as Josh is beyond my expectations. Perhaps if I had known God's plan I would have been more trusting and patient in my single years but I can not live in regret but rather must move forward in thankfulness.

My mom was here to visit for 2 and a half weeks. I feel so blessed to have had her around. She helped me go through a LOT of stuff and trash some and donate to the Salvation Army. I never seen myself as a materialistic person but throwing out things is difficult. I guess for me I remember the person who gave it to me and become sentimental. It was good to have my mom here to rationalize the sentiment for me.

I get to see Josh in just 25 days! I am so excited!

reading list.

Sonya and I love books. I wish I had more time to read. As a former baptist I was different than most because I actually read. I am Sorry if I offend anybody for my extreme cynicism.
Here are some books I fully endorse. Reading them will help you grow as Christians.

1. Desiring God by John Piper.

2. Battling Unbelief by John Piper.

3. Knowing God by J.I. Packer.

4. Confessions by St. Augustine.

5. Basic Christianity by John Stott.

6. the rule of st. benedict.

7. The English Standard Version of the Bible.(ESV)

I include the rule of st. Benedict because I am an benedictine oblate. I live the rule outside the monastary walls. Everyone take care and God bless you.
In Christ,
Pastor Josh Parrish, M.Div

stupid liberalism in the church

Hi Everybody. Here are some more ramblings. Sonya, I am using our blog, my love. Sonya prayed the daily office with me this morning over the phone in my office. I love doing devotions with her. An easy to use prayer book is Venite by Robert Benson. I believe that there are some used copies on Amazon.com. There is a daily office in The book of Common Prayer as well. It's great way to pray the Psalms each month. Liberalism in the church is making me throw up. I am all for the social gospel, providing food and clothing to the needy and speaking out against aids and racism. But I am tired of churches putting political correctness above the Bible. Some churches have even made liberalism a 4th person of the Holy Trinity. Liberal agendas like using inclusive language for God and people is not needed and is disownering to him. Trying to say that Paul was not aware of what we know now regarding sexuality is offensive. Sermons in Liberal churches has gotten worse. Not mentioning scripture in sermons, being concerned about people's felt needs and not God's glory is happening in church. Some will not affirm the Apostles Creed because they deny the virgin Birth. I still will only preach and use the (ESV) English standard Version of the Bible. Read your Bibles. I believe that the Bible is our guide in the matters of faith and I believe that the Bible is free from Error. I confess the 3 Ecunemical creeds, The Apostles and Nicene Creed and the creed of St. Athanasius. Don't let liberal Christians take over the church. I write this as a former baptist who is pastoring 2 small United Methodist churches. I am an Augustianian-St. Augustine has been my chief partner when interpreting scripture-reminding me of things on predestionation and God's grace. The Puritan Jonathan Edwards has also been a good with with my scriptural interpretation-teaching me things on God's glory. Even though I disagree with John Wesley on some things- he taught me some good things on personal holiness. I am not always right but we need to keep The Bible at the center of our lives. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."(ESV) I love the church universal and pray for it. May God work out his purpose for the church. There is a new movement in the church that I am excited about. Check out the website, www.newattitude.org. You will learn more about humble orthodoxy at this webpage. Take care and God bless you all.
In Christ,
Pastor Josh Parrish, M.Div

Ramblings

I am flying Sonya back for the holidays. I love her and can't wait to see her again. I miss her a lot. I am taking a break from pastoral work this afternoon. It is kind of windy here in South Dakota this afternoon. I just finished doing some Bible study. I always use the English Standard Version (ESV) in my preaching and teaching. Check this translation out at www.esv.org. It is very easy to read and faithful to the original languages. My ministry model the last few years has been of John Piper. Check out his books Desiring God and Don't Waste your life. His webpage is www.desiringgod.crg. I also like to read Ephraim Radner, Thomas Oden, and R.C. Sproul. That is an intersting bunch. For church Fathers I like St. Augustine and some stuff from St. John Chrysostom. I gotta go. God is good and he is in control. Stay strong in prayer and have a good afternoon. God bless anyone who reads this.
In Christ,
Pastor Josh Parrish, M.Div