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Introducing My Soul Purpose
Dr. Parrott’s new book, My Soul Purpose, is a moving, practical, and scriptural guide to authenticity in Christ. The book is filled with insight, stories, and practical advice about living true to your best as a Christian.
My Soul Purpose crosses age barriers with an experience of spiritual authenticity. The book helps Christians deepen their spiritual identity in Christ while taking joyful responsibility for daily life in Christ’s Spirit.
“There is something compelling about this book. It is as if one is peeling an onion, one layer at a time. It is illuminating, revealing and at times unsettling. This book will be uncomfortable for those hiding secrets. Descriptions of the symptoms of soul sickness and dis-ease are “real” and “authentic”. One feels as if Richard Parrott has been spying on us when we thought no one was looking. One quote has stayed with me since reading the book: ‘When you don’t know what to do, choose health.’
“The book contains insights for mentoring, spiritual direction and discipling. I can see it being used in small groups under strong spiritual leadership. There are creative spiritual exercises included that are not just the ordinary ones we are all used to. Also, there is a strong emphasis on soul friends, persons who will make the journey with us without judging or condemning. In my opinion, it is Richard Parrott’s best work yet.”
Dee Freeborn
Professor Emeritus in Spiritual Formation
Foreward to My Soul Purpose
As we enter the second decade of the New Millennium, the economic and national security interests of the United States have become threatened in ways we scarcely could have imagined as “Y2K” approached. The seismic events of 9/11, engagement of full-scale war on terrorism on two fronts, a world wide economic meltdown and recession resulting in massive multi-trillion dollar deficits, have together shaken the confidence of Americans in our self-determination to the core.
Many of the premises of a decade ago which provided the underpinnings of our self-reliance have since been shattered: 1) the two great oceans would serve as a natural barrier from attack upon our native soil, 2) our homes would serve as our primary investment by building equity and increasing in value every year, 3) the stock market would provide us with double-digit annual returns on our ownership of shares in public companies, 4) our 401(K) Plan assets (supplemented by Social Security payments) would allow us to retire early to begin our dream retirement, 5) gasoline would remain plentiful and affordable to power our SUV’s, minivans and pickup trucks, 6) and the U.S. of A. would continue to reign as the lone economic and military superpower for generations to come.
In short, as citizens of the most powerful and prosperous nation in the history of the world, we came to believe that we could trust completely in our inherent resources and capabilities; and the concept of a Sovereign God who was essential to our well-being was not something we allowed for in our public consciousness nor embraced in our personal lives.
In his timely and important new book, My Soul Purpose, Richard Parrott stands atop the scrap heap of our fractured autonomy and sounds the clarion call of a foundational and singular truth—that we are each one an Eternal Soul in search of our unique meaning and destiny, which will only be revealed through oneness and personal relationship with our Creator.
Dr. Parrott confronts us to defy conventional wisdom by stripping away our counterfeit sense of self-sufficiency and challenges us to risk a deep dive into an exploration of who and what we are at this point in our lives… and how and why we got there.
He serves as our mentor, by providing the analytical framework that allows us to tear down the false assumptions we have used to buttress our faulty belief system—that what we yearn for out of life may be found externally through career, possessions, or position.
My Soul Purpose is not a self-help book. It is not the latest addition to the positive thinking lineage. It is not the sparse book you grab at the airport sundries store to devour on your 90-minute flight. Whether you are the wealthy corporate CEO or the school teacher struggling to make ends meet, no matter how you define yourself or who you believe you are in the eyes of other people, this book demands that you roll up sleeves and do some heavy lifting work on yourself.
Richard Parrott speaks to all of us who are brave enough to acknowledge that somehow on our journey we have lost touch with that God-given internal compass that kept us pointed at our true and best self. He enables us to lay aside our accumulated baggage and discover the revelation that informs and supersedes all of our other cherished precepts about ourselves:
That what my Soul needs and what the World needs is me—real, authentic, in harmony with God, and fully alive!
Mark T. Maish, Esq.
Senior Vice President (Retired)
JPMorgan Wealth Management
Praise for My Soul Purpose
“Everyone should take a soulful journey with Richard Parrott. He has written a timely book that will open the door for anyone who wants an authentic spiritual relationship with Christ. Readers will be energized and encouraged to listen for the voice of God in everyday life. If you are spiritually tired and lacking in spiritual passion, this book will energize your spiritual life in Christ.”
–Stan Toler, Bestselling Author & Speaker, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
“There is something compelling about this book. It is as if one is peeling an onion, one layer at a time. It is illuminating, revealing and at times unsettling. This book will be uncomfortable for those hiding secrets.
One quote has stayed with me since reading the book. “When you don’t know what to do, choose health.”
Descriptions of the symptoms of soul sickness and dis-ease are “real” and “authentic”. One feels as if Richard Parrott has been spying on us when we thought no one was looking.
The book contains insights for mentoring, spiritual direction and discipling. I can see it being used in small groups under strong spiritual leadership.
There are creative spiritual exercises included that are not just the ordinary ones we are all used to. Also, there is a strong emphasis on soul friends, persons who will make the journey with us without judging or condemning.
Quotes and illustrations are thought provoking, helpful and well chosen. The stories are carefully crafted and discreet while still being illuminating.
In my opinion, it is Richard Parrott’s best work yet.”
–Dr. Dee Freeborn, Professor Emeritus in Spiritual Formation
“My friend and colleague, Richard Parrott, has taken us to the core of the human experience. The typical book on the journey of soul is filled with happy platitudes and shallow thoughts. In My Soul Purpose you will not find happiness divorced from reality. You will find the authentic, rooted in costly practices of prayer, honest reflection, and God-driven imagination.
This book focuses on what we can be responsible for – our personal journey. It is an inward look that empowers an outward walk. Small groups and classes will enjoy the journey together.”
–Dan Boone, President
Trevecca Nazarene University
“This is a book that will turn your life right-side up. We can become so wrapped up in doing our religion that we lose God’s real purpose in life. This book shows us how to be the authentic Christians God planned for us to be. To follow the plan of your soul purpose will bring you into the flow of God’s perfect love. Dr Parrott gives us keys to move to real commitment.”
–Louie Bustle, World Missions Director
Church of the Nazarene
“In My Soul Purpose, Richard Parrott has delivered the essence of what it means to be authentically Christian. Not only is the narrative deeply spiritual, it is extraordinarily practical; it not only emphasizes the essential of living deeply in God, it also provides useful tools to energize faith, strengthen values, and develop one’s unique gifts in ways that serve others and bring honor to God.”
–Esther Swink, Ed.D., Dean, School of Education,
Trevecca Nazarene University
“Richard Parrott is thoughtful and constantly creative, probing and imaginative, challenging and helping in this skilled yet simple presentation of the goals of life and the gospel message. My wife and I attended the pilot presentation of this material and watched men and women come alive. This book is a must for the local pastor of our hour.”
–Gary Henecke
Senior Pastor, Nashville First Church of the Nazarene