With God All Things Are Truly Possible

Revelation Revealed-The soon return of Jesus Christ!

2010-06-30T17:22:00.000-07:00

Revelation Chapters 21-22

via The Christ in Prophecy Journal by Nathan Jones on 6/28/10

The most frequently requested Christ in Prophecy television show episodes on Revelation have been pulled out of the vault and re-released!

Over the six episodes, Dr. David Reagan and guests Don McGee of Crown and Sickle Ministries and Dennis Pollock of Spirit of Grace Ministries go chapter by chapter through the book of Revelation, explaining that the book of Revelation isn't difficult to understand, rather it is difficult to believe. But, if you will believe it for its plain sense meaning, you will understand it. For anyone who's been born again and has the Holy Spirit residing within them, Revelation can become very clear.

We'll continue on in our journey through the great book of Revelation by exploring the believers' eternal, future home — the magnificent New Jerusalem — in Chapters 21-22. We'll also get a special promise from Jesus Christ Himself.

Feel free to watch, listen, or read along by clicking one of the icons below.

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Revelation Revealed: Chapter 21

[Read Chapter 21 in the NASB version via Biblegateway.]

Dr. Reagan: Chapter 21 introduces us to a vision of the eternal state, something we're not told a lot about. But, what we're told here is very interesting.

John says, "I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth." What happens is that God burns up the old earth. We're told in 2 Peter 3 that He will burn away all the pollution of Satan's last revolt. He will take this earth and reshape it like a hot ball of wax, and out of that fiery inferno will come the New Heavens and the New Earth, an Earth that will be refreshed and beautified and perfected to what God originally created before it was polluted by sin and changed by the curse. It will probably be greatly enlarged because it is going to serve as the foundation for a gigantic city — the New Jerusalem.

Just think of it! As God creates that New Earth, we will most likely be suspended in the heavens inside the New Jerusalem watching the greatest fireworks display in the history of the cosmos. And, when it's all over, and the Earth is refreshed and renewed. Then the Lord will lower us down to the New Earth inside the New Jerusalem.

We are going to live eternally inside that glorious city located on the New Earth. That's right! The Bible never teaches that we will spend eternity in Heaven. It teaches that we will spend eternity in new bodies in a New Jerusalem on a New Earth.

It further teaches that God will come down to that New Earth and live among us: "I heard a loud voice," says John, "a loud voice from the throne, saying, 'behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them.'" He's going to wipe away every tear from our eyes, and there will no longer be any suffering: no pain, no death, no sorrow. He is going to make all things new, and we are going to live in perfect bliss in the New Jerusalem.

The rest of Chapter 21 describes the incredible New Jerusalem that Jesus is preparing now. It will be shaped like a cube — 1,500 miles in every direction. It will be a city of incredible beauty. Its foundation will be made of precious stones, its gates will be giant pearls, and its streets will be made of gold. God the father and His son will live in the city with the Redeemed, and the Shekinah Glory of God will illuminate the city.

Revelation Revealed: Chapter 22

[Read Chapter 22 in the NASB version via Biblegateway.]

In Chapter 22 we move inside the New Jerusalem. We are told that, "a river of the water of life" will flow from the throne of God. This river is most likely a symbolic manifestation of the Holy Spirit. This river will run down the middle of the city's main street, and the Tree of Life that was in the Garden of Eden will grow on each side of the river, "Bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month."

There will no longer be any curse, for when God recreates the Earth, the curse will be abolished. All of creation will be restored to the perfection that God intended when He created the original Earth.

And so, we have a great glimpse of that eternal state where we will live eternally with God in new bodies in the New Jerusalem on the New Earth. It's only a glimpse, but it's enough to make us yearn for the glory that is to come, particularly when you consider what is said in Revelation 22:4. That verse says, "That we shall see God's face." The Bible tells us that no one has ever seen the face of God, but one day we the Redeemed will see His face. That means we are going to have intimate, personal, eternal fellowship with our Creator!

Revelation 22 says we are also going to serve the Lord eternally. The Bible does not get specific as to the nature of that service, but I know it will be meaningful and fulfilling. I can imagine, for example, that He will magnify and perfect our gifts. I can imagine that vocalists will sing as they have never sung before, and artists will paint with a majesty they never thought possible, and all will be done for the glory and honor of our Creator.

Jesus' Promise

In Revelation 22:6, the focus shifts very suddenly from the eternal state to the promise that Jesus will return again. Jesus says, "I am coming quickly," and then He adds, "Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book." Now notice, He says not only the one who hears the words, but the one who heeds the words.

He then begins to tell us some things that we're to do as we wait for His return. As I outline these for you, I want you to ask yourself: "Am I doing these things?"

Verse 9 — We are told to worship God.
Verse 10 — We are told, "Not to seal up the words of the prophecy." That means we are to share it with as many people as possible.
Verse 17 — Exhorts us to yearn daily for the Lord's return.
Verse 18 — Commands us to protect the integrity of God's Word by not allowing anyone to add to it or take away from it.

In verse 12, Jesus repeats the wonderful promise that summarizes the book's whole theme. He says, "Behold I am coming quickly."

He then adds a warning. He says, "He will reward every man according to what he has done." Jesus is coming back, and when He returns there is going to be a judgment of works for both believers and unbelievers, but it will not be for the purpose of determining their eternal destinies. That is determined in this life by whether or not we place our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Believers will be judged at the time of the Rapture to determine their degrees of rewards. Unbelievers will be judged at the end of the Millennium at the Great White Throne Judgment to determine their degrees of punishment. Yes, there are going to be degrees of rewards for believers, both during the Millennium and during eternity. Jesus said we would have various degrees of reigning authority during the Millennium. And, the Bible says that special rewards are going to be given to soul winners, martyrs, elders, those who exercise self-control, and those who live looking for the coming of Jesus Christ.

The final words of Jesus spoken on this Earth are recorded in Revelation 22:20. He says to John, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Jesus left us with a glorious promise — a promise to return soon. And, notice John's response. He cried out from the depths of his heart, "Amen, come Lord Jesus!" That's the attitude we should have about the Lord's return, one of hopeful expectancy any moment.

The Period of the Lord's Return

There are many indications that we are living in the period of the Lord's return. One of those is found in Matthew 24 where Jesus told the people to watch the fig tree, which is a symbol of Israel. He said when that fig tree blossoms again we will know that He — Jesus — is at the very gates of Heaven, ready to return.

Well, for the past 450 years prophetic scholars have told people, "Watch Israel, watch Israel, watch Israel." And, people have responded with laughter, scorn and ridicule. They have said, "Israel will never exist again." Well, nobody is laughing now because Israel was re-established on May 14, 1948. We know Jesus is at the very gates of Heaven because He said in Matthew 24 that the generation that sees the re-establishment of Israel is the generation that will see all these things come to pass. That means we are the terminal generation.

Another sign is found in Luke 21:24 where Jesus said He would return when Jerusalem is no longer under Gentile control. Well, Jerusalem fell to the Romans in 70 AD. They were followed by the Byzantines, then came the Arabs, the Crusaders, the Mamluks, the Turks, the British, and finally the Jordanians. But, on June 7, 1967, praise God, the Jews re-conquered the city of Jerusalem for the first time in 1,897 years.

My friends, let me say it again — we are living on borrowed time! Jesus is coming soon! He said He would, and that promise of His means all or it means nothing at all. If you have rejected Him, it means nothing to you. If you have accepted Him, it should mean everything.

All I have to say in conclusion is "Maranatha!" That's the prayer of the early church recorded in I Corinthians 16:22. It is an Aramaic expression that means, "Our Lord come!" Oh, yes, come quickly Lord Jesus!

In the next part on this series on Revelation, we'll get our teachers back together again to discuss Chapters 21-22.

Resource

Revelation Revealed DVD
Understand the book of Revelation!
Revelation Revealed is a 75-minute survey of the entire book of Revelation and is full of charts, maps, pictures, historical footage and video animations.

Order your copy today!

YAHWEH NISSI: "The Lord My Banner."

2010-03-11T18:21:00.000-08:00

YAHWEH NISSI

REFLECT ON: Isaiah 49:22-25

PRAISE GOD: For His power to save children in your life.
OFFER THANKS: For God’s promise of help.
CONFESS: Any lack of faith, fueled by disappointment.
ASK GOD: To arouse your fighting spirit on behalf of your children.

Though you may be living in Christ, your children or children you care about may
not be. You may have done your best to share your faith when they were young—
reading the Bible, teaching them to pray, bringing them to church, and modeling the
love of Christ. Yet they strayed, pulled away by thousands of enticements.
Year after year you pray, but little seems to happen. Things may have even gotten
worse. Sex, money, drugs, partying, illness, apathy—whatever it is, you know your
loved ones will self-destruct if they do not find their way back to God. Perhaps you
have become so discouraged by what you see that you have stopped praying.
Yet scripture tells us that those who hope in God will not be disappointed. Notice this
does not say those who hope in God USUALLY won’t be disappointed. It flat out says
they won’t be disappointed. That means that ultimately you wont be disappointed in
God’s faithfulness even if your children, your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or
neighbors are failing in school or living on the streets or engaged in illicit
relationships or drinking themselves to death or working so hard that they have no
time for God. You may agonize over their choices and their circumstances, but you
can’t afford to let that agony push you into premature conclusions about where they
will end up. The whole story has yet to be written, and it can still be influenced by
your hope and by your prayers. Disappointment is nothing but a premature
conclusion, causing you to stop reading before the story’s end, making you abandon
your hope in God, and enfeebling your ability to pray.

Instead of giving up, pray that Yahweh Nissi will unfurl His banner for all to see,
rescuing these children from whatever captivates them. Join with other prayerful
people—parents, teachers, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and neighbors—to remind
God of His promise to contend with those who contend with you—to save the children
you love and to bring them home again.

Taken from Ann Spangler "Praying the Names of God."

Following God and Farming

2010-03-11T18:12:00.000-08:00

Following God and Farming

Provocative blog from Donald Miller regarding a conversation he had with Max Lucado that details God's plan to help us as believers reap a harvest--we just need to plant well and allow God to bless the crop! Thank Ryan Prellwitz for this when you get a chance:)

Last week I had the privilege of talking with Max Lucado. I was trying to make some career decisions and asked Max if I could run some things by him. He was waiting to get a root canal and for some reason was still willing (and even happy) to talk to me. I can’t imagine. Nevertheless, we talked, and I’m glad we did. One of the decisions I was in the middle of making regarded walking away from a great career opportunity because it just didn’t feel like it fit my personality. I felt like I needed to stay home and write books and not do a whole lot more. The opportunity I was declining was remarkable and it would offer me a larger platform. Max told me he’d made a similar decision years before, to stop doing a radio show because, even though it was a very good project, it just wasn’t his sweet spot. He needed to stay home and write books. It would be hard to argue he made a bad business decision. Even though he’s let go of perhaps many opportunities to expand his platform he’s remained focussed on what God has gifted him to do, and he’s sold more than sixty-million books. When you sit down with Max, there’s nothing about him that gives you the feeling he’s trying to get ahead. He’s calm, he’s at peace, and he’s plowing his little field.

Years ago, when Rick McKinley started the church plant Imago-Dei in Portland, he preached a sermon about his own experiences in the first year. At the time, the church may have only had a couple-hundred people attending. He said he thought things would be more exciting, that there would be fireworks all the time. But as he prayed about building the church, he realized that telling a great story is a lot like farming. He recalled hunting on some property in Eastern Oregon, sitting in a duck blind, watching a farmer a couple fields away just driving his tractor back and forth. Rick said that is what building a church looks like, it looks like farming. It figures, because, well, God invented farming. Now, Imago-Dei has a couple thousand people attending, and the ministry affects nearly every corner of Portland. But it happened slowly, with a farmer who kept driving his tractor back and forth in a small field.

So two questions I’m asking myself these days are what is my field to plow, and am I plowing it?

Over the next ten years, I’d like to write a book each year. That may change because I certainly can’t control the future, but I’d really like to get a little plot of land going, and I know it takes time. There will be opportunities to plow a larger field, and some farmers have it in them to do so. They are good managers of people and technology and so forth, but, to be honest, I’m not. I’m a good writer, or at least I hope to be some day. My sweet spot involves sitting down every day and getting a little something going in the typewriter. That’s all I know how to do.

The bigger field calls to me sometimes. I look at my peers and I get jealous. But if I tried to do what they did, I know I’d fail. I just can’t manage it. God did not give me that story to tell.

So my question to you is, what’s your field, and are you plowing it? Are you plowing too little? Are you plowing too much? What’s your sweet spot, and in ten years, will you have a small orchard that can feed your family and some of your friends? What’s your land to toil?

And even though we don’t know each other, I’m going to take a risk and answer some of these questions for you.

1. If you have a family, if you are married with kids, that’s a field to plow. If a larger field is calling you away from your family field, then you don’t have it in you to plow it, so let it go. Your family comes first. Further the plot in that story. Get your wife some flowers, go fishing with your kids, plow the field God has given you. Andy Stanley says that in life, your family is going to suffer or your work is going to suffer, so choose. Your work life are those three rows of beans, the rest is your family, I think, and the work rows can’t replace the family rows. I know it will feel like you are giving up something, and the truth is you are, but how do we really know what God may do with our faithfulness. The image I get in my head, often, when I think about Max Lucado, is the image of the boy with the bread and fish. The boy had a small amount of food, but Jesus used it to feed thousands. Sometimes I see Max tending a small patch of strawberry bushes. It’s just a small plot of land, and he doesn’t tend more, and he doesn’t tend less, because he has a family and a church and, well, a social life too. But God takes that little plot of Strawberry bushes and feeds millions. Your job isn’t to feed millions, it’s to tend the land God has given you, no more, no less. If He wants to feed millions, He will. But that’s no guarantee. We don’t know what God will or won’t do.

2. Plow the field God gave you. This is going to be a bit controversial, but I’m just going to say it. God gave you a heart, a wellspring of delight and desire. That heart can be corrupted, for sure, but God also speaks to you and through you through that heart. If you are given an amazing opportunity to become rich and famous, but you aren’t looking forward to the work, ask yourself if God put a heart inside you to do that work. If not, let it go, no matter what the cost. Now here I’m going to get really controversial: If you have an opportunity to “build God’s kingdom” in some massive way, but the work is like pulling teeth, I think you have to really ask yourself if that is what God is calling you to do. There are times (Jonah) when the problem isn’t the work, it’s you. But there are also times when the problem is the work itself, namely that the work just isn’t for you. I firmly believe that God calls people into work, gives them a heart to do things, that seem to have nothing to do with the kingdom, and furthermore, nobody will ever be able to figure out why it is God would have them do it. Except this: Nothing speaks more powerfully than a person who has been set free to do the work he loves. There’s some gospel truth in there somewhere. I like to look at it this way, I pray and ask God “where the wind is blowing.” If the wind is blowing in a Christian book that helps people’s faith, I write that book, and if the wind is blowing on a novel that has nothing to do with faith at all, I write that book, and I’m free and I love it and I thank God he gave me the work and let me do what I love.

3. You will have to work with consistency and faithfulness. A farmer farms a field, and if he misses a week of work, everything falls apart. If the seeds aren’t in the ground when the rain comes, the crops don’t grow. Our faith is not about magic, it’s about partnering with God to see remarkable things happen through faithfulness and consistency over a long-period of time. If we buy into the instant-results mindset of our culture (that is depressed and confused itself) we will become very frustrated with God. God has a system for growing food. If one farmer does no work, but prays and sings to God, and another farmer does work, and does not pray or sing to God, then the farmer who prayed will starve and the farmer who worked will eat, because even though the second farmer didn’t acknowledge God, he understood God’s ways and he adhered to the principles God created. The first farmer was just looking for a magic show.

4. Stop measuring your crops. This is a tough one for me. I confess I check to see how many retweets I’ve had or comments on blogs, but none of this has anything to do with farming. I’d much rather fall in love with my work, and get up and do it for the works sake than do it for the notoriety. To be honest, no number I’ve seen online has pleased me. Never. But you know what has consistently brought me pleasure, sitting down and having written a good little story. Fame is fickle, and it will come and go. If you associate your identity with the fashion trends of a fickle public, you are going to go insane. I’m leaning to keep my head down and plow my field.

Thanks so much for letting me ramble. I needed to get these thoughts down so I could understand them better myself.

Parker Family Coming Home for Christmas!

2009-12-04T14:09:00.000-08:00

That was then as the Parker Family had arrived from Wisconsin to forge new frontier in Texas!

This is now as we return to Wisconsin as residents of Texas!

The Parker's in Texas have grown as we welcome Drew Bernard Parker back to Wisconsin. We leave December 17th after Breanna and I attend a Chris Tomlin concert where Louie Gigglio will be speaking at Hillside Christian Church (the church we attend in Amarillo, TX)! The drive will take about 22 hours and we will be arriving in Port Washington, WI at my parents some time the 18th of December. Then we will spend XMAS eve and leave for Waukesha, WI where Breanna's parents live-this will be our home base for the remainder of our stay. On the 26th-28th we will be staying in Ripon, WI with the Prellwitz family and we will look forward to visiting with friends from Oshkosh and Ripon during our stay.

WE CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE ALL OF YOU! Texas has been such a phenomenal blessing and we have so much to tell, but as our home changes we will always have a place in our heart for the home that started it all:)

While in the midwest we hope to make a fun trip to Chicago for some coffee at Intelligentsia and a pie at the world famous Lou Malnatis Pizzeria. If anyone is interested please let me know, it would be fun to get a caravan traveling to the windy city!

Call or email to connect while we are in Wisconsin from December 18th to January 2nd. Stay tight to Jesus!

Todd, Breanna, Kylar, and Drew Parker

Drew Bernard Parker

2009-11-24T20:22:00.001-08:00

IMAG0120
Originally uploaded by Todd 1

Drew Bernard Parker was born on October 5, 2009 a healthy baby boy. Yes, that's right this blog is more than one month late...sorry with two infants the Parker's are busy:) All grandparents have now seen Drew and the rest of the family and friends in Wisconsin will see Drew over Christmas as The Parker's travel back to visit on December 17th! See ya then:)

Todd

Bre's Post

2009-08-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

So Todd has asked me several times now to write something about our move to Amarillo. I have been really reluctant to do that. How do you explain the sheer volume of such a move from family and friends to a place that I've never even heard of?

I will say that this would never have happened if I wasn't fully and completely trusting in God, and Todd's guidance. I'm not trying to say that as a cocky statement, but as a statement that I'm not one for change. Seriously... I'm pretty sure that if my parents hadn't encouraged (pushed) me out the door for college I would have stayed home content to be with them and hang out with them for the rest of my life. You all know me so you know that's a factual statement :)

This move has changed my walk with the Lord, my relationship with Todd, and my relationship with friends in so many ways. I've realized my weaknesses and my strengths and I've stopped hiding behind fear that satan has used to stop me from doing what God desires of me.

Does that make sense?

Several Examples are...

I've started talking about my faith to people and the importance of having a sincere relationship with Jesus Christ. In Wisconsin I wouldn't have said a peep about Christ to people. My faith was private because I was too afraid to offend someone.

I've started thinking about the gifts God has given me, and really started using them :) I'm taking lessons from the principal cellist of Amarillo Symphony in hopes to gain a seat in the symphony. I'm looking into classes for getting my master's degree in music education to keep up my teaching, and of course I'm singing to Kylar :) This would have never happened in Wisconsin because I had the perpetual fear of failure, and people being disappointed in my playing. How odd that it took a move for me to realize I don't need to fear anything when I'm in Christ Jesus, because He is the one who strengthens me!!!!

Best of all I'm a stay at home mom! What an immense joy it has been to be with my daughter and see her grow. I can not thank my husband enough for realizing the need for me to be a stay at home mom and seeking God's will for that to happen. We would never been able to afford me to do this full time if we hadn't moved. I also can see the difference in our family from me staying at home. When I was working I couldn't make our house clean, have a meal on the table for dinner, be a good wife to Todd, and be an exceptional mother to Kylar. Unfortunately I'm not built that way, my mother (bless her) was and I still can't believe how wonderful she did as a wife, mom, and teacher. I remember her saying after I cleaned something "now doesn't that feel good breeze" and me thinking "no I'm tired and I want a nap" :) Now when I clean I completely understand that feel good feeling. My time with my husband is spent talking because I'm not trying to frantically clean, or put a meal together. My time with my daughter is spent playing with her and taking adventures because I'm not as tired. It's a great feeling and I truly thank God for that gift.

Ok I've written a lot and I should probably stop now, but know friends that we as a family appreciate you. Probably more now then ever because we realize how fragile friendship is, but how strong it is when times like these makes us grow closer. You as well family I appreciate you more now then ever because I realize how important you guys really are. I love you all and know that you're in my thoughts and prayers.

love,

Breanna

The Room by Brian Moore

2009-08-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

The Room...

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," 'Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers". Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I have listened to," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!"

In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it.

The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me.

I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again.
He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things.
But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no, " as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room.
There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13

Written by Brian Moore, son of Bruce and noted Christian author Beth Moore. Brian Moore died May 27, 1997 - the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

That's My King

2009-07-05T21:56:00.001-07:00

S.M Lockridge delivers his legendary address to Moody Bible Church in Chicago, IL titled "That's My King." It was later said that he delivered the message without any notes as it was entirely of the Holy Spirit--Praise God!

My First Birthday!

2009-06-13T07:27:00.000-07:00

Today is my first birthday...and it was a fun day for the Parker Family. Todd came home for lunch from Microfour and treated the family to Pizza Hut. Kylar loves pizza, so we enjoyed good food and Ky unwrapped Auntie Megan's gift for all to see. Her birthday dress was beautiful, mommy really knows how to dress Kylar--all Ky has to do is look beautiful and that is not too hard for her:)

It has really been birthday week; pizza hut and a small gift unwrapping happened on Ky's birthday, the following day Kylar tried out her new floaty in the pool and throughout the week we visited with family and unwrapped gifts on the webcam for all to see. Yesterday the Parker Family went to the Amarillo Zoo and Ky saw lions, tigers, bears, Texas Longhorns, birds, Bison, goats, and more. It was the first time I saw a skunk at the zoo-literally a skunk in a cage at the zoo! Isn't that just asking for trouble, the entire area stank--I think everytime someone comes by the skunk is spraying his cage:) Then it dawned on me that there are may not be any skunks in Texas so perhaps the zoo brings one over for people to see. Still silly if you ask me!

That is all for now, birthday week is coming to an end, Bre and Kylar will be seeing the Fiedler Family soon as they embark on he first plane ride to Florida! Todd needs to man the fort back in Amarillo...man's gotta do what a man's gotta do;)

For more pictures of Ky's 1st Birthday visit our family photo sharing web site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/todd_1/ and click on Kylar Marie Parker. Peek the visual of all family travels and click on any site so you can see for yourselves how the Parker's are getting on in Amarillo!

Tata

2009-06-06T16:43:00.000-07:00

Fun in the sun as Texas heats up to 97 degrees today. The Parker ladies accompanied yours truly to watch a soccer training session Brant put on for an upcoming 3v3 tournament next Saturday held at the park in Amarillo. No pictures of me, this blog posts only the beautiful:)

Amarillo Lightening Soccer Club

2009-05-11T08:35:00.001-07:00

stuff 047
Originally uploaded by Todd 1

I got my kit so it is official, I am a staff coach for the Amarillo Lightening Soccer Club. I will be working with the U11Boys Academy Team, the U13 Girls top team, and I will serve as the club's Goal Keeper Coach. In addition I have been asked to train at the "Academy" on Monday's designed to serve kids in the community by delivering top training to players not yet affiliated with the club. I have also been asked to deliver training at the ITD (Individual Technical Development) sessions on Friday where we give 1 on 1 instruction to increase technical development for players in the club as we use agility training, speed training, small sided games, and ball control training with Brazilian footballs. Stay tuned and see how my experience as a coach matures with the Amarillo Lightening Soccer Club!

Kylar Mosaic

2009-05-11T08:11:00.001-07:00

Kylar Mosaic
Originally uploaded by Todd 1

The beautiful Kylar makes her Blogger debut with some of her best pics!

Kylar Jigsaw

2009-05-11T08:10:00.001-07:00

Kylar Jigsaw
Originally uploaded by Todd 1

Can you put Kylar back together again?

Bath Time:)

2009-05-11T08:07:00.001-07:00

stuff 062
Originally uploaded by Todd 1

Kylar wants a bath and she wants it now! Taken at our new home in Amarillo, TX.

It is not Todd, It is God!

2009-05-05T14:54:00.000-07:00

Life the first week in Amarillo, as the Parker's become Texans, has been interesting. I have already worked with the Amarillo Lightening Soccer Club as an trainer for their Youth Academy, which is a between-seasons 8 week curriculum for 6-10 year olds in the Amarillo community. Most youngsters who attend are not players in the club, so it is a way for the club to give back but to also increase exposure as we look to expand our influence in the panhandle of Texas. I start my sales job for Microfour next Tuesday, so this week is a mad dash to get everything situated as we unload boxes, register cars, change insurance, cancel utility bills from Wisconsin, and begin new bills in Amarillo.

So why is the title in this week's blog "It is not Todd, It is God"? Simple, a friend of mine named Rob Hart told me that I need to use that in our blog because I say that a lot:) The last weekend was amazing, Rob Hart and Kurt Julian drove a U Haul truck from Oshkosh to Amarillo just to help us move. That allowed me to be with my family on the trip down and that made all the difference. Other friends even ponied up some cash to pay for Rob and Kurt's flights from Amarillo to Chicago Midway and that is also an amazing Godincident. Ryan Prellwitz, the dear friend he is, was unable to make the trip even though he wanted to very much go--he picked up Rob and Kurt at Chicago Midway so they could have safe passage to Oshkosh. We also had friends gift us with gas money and gift us with a series of cards, prizes, and music that we were to open up on the hour as we endured the 21 hour trek from Oshkosh to Amarillo. What friends we have; we do not leave them, for they will always be with us; we simply go because we are being sent by God to do His will in Amarillo. This is how the Body of Christ is supposed to be, only God provides friends quite like this.

Tonight a prayer was answered as Bre was invited to play for the Hillside Christian Church Orchestra! I have been praying that Bre make friends and get connected to the Amarillo community and what better way than to connect with her church and serve through her gift of music. We are excited for this opportunity that Bre has.

Well, crying baby and a soccer game I need to attend call me away, ciao for now:)

It is ALL God, Not todd!

The Parker's off to Amarillo!

2009-04-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

It is time! God has called the Parker family to a new adventure in which He will provide abundantly more than we could ever ask of imagine. There is something about new beginnings, being called to press on to something new, something full of hope and purpose.

Todd will be working as a staff coach for the Amarillo Lightening Soccer Club where he will be asked to develop a U11 boys Academy team and a U13 girls team as both compete in top leagues throughout Texas. God has also provided increased resources by securing a sales job with Microfour where Todd will sell medical software. With faith, Todd moves forward with his family, anxious to depend on God as the Parker family travels to the unknown and stretches levels of comfort to seek the glory of God through work in Amarillo, TX.

Please follow us on our journey by subscribing to the "With God All Things Are Truly Possible" blog that documents the how God works in Todd, Breanna, Kylar, and soon to be baby Parker.

With His love,

The Parker's

Where God, the Saints, Facebook, and Youtube hang out for a powow :)

2009-03-04T17:08:00.000-08:00

http://www.tangle.com/

Check out this web site, it is where God, The Saints (we who believe), and future Saints (those God has chosen-they just don't know it yet) meet in trendy Youtube and Facebook style!

Great place to see what God is doing in our lives; be encouraged--you are not alone as a Saint--a multitude of people experience Him daily. So, interact with 'Tangle' and share how God is working in you...

disclaimer: TP does not work for Tangle. WGATATP hopes Tangle will enjoy the friendly "Hitchhikers Internet Guide to Salvation" published hereforth, giving all weary internet travelers, looking for a little good in God's created world, something to nibble on-Tangle.

disclaimer: TP does not know of any publication named "Hitchhikers Internet Guide to Salvation" and apologizes to anyone clever enough to join WGATATP in borrowing a Douglas Adams reference to fit the occassion.

Bible Gateway

2009-03-04T17:04:00.000-08:00

Food for your soul. I would recommend the English Standard Version, but all are great--God's word is God's word!

http://www.biblegateway.com/