Another Record Breaking Holiday

It seems like it’s just another blog about another remarkable, supernatural, record breaking holiday service at Parkview. At some point we may actually not have one that exceeds our expectations, but it’s never happened yet. We had 7700 people come and worship the newborn King in our 6 Christmas Eve services. That’s over 20% more than last year! And the crazy cool thing about it was how well all of them went. We hardly had a technical difficulty, let alone anything major go wrong. God was really “in the house.” I’d love to know all the supernatural stories of life change and reservations in heaven that were made during these three days. But the ones I do know are amazing.

Thank you to all who worked in worship, communion, greeting, childrens, all of you who made it possible. Staff and volunteers really pushed the envelope on this one and it showed.

We also collected more than $40,000 for our special offering that will go to Africa, Restoration Ministries, and the family in need in our area. Add that to the 7 tons of clothing for the homeless and the 343 kids who got Christmas through Parkview, and I’d say we did a great job of showing what Jesus would think his birthday should be about. THANK YOU – WE ARE PARKVIEW!

My folks were able to come over and celebrate with us and share in it all and have Christmas with us. We weren’t able to be with my sister and husband, but we did that at Thanksgiving and it was a real blessing. My family is a blessing all the way around.

So Denise and the girls and I then headed to Missouri to spend Christmas with her family. All of them are in ministry so we all have to wait until after the stuff is all over to really relax and celebrate. It’s been fun. The first one of the next generation is engaged (Kevin – who interned with us a few summers ago). It just makes you wonder how much the whole thing is changing. They are all turning into young adults and will be starting their own families soon and life goes on. We sure don’t open presents as early as we used to.

It’s such a great family to be a part of. Here is the family picture.

I’m so thankful to have married into such a great legacy.

Now we head back and prepare to launch Rachel into Europe for 6 months as a missionary to the college culture at the University of Birmingham. She will be working with a group called “Globalscope” which sets up campus ministries in foreign countries. She leaves on New Years night. Pray for all of us, but especially her.

This is my Psalm I found for her today.

Psalm 121:1-8 (NIV)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Maybe it’s a good one for you today too.

Thanks for listening. I’m praying for all of us as we start this new year – praying that God will show us his supernatural power in amazing ways as we follow him with whole hearted faith.

Tim

Comments

[Lisa]

Thank you for a wonderful supernatural Parkview Christmas experience, but most of all, thank you for sharing that Psalm and that that you 'found it for' Rachel. I just had a lightbulb parenting moment using God's Word in such a different way because of that with my children. Yes I teach it to them. Yes I try to live it out as best as I can. No, I have never 'given' them Scripture in the way you just shared and will now be incorporating that into their lives. Thank you for all you do for His Kingdom - love and blessings to all of you!!! :)

[Debbie H.]

What a great verse. I'm printing it out and keeping it posted near my workspace.

Thanks again for EVERYTHING.