“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.”
Proverbs 27:2 was one of my scripture reads this morning. As I was praying for the Lord to speak to me and through me, this verse and a name popped into my mind.
Mike Parker. That is the name that came to mind while I was praying.
So, let me tell you a little bit about Mike Parker.
Mike, and his twin brother Kevin, were born with obstacles. On August 5, 1960, in Plant City, Florida, these twin boys entered the world six weeks earlier than their due date. Kevin weighed 3 pounds and 5 ounces, and was 16” long, and Mike weighed 2 pounds and 13 ½ ounces, and was 15 ½” long. I had baby dolls larger than they were when they were born.

These two miniature babies, remained in the hospital for five and a half weeks. While they were gaining strength, and growing in the hospital, there was something else gaining strength and growing. A Tropical Wave, off the coast of Africa, was noticed on August 29^th, 1960. This system rapidly intensified as it moved over the Atlantic. Hurricane Donna devastated the US and British Virgin Islands, The southeastern portion of the Bahaman islands, Puerto Rico, and Florida. The eye of Hurricane Donna graced its presence over the hometown of these twin boys. Remember…this was in 1960, in a small town, technology nowhere near the capabilities of today, and these precious boys continued to thrive, and survive.
Even though Mike had a complicated start to life, God wasn’t finished with him.
Through his adolescence, Mike grew to be a young man who loved sports, the outdoors, and was greatly involved in The Future Farmers of America. Through his affiliation with the FFA, Mike refined his skills as a public speaker. This is a talent that Mike has utilized throughout his life as a motivator, teacher, administrator, Sunday School teacher, and guest preacher.
Much like God wasn’t finished with Mike in those first weeks of his life, I believe God isn’t finished with him yet, still.
“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2
Mike is a humble man who isn’t about to praise himself, because he would much rather praise His Savior, so…I’ll praise him instead.
I may not be an outsider to Michael Louis Parker, he is my brother.
Mike is not only my brother, but he is one of the most compassionate, straight-forward, fun-loving, and godly men I know.
So, why am I praising him now? I am so stinkin’ proud of my brother, turned author. He has beautifully written a book titled, My Emmaus: God is Faithful 24/7. In this book, Mike has been transparent in his stories of how God has intervened in his life. “Fasting for children, the American adventure of a Muslim teenager, intercession experiences, crazy spiritual warfare, and finding a godly wife are just a sampling of what awaits you.”
Weaved throughout the stories is the importance of praying AND fasting. My husband jokes (well, probably serious) that I couldn’t last a day of fasting. But if I (we) get the results Mike gets in the end, fasting sounds like it should be added to my prayer life.
Do you need a Christmas or birthday gift, stocking stuffer, a good read, an encouragement in life, or have your eyes opened to a Christ-like-life? Please do yourself a favor and purchase My Emmaus.
Do your church, youth group, small group, or organization an indulgence, and contact Mike to speak to your group! God gave him the talent to entertain through his gift of public speaking, book him now!
“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2
I love you, Mike! Thank you for being an inspiration to me!!
Blessings to all.
Love to you and yours, Stephanie