Hey guys. Here is a flyer announcing my upcoming book. The finished cover is coming in early January. I pushed the release date back to the 25th of January.
Have a happy, blessed, Merry Christmas! 😊❤️🎄
Click to send your name and email to be added to my author’s list once published.
Be blessed until next time. Luv you!
Ellie
As some of you know, I’m preparing to publish my first book in December. “OMG! What’s Been Done with Jesus? Bringing Christ Back to the Forefront” is the book’s title. Jesus Christ, the leader of the Christian faith, is its focus, along with personal stories I share of my journey with Him thus far. They are memoirs of my experience with Jesus from my birth until about age 40.
Are you unsure or confused about who Jesus Christ is? Maybe disillusioned? Possibly, you never even heard about Him. “Just who is Jesus Christ?” you ask. What did He do? Why did He come to earth? If so great as they say, why did He spend so much time with little people like me?
These and other questions are what we explore in this book. Many have never heard of or known about Jesus Christ. Some who claim to know Him, even they have little or contradictory information about Him. The Church that He leads doesn’t rightly speak of Him, represent Him, or carry out His mission anymore.
“OMG! What’s Been Done with Jesus? Bringing Christ Back to the Forefront” takes a look at some of the common misconceptions and misunderstandings about Jesus Christ that have been circulating for centuries. It challenges these erroneous ideals with Scripture.
The aim of the book is to help readers understand Jesus Christ and recognize His significance for our lives and the Church. We honestly consider ways we may have sidelined Him, put Him “on the back burner.” He’s not promulgated much anymore (in the Church). People seem to have ignored or replaced His mission with something else. The book explores likely reasons for this and offers ways in which we can bring Christ back to His rightful place—as Lord!
Written articulately in a learned, conversational, crisp, chatty, and readable style, anyone will enjoy reading this book—the young or old, believers in Jesus Christ or nonbelievers, or first-time Bible readers. You will find a message in it for yourself and will learn something new about Jesus Christ or the Bible that you may have never thought of. “OMG! What’s Been Done with Jesus? Bringing Christ Back to the Forefront” will cause you to think seriously, dig deeper for meaning.
I hope most of the younger generations, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, will pick it up because most of the personal stories I share are in this age demographic, where now, it seems, there is more confusion about Jesus and His Church that has negatively impacted you. There is a way forward.
Pray for me to the finish line, and click author’s list to add your name and email to my author’s list to be notified when it goes to publication. Thanks!
Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.
1 Thessalonians 524 (KJV)
Be blessed until next time…
Ellie
Hey fellow bloggers and subscribers. That’s right folks, I’m putting the final touches on my first book, which I hope to publish by next year. I’m excited!
As such, these next few monthly blogs will include excerpts from the book. Hopefully, I’ll pique your curiosity and get you interested in reading more of the book once it’s published.
Excerpt:
“On the television shows or movies we watch, or in the local news, we witness all the time rescuers—paramedics, police, firefighters, or lifeguards—rushing to rescue people trapped in some form of danger. One particular catastrophe we’ve all seen is the many blazing fires that ravaged parts of California. Spreading rapidly, consuming homes and acres of land, we watch intently as firefighters rush to the scene in their heavy protective bunker gear, with hoses in hand. They stand there working diligently, trying to extinguish the fire. Sometimes, they’re searching the area for victims or climbing ladders to rescue those with injuries. Even aerial firefighters are flying overhead in air tankers, dropping retardant or water onto the fire to extinguish it. “It’s terrible!” we think. We cringe, frown up our faces, and sometimes cry.
At that moment, however, these rescuers have no regard for their own life. The heat and flames do not seem to bother firefighters. No, we watch them linger long hours until the fire is under control. With high adrenaline, we watch them forge into the exact danger that threatens or has injured victims. They are intent on saving lives and preserving property.
This is what’s required to perform a rescue. The rescuer must not regard his own life. He’s willing to put his life in harm’s way and face the same danger the victim is in. It doesn’t matter, however, because a rescuer’s only intent is to pull individuals out of danger and back into safety. Often, the one performing the rescue does not even know the person. It doesn’t matter though. He does whatever he has to help anyone in trouble—all the while knowing it could cost his own life.”
[Copyright © 2024 by Eleanor D. Parks.]
Sign up! Please click here to add your name and email to my author’s list and get notified once the book goes to print.
Thanks and be blessed until next time 🙂
Happy New Year! Mine came in with a blast! No, I wasn’t at a celebratory event with a group of family or friends, nor was I having a quiet romantic evening with a significant other or out watching the Times Square ball drop or beautiful flaring fireworks. I ended 2023 alone at home on my laptop in a virtual church service. And I received an unexpected, much-needed, powerful message to take me into 2024 and one I should carry throughout the rest of the year.
The scripture: Exodus 33:12-23. The bible character: Moses. The situation: He’s questioning God. Key words: The Lord’s presence. The overall gist: Stay in God’s presence, in communication for a more peaceful, restful year. The key verse: My presence shall go with thee, and I will give you rest. This is the Lord’s answer to Moses’ question. The words instantly resonated with me. I knew it was what I would need for 2024.
If you read Moses’ story in the Bible, you’ll learn how from God’s initial call to him to lead the Israelite community out of Egyptian bondage and throughout Moses’ performing the task, he stayed in contact with God and asked Him a lot of questions. Moses had doubts and was apprehensive and insecure. We are too. He recognized the monumental task and the skills one would need to fulfill it—leadership ability, people skills, public speaking and organization skills, physical strength and stamina, and confidence. Moses had none of these. He needed assurance, and God did oblige him.
In Exodus 3:11, Moses doubts his ability to perform the task. The Lord replies in verse 12 saying, “Surely I will be with you.” Moses presents his concerns to God about the people believing he was sent or paying attention to him (Exodus 3:13 and 4:1). God responds in verse 14, “I AM that I AM…You must say this to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you,” and in Exodus 4:3-9, The Lord gives Moses a sign. Next, Moses laments his speaking ability (Exodus 4:10). The Lord assures him in 4:11-12, “The Lord said to him, ‘…So now go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you must say.’” Finally, Moses requests the Lord to send someone else (Exodus 4:13). In verses 4:14-16, the Lord does get a bit perturbed with Moses but does oblige him. He says, “… What about your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak very well.”
Now, in this text my brother shared at our New Year’s service, Moses is well into fulfilling his calling. He has led the Israelites to a certain point but not yet into the land of promise. There is more journeying to do, yet Moses is still in contact with the Lord. What’s happening? What prompts Moses’ question this time? He’s wondering, how will he know, who will go with him, and whether he will have the Lord’s favor. You see, so much had happened. The Israelites angered God and broke the bond they had with Him. As a result, the Lord shifted. He did not detract from His promise but had to reprimand them. Moses recognizes this yet maintains his personal, intimate communion with God. He needs to know God’s redirected plan in getting the Israelites to their ultimate destination—the promised land. Moses dares not leave God out, take matters into his own hands, or think he could manage the rest of the mission on his own. He stays focused, remains humble, and stays close to God for what to do next; this was the Lord’s people and promise to them.
We too should never get to a place of complacency or overconfidence during our Christian journey. It’s easy for us, at times, to begin to rely on our abilities, and/or our skills or strength, and think, “I got this!” This is a caution for me because the Lord has given me a good degree of smarts; I can make things happen. However, we can’t afford this level of confidence when it comes to God’s kingdom life because it does not rely upon or operate as the world. Whether simply living day by day to become a more fruitful Christian or fulfilling a specific calling, we always need to hear from the Lord. The Church can not afford to sideline the Holy Spirit on Church affairs. Perhaps we have left out the Holy Spirit in how we now function, you think?
Like Moses, we need not fear to ask God questions, to hear His voice, to know his word, and to receive his direction and encouragement for us. We should always keep our communication with God open to receive His assurance we’re going the right way and that His presence is with us.
Be blessed until next time! 🙂
Take a look at Inspiration by Ellie’s 2023 year in review of Blog messages, written to uplift, inspire, include, and point you to a wonderful life with God, the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ!
Well, we’re at the close of 2023. My year is ending severely congested with flu-like symptoms since Christmas day, (but not COVID or the flu the doctor says). I’ve been bed-bound in my pjs and loungewear, taking meds, and drinking lots of juices. It’s not so bad, however, because I’m completing some Bible studies I started, reviewing videos from a writer’s conference I attended, catching up on some reading, and reflecting on my writing. I don’t just write to pass the time or because I like to. I write with a message I share with my readers to inspire them. This is the reason for Inspiration by Ellie’s blog site, as noted on my page titled Where can I find Inspiration.
I closed 2022 with a reminder for us to take into 2023. The blog was An Unprecedented Gift of Jesus Christ. Presented to us by God, the Father, Matthew’s gospel tells us the Messiah will be called “Jesus, who will save his people from their sins,” and “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” Long before Jesus was to arrive on earth, the Israelite community foretold his coming. The gift of Jesus Christ was unprecedented because of the way Jesus was conceived, the angelic appearances made about Him, and the array of people God strategically used to help get Him here. From Jesus’ conception to His birth to speaking his first sermon and performing His first miracle, God called on people to participate in this miracle. This demonstrates God’s willingness to relate with us. It’s also why Christmas is such a memorable time in the Christian community! But our commemoration does not end when the Christmas season does. As Immanuel, Jesus Christ was on a mission–to show us God and bring us to Him. Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection resulted in us being rescued from sin’s dominion, sin’s power, sin’s penalty, and–soon—from sin’s very presence. The completion of His earthly mission fulfilled all of God’s righteous requirements or standards He had in place to be in a right standing with Himself. Our acceptance and belief in this truth about Jesus is how we become close to God; Jesus is the only way we can do so. It’s why He’s important to get to know. And this is why each month in every year, I write blogs—to communicate this truth in such a way you get it!
So, did I do that? Have I inspired or encouraged you through my Blog posts? Do you feel God’s love and concern for you? Have you learned something important from the scriptures? Did you gain any hope to live and fight another day? Did you discover something new, a different perspective? Were you uplifted or encouraged this year? Were you incited to believe Jesus’ testimony and invite Him into your heart as your Lord and Savior? Could you get a sense of how well-known and important you are to God from the explanation of scripture, and how important God and His Son, Jesus, is to the world?
I’m closing 2023 by recapping Inspiration by Ellie’s 2023 blog posts. Welcome to all my new subscribers who came on board this year! Thank you to all who have been following me for a while; I appreciate all of you and welcome your comments, suggestions, thoughts, or criticisms. Feel free. If you haven’t read any one post, simply click the link to a title that may interest you. You can also complete the Subscribe section to automatically receive monthly content each time I post. Finally, join my author’s mailing list to be notified about my upcoming book to be published in 2024.
Inspiration by Ellie’s 2023 Blog Messages:
January – He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.
The gist or main point here: From the verse in the Bible in 1 Chron 29:11-13, to emphasize God’s superiority, greatness, power, and ownership over everything and everyone in our world.
The gist or main point here: Shared a personal experience of my life for you to know me better, which is an excerpt from my upcoming book.
March – Find Shelter
The gist or main point here: Local, state, national, and world news headlines and social media are overwhelming most days. From Psalms 91, persons can find comfort that there is a safe place and shelter one can find in God.
The gist or main point here: “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good” is a popular cliché we hear and say a lot today. But it’s true! It’s God’s nature to only be good and show goodness. Acts 10:38
May – Repost of Find Shelter
The gist or main point here: This is a repost of March’s blog, Find Shelter. I reposted due to the continuous disturbing news I was hearing.
The gist or main point here: Jesus made many controversial statements, ones His followers could not always comprehend. This blog is an exposition of what Jesus was teaching His followers in John 15:18-21 about being in this world but not of the world.
The gist or main point here: This blog is a continued exposition of Jesus’ statement about His followers being in the world but not of the world. This time, we also expound on the scripture found in John 17:13-23, where Jesus is clear how this idea was not just for His followers during His time but all who would come after them.
The gist or main point here: This is a daily devotional entitled, “Not of the World” by Sheri Rose Shepherd (2015), His Princess Every Day Devotional, Bible Gateway. I follow His Princess Every Day Devotionals and enjoy Sheri’s messages. This one coincides with mine about not being of the world.
The gist or main point here: Discussion on a story in the Bible found in Luke 8:43-48 about a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years; Jesus healed her because of the faith she demonstrated. We too can be healed of our issues.
The gist or main point here: Reflections on the Thanksgiving holiday and specific things for which I was personally grateful.
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Inspiration by Ellie Blog family!
I love you and wish you God’s choicest blessings!
I hope to connect with you in better ways and more in 2024!
Inspiration by Ellie 