Category: Uncategorized

Surviving Those Life Whammies (Sheesh!)

The last day of January—already. These days seem to fly by fast now. Thank the Lord, I made it through holiday and New Year’s celebrations without my 3rd eldest sister, whom we buried in early December. Her absence was noticeable. She was boisterous, funny, and active in my family members’ lives. Her death was another one of those life whammies for my family; we weren’t expecting it. So, my January days were up and down, with a barrage of emotions. We have questions, don’t we, in those unexpected life events? They abruptly change everything and leave us in a state of wonderment. What do you do in such seasons of life?

Merriam-Webster defines a whammy as “a potent force or attack; specifically, a paralyzing or lethal blow.” That’s what my sister’s death was to my family—a lethal blow.

Interestingly, I received an email from Pastor Chuck Swindoll of Insight for Living Ministries. He was beginning a study entitled, The Mystery of God’s Will. “That’s it,” I excitedly thought. “I need this study.” I immediately jumped in and listened to the first video. Boy, was it right on time! The very first session started putting things into perspective regarding my sister. No, God didn’t audibly speak to me about why she died, clarify His reasons, or answer my specific questions. You see, in the Bible, there are just simple precepts and principles by God, or stories in which you may see your situation. Characters in the scriptures have some of the same feelings as you. I was amazed! The study runs until February 18, although you can listen to the videos at your leisure. There are even notes to download where you can discover additional scripture and record your thoughts. Here’s the link, https://insight.org/broadcasts/library.

This is what I do when I’m confused by life. It’s where I run in this age of misinformation, deception, and lies. A lot is being broadcast today. This is also the purpose of my blog: to inspire people to read the Bible and find answers about God, get direction in life, find hope, successfully overcome life’s challenges, and navigate through those life whammies that fall upon all of us at some point. God’s word truly uplifts because its contents are true. Are you searching for some truth, or do you need answers to your dilemma, for your problem? Pick up the Bible and start reading—at any place in it. You’ll see! 😊

Be blessed until next time. 😊

P.S. Prayers for the whammy thrown at the families of the 67 people and military persons killed in the D.C plane crash.

In Honor of My Sister who Finished Well, I’ll Keep Going: Book Excerpt

Hello friends. I unexpectedly lost my 3rd eldest sister last week; she was one of my beta readers for my upcoming book. As a university professor, she would read my manuscript, critique and edit it, and provide feedback. Her feedback, I know, will enhance the book, scheduled to be published in 2025 (Lord willing). Here’s another excerpt.

Excerpt:

“What good is a relationship where neither person is taking steps to strengthen the bond to know each other better? I didn’t find this out until much later in life; I was in such relationships, where it seemed I was putting the most in. I’m naturally an initiator, a friendly person—asking questions to know more, conversational, making suggestions, or giving advice. A lot of times, friends or associates did not always take my suggestions or want to do what I liked doing, so I learned to do it alone. My mom taught me this—learn how to entertain or enjoy yourself. It’s not that I was so weird, or maybe I was. I don’t know. It’s just that the things that excited me did not particularly excite the people I was hanging out with. Maybe, wrong friends, you think? Possibly.

Nonetheless, relationships require cultivating—taking a walk in the park or dining together, binge-watching a TV series or working out at a gym, communicating with one another, and probing them to gain a deeper knowledge or understanding. Time together enables us to see one another and learn each other’s ways. If we don’t cultivate a relationship—new or old—what’s the use? Why are we in it? The relationship will ultimately become a stalemate. It’s going nowhere. Both of you will remain in the same state, the same place, where nothing new is happening, and there is no growth. You’ll just exist. I always believed relationships, especially a love relationship, should bring out the best in you.

Well, this idea is true in a new relationship with God the Father, through His Son Jesus Christ–the relationship needs cultivating for it to grow.”

[Copyright © 2024 by Eleanor D. Parks]

Want to read more? Click here to add your name and email to my author’s list to be notified once the book goes to print.

Remain blessed until next time! 🙂

Excerpt from Upcoming Book

Hello fellow bloggers, subscribers, and friends. To gain your interest and pique your curiosity, once again, I’m sharing an excerpt from my upcoming book, which I hope to begin the publishing process in December. So, have a look!!

Excerpt:

“Back and forth to church, it was for me, beginning in my mother’s womb (they told me). At age 7 or 8, I recall those walks. Not only did I travel to church each week, but my home was a place where I first learned the Bible. My mother held community Bible clubs there with children in the neighborhood. So, from a baby—at home and in church—I was hearing stories about God and His Son, Jesus Christ. I grew up in it, and it was affecting my life. What I was hearing captured my interest, prompted questions, and spawned further inquiry.

My mother carried the dominant spirituality in our home. My dad was a good guy and a believer, but I believe it was my mom who brought him into a closer relationship with God. On her side is a lineage of ministers dating back to the 1800s, as far as I’ve been able to trace. Her grandfather was Rev. George Winston Porter, founder of the First Baptist Church of Darby, in 1909. His son was my grandfather, Bishop John Winston Porter, who served for about a decade or more as the general overseer of the Congregational Churches of God in Christ, conferred on him by the late Bishop Winans. Many of you are familiar with the gospel recording artists’ family—the Winans—their grandfather. Long before their fame, my grandfather would return from his trips to Detroit, raving about those “singing boys.” My sister and I met them backstage when they first began doing concerts. We introduced ourselves and mentioned who our grandfather was. Excitedly, they remembered him and even began imitating the way he talked. (I wonder if they remember that day meeting us. 😊). However, nothing outweighed my grandfather’s deeply affectionate role as ‘Poppie’ (which we called him) to his thirteen grandchildren born to his son, James Donald Porter, and my mom. Poppie was a unique man and the love of our lives.”

[Copyright © 2024 by Eleanor D. Parks.]

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Interested? Want to read more? Please click the blue underlined link here to add your name and email to my author’s list and get notified once the book goes to print.

Thanks and remain blessed until next time 🙂

The Bible Can Inspire All by Itself

I’m not in the best place right now–for several reasons. It’s okay sometimes not to know, know what to say, or to have answers. As such, I don’t have many inspirational words this month. Instead, I want to get your feedback, and discover what inspiration you gain from a particular verse of scripture; it’s one of my favorites.

Psalms 103:1-5

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

So, let’s chat. If you’re comfortable, please share your thoughts or any inspiration you received from this verse of scripture. What does it mean to you? What has God said to you through this Bible verse? What has He revealed to us about Himself in it?

Looking forward to reading your comments. Be blessed until next time! 🙂

I Did It! MS Walk 2024 Completed

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Cor. 9:8)

Well, I completed the Philadelphia MS Walk yesterday, the first time in 14 years of attending the event but never walking (LOL). Thanks to my son’s encouragement, I walked; my legs began dragging a bit and I felt it afterward, but I walked the entire 1 mile. Thank the Lord!

My family and friends made it an exciting day and extra special; first time too organizing a team. These are all the great wonders God does in our lives when our dreams are shattered, and we don’t understand why. If we just keep on walking with Him, He brings perspective, a smile, and strength.

Thanks to all my subscribers who supported me!

Here are some pics and videos of the fantastic day we had. Be blessed until next time folks… 🙂

ME
Family
Family