Category: Writers

Book Promo

My book, OMG! What’s Been Done with Jesus? Bringing Christ Back to the Forefront is scheduled for release in the middle of January 2026. (I decided to wait until after the holidays.) Be on the lookout next month and early January for pre-order information or the printed bar codes to place your orders. I’m excited! Here’s a description.

Are you unsure or confused about Jesus Christ? Maybe disillusioned? “Just who is He and what did He do? Why did He come to earth? And why did He hang around and spend so much time with average 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 have met him but have been led astray. Others claim to know Him. By incorporating Scripture with personal stories from my life, this book challenges preconceived ideas, erroneous information, and misunderstandings and/or misrepresentations of Jesus that have been circulating for generations. It forces us to survey our lives and organizations honestly to see whether Christ is truly Lord.

This book is for everyone of any age. The uninformed or non-believer who has questions about Jesus. Those who have met him but are now hurt, far away because of fraudulent misrepresentation of Jesus, neglect of rightful teaching, or coercion. And those who are close to him who will want to make Him known, after recalling the things He said. After reading this book, those who never heard or believed in Jesus Christ will; those who trusted at one time will turn back; and those who have met Him will draw even closer. You will want to restore Jesus Christ back to His rightful place.

Be blesed until next time !

Ellie

Excerpt from Upcoming Book

Hello fellow bloggers, subscribers, and friends. I’m sharing another excerpt from my upcoming book, which I hope to publish by January 2025. Check out all three excerpts in August, September, and now, October.

Excerpt:

“We should have knowledge about and reflect upon these blessings that are given to all believers at the moment of our salvation. They come with divine authority from a graceful God. Knowing these should help us form a correct concept about who God is, how He is, and what He does. We’re now enabled to think and act differently, according to God’s kingdom and not this world. Our spiritual and natural self-esteem should bolster. Also, meditating on these blessings will remove doubt and fear as we experience failure, persecution, temptation, and trials. Having this status in God’s kingdom helps us not to shrink back, just as Paul and the saints in Ephesus did not. We should sense such closeness to God, who loves and cares for His children. We should feel wanted by Him.

No one goes through such in-depth detail, planning, and giving of themselves without wanting you to be a part. If you do not feel accepted or worthy, ask God to remove any mental blocks that are prohibiting you from believing these blessings are now for you. You don’t have to work to earn them. Ask Him to cleanse your psyche of any assessments, stereotypes, or opinions applied to your life that came from you and what you did, or family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, the law, the psychiatrist, social worker, preacher, priest, teacher, social media, television, magazines, etc.—whoever.

Let’s close this chapter with one of Paul’s most befitting prayers in Ephesians 1:15-23, asking for the Lord’s help to shift our perspective on who we are now in Christ. We begin with, ‘Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us...'”

[Copyright © 2024 by Eleanor D. Parks]

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

Thanks and remain blessed until next time! 🙂

Upcoming Book (Excerpt)

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 🙂

Inspiration by Ellie’s 2023 Blog Recap

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.

February        –           Wanted…You!

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.

April                –           GOD is Good–All the Time!

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.

June               –           In It, But Not of It. Huh?

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.

August            –           In It, But Not of It: Huh? Part 2

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.

September     –           Post by Sheri Rose, Not of the World

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.

October          –           What’s your Issue(s)?

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.

November      –           Gratitude During the Holiday Season

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!

Gratitude During the Holiday Season

My Thanksgiving holiday turned out well.  I’m grateful my family and I made it through another year to experience another holiday season, which was different for me but nice. I wasn’t much for cooking anything this year, and the current mood this multiple sclerosis has placed me in is one where solitude, isolation, and few group gatherings appeal to me. So, my sister, brother, his wife, and I went out to eat at a seafood restaurant (one of my favs). They served the traditional Thanksgiving turkey and other trimmings. I was grateful to eat regularly again because my appetite had changed to only one meal a day. Overall, it was a nice outing for me, and I enjoyed our time together.

The quick ride back to my home was also something I was grateful for.  I immediately curled up under my blanket, watched movies, and slept all weekend. I was very tired and needed to do this. I’ve been tutoring quite a bit—college students with essay college writing and 3rd/4th-grade children in ELA and math. I even took on a few substitute sessions with a 7th/8th grade group and 1st/2nd graders. I enjoy tutoring! I’m still grateful for how the Lord opened this opportunity for me to work from home. It aligns perfectly with the limitations I have due to multiple sclerosis.

I recognized an opportunity by tutoring these kids. They are always in my heart, and I’m troubled by the things they are experiencing so young. I have a chance to show them Jesus Christ’s love. It’s not always about preaching to them. Besides, I can’t mention God or Christ to kids in the public school system anyway; it’s prohibited. Nonetheless, through my smile, warmth, inclusiveness, and conversations with them, I’m able to make them feel wanted, accepted, and capable of learning. I inspire them by telling them, “You can learn English and math.”  I encourage them despite the struggles I see many of them have. I shared the struggles I had in reading at their age and let them know they too could overcome their challenges. This is very much a part of witnessing, I think–demonstrating God’s love. It’s exciting too, discovering the differences in how I was taught and how they are being taught. They’re showing me something new and I adapt.  I, in turn, show them some of the old-school tricks I used as a youngster, and they’re amazed. It’s a great exchange between the generations.

So, I have a lot I’m grateful for this holiday season—small, everyday things. I’m also grateful my newest granddaughter was born healthy and without any problems. Ayla Grace was born on November 13th to my son and his new wife. It amazes me how alert the babies are today. I remember a time we would sit watching a newborn, prodding him or her to open their eyes. Not so with Ayla; she’s wide awake and alert! Lol

Finally, my book is nearing completion, and I’m grateful for the progress. I’m looking forward to having it published by early next year. Please click this link to add your email to my author’s list, so I can notify you when it goes to print and receive suggestions of other terrific books to read.

That’s all for this month. I simply wanted to chat. I hope all of you enjoyed your holiday as well and have found things to truly be grateful for. Please, comment, join the conversation, and share how your Thanksgiving was. I’d love to hear.

All the best, and stay blessed until next time… 🙂

“In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (AMP)