Tag: book excerpt

Reflections on the Last Day of 2024

Happy New Year’s Eve friends!

It’s true, we really do not know what a day may bring, let alone a year (Proverbs 27:1). For me, 2024 resulted in the loss of five family members–an aunt, three cousins, and last, my 3rd eldest sister. Some deaths we anticipated were soon to happen; others came unexpectedly, without warning. Regardless of when and how they occurred, these loved ones are gone, and I must venture into 2025 without them.

What God says in His word about people, life and death, and eternal matters resonated in my thoughts. Loved ones will one day cease to be because life is limited and death is sure. We must make a decision about where we will spend our eternity.

Jesus Christ assures us that God is the only eternal One, who will never grow tired or weak, cease to be, or stop loving us. He is the only One we should have complete confidence in as we journey into 2025. He is the only sure thing that will never change.

When loss does occur, we must make changes, adopt new mindsets, and follow new protocols or ways of doing things; my sister was the one who drove me to all events. The publishing of my book has halted, so the process is pushed back. I haven’t looked at the manuscript since November. It’s okay because I needed to be sad, grieve, and think about my sister. Lord willing (I now say), I will resume in January, because I did not know 2024 would end in such a way. We can, however, acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty, continue with our plans, and move forward confidently if we’ve made the Lord our refuge and secured our eternity.

So, with that said, here are two brief excerpts from my upcoming book, each from a different chapter.

Excerpt:

“We learn how Joseph worked as a carpenter to care for his wife and family. Jesus was their eldest child, but they had more children. Mark 6:3 (also in Matthew), tells us that Jesus had four younger brothers and at least two sisters. The sisters’ names have been preserved, but the brothers were called James (in the Hebrew, Jacob), Joses (in the Hebrew, Joseph, after his father), Simon, and Judas or Juda (also known as Jude)…”

And, later…

“Eventually, my eldest sisters followed mom and continued hosting the home and community bible clubs. My oldest sister, Chris, put the best spin on it to me by incorporating a puppet show in the clubs. She did shows at home and eventually began using a friend’s church building to host them. The children came and loved it. It had a significant impact on them! Of course, my sisters distributed goodie treats and juice each week, and there were Bible contests and games with prizes. So, it was my mother who instilled in us a love for God and His word, a compassion for children, and the importance of inviting others to receive Jesus Christ into their lives.”

We see here that Jesus too had siblings and understood the whole family dynamic; He felt the same love for His loved ones as we do for ours.

Be blessed until next time. Happy New Year! 🙂

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 🙂

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 🙂