Tag: god

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.

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! 🙂

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 🙂

Calvary or Cavalry?

A song that rang in my ear during my childhood; I loved hearing the pastor and congregation singing it. Pastor wasn’t a singer but you knew how much he loved this song by the way he bobbed his head and moved his legs while singing it. 🙂 It still reverberates in my spirit today at 62—At Calvary.

“Calvary,” or Golgotha was a site immediately outside Jerusalem’s walls where, according to Christianity’s four gospels, Jesus was crucified. Interestingly to me, there is a similarly spelled word “cavalry.” It denotes a unit of troops on horseback summoned for war. This group of soldiers is trained to fight and can be quickly deployed in a war. It was God, the Father, who summoned and deployed Jesus for calvary in this war for human souls. Jesus was the troop, the only war hero who fought to the death and won the battle to bring us to God.

At Calvary

Years I spent in vanity and pride
Caring not my Lord was crucified
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary

[Refrain]     Mercy there was great, and grace was free
Pardon, there, was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary

By God’s word at last my sin I learned
Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary

[Refrain]     Mercy there was great, and grace was free
Pardon, there, was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary

Now I’ve given Jesus everything
Now I gladly know him as my King
Now my raptured soul can only sing
Of Calvary!

[Refrain]     Mercy there was great, and grace was free
Pardon, there, was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary

O, the love that drew salvation’s plan
O, the grace that brought it down to man
O, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary

[Refrain]     Mercy there was great, and grace was free
Pardon, there, was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary

By William R. Newell

As this song tells us, Jesus’ death grants us unlimited mercy, grace, pardon, and freedom. Oh, and three days later, after this war at Calvary, Jesus got up from His grave; He’s the only war hero who ever did. Death couldn’t hold Him down. Wow! Jesus Christ is alive! Receive Him into your life now.

Happy Easter! 😊

Hear the Gaithers sing it.