Tag: Publishing

A Reading from My Upcoming Book

Happy May folks.

I missed you guys in April because time is moving fast, and I’m consumed with finishing my book for publication this year. I’m in the editing phase, submitting chapters to my editor, then rewriting. It’s going well. I’m amazed how my editor can see what I couldn’t. They are great to have; I’m grateful for mine and appreciate her.

On Easter Day, my nephew and his wife invited me to read an excerpt from my book at their church’s Easter service. It was a great opportunity, although I had never done it before. I was a bit nervous and hoping I spoke clearly enough.

I’m sharing this reading with you in this month’s blog. I hope you will watch the video and that it will inspire you to want to read more of the book. The church is Immanu-El Temple International Church, Pastor Willie C. Signil, IV. Currently, they meet online each Sunday at 9:00 am EST. My nephew, an Army veteran, deployed to and fought in Iraq for several years. He recently retired and began this ministry, but has been preaching for quite some time. If you have no church home, you are welcome to join Immanu-El Temple International Church services on Facebook or Instagram.

So, here I am as I am–natural, ordinary, and plain reading an excerpt from my upcoming book. (I’m sure my nieces and other younger ladies would offer some makeover and fashion tips for my next reading. That’s cool; I’ll take it.) LOL!

Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/ITIChurch/videos/1184922029788597

I appear early, right after the second worship song. (The video pauses a few seconds but soon continues.)

Happy listening. Be blessed until next time. 🙂

Happy Spring!

Hello, fellow bloggers and subscribers.

My favorite time of year is here, and I turned another year old on March 4. So, I’m excited about the warm weather; it’s when I blossom just like the flowers. 🙂 I’m also grateful for another year in the land of the living.

How are all of you? Drop me a quick reply about how you are or what’s happening in your world. Or, briefly share something inspirational with us. That would be nice. 🙂

I don’t have many inspirational words this month, other than whatever project, relationship, change, or bad habits you’re working on, know that the bible declares, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). If you’re a Christ follower, look for the Lord’s enabling strength to see you through and to make it to a victorious completion.

It’s what I’m relying on to publish my first book, OMG! What’s Been Done With Jesus? Bringing Christ Back to the Forefront.” It’s no secret that Jesus Christ’s name, purpose, and works were distorted and misunderstood in His time and still are today. Many don’t know what He really is about or came to do—even church folks. Through comparison of scripture, observations, and my personal story, the book highlights scriptural truth about Jesus, addresses some of these discrepancies, and shares snippets of my journey with Him thus far.

If you haven’t already, be sure to add your name to my author’s email list to be notified when it’s published. Click here to do so.

Blessings all, until next time. Love ya!

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. 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! 🙂