The New & Improved ELL Word!

It has been almost 4 years since I originally began publishing The ELL Word blog.  A lot has happened in the world since July 2013 and some of those things have been written about on this site.  But like going through high school, after 4 years it’s probably time to step things up.  So I am reintroducing The ELL Word as a more complete web-site.   In addition to the regular blog posts, I intend to provide some additional resources as well as highlight some of my other writing projects.  Be on the lookout for an e-book (its really  a PDF file, LOL) that will be available here in the next few weeks.  So check out the rest of site and don’t forget to enter your email address to “follow me”, so you can receive email blasts when there are any updates to the site.   Here are some more info on the site.

One of my favorite Bible passages is Psalms 32:8-9 and it is most appropriate for reintroducing this blog.  In this Psalm of David, he quotes God speaking to him (and us):  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye
upon you.  Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding.  Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you.”  The concept conveyed here is that God gives us personal instruction and counseling.  He admonishes us not to be like a horse or mule that simply do what you tell  them to do, but they lack understanding.  God not only has a purpose for each of us, He wants us to seek to understand Him and what He is doing as we live out that purpose.

My purpose here is to communicate what I believe God’s Word says to us.  As Paul wrote to his protege’ Timothy, (and I paraphrase) His Word is helpful in teaching us foundational truth and practical instruction as well as what we’ve done wrong and how to get back on track. (2 Timothy 3:16)  I endeavor to illuminate God’s Word in my own style, so that we may enjoy these benefits.  And along the way, I want to have a little fun, pointing out some of the more interesting things you may find in the Bible.  It’s really full of great stories, fascinating characters, and thought-provoking statements.  My secondary purpose is to help us recognize that studying the Bible is much more exciting than some people have led us to believe.

Let me throw out a couple of disclaimers and warnings.  First, I am not your pastor or counselor.  So if you read something I say here and then go out and do something scary and it backfires on you, I am not liable for that.  It’s important that you study the Bible yourself and ask God in prayer to help you understand what He is saying.  I also highly recommend that you participate in a local Bible-teaching church and use The ELLWord as a supplement – kinda like eating out at a fancy restaurant occasionally.  That reminds me, I have been known to push the envelope for the sake of humor.  I’ll give some indication when I’m just being funny and you shouldn’t take it seriously.  So pay attention to the cues.  Also, I’m doing this part-time.  Although I certainly am asking God to guide me in choosing the subjects I write about and what I actually write, this is not a job.  I will try to post something every 2 weeks or so.  But when life gets crazy, I may have to leave you hanging a little longer.

Lastly, I ask that you make this interactive.  I appreciate your comments to the blog posts, whether they be encouraging or challenging.  However, please understand that I am an unabashed Christian.  If you are not a Christian, or have fundamental disagreement with my Christian worldview, I ask only that you be respectful in your comments.  I will definitely strive to be respectful of all faiths, traditions, and world views as well.