Eli Bonilla Jr.

In a culture consumed with self-improvement, many Christians become entangled in the relentless pursuit of a "better" life. But the more we try to refine ourselves, the more we find that our efforts lead to burnout, frustration, and a deep sense of emptiness. In surrendering it all to Christ, we can take on new meaning and fulfillment, build better mindsets, and find that contentment and happiness are found in a deep relationship with God. Death to Self-Help challenges this mindset, showing that true transformation is not found in perfecting the self but in surrendering it entirely to Christ. This journey involves a tension between striving for worldly perfection and embracing God's definition of "good"—a shift from mechanical processes of self-betterment to a deeper, meaningful relationship with God. Eli Bonilla explores various philosophies that have influenced modern Christians, from New Age spirituality to semi-works-based gospel—a subtle belief that we can contribute to our salvation through our own efforts. Through the story of Daniel and his friends in Babylon, Death to Self-Help presents a countercultural narrative that prioritizes God's principles over personal preferences, fulfillment over improvement, and being in God's presence over merely doing more. Death to Self-Help is for those struggling with mental health surrounding purpose and meaning; burnt out from trying every option to improve their lives; frustrated with being stuck; and attempting to untangle from trauma in a world that embraces it as an identity. This book also addresses the modern human obsession with immortality—through technology, AI, transhumanism, and legacy-building—contrasting these pursuits with the biblical perspective that all earthly things are temporary until the arrival of the new heavens and new earth. It challenges readers to shift their focus from the pursuit of personal immortality to embracing the eternal purposes of God. Eli will not vilify the desire for self-improvement but will illuminate why self-improvement does not result in wholeness, and why God's way of improving our lives may result in suffering for seasons but resulting in a purpose much greater than our momentary affliction.

Many of us feel like we don't belong or are out of touch with our true identity. Discover how you can gain a stronger sense of who God made you to be and step confidently into every relationship, fully owning your unique distinctions and celebrating the differences of others. Group dynamics can be based on the simplest forms of physical and cultural distinctions, and those who don't quite fit the mold of a group can feel like outsiders. The reality is none of us fit into a box. We're all unique with a mixed background—socially, culturally, experientially. For some of us, like Eli Bonilla Jr., we are also mixed ethnically. No one person is an identical copy of anyone else. In Mixed, Eli questions the basis of unity and inclusion and explores the multiple components of our identity, discovering how they can all be reconciled for God's purpose as we reflect His image. Mixed will lead you to:find peace with the complexity within yourself,understand yourself more deeply so you can relate to others,experience more human connection through a God-led identity, anddevelop greater empathy, celebrate cultures without creating division, and fight for people in the margins. Eli will remind you that God made you the way you are for good reason, and you belong wherever He says you belong. Pairing personal stories with biblical teaching, Eli will inspire you not to hold back from others but to confidently share the fullness of who you are, and to love, celebrate, and unite with people who are not just different, but beautifully complex.