Tag Archives: Deanna Danielle

Fight For Your Right to Love

Posted on by
Reply

Fight with love.

Words can either speak life, or words can speak death. As a matter of fact, Proverbs 12:18 puts it this way, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” The stakes are high. Our tongues can build others up while administering great comfort, or they can tear them down while igniting grievous wars.

As an inspired Christian writer, I love to learn the meaning of words and of course the most powerful of all words, the word of God. As a Teacher/Catechist, I write to share what I have learned and experienced in hopes that it may be applied in a helpful way. Like every noteworthy boxer, behind him stands a great boxing coach. The boxer’s training is crucial to his success, while he maintains a balanced diet, time for adequate rest, and education; together they work towards the same purpose. In an even more extraordinary and vigorous way, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity (The Holy Spirit) stands beside us; filling us with unlimited teachings, rest, recovery and wisdom. While we are living our lives training to be all that we are created to be, prayer (Conversation with God) and studying His word (the Holy Bible) we find a new strength to fight for our right to love, all by God’s powerful grace.

Note: God created man in His own image… Though our color, mindset and personal attributes may differ, if our skin were punctured, we would all bleed the same. In that same way, it was by the blood of Jesus Christ that we have received the greatest gift of all. Truth, sacrifice, passion and love came through one God in the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, giving us the opportunity and privilege to become one with Him and each other.

We belong to a living God. An all powerful God, an awesome God who is filled with love, compassion, patience and wants us to partake in just that. The Scriptures are given to us to lend a helping hand by those who walked before us; teaching on what to look out for and how to achieve a successful outcome in any situation. Our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being is a priority in God’s Word, and He will give us His strong arm, to see it through. 

Here are some of those treasures found in the Word of God that not only educate us, but give us the tools needed to fight better:

  • “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
  • “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
  • “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:16-18

May we be like the well-watered garden which thrives because the roots are firmly planted in God’s love. I once heard this pearl of wisdom. I hope it opens your eyes and gives you the desire to fight back with the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit:

“Satan was going out of business, all his tools were up for sale, what an array, hatred, envy, jealousy, pride, and one tool priced much higher and more worn out than all the rest. When asked what this tool was, it was said ‘discouragement’ and when asked why is it priced so much higher than all the rest. Satan replied, “because it’s more valuable to me than all the rest.”

Whether it’s personal, or in our relationships, in our families or in our world, Jesus came to save. It is not always easy, with the different lives we lead and the different circumstances. Yet, no matter how tough the battle, our God will bring us through it and the celebration will be grand. Our God is closer than the breath we breathe and here to pick us up, restore us, cleanse us, break us free of the chains of all deception and bring us back to His loving arms. It’s time to fight for what is true, honorable, right and pure… such things should be thought about, talked about and declared. Christianity is not a one-man show, God has included all of us in His Divine plan!

“Let your ears listen to wisdom. Apply your heart to understanding. Call out for the ability to be wise. Cry out for understanding.” Proverbs 2:2-3

For the battles we face are real and very active. No one knows more about our situation than our God. I Thank God everyday that through His magnificent love and faithfulness the punches are thrown for us. Pray For The Ones You Love, is a song that I have written about God’s healing power and redemptive love:

PRAY FOR THE ONES YOU LOVE

Brother, brother, brother – why are you doing this to me, I believed in you – now I sit here helplessly. You told me to take a hit, it would surely do me good. Now, my life is ruined and I miss the neighborhood. This jail cell is cold and I can’t believe what I’ve done. What am I going to do, my life had just begun.

Sister, sister, sister – why are you doing this to me, you told me to share my body with everyone that wanted to see. Now I hold this baby as we sit here on the street. I can’t afford to feed him, and I’m not sure who his Daddy could be.

Mother, mother, mother – why are you doing this to me, you gave me up, I was not your priority. Your life meant more to you than holding me in your arms. I sit here feeling so lonely, I don’t know where I belong.

Father, father, father – why are you doing this to me. I trusted you as I sit here anxiously. You said you’d be at my game, but I heard you were with another. I saw the tears in mothers’ eyes. Father don’t you love us.

Child, child, child – listen to me. The world can be so crazy if we don’t know who to seek. We can’t keep blaming everyone for how we feel, we need to call on Jesus. He will show us what’s real. He will take our sorrows, and our burdens too. All we have to do is call out and He will see us through. All our weaknesses He will turn into strength. All our sadness is a stepping stone to help bring comfort to someone else. All our troubles, He will teach us something new; all our emptiness He will make us feel full. Don’t you worry, He’s got you in His hand. Just call on Him, He is the living “I AM”.

Child, child, child – I promise you, He will show you right from wrong – repent of your sins and pray for the ones you love.

A teacher is not so much responsible for what our students know, but more so for the seeds we plant to help them grow.

Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, be with us, direct our path, fill us with the riches of Your grace, transform our mind with a healthy balance that is good for our body and soul. Guide us with Your gracious love, that we may press forward to being all that You created us to be. In Your Holy Name we pray… Amen
Sweet blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com 

“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it, and may you be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:16, NLT)

The Bridge Called, ‘How’

Posted on by
3

Warning: This bridge has the capability to bring out the best in us, or knock us to the ground!

Since ‘How‘ is a question concerning the way or manner in which something is done or achieved, I believe it’s a word worth looking into. ‘How‘ is the bridge to questions getting answered. It can challenge us to identify new problems, lead us to research further, or to connect in a new way. What lies on the other end of this bridge called, ‘How‘ is determined by the way we view it. From new opportunities to fear, knowledge to despair, this most commonly used word is a powerful asset to our next steps. Simple yet influential this three letter word, can change the course of life for one, or for all.

“What makes you come alive?.. Go and do it!” These are the words that came to me, accompanied by the thoughts of a friend and her concerns for her son. “How can I help him?” she asked. That evening during prayer, her words echoed once again. This time, the word, ‘How‘ triggered my curiosity even further. Contemplating its meaning, I decided to look up its definition and connection. What I found was that this most often used word is action-packed in a way that it has not only changed the way people live, but has also assisted in changing the course of history!

For example:

George Washington Carver an agricultural scientist and inventor who developed hundreds of helpful products using peanuts, sweet potatoes and soybeans had a great interest in knowing ‘How.‘ His pursuit in this innovative word, led him with zeal to a path of writing down his findings in agricultural bulletins such as “How to Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it For Human Consumption” along with many other ‘How‘ to do it, journal entries. From a heart for helping others, to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, with faith and prayer, George Washington Carver, integrated ‘How‘ into his life and that ripple effect has inspired and educated the lives of many.

Mary was a 1st century Galilean Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and, the virgin mother of Jesus, who’s attentiveness to ‘How‘ lead her becoming the Mother of God. “Greetings, favored one. The Lord is with you…” These are the words the angel spoke to Mary, followed by ‘how‘ she would bring forth a son, and that, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Mary responded with, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?…” God had a plan and Mary had an important role to play in the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. Mary’s “‘How‘ lead to God’s invitation conveyed by the angel (Luke 1:26-38). Mary’s role as mother of God places her in a unique position in God’s redemptive plan. The greatest rescue story of all time started with love, truth and Mary’s determination to know ‘How‘, this changing the course of history and assisting in saving the world and that includes you and me!

‘How?’ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life! (John 3:16)

So, what are your goals, your dreams, your aspirations? Come alive and go and do it! Just remember to start with this awesome privilege and gift we all have, and that is to carry everything to God in prayer.

A few fun facts about the word ‘how’:

  1. It’s worth 9 points in the Scrabble game
  2. It’s the Native American greeting
  3. It’s a question word that can be an adjective, a noun, a conjunction or an adverb
  4. It’s a unique member of ‘The 7 club’ Who, What, Where, Why, When, Whom, ‘How‘
  5. It’s good at making friends, knowhow, however, somehow, nohow, anyhow, howsoever, howdy…

A teacher is not so much responsible for what our students know, but more so for the seeds we plant to help them grow.

Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, be with us, direct our path, fill us with the riches of Your grace, transform our mind with a healthy balance that is good for our body and soul. Guide us with Your gracious love, that we may press forward to being all that You created us to be. In Your Holy Name we pray… Amen

Sweet blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com 

Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.
 Proverbs 19:20

Writing Your Story 2021

Posted on by
Reply

Stories come out of living the life we have been given and sharing that personal account with others.

When it comes to knowledge, we can’t offer more than we have. Nonetheless, it is imperative to share what we can when it comes to the gift of understanding. I learned this as I entered the confessional. In sharing what was in my heart, the priest sitting on the other side of the divided screen offered these words of wisdom, “What you have is not for you alone, but meant to be shared with others.” At first, I did not understand what he meant. Yet, as I walked out the door with the blue sky above my head, I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit fill me with utterance and discernment, as those fifteen words replayed in my brain. This giving me the clarity… my joy in life comes from serving others.

There are open doors and opportunities all around us, through the means of communication, to deliver all that God has entrusted us with. As Johannes Gutenberg, a German goldsmith, was given the knowledge to bring us the printing press and Alexander Graham Bell a Scottish-born inventor, scientist, and engineer, delivered the gift of the telephone or Lawrence Gilman Roberts an American engineer who came through with the Internet; It was Mary a first-century Galilean Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph, who opened the door and gracefully gave birth to our Lord and Savior Jesus, our only true Connection with God.

What is God calling you to do? I may not know what it is, but I do know it is important. From the very beginning when He created this world, He had a plan. God’s Word is a reminder and comforter to this truth. Here are just five Bible verses that prove God’s love for us and that He has a great plan for this life that He has given to us.

  1. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” [Jeremiah 1:5]
  2. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” [Luke 12:7]
  3. “From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” [Acts 17:26]
  4. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” [Jeremiah 29:11]
  5. “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” [2 Timothy 1:9]

The next step is up to us. Writing Your Story 2021, is more important than ever. The call to take what we have been given and share it with others is so important. As God does not force Himself on our right to choose, it is my prayer that in our time together God would give us clarity, hope and inspirational-motivation. May we take charge of this life God has given to us with our own God- given gifts and circumstances and unique stories and use them to serve and bless others. May God’s grace enlighten us to be more empowered to move in the directions we may have otherwise avoided or didn’t think possible.

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.” [Numbers 6:24-26]

A teacher is not so much responsible for what our students know, but more so for the seeds we plant to help them grow.

Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, be with us, direct our path, fill us with the riches of Your grace, transform our mind with a healthy balance that is good for our body and soul. Guide us with Your gracious love, that we may press forward to being all that You created us to be. In Your Holy Name we pray… Amen

Sweet blessings in 2021 and always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com

Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ The Gift of Christmas ~ IHM Premiere *

Taking Chances

Posted on by
2

Delivering our services to the world

Made in the image of God, Adam and Eve had remarkable freedom and premier careers. To begin with, they were the first parents of the human race, they held the possession of chief caretakers, zoologists, and gardeners, just to mention a few… God did not put Adam and Eve on the earth and then form it. It was quite the opposite; our Loving Creator prepared the place and then put them in it to enjoy it!

God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, does the same for each and every one of us. Fear of the unknown can have the greatest grip on our lives. Still, we can take comfort in this Psalm of David, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His Holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.” [Psalm 24:1-5] God will fulfill every purpose He has for us, still our choices and actions are indeed important.

In the early years of 1995 as the beautiful fall foliage covered the landscapes and crisp November fragrances filled the air, my husband and I moved our growing family from a co-op, to the top floor of an apartment building. A few weeks prior I had gone with my Dad to see his friend about a temporary place to stay, as we searched for a more permanent home to raise our children. The next thing I knew, it was ours. I was speechless but not so much in a good way. I started having nightmares. To me, 8H seemed as though the “H” stood for Hell and the 8 was way too high. After all, I had lived in a house up until I was married and our co-op was a walk-in duplex. Living in a building was new to me. I had these visions of getting stuck in the elevator with the kids, the structure collapsing, you name it. Little did I know that this top floor apartment was a gift from God to me and my family.

Shortly after moving in, the elevator did break down and for a short while we had to climb 8 flights of steps – 2 young boys, a baby in a carrier, laundry, shopping bags… Wherever there was a place on me to hang something, I did! It became routine, as we’d approach the 6th floor, my boys always a flight ahead looking down the stairs at me, saying “Come on Mom, come on.” I could only laugh, because the weight hanging from me would not allow my brain to signal my legs to lift up to the next step. But somehow, we always made it to the top and when we got there, the 8th floor, I must say it was well worth it, simply breath-taking. There was peace there as it overlooked the Long Island Sound and we could see the bridge to Manhattan as well as up toward Connecticut. Higher than the birds flew our living room windows held a different abstract everyday and during our daughter’s a.m. feeding we could capture the sunrise – like a burst of flame scoring through the sky. Although 8H carried its challenges, God had put us in an awesome place.

One morning as my husband and the boys’ were out of the apartment and our baby girl was napping, there was a strong desire inside of me to pick up the Bible. As I began to read while facing the east on an incredibly clear skied day, I noticed that everyone in the Bible that loved God had given their lives to Him. With a very nervous feeling within me, I quickly stood up and prayed this prayer to God. “I love you so much; but I can’t give my life to you right now. I can’t die, my children need me...” That’s when a gentle whisper of God’s Holy Spirit filled me with these words, “You won’t die, give your life to Me and you will live!” At that very moment the fear in me disappeared, and with a overwhelming sense of joy, I responded, “Well then, I give my life to You!” I remember feeling this sensation of completeness. Helen Keller, said it so well, “The best and most beautiful things could never be seen nor touched only felt with the heart”. What had happened to me at that moment was something between God and me. As if a shade that was covering up my eyes, had been lifted up. The beauty in that experience can never truly be described and at that very moment I knew apartment 8H was meant to be. Only now the ‘H’ was Heaven to me!

There is so much room in our lives for improvement. Taking chances, healthy chances, plays a great part in the process of delivering our services to the world. I heard what God was saying to me that day and He clarified His intentions. All it took was a little bit of prayer and understanding was granted. Only through the Holy Spirit of God could we understand. Just as a hole in the sand can be filled with a taste of the ocean, the ocean is way too big for the hole to consume it all, and in just that way God gives us enough of Himself to be filled with His awesome love, direction and plan.

Hallmark moments from a gentle lullaby to the wedding ceremony; happy events to the last dance, faith helps us to see things as God does. The desire for God is written in the Human Heart. What we allow to feed our mind and our soul has just as much worth if not more than the things we feed our bodies. Through the lives of others we learn how and how not to live. There is pricelessness in the gift of listening and communing with the Lord. Take a look at the life of Moses for confirmation.

Moses Led a Nation because He kept His eyes on God. Jethro, his father-in-law, gave him some constructive criticism in Exodus 18:13-26. But it was up to Moses to receive it. Moses from morning till night listened to a people lined up with arguments and complaints against each other. Jethro asked Moses, “Why are you trying to do this all alone, this is not good,” he exclaimed. “You are going to wear yourself out and the people too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now let me give you a word of advice….” How did Moses feel after a long day of complaints and now his father-in-law is telling him how he thinks he should be doing things, that he got it all wrong. Well, this would all have to depend on Moses attitude. The blessing God gave to Jethro to give to Moses could have been hindered if he, ‘Moses’ thought I’m the one with the gift, not you, after all was it not I who saw the burning bush, led these people out of Israel, parted the sea and now you’re telling me what I should be doing. No, Moses had a different approach. He listened to the advice to see if there was a better way and in his listening, he heard the sound of music, great advice and a weight off his shoulders. A way to bless others, how to delegate and form a better government. And I’m sure a peace in his soul and the joy of getting it all started.

God has given us all the gift of life, how we use that gift is truly the gift we give back to Him. There are some many encouraging stories in the Bible that leave us with understanding for times when in need. Healthy risks, opportunities and taking chances bless us. It’s the open doors we go through to experience the journey that Our Creator has prepared for us and knowing, whatever the outcome of that journey, we will not be walking it alone. It’s knowing the guarantee and security of when this lifetime is over we will be spending our eternity with the One who Created us and everything around us, in us and for us. God did not put Adam and Eve in an unprepared place, and through the different journeys we take that never seem to succeed, with God we are guaranteed stronger character building, inner strength, patience, greater endurance, more confidence and an education, “no money could ever buy.” Success is not measured by the amount of things we have. True success is the amount of valuable time we spend with Our Creator, allowing Our God to be part of our every thought, our every move, our every breath. We don’t have to go very far to find Him, He is as close as the breath we breathe, we only have to let Him in, He’s been waiting. Our God is a kind, loving and patient God who cares about our every move, we are His mosaics. The fear of the Lord is where true success begins.

“John the Baptist, who was at this time in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “are you really the Messiah we’ve been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?” Jesus told them, “go back to John and tell him about what you have heard and seen – the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, God blesses those who are not offended by Me.” [Matthew 11:2-6]

As we read and learn about things like this in the Bible, you can’t help but to fall in love with Jesus.

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke fits perfectly, and My burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28]

Our God is merciful, tender-loving, loyal, unchanging, and undenying – He loves us no matter what, even though God does discipline us to keep us from sin. He is a restorer and an encourager to those who repent fullheartedly. It is God and only God that gives us a new beginning, a fresh start for delivering our services to the world!

A teacher is not so much responsible for what our students know, but more so for the seeds we plant to help them grow.

Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, be with us, direct our path, fill us with the riches of Your grace, transform our mind with a healthy balance that is good for our body and soul. Guide us with Your gracious love, that we may press forward to being all that You created us to be. In Your Holy Name we pray… Amen

Sweet blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com

This Is How You Do It

Posted on by
2

Basic instructions

I was in only in kindergarten, yet, all these years later, I can still see her standing in front of the classroom ever so gently looking down at our table and saying, “This is how you do it…” As we cut out the identified shapes, our teacher explained to the class the proper way of holding the scissors, how to pass them to other students, and how to safely walk with them to put them away. Forming a fist around the closed blades with the handle exposed as our teacher had instructed, one of the students asked, “Why do we have to hold it this way?” Tenderly she replied, “It is for your safety and the safety of others…”

Teachers need to be equipped for it all. Trusted educators, who not only pass on knowledge and truth, but also correct a fault with patience and instruction. Communication is one of the most important roles of a teacher, nonetheless, handing forward the benefits of faith, hope and love is the greatest gift a teacher can give. My kindergarten teacher had done this remarkably well as her first priority was to keep us all safe while we were learning new skills.

The same way teachers mold and shape us, filling us with important life lessons from an early age that will stick with us throughout our entire lives, we can turn to the Bible for those lessons from God. Someone once told me we can interpret “B.I.B.L.E.” as our “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” I love this because it reminds me that, like my kindergarten teacher, the Lord’s intention is to protect us and keep us safe, while teaching us to navigate life.

“This is how you do it,” flows like a mighty river through God’s written word. “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.” So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. {Exodus 24:12-13]

God spoke to Moses high on the mountain, where He was able to give him a higher and wider level of view and understanding. After the climb, “Moses remained there on the mountain with the LORD forty days and forty nights. In all that time he ate no bread and drank no water. And the LORD wrote the terms of the covenant—the Ten Commandments—on the stone tablets...” [Exodus 34:28] Set in stone a vital foundation of basic instructions for our protection and the protection of others was written by “the finger of God”… [Exodus 8:19–20]

The 10 Commandments [Deuteronomy 5:6-21]

  1. “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me” [ Deuteronomy 5:7]
  2. “You Shall Not Make for Yourself an Idol” ([Deuteronomy 5:8]
  3. “You Shall Not Make Wrongful Use of the Name of the LORD Your God” [Deuteronomy 5:11]
  4. “Observe the Sabbath Day and Keep It Holy” [Deuteronomy 5:12]
  5. “Honor Your Father and Your Mother” [Deuteronomy 5:16]
  6. “You Shall Not Murder” [Deuteronomy 5:17]
  7. “You Shall Not Commit Adultery” [Deuteronomy 5:18]
  8. “You Shall Not Steal” [Deuteronomy 5:19]
  9. “You Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbor” [Deuteronomy 5:20]
  10. “You Shall Not Covet … Anything That Belongs to Your Neighbor” [ Deuteronomy 5:21]

These 10 Commandments from God are as timeless and powerful today as the day they were first put in writing. Basic instructions filled with faith, hope, love and sense. Extraordinarily beneficial in teaching us how to live better, healthier, protected and productive lives for our own good and the good of others. There is a reason and a purpose that you and I were created, great plans for us to grow and flourish. It is no secret that life will always have its challenges, yet, at the same time those challenges can make us better if we seek the intimacy in direction and guidance from the One who created us. Life’s greatest reward is knowing that our Creator is by our side all the way. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God, Creator of all things, Omnipotence (all-powerful,) Omniscience (all-knowing,) Omnipresence (all-present,) is closer then the breath we breathe; if only we want Him to be.

“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” [Matthew 22:36-39]

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” [Proverbs 22:6]

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations.” [Deuteronomy 7:9]

A teacher is not so much responsible for what our students know, but more so for the seeds we plant to help them grow.

Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, be with us, direct our path, fill us with the riches of Your grace, transform our mind with a healthy balance that is good for our body and soul. Guide us with Your gracious love, that we may press forward to being all that You created us to be. In Your Holy Name we pray… Amen

Sweet blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” [Proverbs 22:6]

A Bird’s-Eye View

Posted on by
1

Land of Opportunities

In a world that is filled with awe and wonder, it is with great expectation I seek to dig deeper into the rich soil and elegant beauty of God’s (Creator of all things) marvelous love. A flowing river of wealth that lies within God’s creation. Words are powerful, words have meaning, words are like seeds with roots that go down deep into our mind, and soul. Below the threshold of sensation or consciousness, the word ‘Subliminal‘ takes a seat. It holds a message meant to slip passed our mental radar, embedding itself deep into the subconscious affecting the mind without us even being aware of it. This being both good and/or evil, let’s aim to give a bird’s-eye view of what goes on in the environment connected to the works of subliminal:

*Sub ~ to act as a substitute: under: beneath: below
*Limen ~ a Latin word that means “threshold”
*Al ~ is a suffix that means relating to, process of, or an action.

What we listen to has a strong affect on us emotionally. Take the power of music, it has a huge influence on our mood, emotions, and our day. When we merge the strength of music with the heart, hope and passion of the Gospel, it has the ultimate power not only to change our day, but to impact us for eternity. In a similar way, who and what we surround ourselves with, affects us intellectually. As each person is responsible for his or her own choices, the consequences for our behavior come at a cost. Businesses, in the same manner know that subliminal messages are one of the elements that most attract attention in advertising, film, art and television work; otherwise, billions, would not be spent trying to convince us that we need what they are selling or have. Bottom line, what we read, what we watch, and what we listen too, affects us. If we are exposed to what God calls good, then we are more likely to be affected for the better. If we are exposed to what God calls evil, what is immoral is more likely to get the better of us and bring out the worst in us.

When the Holy Spirit is within us and the Word of God is teaching us, all of creation takes on new beauty, and magnificent blessings. The sky shows a deeper blue, and the earth becomes richer in its glorious tones. We just don’t see creation; we see our Creator, our Heavenly Father, who cares so deeply for and about us. In the Olympic Games, rules, fouls and penalties play a major part in all their sports and are regulated and enforced vigorously by referees, umpires, judges and other officials. Every participant knows the boundaries must be set and behavior monitored or the game will disintegrate into chaos. There are laws in the world as well; boundaries and rules for living, established by God. These boundaries and rules are not set to harm us, but to bless us, protect us, keep us safe and ultimately bring us victory for eternity. The greatest victory is knowing God and the love He has for each and everyone of us.

There is an affirmation in the Good Book, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” These few words follow up with the simple conclusion, “Because you have forgotten the law of your God.” [Hosea 4:6]

God’s love for us is not based upon our performance:

  1. “We love because He first loved us.” [1 John 4:19]
  2. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” [Romans 12:2]
  3. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” [Philippians 4:8]

Where there is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land; there you will have cursing, lying, murder, stealing, adultery, idolatry, disorder of structure and function which break all bonds.

Let’s take a look into the stylish motion of the rhythmic word, ‘Opportunity.‘ We are all given an equal amount of time each day and how we use it determines its value. The word of God tells us to make the most of our time on Earth. Our choices will have an unswerving effect on our lives and the lives of generations yet to come. As opportunity knocks, let us look at this word in more detail. “Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” [Ephesians 5:16]

*Op ~ A set of planned actions for a particular purpose: operation; observation post *Port ~ A place on the coast at which ships can shelter, or dock to load and unload *Unity~ The state of being united or joined as a whole.

God’s divine land of opportunities, may be challenging, convicting and even candid sometimes, but it is a reminder of the many ways in which God desires to use each of us daily in His beautiful purpose and plan. May we rise-up and take a bird’s-eye view in the beauty of His unlimited possibilities that were made just for you.There is power in words, there is grace in heeding the call, there are miracles waiting for you to take action! Rocky Balboa, said it right:

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth! But you gotta be willing to take the hits. And not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that! I’m always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.” ― Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa

A teacher is not so much responsible for what our students know, but more so for the seeds we plant to help them grow.

Let us thank the Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of His, Holy Spirit. “Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in his mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” [Psalm 150:1-6]

Sweet blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com

Photo By: Ricciardi Photography ~ Outlook

National Anthem

Posted on by
2

One by one, their steps were quick and their faces were brightly smiling. Their arms were stretched out carrying trays of banana bread, muffins, donuts, brownies, cookies, and cupcakes beautifully decorated with colorful sprinkles, as they entered into the auditorium. They were prepared for service. Kids helping kids, they put on their aprons and were ready to raise money for St. Jude children, to help them fight cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

The rush was on. As the other teachers gathered their students to go to class, we had our first customers; one very generous teacher and her group. Then the silence came and the clock was ticking, uh-oh… I thank God for the gift of prayer. We prayed, and as I shared with them what a wonderful thing they were doing to help others, the sound of pitter patter was in the hall and we were up and running once again. When the younger class that came to purchase sat to enjoy their treats, out of the blue, my students started singing…

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?…

This is the beauty of having the privilege to teach. It’s when your students “WOW” you, no money can buy that!

There are times in our lives when we hear a song, a national anthem, and it moves us. As I see our world today and wonder what we will leave behind for our children, I express warm admiration for the words of Mandela in the movie Invictus:

“I couldn’t help noticing the empty offices as I came to work today, and all the packing boxes. Now, of course, if you want to leave, that is your right. And if you feel in your heart that you cannot work with your new government, then it is better that you do leave, right away. But if you are packing up because you fear that your language, or the color of your skin, or who you served previously, disqualifies you from working here now, I am here to tell you, have no such fear. What is verby is verby. What is past is past. We look to the future, now. We need your help. We want your help. If you would like to stay, you will be doing your country a great service. I ask only that you do your jobs to the best of your abilities, and with good hearts. I promise to do the same.”

May God bless our Country and everyone in it always. May God bless our world that there may be peace, happiness and perfect health. May God bless you and me. For we are all a part of God’s great big family, if only we want to be…

Deanna Danielle

img_1863

For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His one and only Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

 

 

When God Came To Earth

Posted on by
2

I am so proud of my 4th grade class, they gave all they had to present a beautiful Christmas Pageant. Christmas is a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His unending love for us, as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child.

God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought magnificent joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this extraordinary event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.

There is a pome that reads:
Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work today.
He has no feet but our feet to lead men in the way
He has no tongue but our tongue to tell men how He died
He has no help but our help to bring them to His side.

As we lifted our hands to pray before the curtain opened, it was our prayer to share this life given message, about a time when God came to earth, to share His love with us. A love that truly can not be expressed in words.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1

Merry Christmas Blessings,

Deanna Danielle

img_0372-1

4th grade 2016

A Lesson From The Heart Of A Classroom

Posted on by
6

Our class begins in a prayer circle. The room is set up with 4 to 6 desks that create the look of tables. Adding a desk or two, I have the children share chairs so that everyone has a seat. In the center of the table we have a burning candle (battery operated). After they wash their hands, we talk about God’s love for us, events that are happening in our world, and I often share a life story with them.

While setting up class today, I realized that I did not have the candle with me. Wondering what to do, I prayed. As I asked God for guidance, instantly I knew what to do. As the kids sat down, I asked them if they noticed something different. They all commented that the candle was missing and that it wasn’t a very good feeling. It was a perfect opportunity to talk about the love that God has for us, and how incomplete life would be if we didn’t have Jesus in it.

I shared a story with them about a friend of a friend, a woman who was in her last hours with a disease called lupus. I told them of how in her final state as she yelled out to God, she heard Him ask her, “What is Love?” In her silence, she heard Him again, “What is Love?” At that moment, she felt His presence like never before. Through a vision of red-hot luminescent energy passing from one heart to another, she could hear God speak to her, “That which you are seeing is Love, I AM that Love. She wanted to bow down even further into a greater reverence to him. However, because she was lying on her stomach, she was unable to kneel down as deep as she wanted to.

I told them of how God explained a lot to her about why people do what they do in life and why things happen the way they do. He explained to her that there are only two forces here on this earth, and that when things come against us we can counteract them with the supernatural Word of God.

I was kneeling down to speak to them at eye level. As I put my hands up in an expressive gesture to continue to tell the story, I felt a hand go into my right hand, and then another go into my left, and what looked like a domino effect, one hand went into another until we had a circle of hands holding on to each other. If you could only imagine, as a teacher, what a beautiful feeling this was. This was a lesson from the heart of a classroom, the meaning of true love as we held hands to pray.

“That I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!” – Psalm 30:12

Wishing you and your family, a very blessed Thanksgiving!

Deanna Danielle

IMG_1729

Thank you to those that have given their lives to protect our freedoms. Many make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and we thank them for that. God Bless the U.S Military, and everyone we love. Card made by Alex, 4th grade November, 2015 Let us come to Him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to Him. – Psalm 95:2