Tag Archives: God’s Word

The Color Purple

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We have only just begun

As our eyes behold God’s creation, we see magnificent color. Color is essential In a designers’ world. Understanding color can help us gain a deeper understanding of the beauty in God’s design. Let’s take the colors blue and red, together they make a majestic purple.

The color red is an intense color. It represents blood, fire, love, just to name a few. Red pigment made from ochre (a natural clay) was one of the first colors used in prehistoric art.

The color blue by way of example, represents the seas, the sky and peace. Of all the colors, it is not only favored by both men and women, but even so, beyond half of the countries on earth have blue in their national flags.

The color purple presents a great deal of prestige and brings forth a powerful history. It was the most expensive dye in the Bible. A well known pigment of choice for those of noble or royal birth. It holds the most intimate secrets of the Bolinus brandaris, (a medium-sized predatory sea snail) found on the beaches of the eastern Mediterranean, to the emergence of synthetic dye. What once serviced only emperors and Popes now service of all humanity.

I believe there is an even deeper lesson here for our times as well. As a people, our history defines who and what we are. As an individual, we are known by our actions. Just as blue and red, together make a purple; genetics, environment and attitude are some of the main ingredients that make a single human being. As each individual has their own strengths and weaknesses, what we choose to do with those strengths and weaknesses, are up to us. God’s word is known as the Living Word that provides us with the essential, “basic instructions before leaving earth.’ Take the first letter of each of these words, it conveniently spells out, BIBLE.

As each of us has a personal responsibility toward God, and all He has given us; our free will gives us the capability to choose between different courses of action. As in all good decorating jobs, a conversation with the decorator is indispensable, as is our dialogue with God. Saying YES to God is the most important choice we will ever make. This is where the beautiful accessories come in; out of living the life we have been given, even if it may not seem as though it is so lovely sometimes. God waits for our permission to unfold His incredible plan in our lives. We have great value because each of us is made in God’s image and likeness.

“For each will have to bear his own load.” [Galatians 6:5]

From our personality, inherited characteristics to our physical appearance, genetics, set the stage. As it takes a village to raise a child, our environment, is the stepping stone, that help us share stories that echo to one another, God’s gift of love. Attitude, seals the deal; that little thing that makes all the difference.

By the grace of Christ, here are some tools for our shed: * Overcome evil with good.” [Romans 12:21] * Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [Proverbs 3:5] * Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” [Ephesians 4:32]

Words of Love: * God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. [Genesis 1:27] * I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. [John 10:10] * Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good…” [Genesis 1:31]

Our Lord, our God, Our living King, how merciful and kind is He! His word tells us that, He is the Vine and we are the branches. [John 15] ~ The branch produces fruit, but it is the vine that nourishes the branch. Without the vine and the branches dead but being one with the Vine it is nourished. How do we begin to thank God for the privilege to be nourished in Him, by His beautiful and Holy Word. How do we thank the Father, in the Mighty Name of Jesus, by the power of His Holy Spirit, as He so desires to come into our lives. Let us pray that God will continue to teach us, nourish us and be with us in all we do.

Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” [ Luke 13:6-9]

From the history of the color purple, to the mystery of the fig tree, we have only just begun to discover and experience some of the incredible hidden treasures, in the breathtaking agape love of God.

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 ask the Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, to open our eyes, ears and hearts, so that we may see His reflection and peaceful harmony, in all that He has created for us!

Sweet blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com

Photo by ~ Deanna Danielle ~ Purple Rain

A Solid Foundation

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God’s word always teaches us about peace, unity, service, and unconditional love. In Philippians 4:8, we read, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious … think about these things.” It is truly ‘these things’ that are far more important then titles and possessions.

I am always inspired when I hear one of my students ask, “What does that mean?” This week, the word ‘foundation’ is credited to Madeline. This word brought to my mind three different materials to build with. As I split the class up into groups, I asked them to build me a house.

To one group, I gave cards, the next group, blocks, and the third group, I gave Legos. I have to say, they all did a great job. However, as for the card house, like the big bad wolf, we blew it down. The blocks were put together like a castle, but with just a touch, it could not stand. As for the Legos, they were solid, even when turned upside down. I wanted them to see, clearly, that is what being built on a solid foundation looks like. It can’t be shaken, and even when turned upside down, they do not fall apart. They are locked together!

Jesus spoke these words in Matthew 7:24-25, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

Every week, we start our class with prayer, then we look up Scriptures. I explained, “This is just as you did when you were learning to tie your shoes. You began by finding the laces. Then, you thought about how to put them together and make a bow. As you practiced, something remarkable happened, and by instinct, you learned how to tie your shoes! In the same way, the more time we spend in prayer and God’s word, we will begin to build a solid foundation. Virtues, like truthfulness, justice, charity, patience, and much more, become your natural way of living. You won’t need to think about them as much, because practice has made them a part of who you are.”

As Molly wrote, “Today, I built a house… I learned, if you focus and you build a foundation, your house will stand forever. The same will happen with your heart and home.”

Many Blessings

Deanna Danielle

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

 


You’re Perfect for This

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We’re off to a great start. 201 Boulevard, 4th grade class of 2015, is on its way. After starting our class with prayer, we had a one-to-one icebreaker. We had the privilege to learn a little about each other. Molly, Gabriella, Zachary, Cecilia, Hannah, Alessia, Madeline and James, consist of the smallest group of students I have ever had, by far. They are a great group of kids!

During the summer, my friend invited me to her church. During the homily, the priest invited the children to come to the altar. He presented them with a beautiful gift bag and said he had something special for them. He pulled a cookbook out of the bag, and asked them, “What is this used for?” Then, he pulled a Bible out, and again asked, “What is this, used for?” His questions blessed me with a great idea to do the same for our first day of class. So, that is what I did.

I brought to class a large shiny, gold Vince Camuto tote bag. They all saw the bag, and with great curiosity, they wanted to know who it was for, and of course, what was in it. Before opening the bag, I told them the greatest gift was in it. It was a priceless education in the love that our God has for us through His living word. I then pulled out the Bible.

Along with a few other things that I pulled out of the bag, one of them was a shape-sorting block. All of the pieces were in tact except one. I explained how this one missing piece makes this toy incomplete, and that is what life would be like without them. I also shared with them, that it is impossible to put the square in the circle, and the circle in the star. In the same way, God has a very special plan for each and every one of us.

God made no two fingerprints alike. We read in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” In the same way as the shape-sorting block, we were made to fit perfectly into our own space. A young man named Christopher Coleman once quoted God’s words to him, “You’re Perfect for This.” Life would not be complete if it was any other way.

    Christopher Coleman’s story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu0yjJgKU0w

Many blessings,

Deanna Danielle

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