Tag Archives: heart

Writing Your Story 2021

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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 *

A Lesson From The Heart Of A Classroom

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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

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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

Words That Make A Difference

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I  once took a class where the teacher had stated that once you squeeze all the toothpaste out of the tube, you could never put it back. In other words, what we say has a lasting effect.

In bringing this up to my class, it allowed me the opportunity to share how our  words can impact the lives of others. Constructive words can speak life into someone. However, destructive words have the capability to truly destroy someone.

The Bible is filled with words of life, and that is why it is called the living Word of God. In the book of Matthew 22:36-39, Jesus was asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and  mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

I also shared these beautiful words from the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. “We share the same dreams, because we pray, and hope, and aspire, for that same better world, because the values that unite us are much stronger than the differences that divide us. The values like liberty, equality, justice, tolerance, and compassion.”

With an open door, I am grateful for the privilege to share words that make a difference. These words from Molly are, “God is everything to me. I think everyone should follow and love God. God made this world and everyone in it. I know He loves me and I love Him. ”

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

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Psalm 122:6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!

 

 

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

 


The Sound of Music

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As my class has gone on summer break, I am excited to write once more, until we start up again in September. In addition, I am even more excited to write about such a wonderful subject. Dads!

Dads come in all different shapes and sizes, with many different personalities, careers and hobbies. As I think about the word Dad, I know I’m very blessed to have one who is such an awesome reflection of our heavenly Father. My dad has always been there for me, showering me with the greatest gifts of his love. Throughout the years, he continually brings me peace. He is a great protector, and his wisdom and sense of humor has always filled me with a joyful heart and laughter.

When I was a teenager, my dad would often come home and knock on the locked side door. It only drove me crazy because he walked past the front door which was open, and now I would have to stop what I was doing, to get up and open the door. One day, a friend called. She told me that the night before, her Mom and Dad were at a wedding, and her dad had a heart attack on the dance floor and died. She was very sad, knowing that she would never see him again. As we hung up, there was that knock at the door, only it sounded so different this time. It was now the most beautiful music I ever heard. There was my dad at the door.

Each and every day, our heavenly Father knocks on the door in the same way, waiting for us to get up, open the door, and let Him in. In the book of Revelation 3:20 we read, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus taught us in Luke 11:2, that when we pray, we should open our prayer with, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.” He also asked a question in Luke 11:11-13, “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, sinful people, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

 It is my prayer that this Father’s Day, we all open the door to the most beautiful sound of music we will ever hear. That is the sound of our heavenly Father who loves us more than we could ever imagine. The One who cares for us more than we ever could deserve, whose words are true, faithful, and trustworthy. The One who made all the delicate, inner parts of our body as He knitted us together in our mother’s womb, as said in Jeremiah 1:5, “I knew you before I formed you in the womb,” Our Father in heaven is all deserving of our praise and worship. Holy is the Lord God Almighty. Yes, the earth is filled with His glory. So, open that door, and together let us celebrate a Happy Father’s Day!

Blessings always,
Deanna Danielle

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You’re in My Heart

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All the classes piled into the auditorium. The Haiti orphan project and tee shirt drive has all the kids excited. In learning about acts of charity for others, all the children decorated a foam heart that they wrapped with their tee shirt donation. Kids helping kids – – what a beautiful site to see!

In the church, for the prayer service, Ben pointed to the confession booth and asked, “What’s behind those doors?” I explained, “That is where you go for confession.” He continued with a very serious face, “Is Jesus in there?” A few of the other kids heard what he asked, and they started asking, with curious faces, “Is Jesus in there?” With a smile, I whispered, “No, He’s in your heart.” At that moment, Kristen whispered to me, “Gianluca isn’t feeling very well.” One look as his sad little face broke my heart. All in a days work as a teacher…

Back in class, we started off praying for each other, family and friends. We asked God to bless Gianluca and Paula, and give them perfect health. I shared a story with them that began with Adam and Eve. Patrick played the part of Adam, and Emma played the part of Eve. I shared how they walked and talked with God. How God gave them the privilege of naming all the animals, and enjoying all the land. Also, how God warned them to stay away from the one tree that would harm them, and that if they ate of it, they would surely die (Genesis 2:17). I told them that even though they ate of the tree, and could not see God face to face anymore, He was still there with them. I asked Ally to stand up while I covered Patrick’s eyes. I asked him if he knew who was in front of him, and he said, “No” I asked the class, “ Does this mean she is not there because he doesn’t see her?” I continued with, “She is there, and in the same way, God is there too! Even though we can’t see Him with our eyes, we know He is there through our faith, and we can feel Him in our heart, and through all He has blessed us with.”

I went over some of the things they learned. Things like how many parts of the Bible there are, and what those two parts are… They are so smart. They all know, and it’s like the choirs singing, as they all answer together. I shared how the Bible is the living Word of God, because it guides us through life. B.I.B.L.E, basic instructions before leaving earth. I told them a true story of a mom whose ten-month-old little boy had a bump on his brain (a tumor). How the doctor told her things did not look good. However, she trusted God more then the words of the doctor. Picking up her Bible, she read Jeremiah 29:11 “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.” She put this prayer in his crib, and said it every time she’d pick him up or put him down. She believed for a miracle, and she received one! Her little boy is now 8 years old and healthy! That is the power of God’s Word. It shows us that we are in the heart of our God at all times.

Many years ago, a very special nun said to me, “There are so many people to pray for, and I want to pray for all of them. So, I put them in my heart and when I pray, I lift my heart up to God and ask Him to bless every one in there. Always know, you are in my heart!”

So, I conclude with this, “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 and always know you’re in my heart!

Have a great day!

Deanna

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