Tag Archives: Teacher

The Bridge Called, ‘How’

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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

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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 *

Autumn Rain

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What a beautiful sound.

In a season that calls us to reflect on the things we are grateful for, we sometimes need an important reminder to help us do just that; to make known our gratitude. So let me start by saying, I’m so grateful for YOU! God made you so very special and here are just a few scriptures to prove just that:

  1. God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. [Genesis 1:27]
  2. The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. [Job 33:4]
  3. For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. [Psalm 139:13]

I am grateful for the Bible, it truly is my daily bread. The word of God is living truth. “It is able to quicken and make alive.” I know this for a fact, because I’ve experienced it first hand. When we understand something through personal experience, it takes the matter from the mind and places it ever so gently in the heart. God is always with us and it is so important that we talk to Him on a daily basis through our thoughts and prayers. As we reach out to God we experience the grace of His love for us and for others and with that we should always give thanks.

I am grateful for the privilege to teach. Just as the Autumn rain fills the Earth and provides the moisture trees and plants need to stay alive, a teacher is graced to share the peace, harmony and truth that our God so desires for us to have as His children. Jesus teaches us to respect each other, so that we experience His glorious rain of blessings.

The best thing about thankfulness is that the more we choose to use it, the easier it gets. This Thanksgiving season, let’s not miss out on all the love that our God desires to shower us with. Let us start taking care of each other with words of encouragement and forgiveness so that we may be a clear vessel in which God’s gracious love can flow. Jesus is peace, He is our everlasting Father and He is knocking on our door this season to share the most beautiful melody we will ever hear. Let us stop what we are doing and let Him in for that thanksgiving meal! May our wonderful Lord, bless you and your family by the power of the Holy Spirit! For nothing can compare to peace one feels in the presence of our God. 

What a beautiful sound, “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods”. [Psalm 95:1-3]

What are you thankful for?

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

“I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 1:4
“And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious Name.” 1 Chronicles 29:13

This Is How You Do It

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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

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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

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!

 

 

There is no love greater than the Creator

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Does love get any greater then its Creator? In the spring of 1980, I met with the school counselor to prepare for High School. He asked me about my future plans and the classes that I would like to take. I told him I wanted to prepare myself for becoming a teacher. He said he did not recommend that route for me. I asked him what he thought I should do, and his response was, “Do what your mom does.”

So, I went home and watched her cut and style hair. I had no idea what she was doing. However, God blessed me with the thoughts of “Apples don’t fall too far from the tree.” As I shared my thoughts with my mom, she prepped me with some great advice. She said; “First, I want you to get a job this summer, working in a salon, to make sure it’s what you really want to do.” That’s just what I did. Thanks mom, for always giving me great advice. You are truly the best!

Every time I share this story, most people respond with; “ How dare your counselor tell you that.” The truth is, I feel like he was an angel in disguise. His guidance opened the door to a great adventure, from traveling to seminars as far as Spain and Africa, along with many destinations in between. Also, to having my work published in international magazines and runways. My favorite was “We girls can do anything,” a fashion show that brought in a new line of clothing for young girls.

I’ve been blessed in this industry. It has given me the opportunity to meet many wonderful people while bringing up a family. Along with some time to write books, produce videos, volunteer, and teach religious education to some awesome kids.

In Luke 12: 6-7 we read “Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” So, I conclude with, there is no love greater than the Creator. May we enjoy each day, for every day is a gift. That is why it’s called the present.

Many Blessings,

Deanna Danielle