Tag Archives: Teachers

The World Needs People Who Have Come Alive

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Jesus Did…

When our older daughter was graduating high school, she sought after the perfect quote to add to her yearbook picture. As a family friend became aware of her needs, he put forward for consideration one of his favorites by a prominent religious figure who played a leading role in relations between individuals and society, in the twentieth century.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” -Howard Thurman

An opportunity to do, to be, and to live everyday awaits us. All we have to do is see it that way.

One morning, sweet words from my friend Donna Moore-Stewart, (through her morning radio segment) woke up my intellect. Donna asked, “Do you know your assignment?” The word “Assignment” resonated with me. At the time, I was in the process of creating a beat sheet for my book Delilah, in order to be a bit more organized and have a clearer picture of what I was writing. As I decided to make a commitment to go through each chapter with a fine-tooth comb, I gave myself nine days to stay focused on eight chapters, along with the introduction page. A chapter a day, weaved in through working full-time, homemaking and all that life has for us to do.

God’s timing is always perfect. Donna’s words came at the very point that I was working on a particular section of the book. She conveyed how assignments are universal. They are a course of action which one is required to take, whether it’s within a family, school, place of worship, employment, and-so-forth. She noted that some assignments are meant to be completed and yet others are on-going, even beyond our lifetime. Donna also touched on the most beautiful and important part of her definition for this discussion, in her words, “Jesus did exactly what He was ‘Assigned’ to do. Our Lord and savior came to perform miracles!”

Jesus’ course of action: 

● Raise the dead  ● Heal the sick 
● Teach us how to live victoriously  ● Serve others 
● To to testify to the truth 
● To give life 
● To reveal the Father  ● To call all sinners to repent 
● Ultimately, to be a ransom for many.

Jesus is the Savior of the world; of you, me and all of history, if only we want Him to be. He does not force Himself on anyone, none-the-less, is here for everyone!

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:8)

Scripture is a beautiful invitation that encourages us to dig deeper into the treasures of God’s marvelous love!

Highlighted by the birth of Jesus, the scriptures consisting of the Old and New Testament provide us with knowledge, discovery, and implementation, making it relevant for enriching any present day living. What’s more and to the point, it concerns the future comings of our spiritual state of everlasting communion with God. Your assignment is waiting for you ~ the world needs YOU, Come alive!

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 the Holy Spirit. Let us praise You Lord, our God in Your sanctuary. Teach us to do Your will,
for You are our God; Let Your good Spirit lead us on level ground. For the sake of Your Holy Name, O Lord, revive us. In Your righteousness bring our soul, the souls of Your people all over the world out of trouble. And in Your lovingkindness, be with us in all we do. For we are Your servants…

Sweet blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com

Teachers go to work every day to transform and inspire ~ A classroom treasure from 2016 ❤️

National Anthem

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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

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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

 

 

Teachers, Get Ready

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As I began to prepare my class for a test, these words from an old quote came to mind; “Tell me, and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I‘ll understand.” So, I gathered some props in order to involve them, in what they were expected to remember.

During class, we went down a list of words, using a Bitty Baby wrapped in  white to act out Baptism. Sharing the story of Adam and Eve, I held up a light bulb, explaining how they walked in the light of God. To show the fall of man, I pulled out a black light bulb. Every eye went wide open, and they had lots of questions. I now believe they have Original Sin down pat.

While giving them all I had to bring every word to life, I called upon Frankie and James to act out the word Covenant. As Frankie was walking toward the front of the classroom, he lifted his hands, shrugged his shoulders, and asked, with uncertainty, ” Are we getting married?” “No,” I explained, “You’re exchanging property.” With a sigh of relief, he responded “Oh.” He understood the word better then I expected.

Reflecting on marriage and the promises two people make before God, Joseph expressed, “Divorce is not bad.” I could only respond with, “God loves everyone. He loves people who are married, divorced, and single. However, before divorce, there is sometimes a lot of suffering, and God wants us to love each other, not hurt each other.”

As I thought about the title for this blog, I could only come up with; “Teachers, get ready,” because we can’t  always prepare for all the questions that will be asked. I am so grateful that our class’s last word was Virtue. I could only look at the Cross, smile, put on an apron, and with a bowl, watering can, and paper towels, reenact Jesus washing the feet of His Disciples. His humble service shows us how God loves the world, and how He wants us to display that love in a very special way, through beautiful acts of kindness.

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“When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. “You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:12-17