The year, 2005. In-between navigating through life, work, home responsibilities and the busy schedules of our fifteen, thirteen, ten and seven-year-old, I found myself with a pen in my hand, paper on the desk, and a story in my heart that I wanted to share.
Once just a thought, placed on some paper, fast-forward seventeen-years later (and those years went fast) as I write this blog, that story is finally sitting in a pod on the printing press waiting for its turn to be born. A real book with pictures and all, Sheli, a loving story about a Shepherd and His sheep, that I pray will bless the curious child in all of us.
We may wonder at times why God allows brokenness to enter our lives. It has been my experience that when this happens, I am drawn closer to the Lord, our true shepherd for strength, hope and joy. Life will always have its ups and downs, but what a beautiful mystery it is to know, that in struggling one can find a renewed faith in knowing that God has a plan.
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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. [Jeremiah 29:11-13]
Many things have happened, changes and stories have taken place over these past seventeen-years; nonetheless, One Ingredient remains the same. God’s steadfast love endures forever and this truth echoes throughout time. As we turn the pages of life, may we experience the healing truth of God’s awesome grace and knowledge of the awe-inspiring love that He so desperately awaits to give us all!
Perhaps this is the year a new story or and old one, will be born through you!
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
As my eyes opened to a pleasing morning view of fluffy white clouds in a bright blue sky, I began to ponder my thoughts with the many things filling my head. As I presented them before the Lord with question and wonder, He tenderly breathed the word, ‘Oasis’ into my being; filling my soul with breathtaking peace, joy and love. Freshwater springs, palm trees with dates, a healing pool in the middle of the desert, a gentle voice that whispers our name, sheltering us from the storms of life… No matter where we are, no matter how far, no matter how dry or empty we may feel, God is calling us into a thanksgiving oasis, to enrich us with the gifts of strength, hope, cheer and comfort!
God created us out of His love and is forever faithful. The cross is a reminder of how much God loves us. How he wants us to rely, trust and come to Him with our all. We should never put God in a box, in other words, limit His personal and majestic intervention. After all, He is the creator of all things and we are His mosaics, every tiny piece of us counts. God’s Love is not a smorgasbord, to pick and choose the parts we like and want. We need to receive God entirely in all areas of our life. In big things or little things, and the things in-between. Happy times or sad times in healthy days or in sickness, we need to know His Word, trust in Him and follow His way.
A friend once shared with me what his friend shared with him, “It’s impossible to be perfect, in an imperfect world.” This is true, but still, it is important for us to think about what’s important to us each day and to do our best in reaching that goal. Whether it’s tending to the home, family, friends, job, ourselves, writing a blog, etc. we all have purpose and responsibility. Here’s a sweet reminder from, Fulton J. Sheen “God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us.”
The psalmist said in Psalm 63:1-4: “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your Name I will lift up my hands.”
A priest once said, “I fell asleep and had a dream that life was a joy. When I woke up, I saw the reality that life was a servanthood, and in serving, I realized that the joy of life was in serving others.”
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
Jesus stood and cried out, saying ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.'” (John 7:37-38)
March 7, 1911, in a small southern town of Italy, a strong, healthy cry made it known that a feisty, fun, fearless, little girl had entered our world. Her life would be one filled with all the hardships, trials and love that this side of heaven has to bring. Through the Great Depression and World Wars; inventions and change; to watching three of her five children go home to be with our Lord earlier than expected; by way of it all she managed to always add value to the lives of others. Throughout the peaks and valleys of life, she passed-on a legacy as she ever so naturally bestowed the utmost incredible truth about God’s continuous grace.
I love to recall a family gathering when my Dad lovingly wrapped his arm around her and proudly stated, “Woman, you’ve been from the horse and buggy to the calculator!” In a season in time, witnessing ninety-three years of life, Rachel “Rae” (my Grandma) optimistically and joyfully navigated through time, leaving an inheritance fueled with passion and love. Her gift to me was more precious than silver, gold, and all the riches that are untold; when she got down on her knees and taught me how to pray when I was just seven years old.
One day as my Grandma and I sat on the steps of her front porch, and I asked her to share some words of wisdom, her response, “Be sure to get out every day to live the life that you have been given; and, everything in moderation.” Her words echo often in my ears. In part, she left behind some great tools, a beautiful little present of words spoken out of experiences. Although life is not always easy, and we don’t always get what we hoped for here on earth, it’s great to know that there are champions, God-given powerful words, that are meant to strengthen us and keep us on the winning team.
The right word at the right time can elevate our world to a better place. As I think about what my Grandmother said, “Everything in moderation” a well known scripture from the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 comes to mind, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaven..” In this life we will face hardships, trials and of course (hopefully) love and joy. We will also experience, feelings, emotions and choice-making. We are given the ability to make healthier, more positive decision about how to think, feel, and behave when we are given the right tools and the context to do so. Finding the balance and wholeness in due measure all starts with prayer. In life, everything in moderation, has its place.
When a need or circumstance is followed by a course of action it creates history. From beginning to end, there is nothing better for us than to seek God first in all things. After all, Eternity is set in the human heart. There is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. Time is a stepping stone for what is yet to come.
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
Proverbs 2:2-5 My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding, yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
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 wordof 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:
“Satanwas 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)
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 soybeanshad 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’:
It’s worth 9 points in the Scrabble game
It’s the Native American greeting
It’s a question word that can be an adjective, a noun, a conjunction or an adverb
It’s a unique member of ‘The 7 club’ Who, What, Where, Why, When, Whom, ‘How‘
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
When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. [John 5:6-9]
Whether we are struggling mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually, Jesus comes to us with the same question, “Do you want to get well?” As the man with the condition was called to action, so are we.
This week in class I spoke with my students about the reason for the season of Lent and the many treasures that are found in the Scriptures. With strips of paper, tape and a pen, we linked together a chain of H.O.P.E, reminding us to Help One Person Everyday. Through this activity we learned what our very own call to action is. That prayer, fasting, and almsgiving offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and that the love, mercy, kindness and healing touch of Jesus can work in and through us.
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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the Name of God’s One and Only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. [John 3:16-21]
God is calling us in a very special way to receive His incredible gift this Easter. His love is like gentle rain, bringing a multitude of benefits and opportunity for us to grow and learn in many different areas of our lives. This creating reason to feel better about ourselves, along with the strength needed to reach out and help others, while intimately connecting with our God who created us and cares so much about us. This truth is found in the Cross. After all, it truly wasn’t the nails that kept Him there, it was the eternal love He has for you, me and everybody.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. [2 Corinthians 13:14]
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
James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Before making a decision or reaching a conclusion, there is often much to think about. Good timing works best when motivated through the joy of learning. To give this thought a kick-start, I’d like to share a story that I once heard in reference to an annual lumberjack competition. The competition took place between an older experienced lumberjack and a strong fellow about twenty years his junior. The rules of the competition were simple, the two lumberjacks would be sent into the woods and the one who could cut the most trees down in eight hours would be the winner.
The younger lumberjack was full of enthusiasm and went off into the woods and started cutting trees immediately. He worked all through the day, barely taking time to catch his breath or to grab some food and water. He felt confident because he could hear noise from the older fellow occasionally stop. The younger lumberjack naturally assumed the older guy was taking breaks because of his age and lesser strength. He was confident his youth and stamina would win him the competition. When the final whistle blew, the younger lumberjack felt confident he had won as he looked out over the piles of trees he had cut. He made his way over to the podium for the medal ceremony and climbed to the platform confident of his victory. The older fellow was there, actually looking much less tired than he did. When it was time to announce the winner, the younger lumberjack was waiting to hear his name, but was devastated when the older man was declared the winner. The younger man turned to the winner and asked, “How can this be? I heard you taking breaks every hour while I worked continuously. I am younger, fitter, and stronger than you. How could you possibly have beat me?” The older man smiled and said, “Son, I was not stopping to rest. I was stopping to sharpen my saw.”
The moral of the story, is tonever neglect the time and effort necessary for due diligence before action. Prayer, study, research, preparation, are all imperitive steps before rushing into something just because it feels good. Whether it’s in our relationships, personally, or professionally, to act without consideration could be all it takes, to lose it all. A woodsman once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” One in the same, some things do need our immediate action, but when we have a foundation of knowledge to act on, it is as if our axe has already been sharpened and is waiting to be used. The future is in front of us, however, it’s not only being supported by what’s under it, but also by what is behind it.
Life is a process, nonetheless, the present moment is so very important. It’s a good time to recognize that how we choose to live will affect those here with us, as well as the generations to come. Praise be to God, who loves us so much that He takes the time to help us and to be with us. Praise be to God whose hand is held out to care for us, protect us, teach and guide us, even when we are too busy to notice…
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” [Colossians 3:17]
As Learning is also a process, let’s consider the moment. May we give all the glory, honor and praise to God. For it is by His grace, that we can embrace and enjoy more of this life that He has given to us, and that’s through the good times, difficult, and the ones that seem very ordinary.
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
Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you & teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”
Have you ever made a decision that changed your entire life?
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to become fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him.” Mark 1:16–18 Their lives would never be the same again…The right questions tied together with the right responses, ignite a beautiful symphony of action, hope, healing and love.
For our learning experience this week in class, we did something awesome. We created a fish that was capable of both giving and receiving God’s love, the same way we as humans can give and receive God’s love. All it took; one blue solo cup for the body, some white construction paper for the eyes and tail, a few markers, a little bit of string, and we were ready. Once our fish were created we were ready to become not only fishermen, but also fishers of men.
My third-grade class looked at me puzzled. They didn’t understand what being “fishers of men” had meant… yet! I had them picture us going down to the water, baiting the hook and casting out the line so that we could catch some fish. Then I asked them what it would look like if we were to become fishers of men.
To be a fisher of men:
First, we have to receive God’s incredible love for us. I picked up some foam figures of baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and shared with my students the Christmas story. After I told them the story, I placed the Holy Family figures into the mouth of the cup to show them how the Christmas story now lives within us. Now, we can share that story with others, or in other words, cast our line. Holding the fish cup that contained the story of Jesus birth and the love of Mary and Joseph, I cast out my line. I asked my students to pretend as though they were the fish that got hooked. With that I reeled them in. We shared a good laugh as they “swam” up to their webcams so that all I could see was their eyes.
God can draw others closer to Himself when evidence of His presence shows in and through us. Stating a fact, I let my class know that God had a great plan and a purpose for each one of them and how special and wonderful they were made in His image. All they had to do was cast the line, God will reel the right people in when the time is right.
Our response is important because it’s life changing. As I watched their eyes widen, I knew they now contained the treasure of understanding what it meant to be fishers of men. Not only do teachers play a critical part in the lives of their students, I am realizing more and more that students also play a major part in many hallmark moments for a teacher.
As we dive into Scripture, we can find a treasure of wealth. Through the stories of fish and fishermen there is bountiful food for our souls. From feeding the hungry to sharing God’s love in the streets… discussing how we can become fishers of men with my ready and waiting third-graders, I saw them grow eager to go out and cast their lines.
“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 19:14]
To accept this invitation of God’s grace and mercy, is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding responsibilities we will ever have in life. It consists of making the world, here and now, a better place. It also allows us the grace and privilege of setting up a strong foundation for the next generation to soar freely and that they may love and serve our God Most High.
“As for everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” [Luke 6:46-49]
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
While walking with my grandson, I noticed a heart shaped figure in the road. In that moment, I felt a great sense of joy and comfort in the little reminder of ,God’s Love in the streets… Where ever we are in life, we can be assured that our Lord God is always there with us!
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 areopen 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.
“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]
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” [Luke 12:7]
“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]
“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]
“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 *
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:
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. [Genesis 1:27]
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. [Job 33:4]
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
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