An Ordinary Person, an Extraordinary Gift

By Deanna Danielle

There once was a time I did not enjoy the things I most enjoy today; writing was one of them. This is one of my first writings at the age of 30. I wondered if there would be more. Little did I know, it was just the beginning.

My aunt had given me a womans devotional Bible to read. In the commentary, it said, Take notice today of ten things God has created. As I left my home to go to work, all I saw was buildings, houses, and the highway much more concrete than nature. And then I prayed about it, Lord, its so hard to find you in all this cement. Thats when I looked up and saw the most beautiful sky, and started to notice God in this place.

Deanna Danielle

An Ordinary Person, An Extraordinary Gift is a well-reflected, practical piece of work.

Deanna extensively shared her own personal faith experience that is enshrined with failure, rejection, success, and trials. However, in them, through the common obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ, that is always love based. She was able to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

The coming together of people from different Diaspora that made up the collage of the Apostles demonstrates how a profound understanding came to be possible in that community when the apostles accepted the ordinariness of their lives through the extraordinary teachings of Jesus Christ. Deanna was positively poised in her work to help her readers on a practical level see how Jesus Christ, our primary teacher, is always transforming us into what he wants us to be and represent. Always ready to transform the ordinariness of our lives into the extraordinary vision of strength, courage, and hope.

Fr Paul Nwambu
MAPCC, BCC.

An Ordinary Person, An Extraordinary Gift is a lullaby for the soul, composed not in the colloquial sense, but in the cadence of loving experience, shared with the hope of reawakening the message of Gods love to our collective, overwrought heart. The text is succor for an audience searching for the simple, and welcoming, reminder of the very real existence of divine love.

Elaine Caughlan
Copy/Line Editor

What a beautiful personinside and out! What a BIG heart she has! Such a pleasure being her friend and relative. God has truly been such an integral part of her life. You have to read this book to see for yourself.

Maria Staropoli
Womens Leadership

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781449705398

Deanna Danielle

Inspired Writer- Sometimes we work hard at what we do. Sometimes we receive a gift that cannot contain itself no matter what we try to do.... Deanna Danielle has written several books and screenplays which are: An Ordinary Person, An Extraordinary Gift, Sheli, Christmas Morn, Blessed (a screenplay), 20l Boulevard (an educational, faith-based film). She has also written a collection of poems and essays, and has produced and directed several video documentaries. She lives in the New York area with her husband and their four children. She is a part-time stylist and a volunteer religious instruction teacher.

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 Deanna Danielle

Cover concept and design of images inside of the book are by Patt Baldino.

Cover image and images inside the book photographed by Deanna Danielle.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1-[phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4497-0540-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-0541-1 (dj)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-0539-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010942170

Printed in the United States of America

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/07/2011

Dedication

To our Lord and Savior, thank you for the greatest gift of all, giving us yourself; at the price it cost you, as well as giving us the blessing of each other. I am ever so grateful. I pray that An Ordinary Person, An Extraordinary Gift will bring continuous blessings to all who read it.

Mom and Dad, there are never enough words that can express how grateful I am for all you do (this goes for my Mother and Father In-Law as well). My husband Vin and our four blessings, Vincent, Joseph, Dominique and Gabriella, your love and support always gives me the strength I need. I love you so much.

Aunt Gloria, thank you for encouraging me to write about the greatest love anyone could ever know. Maria, thank you for the uncountable hours you spent with me, praying and typing up all I wrote, over and over and over again, even when I felt like I could not do this anymore, your faith was always lifting me back up. Patt Baldino, your time, friendship, talent, and for giving the beautiful concept and design to the cover and title pages, I am forever grateful. Suzanne and Sarah, thanks for sharing the love of Jesus with me. It’s what made everything possible. Wanda, Angel, Gaby and Ray, thank you for letting me share your stories.

Fr. Paul Nwambu, Fr. Richard Pereira, Elaine Caughlan, Aunt Marie, Gianna Casini, Renée Small, Mark Van Deman, Steve Drake, Jason Klarke and the team at WestBow Press, and all who worked hard to bring this project into accord, thanks for making sure I had it all together.

For everyone who may be wondering if God notices us and cares about us, this book is especially for you.

Contents

Dedication

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1 An Ordinary Person, An Extraordinary Gift

Chapter 1 - Glossary

Chapter 2 Looking for a Treasure

Chapter 2 – Glossary

Chapter 3 When the Light Shines Through

Chapter 3 - Glossary

Chapter 4 Who is God?

Chapter 4 - Glossary

Chapter 5 The Importance of God’s Word

Chapter 5 - Glossary

Chapter 6 Growing in Christ Jesus

Chapter 6 – Glossary

Chapter 7 Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

Chapter 7 - Glossary

Chapter 8 New Beginnings

Chapter 8 – Glossary

Chapter 9 Just in Case You Ever Wondered… What’s It All About?

Chapter 9 – Glossary

Chapter 10 The Sound of Music

Chapter 10 – Glossary

Chapter 11 God, the Church, His Word

Chapter 11 – Glossary

Chapter 12 Beware, Be Aware, and He Who Has Ears, Let Him Hear

Chapter 12 Glossary

Epilogue

Preface

The reason for writing this book is in this one saying:

My people perish for their lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6)

This book is not in chronological order and each chapter holds its own teaching and story. It is simple reading with personal stories straight from the heart, Scriptures to reflect on and help give better understanding to what is being said, as well as a glossary at the end of each chapter for clear comprehension and easy reference. Each chapter starts with a poem, prayer or short essay. Throughout the book there are italicized prayers, just for the love of God.

May you be filled with more of the love and knowledge of our wonderful Lord and may your life increase and be blessed to have more understanding about the One who created us and loves us, the great and wonderful, as He calls Himself, I Am.

"May God bless you with His Spiritual favor and

wonderful peace as you come to know Jesus, our

God and Lord, better and better." (2 Peter 1:2)

Introduction

God, in the Name of Jesus, One God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Could one man make up all of this? We study and look into so many things, observe and come to our own conclusion; but time with God reveals all that we need to know, all that really matters.

When we put our trust in God, that’s when He puts His trust in us, to carry out His will through the Holy Spirit.

When I think of Jesus, I see and feel love; such an abundance that I want to share it with the world. If we could just take one moment out of our busy schedules and place it on God, silent whispers could change our lives. A voice that has always been there, right from the start (only we have been just too busy to notice).

I remember that moment I gave to God, and I remember that moment God had given to me; it changed my life incredibly. I was a child who came from Great love, Honest love, the Finest love, and yet that love could never compare to God’s love, because all that love came from Him, through all those I love. So, could you even imagine how Great the Giver of Love really is.

Through God’s Holy Spirit, by the love of Christ, our veil is removed. As by the father of a bride, so she and her husband may enter into a new life as one. Pure and clean, a new life is about to begin. That’s what it’s like when you give your life to Christ. You leave your bed behind; not to look back, but to look forward to the joy you will share together as one.

Life with God, how could we know it unless we give Him time in each day? Oh, how I wish you would, only so you could understand what I say and feel about the great joy of a wonderful Father’s love. All around us God shows His beauty; all around us God can tell us everything.

Just take a moment and think about what God has done. Over 2.1 billion people call themselves Christians; but many have never given Christ more than a passing glance. I know I didn’t until I was thirty years old. Yes, I always believed in God, said my prayers every night, thanked Him when things went well, and called on Him when I was in a bind or struggling with life. Jesus, God’s gift to us, His only Begotten Son, part of the Father. What amount of time did I give to Him after all He had done for me? Not much more than a passing glance. Like a decoration of the Church that I go to sometimes on Sundays, but almost always on Christmas and Easter. Funny how I found time, most of the time, to go to church to celebrate Jesus, but gave such little thought to Him all year, as if preparing to celebrate someone’s birthday, but knowing little about the guest of honor.

Having said that; how my life has changed since I stopped for a moment and reflected on God’s incredible love. What is written is true, though one needs to give more than just a passing glance to find that out, That the only way to the Father is through His Son. (John 3:15, John 20:31, and 1 John 5:11-12)

What man could have planned all this in such a short time of life over 2000 years ago, changing lives 2000 years later all over the world by His Name? Think about it. How many crosses stand tall in many denominations of Christian churches, how many crosses hang from their parishioners’ necks, in their cars and homes, and still…are we giving Jesus more than a passing glance?

The Cross. There is so much to be said about it. What man could think in the way of God? None. Only through the Holy Spirit of God could we understand. Why did God the Father choose a cross, with all the other ways to die, why a cross? That is the simplicity of God’s love, found anywhere and everywhere. After all, it’s the plus sign (+) we learned to make way back when we just started to go to school. It’s the t in the alphabet, so simple that we are all pretty good artists at drawing it. It’s in the panes of your French door, it’s in the pattern of the grout that holds your tile together, the crossing sign in the road and way up in the mountains, two sticks fall from a tree and land forming perfectly; just in time for you to see it. Everywhere you look, a cross can be found. That’s the love of God and the reminder of the price He paid when He carried our sins with Him to the city of Golgotha, when He carried them through that angry town.

Only now, He is as close as every breath we take. If only we want Him to be. In the Cross of Christ, the Tree of Life, there is life, hope, peace, comfort, truth and victory. As on Easter Sunday, what a time to rise. The beginning of spring, when all that once looked dead suddenly comes alive. The winter months were so dreary and gray, bare trees and cold, cold days. Spring is the time of the year Jesus chose to rise, so that no matter where we may be, we could see Him in our lives.

SPRING (spring) v. 1. To move upward or forward suddenly; leap. 2. To emerge suddenly. 3. To shift position suddenly. 4. To arise from a source; develop. 5. To release from a checked or held position. 6. To present unexpectedly. 7. A natural foundation or flow of water. 8. A source or origin. 9. The season of the year between winter and summer.

Spring is a time of new life – a time when things are born again into new life. New Life, it starts with Jesus. Praise God. Amen.

It’s funny, but when you start to speak about your love for God, people look at you for perfection. No room is given for error, and if you make a mistake, you’re held to it. However, that is not in any way what it is all about.

God loves us all equally, no one more than another. Only spending time in prayer with God opens up awareness to how much sin we all have in us. I find being a Christian sometimes harder, but always rewarding. Our natural instinct is to sin, but having the Holy Spirit alive in you constantly convicts us of sin.

The love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him. His salvation extends to their children’s children. God rewards those who diligently seek Him. (Psalm 103:17-18)

Sometimes I could say all day, God forgive me, show me the right way, and He always does. That’s what coming to know God’s love is all about. Not being perfect, only coming to realize the sin in us, and making the choice to make a difference. Becoming aware.

missing image file

Chapter 1

An Ordinary Person, An Extraordinary Gift

I’m writing this book because God has done so many wonderful things in my life, I would like to share what I have learned and experienced. Born into a Catholic family, October 1965, I have always believed in God. In 1995, I asked Jesus to forgive me, for I didn’t really know who He was, and wanted to know Him better. After all, He suffered so I may have peace in my life, so that all my sins may be forgiven, and that I would have the key to heaven’s door.

I thank you dear Lord. As I grow every day in Your love, I feel more complete inside. I pray to You. Please always keep me close, allow me to always hear Your beautiful voice in my heart. May I always feel Your strength and yet, know how gentle You are. May everyone come to know just how special, wonderful, awesome, grand, Your love for us really is. May they all hear Your voice and all You have to say. Lord Jesus, teach us about the Father and the Holy Spirit, and how You are one. My Lord, I thank You with all my heart. Please forgive me for all my sins. I love you so much. I don’t know if words can truly express this feeling I have inside, but all I have is because of You. Lord Jesus, thank you, Amen.

This book is just in the sleeve of matchsticks, (for many have written about God’s Magnificent Love) pass it by your heart and let your heart be on fire for the Lord too. With His light now living in you, may you ask Him to guide you, follow His way, and you will never be alone again. If you happen to make a wrong turn on your journey, allow His angel’s wings and His strong arms to lift you over the ditches, holes and rocky roads. He loves you, He loves us. Learn of Him and how He suffered for us. Pray to Him; ask Him to forgive all your sins. Thank Him, trust Him, follow Him, and praise Him, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

This is how it all began according to Scripture; the living Word of God given to man.

Luke 1:26-28          An Angel Tells About the Birth of Jesus

God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David. The Angel greeted Mary and said, You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.

Luke 1:30-33          Then the Angel Told Mary

Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, and you will have a Son. His name will be Jesus. He will be very Great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make Him King, as His ancestor David was. He will rule the people of Israel forever, and His Kingdom will never end!

Luke 1:46-55          Mary’s Song of Praise

Mary said, "With all my heart I praise the Lord, and I am glad because of my God, my Savior. He cares for me, His humble servant. From now on, all people will say