The Radical New Me

By Donna Jarrell

My son, Brian, during his college years was a tour guide in Charleston, SC. I loved hopping on the horse-drawn carriage tours, taking a ride down the cobblestone streets going back into the past. Take a journey with me as I share stories of faith, hope and love along with grief, disappointments, and despa

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donna Jarrell
• Release date: Feb 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798987712313

Book preview

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Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Dedication & Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1: No Regrets

Chapter 2: That Dreaded Word Cancer

Chapter 3: Live and Not Die

Chapter 4: Oh Happy Day

Chapter 5: A Tribute to

Chapter 6 MODD CRY: Mothers Of Drunk

Drivers’ Cry

Chapter 7: The Day My Son Went to Prison

Chapter 8: Carrying the Torch of Reform

Chapter 9: Radical Prayers, Radical Actions

Chapter 10: Staying in My Comfort Zone

Chapter 11: I Can Fly

Chapter 12: The Sweet Presence of the Lord

ADDITIONS: PROPHECIES, LETTERS, POEM

Foreword

The process of self-reflection has allowed me to grow in ways I never knew were possible. Through my life’s experiences and a few mistakes made along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to better understand humanity. I’ve learned that as human beings, one of our main objectives is self-evolution. To transform into someone who has compassion for oneself and toward others, both of which are not always easy.

Through my research on humanity and self-development, I’ve also discovered that many people are not satisfied with simply being human—they want to be like God. Donna Jarrell discusses this in her most recent book, The Radical New Me. Jarrell shows the reader how she’s constructed her life so everything she does reflects on becoming more like God. In doing so, she describes what one may go through on their faith journey while striving to be more like God. Jarrell examines each of the stages we all go through while evolving to become better people. Jarrell teaches that everything that happens in our life does so because it’s supposed to. She expresses that we should live life without regrets because living life with regrets takes our eyes off the prize and weakens our faith.

In her book, Donna Jarrell encourages the reader to rise above to become closer to their best self. Much like Albert Einstein once said, If you want to see what’s on the table, you must jump above it. Jarrell’s book teaches how to live a life of faith grounded in reason, so whenever we become discouraged or burdened with despair, we can continue pressing toward our higher calling.

Dr. Showalter Johnson

Preface

Our prayers and sincerest sympathies are extended to all those families who have lost loved ones to cancer , and drunk driving accidents, both the victims and the drunk drivers. With our son’s tragic accident, we can’t go back and change what happened. What we can do is try to keep these tragedies from happening by sharing our story to save lives and by advocating for auto manufacturers to begin putting driver alcohol detection systems for safety in all new cars before the 2024 federally legislated mandate requires installation. We pray for our songs, MODD CRY (Mothers Of Drunk Drivers´ Cry) and I Know I´m a Fool, to be heard throughout our nation and for this book to be read, helping to put an end to drunk driving.

Dedication & Acknowledgements

I dedicate this book to:

High School Sweetheart, Loving Husband – Rick

Beloved, Good-Hearted Son – Brian

Acknowledgements:

Beautiful Daughters – Krista and Leslie

Twin Sister, Best Friend, Prayer Warrior – Terri

Mentor and Teacher – Dr. Showalter Johnson

Prayer Partners – Jacquie and Kathleen

Charleston Painter Artist Dorothy Rogers

Music Artist Kyle Anderson

Book Publishers – Yazmin and Editors

This book would not have been possible without the love and support of those listed above along with the rest of my family and friends.

Introduction

A Rollercoaster Ride

We are to be radical for the Lord, as a pioneer on the front line at the very edge, clearing a new path with a raised voice in prayer. Jesus was radical as He preached the message of the Kingdom of God. I have a radical story to tell the nations. I have a testimony burning in my heart. I want to tell the world that my Lord reigns on high. He is exalted above the earth. There is none like Him. He has rescued us. Oh, the blood of Jesus, that washes us and cleanses us white as snow. FAITH is the acronym for Fantastic Adventures In Trusting Him. Faith is the currency of heaven. When we pray, we place a demand on His promises, which already belong to us as children of God. It is like cashing a check from your heavenly bank account. When in the olive press; like an olive, we are squeezed and squeezed. With time that sweet anointing oil comes forth. We can then say through it all I learned to trust in Jesus. I learned to trust in God. I learned to take Him at his Word.

I want to invite you to take a rollercoaster ride with me. Beware of all unbalanced emotions flying up and down all over the place. One moment you may want to cry, another laugh, yet another rejoice. One minute you feel sick to your stomach, not able to handle the ride you have been placed on. The next minute you are holding on with every bit of faith you can muster up to stay on and not fall off. Knuckles are tight with a grip standing on the scripture you hold dear to your heart.

Today, I took my grandkids to Chuck E. Cheese pizza place, which has video games and kiddie rides. Guess what they spent their time enjoying? It was a simulator rollercoaster game, where you sit back in a chair that vibrates and moves as you watch the screen. You feel like you are riding on a rollercoaster, twisting, tossing, and turning as you barrel down a steep slope at a fast speed. I watched them laugh, scream, and hold on tight, as they experienced the thrill of not knowing what came next around the corner. Exciting, yet sometimes scary all at the same time. Emotions are at a heightened, enhanced state similar to the journey we call life.

At Chuck E Cheese my four grandkids, Christian, Sean, Savannah, and Jordyn love playing the rollercoaster ride simulator game!

Let’s be truthful with ourselves. We are many times tossed to and fro in those waves of doubt in that storm-tossed sea, sinking to rise no more. But the master of the sea heard my despairing cry. From the waters, lifted me, now safe am I. These are the words to my favorite hymn, Love Lifted Me. Those angry waves come and go depending on the changing winds of the storm, blowing upon our path of life. God, who is all-knowing, allows misfortune to come our way. It challenges us to seek Him and begin to know Him as the One who rescues, heals, and delivers. The pouring rain falls on the just and the unjust. No one is exempted from trials and temptations. This is not our eternal home.

In this game of life, we are in training to be taught how to handle these unexpected occurrences and tragedies. They cause us to seek after God with every ounce of our being. When we find him, we find a loving and giving God whose qualities and nature are so beautiful and intimate. The relationship is a mutual one. I find I need Him like a deer panting for water, and God, the Creator of the universe, needs me. Why? Because He wants to have a relationship with me. He created me by blowing the breath of life into me. I became a living soul made in His image and likeness. He has given me a destiny and a purpose to fulfill His plans on this earth. Lord, you are the potter, and I am the clay. Mold me and make me according to your will. You are the architect-designer who had a blueprint of my life before You even put me on the potter’s wheel. I choose to align my free will to Your perfect will for my life.

Oh, the thoughts God has toward us, plans for us to succeed and prosper, just as our soul prospers. The Word of God, His love letter to us, instructs us along the way. The Spirit of the living God, the Holy Spirit, assists and helps us. God never promised this journey of faith would be easy. He does promise us He will never leave us, nor forsake us. Peace does not mean you are in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means while you are in the midst of the storms of life, you are still calm in your heart, with a peace that passes all understanding.

At my daughter Krista’s wedding, held at The Citadel beach house in Charleston, South Carolina, a tropical storm hit with strong winds and heavy rain. We were safe inside this fortress. As we looked out the window, we watched huge, white-capped waves crash against the shore. We were in the midst of the storm, celebrating a joyous marriage ceremony, safe and secure from all alarms. We were full of peace.

Amidst the storm, peace and joy prevailed at my daughter

Krista´s wedding.

On this journey with God, it becomes a marriage relationship of total commitment. We change, grow, evolve, and become more like Christ as we strive to attain His loving, giving qualities. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27, NIV) Spiritual love is the goal. As I began this journey of life, it was all about me, and the excitement and thrills I could experience. Somewhere along the way, I realized it is all about my Lord, for He is perfect in all His ways.

The ride is getting bumpy. Hold onto your seats. Will you trust Him on this rollercoaster ride of faith with all your mixed, jumbled-up emotions as you experience the up and down cycles of life? Here comes the curveball you never dreamed you would encounter. You swerved and thought you escaped it. Little did you know you had to go through it to become all that God created you to be and do for His glory.

As a retired elementary schoolteacher with a master’s degree in reading, my true love is reading books to my grandkids. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen is a lot of fun to read. This is a story of a courageous family’s joyous journey through sweeping landscapes to go catch a bear, a big one. We’re not scared, they say. You pat your lap with both hands, speeding up and slowing down as you encounter a deep cold river, thick oozy mud, a deep dark forest, and