Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care. Theodore Roosevelt.
We should not moor a ship with one anchor, or our life with one hope. Epictetus
Nothing will work unless you do. Maya Angelou
Author: Dalanel
Pray for your nation
Dear Jesus,
I can’t tell you how much venom brews within me when I hear about theft, murder, rape, and more. I know you’re hurting too.
I know that you are in control; and that you will not give up on this world. But, for crying out loud, it pisses me off that these stories get all of the love and things that I try to talk about tend to take a back seat.
I offer this prayer to you on behalf of my nation, the United States of America. I already know that you can’t force your will on anybody. I mean…you could, but you won’t. You’re a free will God. So, I ask that, somehow, the hearts of the USA are touched and transformed. I pray that the monsters of this world are met with your swift justice. I pray, perhaps most importantly, that you protect the innocent. Protect your disciples.
Let me know what I can do to make this world better. I know this blog does some things. If this is the primary method I should use, tell me how I can enhance it. It’s one thing to complain but sit around doing nothing. It’s something else to use the frustration as motivation. Help me do this.
Times will be better, this I know, Lord. My only fear is that it’s only when you come back. I know the word; things are supposed to be going south like this. I’m aware. But I still have to pray. Keep praying. That’s the lesson you gave to me to write in my book. I have to stand by that.
I thank you for all you do, and will do.
Love,
Dante Writes
Monday Motivation: Write
You should write it down. Thoughts. Feelings. Reminders. Write. And when I say “write” I mean with real words.
What?
Please, let’s avoid the “text language” of “u” meaning all three versions and “2” for all three versions. Can we use proper grammar for a change? Or did you forget?
Think it’s easy to flip back and forth between structured and non-structured writing? Maybe you can. But, as a society, it seems to be more struggle on writing.
I still use pencils and pens with paper. What’s that? I like the sensation of it all.
Anyway, write stuff down. Alright, I don’t really care how you write it; it needs to feel natural. Just write down things. If thoughts get jumbled, write it out. By writing it down, you actually force your mind to structure the thought enough to form words and that can actually help your overall thinking process.
Whenever I’m working on lighting designs, I write all scenarios down that come to mind. It’s very helpful. I have one of those little notepads that I keep in my pocket. I scribble in it from time to time.
I think writing can help you feel better. This is my opinion. Try it out.
-Dante Writes
Good News Friday…Fearless Friday?
I’ve been debating this, among other things, for the blog. You can blame this on my obsession with the double initials for my weekly posts as you can see from Monday Motivation, Tuesday Testimony, Wednesday Word, and Thursday Thoughts.
Fearless Friday.
So, what is it? It’s the same as Good News Friday, except I focus on one particular type of “good news”: Heroes. After cracking open the thesaurus, I found a word that I liked. Fearless. That’s a word we tend to associate with heroes.
So, I’ll be mainly looking at the person(s) that have stepped up to save the day. Physical…financial…emotional…and more.
I went this type of story because I guess that’s the one that spoke to me the most.
Is this the end of Good News Friday? I have my doubts actually. I’m gonna give Fearless Friday a run and see what happens. It’ll be the same format at Good News Friday.
-Dante Writes
Tuesday Testimony: No More Being “That Girl”
Post from Testimony Share:
At one point in my life I was in a really low place. My life didn’t seem like a life worth living. I couldn’t see that proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel.” I had given up on life, given up on myself, but most importantly given up on God.
I got to this point for many different reasons. For five years of my childhood I was abused. It was a time when I felt the most alone. At that same time my parents were getting divorced. I felt alone, I felt abandoned, I felt broken.
Flash-forward to being 18. I just graduated high school. I was suffering from depression and anxiety disorder. I felt a mess. In 2012 Evan and I started dating, he was a faithful follower of Christ, I was not. But because I cared about him I thought that trying this church thing out couldn’t hurt. I went a few times and every time I went I felt like Pastor linden was directing the message right at me. It made me confused and uncomfortable.
I stopped attending while Evan was back at Ohio University. But I kept feeling this pulling on my heart that I eventually shut out. A year or so passed and it was January of this year 2014. I was at my lowest point of my 21 years thus far. I was depressed, slitting my wrist and not myself.
In April of 2014 I was sent to Dublin Springs mental hospital because I attempted suicide. I spent a week and some days there. After realizing that suicide was not the answer, and being put on two different anti-depressant I was released back to reality. I did a lot of praying and soul searching the next month.
On May 11th of this year I was here at church watching my boyfriend’s younger brother Ethan be baptized. While he was in line to be next I heard this audible voice talk to me. The voice said “Go and follow me, Show me your faith and I’ll show you mine.” So I went down to Evan and his dad Gary, I asked them if I feel like I should go up there and claim Jesus as my savior should I go? They both answered yes with a huge smile on their faces.
I went up that day and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Since then I have prayed daily about not having negative thoughts about harming myself and hopefully eventually not needing to take my anti-depressants anymore. It is now November 24, 2014 and with the help of my Savior, my therapist and my friends and family, I have not had another thought about harming myself or ending my life.
I am now working on forgiving the two men that hurt me those many years ago. I am a new person. I am finally me. No more being “that girl” who suffers from depression. No more being “that girl” who was abused. No more being “that girl” who doesn’t follow Jesus. I am now a follower of Christ and will forever be changed.
Monday Motivation: Take a Seat
Hm, how about that? Take a seat? What does that mean?
I mean, take a seat. Sit down. Breathe for a minute. Things are constant in this world these days. Can we just sit down and pee for a minute? Can we eat something…and focus on the food?
Take a seat. Relax when you can. Some say you can rest when you finish the race. I think, in some cases, if you work yourself to death, you ain’t finishin’ nothin’.
Excuse me. I meant, you aren’t going to finish anything. Good grief.
Anyway, let’s slow down if only for a moment. Observe. Study.
Look at me, asking for this on a Monday. But that makes it all the more challenging. Love yourself. Find time for yourself.
Take a seat.
-Dante Writes
