With privilege comes Responsibility. Those not up to the Responsibility do not deserve the privilege. -Hadassadajah C. Akusani "The mother of James and John . . . brought them to Jesus and respectfully asked a favor. 'What is your request? he asked. She replied, 'In your kingdom, will you let my two sons sit on two thrones next to yours? 'But Jesus told her, 'You don't know what you are asking! Then he turned to James and John and asked them, 'Are you able to drink from the terrible cup I am about to drink from? 'Yes' they replied, 'we are able' 'You shall indeed drink from it, he told them. 'But I have no right to say who will sit on the thrones next to mine. These places are reserved for the persons my Father selects' . . . Jesus called the (other disciples) together and said, 'Among the heathen, kings are tyrants and each minor official lords it over those beneath him. But among you it is quite different. Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must be your servant. And if you want to be right at the top, you must serve like a slave. Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many" -Matthew 20:20-28 Here in this scenario, the mother of these two disciples of Jesus was not content that they were among his chosen twelve apostles. She wanted them to be granted special privilege of being seated on thrones beside the heavenly king! While Jesus remarked that that privilege of selection belonged to his Father, he taught a valuable lesson here in humility and responsibility. In the scenario above, the other ten disciples felt that James and John-if it was indeed their desire (and not merely that of the mother) had quite a nerve desiring such positions of prominence. Jesus, in his response, showed that with privilege comes awesome responsibility, and if one is not up
I seen this book advertised in one of the groups where our writers advertise their books, and I totally wanted to read it instantly. My very most favorite type of books are and always have been: true stories. This is also something I enjoy watching on TV, and video as well, learning about people and history, and their way of life, is personal, and I feel it is truly inspirational for so many people. And somehow, there are always life changing events, that impact the reader, as well as the writer who wrote the book itself.
This book, “Who Said it Couldn’t be Done” truly blew me out of the water. There was so much, I mean just so much. I couldn’t put it down. I read it in one night, while crying my eyes out, and yelling at different people, including God and Denise’s own Mother. And yes, I even yelled at Denise too. I just went through so many emotions, and disbelief.
And then afterwards, I went directly into a writers block. Denise can vouch to you that I read this book a week prior to it being posted. I don’t know if it was the book, or that I even spoke to Denise personally over the phone. And no, she isn’t the first, and won’t be the last writer I speak to personally.
But the events in her life, they just—they just will wake you the reader up. To life, and real life people. Especially since these kinds of things are currently still happening even today, and sometimes even worse. Even today, there are even more drugs, and people are even more violent, to the point of doing drive by shootings over drugs.
My Word program is having an issue with my grammar as I write this review, pointing out that it is improper. But this review is going to be point blank and honest, and in order to do so, my grammar may not be perfect.
This book written by Denise Jones, who was once known by DJ, a woman who wore a strap on, and looked like a man, that scared everyone in sight. Denise was a beautiful sweet innocent little girl, and an unplanned pregnancy, because her mother, like a lot of other young people- didn’t know any better. Don’t get me wrong, her mother knew, but her mother also loved the boy. They were best friends, until that one day that is. The day that Denise was conceived.
Denise was raised by a religious grandmother because of her Mothers age. And Denise shortly thereafter, had other siblings, because her Mother was always in the streets, trying to make money, and get her own score. The streets led to all kinds of things, including sex and pregnancy, not just drug abuse.
Denise ended up raising her own siblings, once her own mother felt that she could get her children, and make it on her own, against her own mothers better judgment. At first, Denise was excited, as were the other children, and at first, they were a happy family. But that didn’t last.
The one nice thing Denise find coming home to was after school one day, and the walls were freshly painted, and new curtains were up. Denise was excited. That meant Mom must be doing better. She could hardly wait for her Mother to return home to tell her how excited for her she was. But days went by, turning into weeks.
Their Mother would drop off food stamps and money from time to time, but it wouldn’t always last. Denise would have to send out her siblings to beg for bread and a few other things on occasion. She would scrape together coins, to go to the Laundromat to wash their clothes, that’s when she wasn’t washing them at home in the sink or tub.
When their Mother would take the time to pop in, if Denise would question her, like: “Where have you been?” and “When are you gonna stay here?” or anything on the norm, it would result in fists flying. So eventually Denise just learned, by way of biting her tongue to keep her mouth shut.
Eventually Denise ended up unable to continue her education, because basically she became a full time Mother to her siblings. Making their meals, washing their clothes, getting them ready for bed, you name it, everything a ‘normal’ parent would do.
After a while Denise wanted to know what life was like outside of the home, and in the neighborhood, so she began exploring. She found neighbors, and became friends with a few. Everyone expected Denise and the boy to match up, but instead, her and her best friend a girl, became best of friends, and even fell in love with one another.
Denise didn’t want anything to do with men, all she ever heard or seen from them was bad, and all she ever anticipated out of them, was the worst. She knew she never wanted to be with a man, and as she started learning about her sexuality, it was then that she started realizing that she didn’t even desire men.
In the meantime, Denise’s mother was getting worse and worse, and gaining the reputation as a pimp, and now had a nickname: “Dirty O.”
When I first read the nickname, I laughed. But it wasn’t a name, nor a force to be reckoned with. Dirty O, would bring home people, have orgies and sleep all over the house. However, she at least did have the decency to make one rule: stay out of the one room, where my children are, and stay away from them.
The story goes on and on, of child abuse, neglect, and hatred, and drug usage. And then it proceeds to open up further whereas Denise learns her way around that world herself.
In the beginning, you feel sorry for Denise, and how she was raised, but as time goes on, she turns out to be just like her mother, all over again, and in some cases, even worse.
God keeps prying at her, but Satan keeps winning.. .. over and over again. Satan has a strong hold on the poor girl, and a good grip I might add. Because even Denise knows God wants in, but she just doesn’t want to give in.
Denise is convinced that if God loved her, her Mother wouldn’t have been just a lousy Mother in the first place. She lets the Devil play with her mind. She toys with more drugs, and women, and even almost dies several times, but obviously God has a purpose and a plan for Denise.
She attends church every so often, and as I explained, God and Satan have been playing tug of war with DJ and her spirit and soul for quite some time. And I honestly believe, they started with her Mother first, and felt, yeah, let’s keep battling with this family. Only the strong will survive. But both of these women managed to put the Devil to shame in the long run!
Let me tell you, there are so many points in this book, that are just so freakishly out there. One time I thought for sure that Denise was going to die. I was reading, and scared to death. Denise, her hand was just barely hanging on to her wrist and arm. She crashed through a glass doorway to try and save herself, and almost died. The hospital they took her to, sends her to another hospital to die, and even called her own Mother, to inform her that Denise would be dying shortly, and to be prepared. But, low and behold, Denise proved them wrong, because that hospital decided to perform surgery on Denise, and save her. That and God. He stood above her and said, and these are my words, “Denise I have plans for you, you are to write your life story, and share it with people, and tell them about Me!” Remember, that is what I will bet my bottom dollar God said in Denise’s ear, because He obviously had big plans for her.
Denise used to want to die, she didn’t care. Drugs weren’t solving her problems, her own Mother didn’t love her, and she felt like a failure. But still, Denise is here with us.
Eventually, Denise’s own Mother, the famous Dirty O found the Lord. She was going to Church. She prayed for her daughter, she prayed for forgiveness, she prayed for strength, and she prayed that the Devil would find his way out of their family.
Denise was shocked at the sight of her own Mother, rather than say hello to her, she asked her where her gun was. She didn’t call her Mom either, she called her Dirty O. Her Mother, only smiled in return, and says, “You ask where my gun is, no hello Mom? Just where is my gun?” As Denise stood in front of her mother with her hair all beautiful, who stood their in a dress and heels.
Denise’s own mother kept praying for her daughter, so did the people of the church as well as the pastor. Everyone helped focus their prayer and sights on turning DJ back into Denise. Day in and day out.
Denise and Satan kept fighting back, never allowing God in, until one glorious day when the pastor point blank called out to Denise. And Denise, as she sat in that pew, knew God wanted in and Satan was working on a quick exit. The pastor didn’t stop. He called to Denise several times, until finally, as Denise felt like she needed assistance in walking up to the front, the pastor came to her, and laid his hand upon her. It was then that Denise knew, Satan was on his way out, and God was on His way in. She could feel the hand of God pulling her, and wanting in, and she knew it was time.
As she was in front of the Church, people gathered around her, and they were praying over her, and rejoicing, and Denise started shaking. Denise could feel the spirits, rebuking from her body. She said the one that was the hardest to exit her body, was the sin of lesbianism. It fought the hardest to stay, and the longest, but finally after a long time, of prayers and rejoicing, and rebuking Satan, the demon left her behind.
For Denise it was one of her most glorious days. It was a long spiritual change, and she struggled greatly, and almost had a relapse, but fortunately God had control of the wheel.
Denise ended up getting a real job, it last for several years, and she was very proud of it. But eventually, she ended up losing it, by way or promotion, when they checked her past. One more time, Denise questioned God’s motives. But she wasn’t letting God guide her at the time, and she was ignoring His signs. Here what He was trying to do, was make Denise finish her education.
Denise went back to School, and at first, she found it extremely hard. But fortunately, she found someone to encourage her and help her, and guide her, besides God. And she kept pushing forward. Eventually Denise obtained her G.E.D. and with that, she gave a graduation speech, that told her life story, and opened people’s eyes, to: “Who Said it Couldn’t Be Done” but just in its earlier stage, a verbal thought. Once she shared her insight, it was then that Denise obtained herself a scholarship to further her education!
This story will enlighten you, and bring you to realize that there is a light at the end of the tunnel: God. And for every wrong turn you have made, it could be because you haven’t let Him guide you, and maybe you have made a wrong turn somewhere. Maybe it’s time to rethink your life, just like Denise did, and let God take the wheel.
God loves you, and just because you have made your life choices, and the way they are, doesn’t mean they are right or wrong. If things are going good for you, then maybe you are on the right path. But if your life is terrible, then maybe you are on the wrong road.
Denise shares with you her own personal experience in her story, a real life painful experience that brought her away from Satan to the Lord. From trials and tribulations and all this to see the way of the Lord, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I have found a perfect verse that I think represents the way God was showing Denise unto him, allow me to share with you this from the KJV John 1 verses 1 through 5: 1.) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God. 2.) The same was in the beginning with God. 3.) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4.) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5.) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. The reason that I have chose this passage is because I think it represents how God was trying to shine His light, and open His doorway, and see His way into Denise. At first, Denise was unsure, and always fighting, because Satan was stronger. But eventually, DJ weakened, and Denise and God won against Satan. Now don’t mind me, you may take this verse differently, because many people do in fact translate the bible differently. That’s why religion is one of the biggest argumentative around.
If you ever want to hear Denise’s story, she is willing to share her story publicly, and help those less fortunate, in hopes of teaching them about our Lord, and helping people to make a difference and change their lives. Denise is now a personal spokes person for the Lord, she is always willing to sing the praises of our Lord, and help anyone else to see that He is the way, the truth and the light.
I give this book, “Who Said it Couldn’t Be Done” an absolute perfect score. Five stars and then some, because you will get to feel every single emotion you own. This book is a very emotional read, and truly eye opening. I would suggest that if you like true stories, that you read this. Denise truly opens up her heart and soul to you, and then shares with you just exactly how she expelled Satan and found the Lord. A truly real life, religious and enlightening experience for any reader. This book is worth your time effort and money to read, and after you read it, you’ll want to share it with others.
If you want a raw, blatant, disturbing, inspiring story to read, "Who Said It Couldn't Be Done?" by Denise Jones is such a book. I have not read such an honest and thorough look at a side of life that I have seen but not lived and couldn't understand since I read Dopefiend by Donald Goines during August of 1975. Wow....I am afraid that I can't do this book justice but I will write this review of this hurtful, powerful novel and experiences of this woman as I feel it. Having witnessed first hand the actions of some dopefiends and results of others actions as I grew up near 47th Street in Chicago, I knew many of the truths when I read them.
Denise Jones has written a story that is filled with despair, fear, hopeless and pain as it goes on until she chooses another path for her life to take. This story spans the avenues of neglect, abuse, unfairness, unfair child labor, drugs, rape, chosen lesbianism, crimes, pimping, fear, near death....and I could go on and on. As she recounts her life, one sees these activities as they unfold and at many times with awe and shock. This story has answered or helped me learn of things that I have been curious about for nearly 36 years.
Ms. Jones did an exceptional job telling her story that literally keep you wondering "what else could possibly happen to her but death" and there was always something else. As this woman survived then learned to live after given up her street life for one of hope, faith, strength and fortitude I cheered her on and rooted for her successes. Denise Jones I convey to you that I appreciate you sharing your story, applaud your thoroughness and honesty as this story is destined to help someone.
It is very hard to rate this book as this is someone's life, whose to say what rating it should have as it just is. I give this novel a 5 stars for it's honesty and thoroughness. I give 5 stars to the gift of experiencing this raw, blatant, disturbing, inspiring story. I give this story a 5 stars because of the survival and triumph. I give this author 5 stars for sharing her story and living through it!!
It is rare to find a book that provides readers exactly what its synopsis says it will be. In Who Said It Couldn’t Be Done by Denise Jones, readers are introduced to the story of a woman who fights to transform her life. Denise was raised in Chicago to a mother who allowed her child to witness things no young child should ever know about.
Denise becomes a product of her environment by following the footsteps of her mother. She knows poverty, drugs, incarceration, and even lesbianism because she lived it. One day Denise encounters the Word of God and her life starts to change. Denise turns everything over to Him and realizes that through Him she can overcome anything. God becomes her strength.
Who Said It Couldn’t Be Done is a remarkable story of a woman struggling with her identity, sexuality, and learning to overcome her strongholds. The author gives true account of her life with no holds barred. The story is powerful, heartbreaking, and educational. It will help readers understand that there is always someone else that has it harder than they do. Denise’s story will teach others to not complain and to believe that a change is going to come. I recommend this story to those who are looking for a second chance at life.
This book was about Denise Jones and the trials and tribulations of her life! She was a thief, a lesbian, a dope fiend, etc. She went through a lot before she was finally delivered to be Saved. This book is a real page Turner. It was awesome.
Who Said It Couldn't Be Done? Is the story of Denise Jones' life from a baby into adulthood. It's a powerful testimony to what God can do when you allow him to do so. This book also made me look at my own faith and what I truly believe.