The Works of Dr Dana R. Stevens

 At seventeen, I felt the unmistakable touch of God—and with it, a divine calling that would chart the course of my life. But I never expected this path would lead me into a three-decade battle—not with sin or unbelief, but with shame. Shame not for what I did, but for who I was.

At the center was my sexual identity, the one thing I was told made me unworthy of God’s love and unfit for His calling.

My Journey Through Shame is more than a memoir—it’s a soul-deep confession, a spiritual odyssey through the parts of ourselves most people try to bury. It’s the story of what happens when God’s unmistakable calling collides with religious rejection. Of what it means to be anointed yet alienated. Gifted, yet deeply afraid.

I was raised in a world—and a church—that taught me to be ashamed of who I was, even as I tried to love the God who had clearly chosen me.

Through childhood trauma, religious indoctrination, spiritual awakenings, and undeniable encounters with the Divine, I lived suspended in a relentless tug-of-war between the voice of God’s love and the voice of the church’s condemnation. And for years, I believed the latter. I wore their shame like grave clothes. I buried myself under their judgments.

But God never left me there.

Across decades of wrestling, weeping, and walking through fire, I discovered something radical: in every season, I wasn’t met with wrath, but with the fierce, unshakable love of a God who refused to let shame have the final word.

This book is for those who never fit the mold. For the judged and hated. For anyone who’s been told they were too flawed to be used by God. It’s for those carrying secret shame, aching not just for forgiveness but for freedom.

Because shame cannot survive where truth takes root.

And the truth is: You were never disqualified. You were never forsaken. You were never unworthy. Not for a single moment.

 In a world plagued by the insidious grip of racism, few are willing to confront its true nature. But within the pages of my gripping memoir, I invite you to embark on an extraordinary journey through the tapestry of my life, woven against the backdrop of Chicago.

Prepare to be enthralled as my story unravels with unexpected twists and turns, each revelation challenging the very foundations of your beliefs. With unflinching honesty and raw vulnerability, I peel back the layers to expose the deep-rooted truths about racism that society often overlooks.

This is not a tale for the faint-hearted. It is a fearless exploration that dares you to step outside your comfort zone and confront the uncomfortable realities we all too often shy away from. Emotions will surge and intertwine as I fearlessly share the triumphs and struggles that have shaped me into the person I am today.

Through vivid descriptions and heartfelt narratives, I will transport you into the heart of my experiences. You will witness firsthand the realities of a small town upbringing, the tumultuous encounters with racial diversity, and the profound impact of a spiritual journey that forever altered my perception of the world.

This is a story of resilience, love, and the untapped power that lies within each of us when we choose to embrace the unknown. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride that will leave an indelible mark on your heart and mind.

So, my fellow truth-seekers, buckle up, keep your emotions close, and allow the power of my words to take you on an unforgettable ride through the depths of racial prejudice. Together, let us unearth the truth that lies beneath the surface and forge a path towards a brighter, more inclusive future. 

 Within this book unfolds a revelation that profoundly altered the course of my life. A voice, transcending the everyday realm, proclaimed, "They are not cursed; they are my chosen, precious children." This epiphany revealed the deep-seated roots of the hostility faced by my Black family, uncovering a profound truth: my thirty years in Chicago were not merely spent living among a community labeled as Black or African American. Beyond mere labels like 'Negroes' or 'People of Color,' I was, in reality, amidst the Hebrews.

This narrative is not just a mere assembly of words. It is a voyage of discovery, a clarion call to awaken from a deep slumber of conventional narratives. Each page presents a challenge, beckoning the reader to embark on an exploration that traverses beyond comfort zones, urging a confrontation with truths long buried and deliberately obscured.

The contents of this book are not meant for passive consumption but are a catalyst for transformation. They provoke a re-examination of deeply held beliefs, nudging the reader towards a journey of enlightenment. As you turn each page, it is an invitation to embark on a pivotal journey, one that took years to culminate. This journey promises to pave the way for an awakening to the identity of the newly resurfaced Hebrews, offering a fresh lens through which to view the world and our place within it.

Join me on this enlightening expedition, not just as a reader, but as a fellow traveler seeking truth and understanding. Embrace the discomfort that accompanies learning, and allow it to forge a path to a more profound, more informed perception of history, identity, and destiny.