SOUL

Soul

One tiny breath was all it took…

God blew and then a man he shook

Waking a living soul…

Down through the ages countless they are…

Numbered more than all the stars…

The tiny soul emerges…

They’re all around us but we can’t see

What makes the soul, inside you and me?

God's breath...

The soul God gave never ceases to exist…

The soul of man lives, throughout the ages…

Dark or light which will yours be…

Heaven or hell, eternally...

As Jesus calls your soul, set free

Live in love’s serenity…

Tiny souls release your faith…

Accept the light of brightest hope

Be born anew from this first fruit

His Kingdom come, is born, in you!

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill December 30, 2015©

Mama's Bible

 

Its dawn, morning is breaking and I see it…

A sunbeam rests upon it, laying there in the familiar spot

The book…

Read from cover to cover, pages worn and written upon

Tear stains of memories and prayers, some answered, some still to be…

in my mama’s bible…

I watched her read it many times; her heart restored, as she kept the words of life

This Holy book is full of mysteries, stories that live in pages of red, black and

white…

Morning, noon, and night and even in between...

She read God’s word; would quote it, and tell you what it means…

Better than a pill you take, and certainly more satisfying;

The bread of life is sown upon, the pages, even when dying…

Oh beautiful are the feet of those, who spread the gospel message

Prophets and saints of old, died to give us passage…

Into the texts we read this book, wanting and longing, for just another look

Words of wisdom scribbled on edges, of my mama’s bible…

Nothing dearer, could she have given,

Than her old tattered bible, when she went to heaven…

A legacy of life is felt, as I watched her, at her bedside, when she knelt

Praying and reading her bible…

Help me God to do the same, this I pray in Jesus name…

I’ll keep reading mama’s bible.

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill December 28, 2015©

I'm Here

I'm Here

Afraid and alone I face my foe

Fear grips my heart in this valley of woe…

Spirit rises within my soul

I grip the hand of God…

Voice rising in spirit song…

He hears His language as I hold on…

Touches and heals all that is wrong…

Fear vanishes…

Doubt is gone…

Touched by the hand of God…

By Marla Shaw O’Neill December 25, 2015©

Mark 5:34 New Living Translation (NLT)
34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

 

I Saved a Seat For You

 

 

 

 I Save A Seat for You

I’ll meet you in the morning light
When the sun is shining and the sky is blue
Work all done, play complete
Come on, I saved a seat for you
Then we’ll see all the ones we’ve missed
While on the earth below
Singing songs of mercy to heaven as we go…
Amazing grace how sweet the sound…is heard here all year round
Unheard music and melodies fills the renewed soul…
With peace and joy that’s found here, more precious than has ever been told

You see,
When Jesus came to Bethlehem, lived, then died on Golgotha’s hill
A sealed tomb, they thought would keep him, and it did until…
He rose in victory, the Son of God, He loved us then, He always will
We’ll all be going home one day, what joy will then be given
To all the ones whose hearts are right because they’ve been forgiven!
The sky is blue, with clean fresh air, sun is shining…I’ll meet you there!

By Marla Shaw O’Neill December 23, 2015©

1 Corinthians 2:8-10New Living Translation (NLT)
8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”[a]
10 But[b] it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.

Share Kindness

I found a little kindness and used it just today

Each time I see someone in need, I give it all away…

I look within my heart, and more comes back to me

Kindness is a precious gift, a blooming, fragrant tree…

I plant some in the marketplace, where people come and go

They smile, and I see, the kindness I bestow...

Though kindness is a little thing, I just want them all to know

Sow kindness in another’s heart and watch it begin to grow…

Marla Shaw O’Neill December 23, 2015©

God's Grace Will Carry You...

 

Weeping
It does not cease
I try and try but all I do is cry…
I know you wouldn’t want this
But nothing satisfies
Nothing feels the same anymore
Our talks are over and done
I know you’re in a perfect place
Your battle has been won
But I must go on living there’s nothing to be done
I can’t bring you back
And wouldn’t even if I could
Please help me Lord the pain goes deep
I sure wish you would
Fill the hole within my heart and bring healing to my soul
Just a little longer Lord, on this journey I must go
Fill me with your joy once more 

Oh I love you so…
There’s loved ones gone and loved ones here
Let me see your smiling face
Fill me with your everlasting, sweet, amazing grace…
To carry on and not to waste the life you’ve given me
Until at last your precious face I finally embrace…

Marla Shaw O’Neill
December 17, 2015©

 

HE STOOD UP

Lowly baby,

 

 King of kings

Walked among us,

Praise His Holy Name

Arrested, beaten, nailed to a tree

Proved His great love by dying for thee

Behold, he didn’t stay in the grave as you thought

He took our sins we’ve been redeemed, blood bought

Look!

 

I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man,

Standing

 

At the right hand of God…

55 But Stephen, filled by the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw God’s glory, with[a] Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, 56 “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

Acts 7:55-57Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Marla Shaw O'Neill December 17, 2015©

 

For You

Cries so deep no sound is heard

Paralyzing and crushing, mind in agony

He’s pouring out his soul with great drops of blood

Can we do nothing but stand by and watch, while His disciples sleep

But…

This…

Must…

Be…

God’s son was sent for this purpose you see…

The angels stand ready…

‘We cannot interfere…the son of God is praying, can you not hear…?’

‘Abba, Abba, if it is your will, let this cup pass from me…’

Silence…from heaven…

‘Never-the-less, I will do your will…’

Marla Shaw O’Neill December 16, 2015©

 

Complete

 

 

¹⁸ And Hashem Elohim said, It is not tov that the adam (man) should be alone; I will make him an ezer (a helper) suitable for him. (Genesis) Bereshis 2:18 Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)


I’m longing for something,

In the garden of life;

Not knowing who, or what,

But Hashem Elohim, promised me a wife…

Awaking from springtime’s refreshing

Adam asks, 'What’s this I find, a woman, my kind.

Sleeping in the sunshine…curves that draw me near…

Her lips are full and beckoning as she speaks

‘Abba brought me here.’

A mighty rushing wind, sends rapture and ecstasy

Flooding my soul with delight, setting my spirit free…

A woman, Hashem Elohim, has made, for me.

Marla Shaw O’Neill December 16, 2015©

 

The Light

 

 

 

Behold...
The Light…
The Flame…
It shines through the darkness…
Thick darkness…
Cannot hide the light…
Great darkness…
Brighter light…
One tiny flame, dispels the darkness
His light can never be extinguished!
Behold...
The Light!
Jesus, the light of the world...

John 8:12 King James Version (KJV)
¹² Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

God's Word Last Forever

(The oldest tree in the world is a Great Basin bristle cone pine (Pinus longaeva) in the white mountains of California in Inyo National Forest. This gnarled old tree has been named Methuzelah and is estimated to be about 4,845 years old, which dates back to roughly the same time period as Noah’s ark. The exact location of the tree is kept a secret to protect the tree from the public though it looks similar to the pictures shown here.)

Moments fly like snow drifts in the wind…

Vibrant, glistening, fresh and new

Then melted to begin again…

The eyes blink

A generation extinct

Yet stays in memories then fade…

Cycling, God, made!

--Marla Shaw O'Neill

Adam, the first man, lived to be 930 years old (Genesis 5:5). Seth was 912. Five generations later, God took Enoch when he was 365 (Genesis 5:24). Enoch's son, Methuselah, died at 969 (Genesis 5:27). Methuselah's grandson Noah, ten generations after Adam, lived to be 950 (Genesis 9:29).

All of these men were born and lived many years. But after the Flood, life spans dropped. Why? That's a good question. Noah's son Shem lived to be 600 (Genesis 11:10-11). The next three generations died in their 400s (Genesis 11:12-19). But six generations later, Abraham lived to be 175. So, Adam was 930; ten generations later, Noah was 950; ten generations later, Abraham was 175 (Genesis 25:7). One can only imagine...maybe it was because their physical bodies were still close enough to the Garden's influence and God's provision of food and water that death was slower coming. No one really knows. It would be an interesting study.

But like that old serpent who whispered in Eve's ear, "Surely you won't die." He caused just enough doubt in Eve that she forgot about her loyalty to God. And taking a bite, die she did. Physically and spiritually...only through the blood of Jesus can we be restored to eternal life. Will you listen to that old serpent whisper in your, ear? Or will you choose to listen to God? I choose Jesus, he is the way the truth and the life!

(Worldwide, the average life expectancy at birth was 71.0 years (68 years and 6 months for males and 73 years and 6 months for females) over the period 2010–2013 according to United Nations World Population Prospects 2012 Revision,^[3] or 70.7 years (68.2 years for males and 73.2 years for females) for 2009 according to)
[The World Factbook.]
Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

Singing Brings Joy

 

 

God woke me up this morning with a song on my lips

The birds they stopped to listen, they didn’t want to miss

This, human, singing…making melody below…

Songs from the master for the journey as we go…

The little birds waited, to hear this song from you…

Happiness and sunshine like tiny drops of dew…

A blessing from heaven shines down upon you…

Singing brings joy, joy brings strength…

Strength brings courage…

Courage to wait…

They that wait upon the Lord…soon will be renewed

You’ll run and not grow weary…

You’ll walk and not faint…

So sing little song bird, your melody so sweet

And then before you know it, you’ll have little dancing feet!

Swirling and twirling, your joy will be complete!!!

31 but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

By Marla Shaw O’Neill December 7, 2015©
 

Broken Vessels

Broken vessel…
Lying in pieces…
No one to pick you up…
No one to hear you cry…
Stepping over the shattered, broken, vessel walks a passerby.
Never sees the pain or distress, upon your battered face…
Desperate for mending; just a touch of human grace…
But that would be too much to ask, from a solitary life…
No time for that; we all must wear, the hidden, faithless, mask…
Not knowing who; that bends to make the mends…
A hand reaches out; He does not demand…
He takes the broken pieces, rearranges them His way…
Now all the broken pieces are put together again…
New vessel standing strong and true…
The master, creator, did this for you…

Old things are passed away…
Behold!
All things, become, brand new!

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill December 2, 2015©
Inspired by my good friend/sister Charisse Sheppard

Warrior of Prayer

 The Whole Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we^[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.^{[b] 16} In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.^{[c] 17} Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.^[d]

 

Warrior of Prayer

 The battle weary warrior…

Fight’s long, hard and intense…

No matter what, He fights…

The enemy never tires...

Never retreats…

Never stops…

He kills, steals and destroys, all within his path…

When one is cut down, ten will take their place…

Where are you Warrior of the Living God?

Reinforcements commence…

No time to rest…or give up, or give in…

You must be strong and fit, in body mind and spirit

Strategy, alert, aware, there is no end to it…

If Brother Warrior faces defeat…another take his place

Pray long and stay, before, our Holy God’s, Majestic face…

Warrior of Prayer;

Be diligent be faithful…don’t look to the left or the right…

The Warrior’s creed is this…

It’s do or die, there is no retreat…

Lives hang in the balance...

You never leave your post…

Pray without ceasing, in the Holy Ghost…

You’re a Warrior of prayer; anointed for the task...

Don’t lose heart, stand true, stand fast…

Oh Mighty Warriors of Prayer,

Come join the massive fight...

For Jesus and His army has given us His Light…

For when…The Commander in Chief;

Splits the eastern sky…

Sword drawn; shielded;

We hear the battle cry…

The journey continues…

Renewed in Spirit…

We fly!

Marla Shaw O’Neill©12-02-2015

Our Help Comes from the Lord

 

Hope!

Terror in the street

Pressed by flowing tide

Multitudes are crying, dying

Nowhere to hide

RUN!

RUN!

RUN!

Death marching by,

Taking

One by one…

God help us

Shadow, darkness

Begun

Only one thought

Survive…

Psalms 91

 

Almost Home

Upon your withered brow

Wisdom shows

The hoary head

And tattered clothes

Bent, you humbly bow

Signs of the journey

Life has brought you through

 

Chosen wisely you have tread

You've given your life away

At life's end there's no regrets

None you need repay...

 

All to the I Am...

Your heart, mind and soul

Made everlasting love

Your eternal goal...

 

Walk on my child, take joy and know
You're journey's soon complete

A few more steps in this old world,
Home will be so sweet...

Ancient One

 

Ancient One

It's my turn

Life is Oh so short...

Upon this place of dirt and rocks

Water, snow and hills,

Stand fast...

Soon and very soon

I'll end my toil and tasks

To come and live with you

That's all my Lord, I ask...

The God Man

 

 

Softly whispering on the wind...

Come to me my beloved

Do not delay

I have a special purpose

For you, to do, today...

Enter into the presence 

Of the God man, your friend

I'm waiting for our meeting

Let grace and frolic begin

Unfettered, untethered

We win!

Mother's Song

 

 

Heart beat

Deep within her womb

Rhythmic music to the soul

Comforting and unafraid

I am...

Resting in the stillness

Surrounded by great love

my protection

Life flow

I grow

Her gentle song

I hear...

Keep my baby strong.

Abide in Me

 

 

Life force
Spirit most Holy
Give me your light...
So I may see, as you see,
Abide in me...
Stay and do not go...
When enemy darkness
Tries to snuff out your light
Let Holy Fire consume me!
 

From A Seedling to To a MightyTree For God

 Jude 1:20 (Expanded Bible)
20 But [ you] ·dear friends [beloved], ·use your most holy faith to build yourselves up [or build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith; C the whole body of true Christian doctrine and practice], praying ·in [in dependence on; or as directed by; or according to the will of] the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ ·to give you [that leads to] ·life forever [eternal life].
Last night as I was praying, I said, “Lord, there are so many in pain and hurting and are crying out for peace and help but they don’t really know how to receive that help. What can I do Jesus?”

His words came through loud and clear, “Build yourself up in your most holy faith, praying the Holy Spirit.”

“Ah,” I said, “Of course.”

Jesus told his disciples and his mother, as well as the other women in their group, to tarry (wait) in Jerusalem, until they were endued (endow with some gift, quality, or faculty, to put on, to clothe) with power from on High…He was going to send another comforter (The Promise) to them.

Luke 24:48-50 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

⁴⁸ And ye are witnesses of these things.

⁴⁹ And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.”

⁵⁰ And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.

The Holy Spirit is our comforter, our healer, our teacher, our helper, our deliverer. He is the Spirit of God!

Seek Jesus…ask Him to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit…He is willing and ready to fill a clean vessel, a vessel that has accepted Jesus, as the only begotten son of God. The Holy Spirit comes to reveal Jesus to us and helps us walk in the spirit so we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. (Three areas Satan tempted Jesus with in the wilderness and tempt us with today.) (Read Matthew 4: 1-11. and I John 2:16.)

Believers, brothers and sisters in Christ, you’re going to need that power in your life if you’re going to survive what’s coming…

He is that same power that raised Christ from the dead; He will give you discernment and the power to live in this world so that you will not be deceived.

Ask Jesus for the infilling of the Holy Spirit…and then, build yourselves up every day in your most holy faith…praying in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Who Will You Choose

 

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Standing in the shadows the death angel waits;

While people of the earth, unsuspecting their demise…

Doing what people do, going about their daily lives.

Heaven stands there watching; knowing there’s nothing they can do,

But watch in total stillness, as death comes to take these who,

Walk about and eat and drink in merriment and glee

Not knowing in a moment, they will no longer be…

While standing in this place called home…they’ll no longer see.

Darkness, terror and evil, and principalities,

Demons, that ride upon the wind, come to kill, steal and destroy,

 

The people in this world, they, crumble from within.

Are you ready should he come, to take your life today?

Or will you wait until tomorrow, by then it is too late

Some will enter heaven’s gate; while for others, hell won’t wait…

Your life is but a vapor, like the grass it withers’ and dies…
You’re given a choice today my friend, don’t wait for your demise…

Jesus is calling; don’t wait til it’s too late…
Put your soul within his hands…and trust him with your fate…

And if by chance, death calls your name…it’s heaven you will gain…

 

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16

 

 

Do You Hear That, God is Singing...

 

 

 

 

Zephaniah 3:17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

 

¹⁷ The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
    a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
    he will renew you^[a] in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing

 

You know how excited you get when you lose something and then find it...

Can you imagine how God must feel when one who is lost comes to him and is found...born anew...the light is turned on in their souls and they become a new creature in Christ...

There is a party that goes on in heaven when that happens, the angels celebrate!

 

But like this verse says God will exult over you with' LOUD SINGING!!!!!

Can you grasp the Creator of the Universe, the Almighty God, the Ancient of Age...Throwing his head back, mouth opened wide, lungs filled with air, he begins singing over you?

If you could comprehend that...
What would be the words of the song?

What would God sing over you?

Think about it for a moment...

Words like;

My precious child...my darling, my love, my sweet, sweet baby...

I've longed for you to come to me for the longest time...

I've counted the days; I've watched you from afar...

I've prayed that you would give your heart and life to me;
I gently wooed you...

I sang you to me...

And then with a loud boisterous song...the words rings out...
You're finally here with me...

I love you more than you can ever fathom, I will shower you with kisses and happiness

I don't have to wait another moment...
You are here, forever, in my heart!
I'm so thankful you are home.

 

Something to ponder...

God waits too...
He's merciful and gracious and longs to have a relationship with us!

But He will not go against our free will...

Give Him all your heart...
Just as you have that longing for your children to love you, and call you, when they are away...
God feels the same way~ 

And when one comes home...listen...
God is singing a loud song...
He is rejoicing...over one who was lost
But now is found!

 

 

The Giving Heart November 5, 2015

 

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
Psalm 51:17 (NKJV)

The Giving Heart

Surrender and Humility
Two friends that walk together

Surrender says I lay it down

Humility speaks without a sound

Pride will drive you to hold your own
In haughtiness and defiance

God looks for the broken heart
As it stands in contrite obedience

Humility bows before her foe

As Surrender walks down the rocky road

Right may stand within their grasp
At all the wiles of circumstance

But in the end, these two friends

Gain everything…

Victorious in giving...

They win.

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill November 5, 2015©

When God Calls Your Name

 

⁹ So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:9 - Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

When God Calls Your Name…

Searching for something
But what I just can’t tell
It’s just beyond my grasp
It’s just beyond that hill…

Tossing and turning through the night…
Who’s there…?
I wake in fright…
Someone is calling my name I hear…

Who’s there…?
I whisper again...
Straining to see, in the darkness I stare…

Heart pounding…
All senses on alert…

Silence...

Darkness; yet I see a tiny spark of light
Ears tuned, listening with intent, but hearing only...

Silence…

Then, within a millisecond…
A voice loud and clear
Shatters the void,
I am waiting to hear…

“Where are you, why do you run from me…?
I’m been calling you for many years…
Come, and see
The joys I have waiting for thee…
No need of money or script or purse…
What I have for thee is free…
Bought and paid for
Upon an old rugged tree…
Come home now…
Your struggle is through...
It’s time to rest…
I’ve been waiting here for you.”

My search is finished…
I’ve finally found
What I was searching for…
Not success…or fame…or material things…

But perfect peace in Jesus name!

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill October 28, 2015©

Remember Lot's Wife - Don't Look Back

But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Genesis 19:26

 Remember Lot’s Wife Don't Look Back

Was she a righteous woman...
Who stood in the shadow of her man...
Is there but ten who will follow
The God of Abraham....

Green pastures rich and flourishing
Peace and rest is found...
But in the sinful city her heart was hardened and bound...

Angels came to deliver them...
But she; apprehensive to leave,
For this was her life
This is all that she believed...

Come away from here make haste;
This place is destined for fire...
Take your family; flee…

Death is emanate; have no desire
To stay within this place
Judgment has come
There will be no saving grace...

Taking flight they hurry
Running through the night...
But the woman full of regret
Leaving all behind, memories of her past
Turns not heeding will this be her last…

Shutting out God’s word His messengers she spurned
Wanting her country, wanting only to return…
“Do not look back.” This was God’s command…

Just one look, that's all it took...
Her breath and life in that moment, forsook
As she turns to take one final look...

A Pillar of salt now stands…

Stone cold, lifeless...
Death from disobedience…
Oh, please, learn this lesson from the Holy Book...

Remember Lot’s wife, you women of worth…
Looking back only turns to regret and hurt…
Put away your idols, your past is gone…never look back…
Keep forging on...

Live in the now...
Heart rich and free…
For God has given His love to thee!
When he says go…don’t look back, just flee!

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill October 26, 2015©
Genesis 19:15-26; Luke 17:29-33

The Secret Place

 

The Secret Place

Come away with me to the secret place

The place of refreshing and peace

Come to me with arms held high

With heart humbled and free

Come to where there’s no despair,

No envy, no hatred, no fear

A place where only you and I

Relax, and take time to share

Sharing heartaches through years of shame
No judgment, no bitterness no blame
I’ll instruct you with wisdom and secrets so rare
Your heart will sing and dance again

I’ll carry your burdens for my burden is light
Hold onto your faith like an eagle take flight
Soaring over the mountain peaks
Don’t look to the left or to the right
Just keep me, in your sight

Cast all your care at my feet today
Lay your head upon my breast
Come to me with all your heart
Be childlike there and rest
I’ll keep you in my arms forever
And love you tenderly

 

Walk in my presence and you will find
My Grace is sufficient for thee
No fear or doubt to keep you bound
It’s faith that pleases me

Turn your eyes upward now and see my loving face
My feathers will cover and hide you, in our secluded place
No rejection will you see in me
No utterances of displeasure
As long as you walk in my presence my child
Goodness and Mercy will follow, you’ll see

Stay close beside me in the secret place
As you linger there and feel my embrace
See the scars of long ago upon my hands and feet
A crown of thorns, and bleeding side my blood and water fell
While hanging on a cruel tree upon Golgotha’s hill
Tis finished I cried, and tis finished still

Receive the joy and strength you need so others watching may know
That there’s life and peace, they too can have waiting there for them also;
And in this secret place they’ll find, angels watching silently
Standing in awe at the sight they see, the wonder, the mystery
All who dwell in the secret place will abide under the shadow of the Almighty!

Psalm 91

¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him. (NLT)

By: Marla O’Neill ©8/21/1988, revised 4/24/13

 

Silence... Revelations 8:1

 
Silence...

Time…
Stood…
Still…
On a
Tiny…
Ugly hill…

Earth…
Grew…
Dark…
He died!

Heaven…
Rejoiced!

Paradise…
Emptied…
Of…
Those…
In wait!

Breath…
Of…
Life!

Victory!

Death…
Took flight!

Risen…
Alive…
God…
Survived!

Salvation…
Blood…
Bought…

Jesus…
Waits…

Time...
Stands...
Still!

He
Comes!

Lamps...
Full...

Time...
To...
Go...

Silence...

Rejoice...
Evermore!

The Lamb Breaks the Seventh Seal
8 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll,[a] there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. Revelation 8:1New Living Translation (NLT)

(a. or book)

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill
October 16, 2015©

It Ain't About Me, It's All About Him

 

It’s All About Him

It’s not about me, myself or I; Oh no

It’s time about sharing what He says, is so

Not bickering or snickering on this or that

It’s not about things a tit-for-a tat

Where would we be if not for Him?

We’d be in the trash heap or out on a limb

Get rid of self, set it up on a shelf

Then let those creative abilities shine

Then you won’t have time to moan or whine…

Stop, look and listen for ways to be kind

After all it’s Jesus who says, “They are mine…”

It’s all about Him and not about us

Be seen in His, Hall of Fame and trust…

Getting rid of self, well, it’s definitely a must.

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill 92515©

The Carpenter

Carpenter working, sun up to sun down
Roman soldiers commanding more stakes, to be found
Christians to die on Golgotha’s hill
Your job is to give me more wood, from your mill
I cannot do this thing you ask
My hands only work for my God and His task
Then at your word you’ll see your last
You’re a carpenter, will this be you’re past…
You want me to give you a stake for my son
No!
This shall never be done…
And if you hang me, on a cruel tree
My God in heaven will set me free…
I am a carpenter, but I don’t work for thee!

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill 9.20.2015©

 

GUIDANCE

⁶ Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance.
1 Samuel 8:6New Living Translation (NLT)

G U I D A N C E -

God, U and I Dance!

I’ve cried off and on for two days, gentle tears but steady…I can sense her presence all around me. I miss her. So today I was reading something she wrote. Mom loved to take words, rearrange the letters and get a message from them…

Like my name. She looked at the word alarm on her alarm clock, rearranged the letters and came up with Marla. That was in 1954. There weren’t any names like that in Alabama when I was born. Today I have many friends, named, Marla. They are everywhere. LOL!

So in one of mom's sermons she took the word guidance and saw in it…God U and I dance. I don’t know if she read it someplace or if she saw it herself. But however it was found, God brought it to my attention today.

Can you imagine dancing with God? When my boys were little I’d have them stand on top of my feet and we’d dance together to God’s music.

Today I will stand on top of my Father God’s feet, letting him lead, and guide me as I rest in his embrace. We will dance together all around His throne room. I will also imagine that my mom is dancing there even now and I will let that vision fill my heart with JOY, knowing all is well in the presence of God!

God together You and I Dance!

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill 9.20.2015©

Forgiven Much; Love Much!

'Adonai…'
The room grows silent…
The woman bows to the floor, before the master and begins to weep.
Her tears wash His feet as love is poured from her heart
She breaks the alabaster jar…a years wages…
Fragrance permeates the air…gasps from the others staring in disbelief
As the woman touches the Rabi’s feet anointing them with costly oil…
A woman of sin, unclean. She must not touch him.
'Adonai my fair one, lover of my soul I adore thee.'
Tears flow from her eyes; eyes that have seen such heartache, rejection and pain
Broken and alone…she finds love she's never known. She kisses his feet.
She gently touches them with her hands, tender and with reverence … then she wipes them with her hair…not knowing that soon they will be pierced and nailed to a tree....
The others watch in disgust at the spectacle she makes of herself…
Jesus looks at the woman he does not reprimand her but allows her to honor him…
He looks at his host.

 “Who of you offered to wash my feet or kiss me, when I entered your home?"

Jesus knew the hearts of everyone present…He knew their sin….
To the woman he says, “Your sins are forgiven."

When you are forgiven much, you love much!

 

Adonai is the plural of Adon, meaning Lord, Lord, LORD, master or owner (the world Adon derives from a Ugaritic word meaning "lord" or "father.")

Luke 7:36-50New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat.[a] 37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”

40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.”

“Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.

41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver[b] to one and 50 pieces to the other. 42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”

“That’s right,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man that he goes around forgiving sins?”

50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

(Greek 500 denarii. A denarius was equivalent to a laborer’s full day’s wage.) These men sitting at the table said among themselves, “WHO IS THIS MAN THAT HE GOES AROUND FORGIVING SINS? Luke 7:49-50

They didn’t know him…they didn’t know they were sitting in the very presence of God…God they professed to be following. They had the look, the wealth, the clothes, the house, they were clean on the outside but inside they were lost, empty and blind. Jesus knew their hearts. What did he do? He told them a story.

Then He said to the woman, “your faith has saved you, go in peace.”

Jesus, help us today to sit at your feet and wash them with our tears. Let us kiss you and love you with a pure heart. Help us to love you by loving others. Not for what you can do for us, but because you are worthy to receive all honor and all glory. Amen

By: Marla Shaw O'Neill September 20, 2015©

Inside Out

 
Tiny cracks within the rock
I’m looking from the inside out
Brightest light of middle day
Burst; revealing; heart is true
The only one who sees, is me
Holy Spirit born of thee
Breaks the rock and sets me free!

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill ©September 17, 2015
 

Sarah what will you do today?

An excerpt from my book...'Sing Sarah Sing.'

“Sarah what will you do today?” God asked.

“Lord what would you have me do?” asked Sarah.

“Sing for me Sarah, sing the Angel Song.” God’s light shot out in every direction as He smiled.

Sarah closed her eyes and sang out through heavens portals.

Philomel spread her wings wide as she glided to the floor and escorted Sarah into the throne room. She smiled, stood to one side for Sarah to walk ahead, and said, “After you Sarah.”

A procession of angels stood with their wings spread out creating a radiant canopy over Sarah as she walked past each one. There was Rose-el, Sage, Garth, Stephan-Arrow, Zarta-el all the guardians of her life. Fifty generals, seventy musicians and one hundred infantry angels gathered on each side of the golden street; bowing their heads as she walked past. Showing honor and gratitude to a servant of God! A life lived in service for His Majesty the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Everyone in one accord began singing The Angel Song as Sarah entered into the very presence of the Lord!

She looked at her hands there were no wrinkles or crooked fingers from the arthritis; she stood without being bent or in pain. She didn’t hesitate she was giddy, she was young, her skin wasn’t brown or white…it glowed with the radiance of the master. Twirling in a dance of tremendous joy she could not contain her happiness. Her pure white robe an abundance of fine linen flared out in a circle around her like a ballroom dancer, she abandoned all thought of self …suddenly realizing she was in the presence of a heavenly host, she stopped. Standing before her was a glorious throne. Cheri bums and Seraphim fluttered around the throne joyfully. The music was energizing as it permeated the air around her. Then everything got very still. Sarah threw herself, face down on the floor as she recognized the master.

Unseen Hands

Unseen Hands

Lying prostrate before the Lord, she's alone praying in the stillness…

Tears of loss and tears of hope; rise before the throne…

Unaware of the angels presence, and the hands that hold her near,

They listen to her hearts cry, and this is what they hear…

‘Gracious, Loving, Heavenly Father,

Wash my heart today; I come humbly before you, please hear what I have to say,

There are so many dying, afraid, and fearful, they want to run away…

The pain and suffering in our world, grows stronger every day...

Savior, Healer, Provider; Maker and Keeper of all…

Draw them by your Holy Spirit, and do not let them fall,

Into the hands of the evil one, he kills their dreams and lives, steals their joy and salvation, then

destroys hope and sends despair.

Holy One they are blinded and lost without, a prayer…

But you my God have given me a heart of Warrior prayer…

A burden for lost souls, please grant grace, for their welfare…

I am only one, a warrior down on my face…before your throne O God, give us mercy and give us

grace…

Pray without ceasing….Hear the battle cries…

Save their dying souls Jesus, we don’t need to question, why…

Into your loving unseen hands, our victory relies!’

The angels wipe her tears away, at the anguish of the fight…

And in the midst of the climax they SCREAM…

‘GOD HEARS, AND WITH UNSEEN HANDS, DEFEATS THE DEVIL'S SCHEMES…’

You cannot see the fighting, going on in the spirit realm...

But unseen hands are there guiding, protecting; because of prayer fought upon the ground…

His sword is drawn, He strikes His mark…

Prayer He’s heard, from His warrior in the dark…

She’s on her face…before Her King…prayer destroying yokes of bondage, by His hands

unseen…

Fighting the demons, while on her face she wails…the battle rages on, freeing captives, battles

won…

Never let go of God’s unseen hand, even though, you don't understand, His strategic battle plan...

The grace, the mercy, the heart of God; beseeched in prayer by the warrior true; conquered demons to

set souls free…unseen hands are fighting for thee!

By: Marla Shaw O’Neill September 9, 2015©
^12 [a]For we wrestle not against flesh and ^[b]blood, but against ^[c]principalities, against powers, and against the worldly governors, the princes of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, which are in the high places. Ephesians 6:12.1599 Geneva Bible