The Joy-Tree
Roots of this amazing tree, are planted by the one…
Who looks, and beholds, a glorious spot, to plant inside of me
It’s watered by the rain that falls, by my Heavenly Father’s loving hand
Sustained by the sun-that-shines throughout this promised land…
Leaves, full, that overflow with the deepest green, more lovely than I’ve ever seen
This tree is treasured, its fruit is sweet…
Just one bite and I’m complete…
A fragrant flower that buds in spring… produces a fruit only He can bring…
The fruit of the Joy-Tree is a gift from God to me!
It sustains me in sickness
Gives life to a withered soul…
Takes away my sadness and leaves me content and whole…
The world can’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away…
So, let the love that God gives, plant the Joy-Tree in you today!
Joy, everlasting joy, is a fruit of the Spirit…
It’s contagious when you are near it…
Come, taste and see that it is good!
Paid in full, one Joy-Tree for anyone who will believe!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 4, 2020
John 15:5-11 New International Version
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
The Good News
Beautiful are the feet of Him,
The Son of God, who would lead them…
Disciples, he called, brothers…
Loved and adored by His humble, mother.
Born, as a wee babe, she counted each of His toes
Every mama knows…the sweetness of those…
Beginning his ministry, He walked the dusty roads
From Galilee to Jericho, then down the Via Delarosa
Feet, so beautiful, took him on His way,
Walking on the water, over mountains and valleys…
And carried him to pray
Teaching others, Our Father who art in heaven…
Proclaiming the good news, while spreading the Gospel
Some believed, but others were deceived by their own pride and greed.
They took the man, who was King from another land
And they nailed his feet to an old weathered tree…
But the story doesn’t end there, oh no, listen and believe…
He walked out from a darkened tomb; feet scared but soon
Was seen walking with His disciples…
Stepping into heaven…
And walking streets of pure gold…
Behold!
Beautiful are the feet of those, who carry, the Good News…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 21, 2020
Autumn Leaves
Like autumn leaves falling to the ground
The wind blows them all around…
To far off places, where they are found, in heaps of colors
With rustling sounds…
Our lives similar, for we are bound…
To earth’s seasons, we too, go round and round!
Cycles of life, in a span’s length of time…
Here for a while and then gone…
Leaving memories in scattered heaps…
Embedded in loved ones hearts they keep…
A remembrance like leaves, blown upon the wind…
Watching as new life begins…
Again, and again!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill – October 14, 2020
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 New King James Version
Everything Has Its Time
3 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
2 A time ]to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; 3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; 7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; 8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.
His Presence
Child, I want to say something to you…listen with all your heart and hear me as I speak to you. Lean in close, because I’m going to whisper.
I AM your Papa God…even though you feel as if you are all alone…listen to me…I AM here with you, right now. I hear your heartbeat. I see your chest rise and fall as you breathe. I can smell the fragrance of your skin and I feel your tears as they fall, because I catch them and hold onto them. You can’t see me or hear me or even recognize my presence because you are caught up in your own hurt and confusion. But child, I am right here with you!
I hold you in the night. I rock you in your sleep. I watch over you and protect you I will not let you fall. I’ve heard others as they’ve prayed for you and I’ve answered every prayer. Not in the way you may have expected but my no is sometimes a yes and my yes is sometimes a no. But I’ve always had your best interest at heart. I know and see what you can’t see. In your times of anger, and disappointment I’ve been right there. I held the hand of your loved one as they passed from this life into the next and I welcomed them with a great big hug. Home, they are now safely home.
Listen, see the wind blow over all the earth it moves in ways that are incomprehensible. That’s me. I move in ways that are incomprehensible. When you think there is not going to be an answer and you feel that all hope is gone and despair begins to set in…child don’t give in to those feelings…have faith and remember to draw near to me…be aware of my presence for I am in you and with you and all around you. You only need to be aware and step into my realm of peace and joy and love and strength and faith and grace. Yes, My Grace, is sufficient for you.
I’m that friend that is always available 24/7. Do not neglect our friendship. Stop, right now, and acknowledge me for who, I AM. I am here with you right now. Let my presence wash over you and receive the joy you are longing for. Receive the love I long to bestow upon you. Receive the help that is here for you right now, by setting your mind and heart in that serene place with me. Lean in closer child. Let me make known to you the joy of life by embracing me in this moment. For in my presence if fullness of joy. Jesus first, other’s second, yourself last. The first shall be last and the last first.
You are not alone. You are not defeated. You are not a loser. You are my child, and I love you totally and completely. I do not condemn you. I forgive you and I hold you in the palm of my hand.
Take my hand child. Let’s walk and talk together for a while. It’s in the stillness of my presence that you will gain power and love and strength to face every obstacle. All you have to do is make the conscious effort to listen and embrace me.
I love you more than the air you breath…I am only a heartbeat away…
Love forever,
Your Papa God…
You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in your presence. Pleasures are by your side forever. Psalm 16:11 GOD’S WORD Translation
~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 12, 2020
The Glory-Song
You deliver me from the pit, a place of solitude, where I am unfit
To stand in the market-place and show others my weeping face…
I’ve come to realize; I must release this bitter waste…
Then out of the depths of my soul, the glory-song is sung, I will make haste…
To sing of His great joy and love, while here in the human race…
Even in my deepest suffering, even when there’s no joy upon my tongue…
I lift my weary head and sing the glory-song!
You, O Lord, are my strength, my hero, the Savior of my soul…
Even when I can’t see your light, for great darkness overshadows me
Even when all seems lost, and there’s no offer of company…
When death summons those I love, and fear beckons everywhere…
I will sing the glory-song!
Rejoice, O my soul, and do not be cast down…
For God is in His heaven and wears a holy crown
Of righteousness as new healing comes, riding upon His wings
I am redeemed…
Sing the glory-song…
Then glory-light comes shining through…the sky once gray is now a vibrant blue…
Victory is mine, it comes rushing thorough
By Yahweh’s hand, as I heed his command,
And sing the glory-song!
I’ll stand up on my feet and SHOUT…as the demons tremble and run about…
For the glory-song, is sung, with peace and joy by the blood of our King
I will give my heart and sing…
High Praise to the Holy One today…
Anxious thoughts and endless torment bow before the Lord!
Gone in an instant when I sing the glory-song…
The Presence of the Living God restores and sets me free…
He’s the gateway, the pathway, the only way to live…
This sacrifice of joyous praise, Lord, I give!
I will sing the glory-song!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 5, 2020
Dedicated to Rosa Maria Gandy on this day, the date of her birth. She’s been living in heaven for a very long time now (since 1992). Oh, what a glorious, glory-song she sang while here. We must not give in to the enemy who comes to kill our joy and life! He comes to steal our testimony and our voice. He comes to destroy our legacy and our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. If Maria was here in her physical body today, she would say… “Keep living, keep sharing while you are here. For there are so many who are hurting and need to see the glory-light of Christ Jesus living in you, no matter what!” In fact, while she lay on her hospital bed in and out of consciousness, she told me about a dream she had. She said the Lord took her over the earth and showed her multitudes of people they were like zombies and the devil was leading them off a high-cliff into the pit of hell…she said, “Marla, I won’t be here to tell them, so you must warn them. You will have to tell them. Don’t listen to the lies of the devil. Tell them to keep their eyes on Jesus and they won’t be deceived.” I don’t know if I have ever shared this with anyone before, maybe my mom years ago. I told Maria I would tell them. And so, this is one reason I write. I’m not a spokes person I can’t stand in front of a crowd and preach so my poems and what I write in my blog are my sermons. It is my way of giving what the Holy Spirit gives to me to share. The word, the Holy Spirit gave me at the beginning of this year was, Obedience. I’ve tried to be as obedient as I possibly can. I am attacked often by the enemy in my body and it gets so hard sometimes to not give in to the flesh. Today has been particularly trying…But I am an overcomer and I will obey as much as lies within me. We have to shake ourselves and persevere…DO NOT GIVE UP! So much is at stake. Lives are being shattered and bombarded by the enemy but you know what?? God is greater! In Jesus name! We as children of the Living God must keep going and pray for one another. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 KJV
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Psalm 118:17 KJV
www.becourageousbehold.com
Take the Ashes Lord…
Sitting in sackcloth and ashes…
My heart cries out to thee…
Take the ashes Lord and return to me…
All that has been stolen, let repentance rise to thee…
Prostrate and undone, waiting to see…
All of your glory Lord, I cry bitterly…
Let the winds blow the ashes of my sins into the sea…
Take the ashes Lord, for I am guilty…
Your blood flows to set me free…
Take the ashes Lord, take all of me…
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
Jesus, it is in you I trust…
Take the ashes of a broken, contrite heart
Restore my soul, shine your light into the dark,
Places of regret and unbearable sorrow…
Where, I let you down,
I wore unbelief as a tarnished crown
Arise, shine my little one, your ashes are replaced
With beauty and forgiveness
Come and sip the new wine, Come to me and taste…
To see that it is good, your old life erased…
No more tears, no more sorrow
Rising on the morrow, is joy, unspeakable joy…
Death has no more hold on you
There will never be a sting…
I will take the ashes child and throw them to the wind…
Into the furnace of my great love I will send…as a sweet-smelling savor,
To the Father on His throne…
He will answer, my child, welcome home…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill September 30, 2020
Isaiah 61:3 The Passion Translation
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Isaiah 61:3 Or “beauty for ashes” or “a garland (of flowers) or headdress.” There is an interesting wordplay in the Hebrew text. The word for “beauty” is phe’er, and the word for “ashes” is epher—simply the moving of one letter. God has the power to change and move things around in our lives to make them into something beautiful. See Rom. 8:28.
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Isaiah 61:3 Or “joy, gladness.” See Heb.1:9.
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Isaiah 61:3 Or “(robes of) mourning.”
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Isaiah 61:3 Or “a splendor-garment.”
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Isaiah 61:3 Or “the spirit of failure.” The Hebrew word for “heaviness” (keheh) comes from a root word for “dark, dim, obscure, colorless, gloom.”
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Isaiah 61:3 The oak, a hardwood tree, was used to make yokes for oxen and symbolizes strength, might (or mighty men), stability, conviction, uprightness, resoluteness. This could be the Quer-cus calliprinos, also known as the Palestine oak. There is a Palestine oak not far from Hebron that has been estimated to be 850 years old. “Oaks of Righteousness” points to a godly, spiritually mature people who will know the righteousness of God and walk in it. Jesus, the Tree of Life, multiplies himself in us so we become trees of righteousness. A Tree became a forest.
Dare 2 Love Event – Real Talk with Rosy – Love & Loss
I’m posting this flyer to let you know there is going to be an event on Zoom, Thursday at 7pm. The ID and passcode is on the flyer but I’m also putting here incase you can’t read it. Zoom ID: 871 0407 7486. The passcode is: 803490
Rosy is a very dear friend and sister in the Lord who is hosting this event. The guest speaker is a Life Coach and Grief Coach. Her name is Pamela Weaver with an MA, ACC, CPLC. She’s a Christ Centered Counselor. There will be tips to help deal with grief and loss and lots of information regarding this subject along with a discussion with questions and answers. If you or someone you know has struggled or is struggling with the hurt and pain of losing a loved one, please share this information with them so that we can experience love and expect healing and ways to deal with the suffering.
I wouldn’t normally share something like this on my blog but I feel so strong about what’s going on all around us today in our lives and in the lives of multitudes of ladies. God has impressed on Rosy’s heart to have this event. I hope you will come and that you will share it with every woman you know.
Thank goodness for technology, that we can come together in one accord through Zoom, in the comfort of our own home and find hope and strength among others with similar experiences.
God bless you. I hope you will come!
Love and blessings,
Marla Shaw O’Neill September 29, 2020