Bird-Song
I listen to the bird-song as she sweetly sings to me
Not knowing there’s an audience underneath her tree
Peace and reassurance float gently on the breeze
Little bird, singing her song, just for me…
Reflecting on life’s memories, I breathe,
Thank you God for giving life and a bird-song sung tenderly
Life has been difficult that’s the way of things…
But this bird-song made me stop and think,
We live in moments, which turn to years
Some happiness and some tears…
But through it all, on the early morning breeze
We’ll hear a bird-song floating through the trees…
And if we’re wise we’ll realize…
God sent a bird-song to lift us from our knees
Little bird…you’ll fly away,
But today~
I heard your song and sung along!
Marla Shaw O’Neill May 3, 2019
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Psalm 55:6 KJV
The Longing
Artist unknown
Holy Father, I implore you
Don’t take your Holy Spirit from me
Let me know you,
Let me see you,
Let me be near you…
O Holy God
Take this longing, I am giving
Wrap me in your arms again…
Holy Father, blessed Jesus,
Let me feel your love begin…
When I fall, don’t let me stay down
When I cry, lift me up…
Cast these burdens…that I carry
From this broken, dirty cup,
As far as the East is from the West,
Holy Father, I surrender
Help me pass this test…
Let your grace pour over me…
Your presence, Lord, is all I need
Without your presence I am wasted…
Like a desert I’m parched and dry…
Without your living-water to sustain me,
Precious Savior, I’d surely die…
Without your presence, I cannot survive…
Blackest, darkness tries to grab me…
But it can’t have me…for my life is hid in thee
Holy Spirit, send your fire; dust to ashes;
Create in me, a new spirit, with a new heart,
Draw me closer to your side…
There, blood and water, poured out to save me
Your presence gives me…
New life!
I’m meek and lowly, I’m new born, I’m free
Let me see you face to face…
Let me hear your voice of grace…
Wrap me in your presence Lord
For it’s in this sacred place…
I find my peace and rest…
Jesus, your blessedness…
Breathe in me…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 29, 2019
God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12 HCSB
Now Faith Is
Faith is not a feeling
Faith is not your will
Faith is not wishing for life to be still
Faith is substance, concrete and real…
A knowing, that no matter what, you know, God will…
Faith is not pretending
Faith does not break
Faith stands through the storm
Faith gives, it doesn’t take…
Faith says, I surrender all that I believe
Into the mighty hands of God, then I receive
It’s trusting in the one that we cannot see
Faith is God’s amazing gift living inside of me…
It burns with confidence in the one who sets men free…
Faith pleases God…
Faith brings victory…
Faith says, if you do, or do not, I will believe…
Holy breath, breathe on me…
Walking on water…
Stepping out of the boat
Casting out demons
Giving hope
Healing the sick
Raising the dead
Preaching the gospel, telling what Jesus said…
Feeding five thousand with fishes and bread
Faith is living without misery and dread…
Faith is the key that opens the door
To unknown mysteries…when we walk with the Lord
For we walk by faith and not by sight
Don’t listen to doubt; don’t give up the fight…
Faith is God’s word, that when we walk by faith, everything will be alright!
No fear of falling into the abyss,
Faith is God’s greeting with a heavenly kiss…
Walking by Faith is God’s promise…
Invisible to visible, blessedness…
Now Faith Is!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 29, 2019
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Behold, the Lamb
Artist unknown
The shepherd watched as his sheep grazed in an open field
Unaware of their purpose, they ran and jumped and played
Little lambs, perfect in every way…
No fear of predator or foe…they did not know
That soon they’d be taken away…
Away from their mother where they nuzzled and supped
Away from the shepherd who would pick them up,
Stroke their head and carry them awhile…
Over rocky places for many a mile…
Lead them to still waters and green pastures to graze…
The little lambs would be taken today…
Baa, baa, said the little lamb
Frightened he shook, he didn’t understand…
Where is my mommy? Where is the shepherd?
Why am I here with this strange-looking man?
The priest took the lamb and held him tenderly
Laid him on the altar for God to see…
No spot, no wrinkle, no blemishes were found
Accepted as perfect; baa, baa, was the only sound
Feet bound, he killed the lamb
Another lamb was sacrificed, in Jerusalem, today
Jesus the Lamb of God, perfect in every way…
Baa, baa, said the lamb…
Blood spilled, from the great I AM…
No sin was found in Him…
He is, the perfect lamb
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 17, 2019
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 ESV
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Exodus 12:5 NKJ
“Dedicate to me every firstborn among the Israelites. The first offspring to be born, of both humans and animals, belongs to me.” Exodus 13:2 NLT
The Creator
Painting by Jeremy Winborg
He’s the one who spoke and the world began
Creator, designed and formed a man
In His own image, He made him…
Man and woman He created them
Through time and space God understood
The future, where, He could
Dwell in this place~ called earth…
His plan all along, was for her to give birth…
Holy Spirit breathed upon the maiden
God was conceived and rested within woman’s womb
His design now complete, would one day occupy a rich man’s tomb…
Hands that had formed woman-kind
Is now held by her to her breast
The God of all creation suckles and is blessed
The one, who created the sun moon and stars, now sleeps quietly under his masterpiece…
Hears His mother’s heartbeat…
Coo’s in summer’s heat…
Confined to mortality…
Understands how fragile life is for humanity…
He grows and knows His own story before it unfolds
In the garden, where life began
God had already designed the plan
He, would one day, become a man
That through a woman He’d have a son
Redemption for what His ancestor’s had done
Evil would be defeated
Love, won…
She wasn’t just to be a companion for Adam
Woman was God’s secret weapon
She would birth His son!
He would know heartache, and pain,
He’d feel joy and rain…
He’d laugh and cry…
Know the love of a mother’s deep sigh
He knew no sin…the perfect lamb
Our Creator, the Great I AM!
Spirit of God, child of woman…
Woman designed by God!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 15, 2019
From now on you and the woman will be enemies, as will your offspring and hers. You will strike his heel, but he will crush your head.” Genesis 3:15 Living Bible
The Crown of Favor
Drawing by Marla Shaw O’Neill
A crown of thorn and thistles
Placed upon my head
A lowly life and surviving is all I knew
Hungry beggar living in the streets
Unwanted, no one greets
Alone, destitute, dirty with no place to sleep
Wandering, meaningless no longer weeps
This was the way of the transgressor in the dark, filthy streets
Picking through the garbage for food, a book caught my eye
It was torn and worn and pages gone, just like me, so I took it home
Home to Vagabond Lane
I learned to read from a bag lady, she, once had been a teacher in society
Hard times came and she was left to fend for herself just like me…
Down the Alley of Tears, I found a quiet place
Opened the book and stared straight into the face
Of a man who wore a Crown of thorns~
It said, they took his clothes and beat him beyond belief
Then shoved the crown into His head~
They called Him, “King of the Jews!”
The crown I wore was nothing compared to the one He wore, and so,
I read on from the stained pages of the book…
This man, a King, had suffered many things~ but His life had meaning~
I read on and saw that this King was kind, full of hope and did the most miraculous
Things~
He had not come to serve, but to serve~
He loved, and they killed Him for it~
Then there on the pages of this worn old book~
I looked and saw these amazing words, and I shook~
Jesus was not dead, but alive~~
Right there in the Alley of Tears, I finally understood
It’s not how destitute my life had been, how broken and lost or pain within
And in my heart I took a long, hard look~
That very moment Jesus took…
My crown of thorns and brought me to Him~
He took His Crown of Favor and gently placed it on my head~
And then He said, “Take up your cross and follow me~
The road will be rocky, but in the end, there will be no more suffering~
In humility I stood with my new crown of Favor and walked down
The Alley of Tears to the street called, No Fear~
A man on the corner said, “I see you’ve met the King, you’re wearing His
Crown of Favor~
You’re coming home with me…
You see…
When you say yes to King Jesus, favor’s your best friend
No longer vagabond, or transgressor~
You’re royalty in the family of God~
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 12, 2019
Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:4-6
The soldiers assigned to the governor took Jesus into the governor’s palace and got the entire brigade together for some fun. They stripped him and dressed him in a red toga. They plaited a crown from branches of a thorn bush and set it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand for a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mocking reverence: “Bravo, King of the Jews!” they said. “Bravo!” Then they spit on him and hit him on the head with the stick. When they had had their fun, they took off the toga and put his own clothes back on him. Then they proceeded out to the crucifixion. Matthew 27:29-31
This was my conversation with God this morning.
My mama used to say, “Little is much, when God is in it.” This morning I was reading a book and it spoke loud to my heart…I began to cry and say, “Father, was my life wasted? Did I waste my life LORD?” Then without hesitation I heard Him say… “No, child, a life is never wasted. Who you have become has blessed me beyond measure.”
But Lord I feel so insignificant and now I’m old and there is so much more I want to do for you. I want to be able to touch more lives, to make an impact on people and to show them your great love. What can I do now Lord? How can I serve you better? I don’t have much strength physically but God my heart is passionate for you.
“Child I gifted you with that passion~ I gifted you to pray and to write~
Write for me child. Write and others will see me in your words for they are my words…you were young once and now you are old, but with that you’ve become bold…use what you have to bless me and you will be truly blessed and you will fulfill the call on your life.
Don’t look at what you don’t have
Don’t look at what others have
Use, what you do have for me and you will have everything you need, because your heart is centered on me.”
Never underestimate the little things!
Little is Much when God is in it
A young woman
A word
A donkey
A cave
A manger
A shepherd
A star
A lamb
A carpenter
A few fish and some bread
A boat
A net
A fisherman
A tree
Some nails
A tomb
Twelve men
And me!
Jesus used a blind man to bring glory to God. God used a donkey that talks, to save a man’s life. Jesus took pure water and turned it into wine…little things, make big things, and it changes lives, in the hands of God.
Whoever you are, whatever you’ve done, God loves you and wants you to know that you are not insignificant; in His eyes you are adored.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 10, 2019
John 9:1-12 The blind man.
Numbers 22:28 The talking donkey
John 2:1-11 Water into wine
Colossians 1:16 God created all things
Praise Pathway
Wading through the desert with staff in hand
Each step laborious, but I know, I can
Make it to the well, that’s just up ahead
Help me LORD…prayers, said…
The journey is long; it’s hot and full of dread…
Sun scorched, and parched, has become my daily bread…
Looking to heaven I lift up my head…
To Praise Pathway…then my heart begins to sing…
Straining to open my mouth, I will praise my King…
Spring up O well; sing, let the living waters bring…
Shouts of blessings while God heals the sting…
As I walk Praise Pathway it cures my grief and woes…
My steps are lighter and so is my load…
No longer burdened by the long weary trail…
I’m running now on Praise Pathway, and delivered from hell…
Out of my belly, living waters flow…my cup runneth over as onward I go…
The dry, empty wasteland, I no longer see,
Springs of living waters are rushing over me
I’m light as a feather; no I will not hush…
Praise Pathway is my way of life, it’s not just a wish, it’s a must…
I’ve become a joyful worshiper; praising the LORD…
I lift my weary heart and tie the three stranded cord…
With God the Father, Jesus the son and the Holy Spirit
I adore…
Now this desert has become nothing more,
Than a way, to walk, in obedience, today
Dry places come to the child of God…
But it doesn’t have to be walked in defeat, as we trod…
Praise Pathway leads us straight to the cure…
While treading on scorpions and lizards, over sun dunes and cacti, dried up springs and broken cisterns, when we begin to Praise we will endure…
Open your mouth and let praises ring…
Sooner than later, and your life will spring
Into wells of living water where we will tell,
Death, you cannot hold me, for I’m living in God’s well
Walking Praise Pathway in these living waters, dwell…
Child of God, walk, on Praise Pathway and see…
God is waiting there for thee…
Open your mouth with a holy shout…
The dry times of worry, anxiety, and doubt…
Will be quenched by your praise in the lonely desert place,
Then you will know, that Praise Pathway, leads to the Holy Well of Jesus that will spring up from your soul…
Spreading living waters wherever you go!!!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 9, 2019
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. Isaiah 41:17-18
Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the LORD, “Waheb in Suphah, and the valleys of the Arnon, and the slope of the valleys that extends to the seat of Ar, and leans to the border of Moab.”
And from there they continued to Beer; that is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.” Then Israel sang this song:
“Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!—(sing to your well)
the well that the princes made, that the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter and with their staffs.” Numbers 21:14-18 ESV (Beer means, well)
Take the Time
Painting by Katie Berggren