The Lost Soul, Is Found
Darkness, despair, lost and afraid…
Wondering, is there something more?
Could I possibly be saved…?
Where can I go? Who can I turn too?
I’m so frightened; I don’t know what to do…
Living in my car…tortured day and night…
Demons pursuing me this can’t be right…
Driving, I see a sign…that reads Journey Church
Drawn by some unforeseen force, I end my search…
Sitting listening to the message it’s exactly what I need
Crying out, I hear the man say, Don’t walk away…
I know you may think this is just a cliché…
But I’m telling you, you can have a new life, if you will accept Jesus today…
Standing up front is our prayer team; they are there for you, if you want to pray…
With every ounce of courage I have, I take the long walk forward; with heart pounding…and whispers in my ear, don’t go… I press forward…
I tell them my story…
Not knowing if they can help me or not, especially because it’s so gory…
Getting reinforcements, they bring me to the cross of Calvary…
Do you want Jesus to be your Lord and Savior? The one man asks…
Without hesitation I say, yes.
Repeating the words, I ask Jesus into my heart…
I’m forever changed… I have a new life, a new start…
I’m clean, my sins erased…the demons flee…
Now God is living inside of me…
If I had not come today
If I had turned and walked away
If I had let fear and doubt overtake me
I would not be free…
But because you were there today
Because you helped me pray
I’m a new person in every way
Thank you, that you obeyed God, today!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 10, 2018
This is a true story. Sunday, Bob and I had the wonderful honor, along with our Pastor Shane, to lead a young man to the Lord Jesus Christ. I was feeling extremely sick that morning and wasn’t sure if I would make it to the 12:30 service. But I pressed in and with prayer and perseverance we made it to the prayer room where we pray before the service begins. The team prayed for souls to be saved and for God to move on the hearts of hurting people. The week before there were 101 souls that gave their hearts to Jesus…I don’t know how many made that choice this past Sunday yet, but I do know this one young man did…I don’t know if you’ve ever experienced leading someone to Jesus or not but I can tell you, there is nothing like it…knowing that there are demons fighting to keep them…but also knowing that God, by the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus with prayer warriors praying…souls are given the courage and strength to make the decision to accept Jesus into their hearts, and will know that they are forever changed, is worth every effort to be in the service of the Lord.
That does not mean life will not be difficult…but it does mean that instead of fighting the battle alone without hope…you have the hosts of heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ to fight the battle with you….He puts his Holy Spirit within you so that you are more than a conqueror…and you have the family of God standing alongside of you to cheer you on…and to hold you up and to help you all the way through this life. With God’s word…the Holy Spirit and with fellowship and prayer…we will overcome! Don’t give up…don’t grow weary…the harvest is ready and you are needed to glean in the fields…Amen!
The No-body is Some-body
A child was born today; he had no mama, no papa, and no place to stay
So the orphanage-home took him away…
For seven years he yearned for love and a home to call his own…
But no one wanted him…
Over the next ten years he learned to lie and cheat and steal…
He thought of himself as a no-body because a no-body could not reveal
The hurt and pain he hid within, he’s tough and cold and strong-willed…
His heart grew hard and dark…he didn’t know where he came from and didn’t have
A real good start…
To look at him and hear him talk, you’d think he’s just another statistic
Staring down the road to a jail-cell where his destiny was hell.
But this old preacher man came to town and soon found
Timothy…
Lying on a city bench…
The preacher saw him and said…
“Man, you need to get up from there…this is my, bench of prayer…
Timothy looked up at the old man and just stared…
“I’ll cut you old man you don’t know who you’re messing with…I’m a no-body and I don’t give a…”
“Hold on there, sonny…you don’t know who you’re, messing with…I’m not afraid of you! God is my protector and we’ve got work to do.”
Bending down on feeble knees the preacher man begins, “You’re not a no-body, for God don’t make no junk…you’ve just never known, who you are, and where you’ve come from. I’m here to lead you home…
Timothy could not believe what this old man had said…his biggest dream had always been a place to call his own…
“What do you mean, mister? I’ve been a no-body all my life. No mama, no papa, no one wanted me. Do you know something I don’t? I just can’t believe.”
“Sonny, I’ve been right where you are and for 70 years I’ve seen things that can’t be explained…I’ve got battle scars. Lived beneath the stars and here’s the thing…
I picked up this Bible. I’ve read it through and through, and when Jesus gets ahold of you, you’ll never be the same…
He sent me here tonight, to set your story right…he’s watched you all your life…seen the torment and the strife…
Heard you cry yourself to sleep, and watched the years go by, as you’d weep…
He saw you take to the streets…
Remember the woman, who gave you food to eat…?
Remember the man, who let you keep his coat on the bus, and gave you his seat…?
Remember the little girl, who smiled at you, with two missing teeth?
He allowed them to be there, so you could meet…
And to know that you are loved…”
Tears streaming from Tim’s eyes, he finally realized…
He wasn’t a no-body after all…
His life changed…
Ten years later looking back…the old preacher man had been right…
Timothy was a new man, because he found Jesus that night!
Orphan no more…God’s love restored…a no-body, God made him a some-body
Listen any-body…Jesus wants you to know…He loves you, you are not alone
In Him you’ll find your home!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 6, 2018
For all those who feel alone and unloved at this time, I told this story so that you would know…you are not alone…you are loved so much…don’t look at the circumstances you’re facing right now…look at the blessings that are all around you…even in your darkest days and nights…there is always something to be thankful for. Life is full of choices…you can choose to be miserable, unhappy, afraid, alone…or you can choose to be happy, at peace, find joy in little things around you. My mama used to say…in order to have a friend you have to be a friend…reach out to someone and even if they reject you…no worries…reach out to someone else until someone reaches back…I hope you are encouraged by this little story and that you find peace in your life. God bless you.
John 14:18-20 The Message (MSG) I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.
The Bride-Groom Speaks
One glance of your eyes and you capture my heart…
Like a shooting star across the sky
Brilliant, streaming light goes by…
Prisms in color and fire, ignite
Your smile bringing my soul to life
Like lilies in the field, bare, spinning in the wind
Yellow, orange and white…
Stemmed in green, tall and serene
My love you’ve stolen everything…
Never to recover, your love to discover
As we two become one…
My precious dove
My own true love…
Forever…
Still, and filled, with awe, and contentment
Sealed in covenant…
By blood, we live…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 5, 2018
Song of Solomon 4:9 Expanded Bible (EXB) My sister [ an ancient term of endearment], my bride, you have thrilled my heart [drive me crazy]; you have thrilled my heart [drive me crazy] with a [ one] glance of your eyes, with one sparkle [ jewel] from your necklace.
The Little Kid
This is dedicated to all the children that are hurting at this time of year even to the little kid within each adult!
Dear God,
I know you have lots of things to do
You must be very busy this time of year
I heard, though, that you are never too busy
To hear each-and-every prayer
Even though I’m way down here
And you are way up there…
God, I need to ask you a favor
You see, mommy and daddy used to be
Kind and loving and happy
They used to pray and laugh and sing
But lately…they only bring…
Tears and hard words they sling…
Not knowing I hear them late at night
God, I don’t think everything is alright…
I’m only a little kid…was it something I did
To make them so unhappy instead
Of holding hands and bowing heads
A thankful heart at breakfast said…
Give us this day our daily bread…
What happened God
To many tears I shed
When no one sees me, and I lie frightened in my bed…
God, can you send help in my time of need
Giving love, planting seeds…
Of forgiveness, instead of greed
Some write letters to Santa, for toys and games
But if it’s all the same
I’m writing to you God
Heal mommy and daddy’s heart
Give them a do-over; with a brand new start…
Make them stop yelling,
So there’s no more hurt and no more blame…
This is all I ask God…in Jesus name…
Love,
The Little Kid
~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 3, 2018
Shepherd Audience
With a force more powerful than the human imagination can comprehend
Angels descend, in heaven’s starlit night
With a glorious majestic melody, the angels begin to sing
Glory to God in the Highest…
Peace, Goodwill, to all men we bring…
Joy and Hope our song will ring…
On this holy silent night
Shepherds watch in astonished fright…
An audience for the angel’s penetrating,
New beginning, holy choir, in sight
Let all the earth rejoice…
Be not afraid, they hear one say…
For Christ is born this very day…
Go see the babe in yonder manger lay…
The King of heaven here to stay
Bringing life, truth, and to show the way
Rejoice, lowly shepherd’s, for
Messiah has chosen you…
In open field, you’re witnesses
Where God’s love is sleeping, still
Beneath the stars in a humble barn
You’ll find him wrapped on yonder hill…
The savior of the world is here…
Angel voices, rise, in waves, of harmony
Ten thousand vibrations move the earth
With a song of glorious delight
Singing to the lowly shepherd’s on this Holy Night!
Royal star shining bright
Where baby Jesus sleeps, held tight…
Within his mother’s arms, this night!
Rock-a-bye my baby boy
Mary sings a lullaby
Son of mine and God’s delight
In this solitude and holy night
Shepherds bring a tiny lamb
King of heaven the great I Am
Resting in my arms so tight…
Rock-a-bye, my baby boy
Heaven has sent its greatest joy…
On this holy night!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 28, 2018
Luke 2:14 King James Version (KJV) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The Struggle
Muted by the stings of life
The soul is torn by hurt and strife
Countless days and countless nights
Anger, mocking him, while he fights…
Perpetual feelings of taking flight
Courage to stay, takes all his might…
Year after year his burden grew
Smiles on the outside, when no one knew…
What his battered soul was going through…
Would this ever change?
Could he hope to live again?
Who would come and rescue him?
Hanging from this brittle limb?
Head bowed in discouragement
Loss, despair and bereavement
Nothing left or so it seemed
He heard the words,
“You’ve been redeemed…”
Light shown from everywhere
God has answered his unceasing prayer…
Heart pounding, head swimming,
Sweaty palms raised in the air…
Laughter, singing, joy is bringing
New life to the heart of him…
Renewed by faith…and full of grace…
Standing in this broken place…
Life begins again…
Unseen hands and unseen words
Brought by the wind of a gentle bird
Life still hard but anger dissolved
Jesus takes over, the burden’s resolved…
All for the glory of God!
With each new step, in each new day
Struggle builds strength, along the way…
And on this journey he hears God say…
“You’ve been redeemed…”
~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 27, 2018
Ephesians 4:31-32 New Living Translation (NLT) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Galatians 1:4 New International Version (NIV) who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
Isaiah 44:22 New International Version (NIV) I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 New King James Version (NKJV) For we walk by faith, not by sight.
God’s Truth Defeats the Devil’s Lie
Yesterday, Pastor Jr. gave us an encouraging and thought-provoking message. In his message he asked us to write on a piece of paper, a lie that the enemy tells us about ourselves…I thought about it and I wrote one down…but my mind kept searching for something else, and the thought came to me… “You’re getting older, and time is running out. There isn’t much time left for you to accomplish what God has for you to do. Time is running out!”
When I thought the words, “Time is running out…” The Holy Spirit spoke right back to me and said, “I am time…time, does not, run out, it is eternal…”
WOW!!
I may not be here physically in this life one day, but I will continue forever….Time doesn’t stop because we die. When we are children of the living God, if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Only begotten Son of God…we live on…this life gives us, at the most maybe 100 years…but compared to eternity…we have more life ahead of us than behind us…what we do here on this earth with the time we are allotted determines our eternity and how we will live forever…
We are living in eternity right now…life doesn’t end, it continues…
The lie the enemy has spread since the beginning, is that time is running out… (It is running out for him, but not for those who are the children of God)
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life, though you die, you will live, if you believe in me, you will never die…”(para)
Live one day at a time. Be kind to people and to animals. Pray every day. Let go of things you can do nothing about. Never stop changing for the better. Be a great example of His love and peace. Laugh and lend a helping hand. When sickness, trouble and trials come…take them to the Lord and let Him sort them all out. We are weak, but He is strong…Yes, Jesus loves me…Yes, Jesus loves me…Yes, Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so! There is much wisdom in that little song…find a scripture that speaks to you and memorize it…post it where you can see it often and say it out loud…because Faith comes by hearing the word of God…Let truth, conqueror the lie…and remember…time is not running out…because God is time…He is forever…and so are you!
Our bodies grow weak and feeble but when we exercise our spirit by being plugged into the Holy Spirit, we are more than conquerors… we are mighty warriors…living, thinking, breathing, expressing, overcoming, strong children of the living God…we are His and we can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives us strength…AMEN!!
Don’t be afraid…Don’t give up…for when you are weak…that’s when He is the strongest in you…we can’t do anything in our own strength…but With God All Things Are Possible!!! Only Believe!
John 11:17-44 New King James Version (NKJV) I Am the Resurrection and the Life
So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Jesus and Death, the Last Enemy
And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”
Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?”
They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”
Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”
Lazarus Raised from the Dead
Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave-clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone All Over the World
My Blog Was Temporally Down but is up again in time to say…
I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving. My prayer for you is that you will be healthy and strong full of grace and hope and love and joy on this day we celebrate as a day of Thanksgiving but that it stays with you throughout all the days of your life!!
Love and blessings from our house to yours in Jesus Name Amen,
Bob and Marla O’Neill 2018
From the Other Side
I’m posting this piece written by my friend April Wall. April knows first hand what it’s like to be in a relationship with someone who suffers from addiction. She has survived years of hurt and pain through the process. In talking with her I understand her heart. She said, “If this encourages just one person, it is worth it.” I thank God for his mercy and his grace to help us understand that only his love can sustain us through this life. As his children, we lean on him for wisdom and hope. Our prayer is for deliverance for all those we love who are suffering, that somehow, someway, they will find his peace and healing.
Photo by April Wall