Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

If the eagle never left his nest, he would never see the vast oceans and mountains

He would never soar among the stars or travel thousands of miles over valleys and streams.

He wouldn’t find food or meet his mate.

You, are an eagle, called by God to soar! Don’t let fear keep you from the call…

God is calling, Come up higher! It’s time to soar…

The power is within you, but if you never leave the nest, you’ll never know the heights and depths and width of my great love for you.

Step out in faith, and fly beyond the heavens, you are an eagle, created for more…

Let the wind of my Spirit lift you higher and farther than you’ve ever gone before…

I’ve given you mighty wings and strength to fly, beyond your wildest dreams…

Be bold! Be brave! Be courageous!

Don’t settle for the barnyard when your playground, is in the skies …

Don’t cluck-cluck with the chickens…

When I’ve given you the song, of FREEDOM!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 27, 2025

Psalm 103:5 King James Version ^– Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

 Isaiah 40:31 King James Version ^– 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 The Message Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, “God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.

    19th Century American Artist: Mary Cassatt

What’s around the bend mommy?

What’s around the bend?

Don’t look to see around the bend honey,

Watch the flowers in the fields, the clouds changing shape,

See the lovely trees and the busy little bees

And as we go along our way

Spend this time with me.

I know mommy, yes, I can see all that,

But I wonder as the drive goes on what’s just around the bend.

Live in the here and now, baby; enjoy the ride until we go around the bend.

There are curves and bumps and hills and thrills more than I can tell.

If you focus on the bend honey, you’ll miss the here and now.

Feel the sunshine and mist of the rain,

Watch for the moments of time we gain.

Not looking to the bend honey, that’s a mystery that remains.

There’s so much twill be missed on our journey, if you look only to the bend.

Right now, we’ll find joy and sweet peace within, darling, patience until then.

So, little one take flight and let your spirit soar.

You’ll miss this moment, if you look for something more.

But what’s around the bend mommy? What’s around the bend?

We’re around the bend honey; we’re around the bend.

I’ve gained a lifetime of memories and joy that gives me peace.

And just around the bend honey my journey has to cease.

Enjoy your life my little one and love everyone you can.

Soon we’ll be around the bend honey, and our journey will come to an end…

You’ll see the mystery of life unfold as you travel on your way.

And then you’ll see him face to face, Oh what a glorious day!

He’s just around the bend honey waiting for you and me.

Upon the winds of time, he rides and soars, the roads of victory.

And when we go around the bend he’s waiting patiently.

I can see him now mommy, as we go around the bend.

I’m so happy our journey doesn’t end.

I see Jesus in the clouds; his arms are opened wide.

Now I know we’re never alone, he’s always by our side.

We’ll live and love and laugh and shout, and then.

I know what’s around bend mommy ….

I’ll see you, and Jesus around the bend.

Inspired by HS – Written by Marla Shaw O’Neill: 7/22/2012 revised 4/10/2013© revised 8272025

Bit of History: A well-known painting depicting a woman and a child in a horse-drawn carriage is Mary Cassatt’s Woman and Child Driving (circa 1873), a 19th-century impressionist work that can be found in the permanent collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This oil on canvas shows a mother holding the reins, leading a horse with her daughter seated beside her in the vehicle, and was painted before the widespread use of modern cars and was intended to be a depiction of contemporary life in Europe. 

Based on my poem, The Father’s Love!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill

Hear your heartbeat, feel your chest as it rises and falls?

Still, your mind and understand, the life flow, comes through me.

The great I AM!

“I Am the Way!”

Watch the trees as they blow in the wind, yet they remain steadfast.

Listen to the morning-dove cooing at rest, she is loved and truly blessed.

See the tide come and go, it knows its journey’s end.

The river stays within boundaries; you’re headed for the promise land.

“I Am the Truth!”

In desert places, wells are dug, En Gedi is, an oasis.

Weary nomads in the desert, search for water to thrive and survive.

This water never runs dry!

But only one has the living water, it flows from the one above!

He offers you to drink freely, the assurance of his great love.

Come drink of me, says Jesus and you’ll never thirst again…

“I Am the Life!”

Lord, give me this living water from the well that never runs dry.

Flowing from this endless well, then, I will never die!

“Come and drink! Tis free.

Then rest under the shade of my love for thee.

Cool, refreshing water, is a gift, given abundantly.

I, am, the Living Water.”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 17, 2025

John 4:10 King James Version – ¹⁰ Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

The oasis provided refuge and sustenance, representing God’s provision and care for those in need.

Life is like a book, it’s a first edition, a rare find, turn the page.

The story unfolds and it never ends…

You don’t want to miss a single word.

Chapter one, the story begins…

From that first new-born breath we cry; we don’t understand.

We were content to stay in our safe place but then…

Tucked in a tiny place we needed more room so, we begin,

Traveling through a tunnel not knowing where it will end.

We learn to walk and learn to talk, young women, young men.

Turn the page, we’re entering a new place again.

Ten, twenty, thirty-two, forty-five, some stagger some thrive…

Turn the page, and before we know it, we realize we’re nearing

Our journey’s end.

Chapter eight, we’re still quite a way from the gate.

Some not so fortunate. Their story ends before it begins.

So, you read on and find, many twists and turns, your story is not over yet.

The author takes his pen and writes all that you’ve gone through and as each page turns…

There is a brand-new adventure, we’ve lived and learned.

Some with defeat and regret. Some of winning, hard work and sweat, turn the page…

Life is not a gamble or a bet…it takes faith to live.

Not knowing when the final chapter will come.

Turn the page and remember where you’ve come from.

Fifty, sixty, seventy-one…

Look to a new horizon, your story is still being written and when,

The final chapter is won, and the last page is done…

The cover is closed, and the book is set upon the bookshelf of life…

You’ll enter into another brand-new place.

The genre is not a fairytale, it’s no mistake, your story is filled with love and grace…

You’ll finally understand, because all those pages ago, you’ll see and know the one who, wrote your story.

It’s a best seller; it’s one of a kind.

You’re right there, written in the Book of Life!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 13, 2025

Psalm 37:25 King James Version – I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Ecclesiastes 3 King James Version – To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 Isaiah 34:16 King James Version – Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

“Do you love me?”

“Do you, love me, Abba?

See those mountains, how they reach beyond what the eye can see?

Can you catch the wind, or breathe beneath the sea?

Can you ride a falling star, or live without a heartbeat?

My love for you is so vast, so complete and without restraint.

Yes, child, I love you!

My love has no end!

I’m called the Ancient of Age; I command the wind and the sea…

I formed you, and nurtured you, and raised you up, you are my own special treasure.

And you’ll always be. Do you believe?

My love cannot be measured.

My love is true, for I Am, Love!

When I see your face, my heart skips a beat…

And when you speak, the sound of your voice is music to my soul.

Draw near to me and let me show you, how very much I love you!

Feel my breath upon your cheek

Your fragrance, Oh so sweet, little one, with kisses greet.

I love you; I love you; I love you!

Hear the birds singing, that’s my love song just for you.

See the flowers gently blowing in the breeze, I sent all of these, a bouquet of love displayed and complete.

The sunset and the sunrise, all for your lovely eyes.

Gaze upon them and know this is me.

My Love bestowed, gifts for thee…

I died for you so that you can live, eternally.

Yes child, I love you.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 12, 2025

Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Jeremiah 31:3 – The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to you.

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

Hopped a train, headed for Ten-Buck-Two

Dreams shattered beyond the blue…

Only me, and a stranger, sat in that ole boxcar.

The old man said, “My name is Isaak.”

I lifted my head…

He asked, “Where you from, son?”

“From riches to vagabond, that’s where I’m from…

I’m headed to Ten-Buck-Two.

How ‘bout you?”

Isaak, took a slow breath and bowed his head

Then said, “I’m on my way to somewhere, I’ve already seen

Ten-Buck-Two and everywhere.

There’s only one thing I’ve got left to do,

That’s to ride this old train, alone with you.”

Chills ran up and down my spine

I looked at Isaak, he looked at me, I’d never seen eyes like his before.

I figured, this must be the end of the line

But then he smiled and spoke words I’d only ever heard

In an Old-Black-Book filled with, they say, God’s word!

Listen son, “There’s a way that seems right to a man

But the end there-of is the way of death, you’ve been running far too long…

Come on home and I don’t mean die, not just yet.

Life comes from the living one, you know who I mean, and that’s God’s only son

Now, if you let him change the ways you think, takes less that an eye-blink, and

Frankly your way of thinking stinks.”

I ran my fingers through my hair, giving him a cold dark stair

Then my body began to shake and quake

Was I dreaming, or was I awake?

The voice I’d always listened too, was spinning words

Inside my head telling me, “You’re crazy if you believe what he said…

Tell him to back off and leave you be.”

But something deeper inside of me gave me peace

I’d never felt before

I couldn’t breathe…

Tears streamed down my troubled face and right then and there, God’s amazing Grace

Flooded my heart and I screamed, “I do!

Jesus come into my heart, like Isaak said, make me brand new

I don’t want to go to Ten-Buck-Two!”

I shouted, “Hallelujah!”

As I bowed my head in surrender to the Living Son of God

I looked around, Isaak was nowhere to be found!

This was an encounter of a supernatural kind…

Turns out this ole boxcar was, the end of the line…

“Isaak, wherever you are…

Thanks for being on this ole boxcar

I’m headed for somewhere and someday, I know,

I’ll be exactly where you are!

In that forever place called, Home!

It really isn’t that far!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 31, 2025

John 14:1-3 King James Version – Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Cluck-cluck was a young chick

She could not understand

Why all the other chickens in the farmyard

Would always demand…

That she was too small a chicken…

To ever take command of,

The kingdom called, Farmland.

Her mother was of royal blood

Married to the King.

But Cluck-cluck could never reign

For she only had one wing.

Hopeless and in despair she’d never dare to dream

Of ever sitting on highest throne together with her king.

Coming of age, Cluck-cluck grew into a beauty they’d never seen.

But no one wanted to serve, a one-winged, queen!

Years came and went.

Cluck-cluck accepted her fate

And then without warning Cock-a-doodle came riding through the gate.

A king from yonder voyage stepped down from his golden horse

Took one look at Cluck-cluck and said, “Of course!”

This is why my journey ends in this foreign place

You, there, the one with the angelic face…will be my bride, so bring

This blessed creature to my side, the one with only one wing!!

Cluck-cluck looked at Cock-a-doodle and saw that he had one eye

It didn’t stop her from accepting him, to be queen at his side!

And they lived happily ever after! The end!

The moral of the story: Don’t judge a chicken with one wing or one eye. Their other redeeming qualities just may surprise you.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 24, 2025

Hebrews 13:2 King James Version – Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

The Ancient of days, infinite and supreme

Holds me even now, as I am found, humbled and surrounded by

The Holy Ones…

Those, who in silence engulf me in quiet sound

A thousand tiny feathers embrace me…for I am bound…

Bound for another place, while waiting in humility,

Poured over me His unending grace…

I find solace; completely surrendered

To walk on golden street, finding Him seated on majestic throne

He who has called me, to my eternal home.

Days, turned to years. Years, to days.

Strolling with Him on heavenly shore, I feel, grains of sand beneath my willing feet!

I stand in awe and rest knowing…

Life continues, for those redeemed, by Savior’s blood!

Time has no place here. The soul lives,

On the other side of today!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 21, 2025

Isaiah 46:4 New King James Version

Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Daniel 7:13-14 New King James Version

“I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

I met the Messiah today!

Come, hear what he has to say!

He talked to me and told me my life story…

Surprised and full of joy, oh what glory

Heart changed, all because, this man, a stranger at Jacob’s well

Knew all about me, a woman without a place to dwell

Disgraced, an outcast in the human race, but still

He listened and gave me living water and said, I’d never thirst again

Sir, give me this water and let me drink my fill…

He said, drink!

The man, I met upon that little hill…

Come, see the man, I met at Jacob’s well!

He didn’t condemn me, or judge me, but offered me living water

And all who drink from him will never thirst again.

Come, come see this man…

They came and they drank, from the well of redeeming grace

It only takes a sip to heal the broken place

Will you partake of the living water today?

Come, see the man who gives living water, away…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill July 15, 2025

John 4:29 King James Version – Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?