Shout for Joy

I’m a pray’n, fast’n, liv’n, shout’n,
Bible quote’n, sing’n hallelujah,
Hand clap’n, toe tap’n, preach’n,
Walk’n, talk’n, born again,
Child of God!
I’m a hand raise’n, spirit speak’n,
Jesus love’n, on my way to heaven,
Blood bought, soul set free, child of
The Living God!
I’m a sold out, serving Jesus,
Soul saving, Watch’n, Faithful,
Hand shake’n, demon slay’n, Spring
of living water giv’n, poured out,
Earth mov’n, to see you saved and on
Your way to heaven in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Because…
Jesus said, so!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 3, 2026
Acts 3:8-16 King James VersionAnd he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
John 11:42-44 King James Version42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
 Acts 2:2-4 King James Version And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
 Exodus 15:20-21 King James Version20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
 

But Who Do You Say That I Am

As a follower of Jesus do you know him?
Do you really, really know him?
Do you know that He is love?
Do you know that He loves, you?
Has your love for him grown cold?
Are you lukewarm, stagnant, complacent?
Sleeping, have you surrendered you soul…
To the dark side?
Wandering blind, no longer complete!
Who is Jesus to you? Do you still seek?
Wake up warrior, dry bones come alive…
Come back to your first love. He’s wooing you to abide.
Remember who He is, let His refreshing flood your soul.
Cry out to Jesus show the world your love is, bold…
The Savior is priceless; His love cannot be bought or sold.
Freely He gave His love upon the tree,
From death to life, He’ll live forever in thee!
“I love you with an everlasting love.
If you love me live your life fully with me.”
Bowing in repentance I fully recognize,
Jesus, with your loving, piercing, eyes…
Hear my cry…
Forgive me Abba! Yes, I know you. Now my soul is satisfied.
Complacency is no longer an option for me. Jesus, I adore you.
I will not compromise.
Lord, I see you and You see me.
My heart opens with brand new eyes.
Fully alert. Fully whole. Yes, Jesus, I know, you.
Your love heals it never dies.
Jesus saved my soul and gave me a brand-new identity.
I’m a walking, talking, sold out child of God!
I’m renewed, set free, delivered from complacency.
I’m not going under; I’m going over to the other side.
Now love is pouring from heaven’s throne…
I’m restored, unshakable, fully grown.
I know, I really, really know, who Jesus is~
You are the Christ, the son of the Living God!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 2, 2026
Matthew 16:15-17 KJV He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
 John 13.34 King James Version 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Living in Light Years

Night Sky Stars Wallpapers - Wallpaper Cave

Swept up in the moment…
Where stars are light years away…
The earth spins in orbit, to vast to display.
Where galaxies are still forming, infinite, by God’s command.
We look on in wonder, mere mortals, man.
Trees mock us unwavering and steadfast as they stand,
While time slips away.
Tens of thousands of angels watch us as we pray.
God in his wisdom, simply spoke, “Obey.”
Winds blow, rocks form, seas deepen, here to stay.
What vanity to look at the universe and not see…
The Creator, in all His Glory!
Humility takes you to the High Places…
Look into the sky…see the stars,
You and I will one day fly, away!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 24, 2026
Romans 8:20-31 King James Version
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Heavenly Places

With more behind me than in front of me,
I sit many times and think
Why am I still here, Lord?
I sense him smile and wink.
Take one day at a time, for now, faith is.
Come, sit with me in the heavenly places.
Take one moment at a time I’ll fill all the empty spaces.
Child, this isn’t your final home.
YHWH! YHWH! I breathe you in and out.
YHWH! YHWH! Forgive me when I doubt.
Sitting in the stillness, I feel the wind gently blow.
It’s not over yet, my precious one, be patient as you go.
You may grow old and tired; and feel as ancient as the skies.
But little one, listen, the soul never dies.
Keep walking, serving and loving, so that others will see and know
That life isn’t really about pleasure or great gain.
It’s about the one who gives them life, to live and thrive and remain.
Remember, it’s in the heavenly places where you’ll find true peace.
Growing old is a gift that many do not receive.
Count each day as a blessing; old souls are rare you see…
Spend your time in heavenly places, it’s home where you’ll never leave.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 16, 2026
Ephesians1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”.
 Ephesians 2:6: “And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Allow the Little Children

Seven little children came out to play today.
Five little boys and two little girls.
Running, laughing, skipping, cartwheels and twirls…
Spirit’s free, this is how happiness should be…
No worries of what the day will bring
On a Wintery day, no need to wait for Spring…
Seven little hearts, carefree, like a dream
Innocence sparkling like a sunbeam…
Going wherever the chase takes them.
Uninhibited, no judgement or complaints.
Little children, not saints.
Allow the little children to come unto me,
And forbid them not to come unto me,
for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
 
These are heaven’s children, full of faith, all seven!
“We’ve come to see Jesus, to sit upon his knee…
With great admiration we come in humility!”
Seven children came out to play today
Do not forbid them but show them the way.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 7, 2026
Matthew 19:14 King James VersionBut Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
 I wrote this for my three grandchildren and four neighbor’s children. There were five boys and two girls entering my house to play. It was a sight to behold. Following in a line one behind the other. The littlest one at the end. Then like a flash they all ran outside, and ran through the back yard. My heart was overflowing. I told my son, “Seven, five boys and two girls, that’s how many children my grandmother raised, alone.” He said, “Well that explains a lot!” Watching them all together was glorious! I don’t know how my granny did it, but she did!! Well, it was God’s grace!

Abide

In your presence I abide,
It’s there I find my rest
No worries of tomorrow
No tears, no sorrow…
For in your presence there is joy
There’s peace
There all my troubles cease
The bread of life
Taking all my grief
Under your wing, I abide.
In the world there are trials
In the world life is hard.
Come out from among them,
Your heart I will guard.
Abiding in my presence is where you’ll find your rest.
Like the little sparrow, in me build your nest.
In your presence I abide,
It’s there I find my rest
No worries of tomorrow
No tears, no sorrow…
For in your presence there is joy
There’s peace
And all my troubles cease.
The bread of life
Taking all my grief
Under your wing, I abide.

 

Through stormy seas, or peaceful meadow
My heart is satisfied…
I dwell within your presence Lord; resolved, I will abide!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 2, 2026
John 15:7 New King James Version – If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Book

He was not the kind of book you left upon the shelf…
He had lived seventy years before I met him myself.
Playing the fiddle, spoons, and glasses of water,
His music filled the room, and stories and laughter until soon
Dancing broke out bringing joy to full bloom.
My Great Uncle Book was a tall, lanky man.
He didn’t have any teeth; so, he’d crack nuts with a hammer in order to eat.
He drank his coffee in a bowl poured over one of my granny’s delicious homemade biscuits…
Bless his soul…
A master storyteller and riddle-maker, why he’d lived a lifetime
before I knew him…he was my best friend…
Sitting on the old, porch-stoop, he’d whittle and spit chewing tobacco
hitting a fly as it flew by…
Cut out newspaper articles and glued em in a big scrapbook.
Every now and then I’d take a look…Oh the thrill of him was all it took
For me to sit for hours and listen to my Uncle Book!
Groomed by granny, she cut his hair and gave him a shave
He wasn’t afeared he was always brave…
And then when he was seventy-nine, he was called to heaven and left us all behind.
I’ll never forget this man called Book, named after The Great, Old Holy Book.
It’s been sixty-three years, I’m now seventy-two.
Uncle Book was a kind man and that’s who,
I think of often when I write.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill January 23, 2026
2 Timothy 1:6-7 King James Version
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
I couldn’t find the picture of Uncle Book and I but here he is with my granny Sallie, and three of her children. (My mama, Uncle David and Uncle RL.)

The Holy One

The mind of man cannot comprehend the Holiness, of God.
The one who is, I AM that I AM!
His glory is displayed throughout eternity, and yet, our eyes cannot see, the One who is, and forevermore shall be!
He walks in pure light!
He is Love without blemish, sacred delight!
He’s unafraid of the darkness!
But no one can draw near, without the Blood of the Lamb!
Oh listen, please hear!
Coming into this putrid, dirty, fallen world, where the stench of death has taken control, like lepers we troll in an unclean, place.
Everywhere in everyone, unclean, undone~
The Holy One, has come.
He is Savior from death, Deliverer from hell and has overcome the grave…
It is His Holy Blood that saves~
~Marla Shaw O’Neill, January 12, 2026
1 Peter 1:15-17 King James Version – But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Romans 5:8 King James Version – But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Abba Are You There

Daddy! Daddy!
You who formed me in my mother’s womb,
Planted trees, hung the stars and the moon…
You who spoke and light was formed; the darkness could not comprehend…
It was your hands, that formed humankind
You breathed life into a clay-man…
A gardener, tending animals, overseeing the land…
Daddy, Oh, Daddy~
You who redeemed mankind, healed the sick, raised the dead, restored sight to the blind…
Even now your arms open wide, you call, “Come to me child, you’ll be safe inside,
My Love for you, never dies… be still, abide~ “
Hold on to the Father, where peace and joy you’ll find,
Grace and mercy follow closely behind…
Holy Spirit whispers, “Child, You are Mine…”
“Abba, are you there?”
Child, I’m everywhere~
Daddy, Oh Daddy…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill, January 5, 2026
John 1:5 King James Version – And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Romans 8:15 King James VersionFor ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Galatians 4:6 King James Version – And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Mark 14:36 King James Version – And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

A Life Worth Living

Little boy, little girl, living in a broken world,
Do you feel lost?
Do not run, do not hide.
There is One who’s not broken; He is Truth and never lies…
You’re in a grown-up body, but you’re a child just the same
Adulting is hard, but there’s one who overcame.
Fear and anxiety follow you all around, there in the darkness
You know the sound…
But darling’s listen, there’s one who calls you found!
Cares of this life, I know can get you down, living on a spinning-wheel
twirling, ever bound.
Remember this little one, there’s someone bigger, He’s defeated those old hounds.
What he did Eons ago, he’s still doing today…
Stop! Be still! There’s a better way…
See the stars in the darkness? They keep shining and won’t go out.
See the planets spinning? They don’t wander about…
Look at the rivers and the mountains and the trees, see the forever sky?
They were made to last; they don’t question why.
When trouble comes, they never lose hope or cry.
Life is a cycle it goes on and on…
Sun brings the sunrise. Evening brings the night.
If you’ll listen to Holy Spirit, you’ll stay in the light…
For the one who made all these things, His mighty arms will hold you tight…
He hasn’t lost a battle, it is He, who…
Surrounds you with power, love, and a sound mind…
So little boy, little girl living in this broken world
Rise above the darkness, sing the victory song!
Hosannah in the Highest…Be brave, be strong!
He’s called you with a purpose, live for him, and soar.
Like eagles, take flight!
Nothing less, he gives so much more!
Storms will come; death will knock at the door…
Faith and grace will guide you safely to the Lord!
Wisdom is realized through heartache and pain
With Jesus as your anchor all that you will gain,
Isn’t found in what you buy, or sell, or try to control…
Your treasure will be found In Christ alone!
Every minute you fret, the enemy gains ground…
But every minute you stay in Jesus’ presence, there you’ll be found!
Immovable, steadfast, possible, creative, loved and bound, not by your, thoughts
But by the blood of Jesus, that, is a life, worth living!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 20, 2025
Philippians 4:8 King James VersionFinally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
I dedicate this poem to my granddaughter, Olivia Liverio. She inspired me to write this. I love you sweetheart!