The Quiet Man
He was a quiet man. Gentle and compassionate. He was interested in others needs more than his own. People were his delight especially children. He never tired of listening to the story’s others would share with him. Eating, laughing, talking, visiting with everyone he met. He shared the very first Facebook social network. Only he actually did it face to face. He was a teller of parables and knew the scriptures well. A gifted orator. A man of truth and light. Yet he was a quiet man. He was a teacher and a mentor to twelve very odd men. He loved them all. What was it that drew people to him? Made them either love him or hate him.
He had a calm demeanor yet walked with such authority that even Kings took notice. He cooked fish and broke bread with multitudes. Little children longed to sit in his lap and hear his story’s.
Sick and dying people sought him for comfort and healing. Mostly those whom everyone else had given up on yet knew they would not be rejected by this quiet man. He had a way about him that put you at ease a look that filled you with peace and hope. You may ask, ” Who is he?”
Do you really want to know? Then ask HIM! He’s very near. His Hebrew name is Yeshua. I have known him as Jesus for most of my life. A Quite Man, Ooh yes…but you can never silence him!!! He’s in the room, he’s waiting.
He is the Quiet Man.
~Marla Shaw 2011
I AM
I am the God who sees
I am the God who hears
I am the God who speaks
I am the God who delivers
I am the God who saves
I am the God who serves
I am the God who lives
I am the God who sings
I am the God who gives
I am the God who cares
I am the God who prays
I am the God who liberates
I am the God who listens
I am the God who works
I am the God who shakes
I am the God who creates
I am the God who frees
I am the God who heals
I am the God who intervenes
I am the God who corrects
I am the God who connects
I am the God who understands
I am the God who wins
I am the God of mercy
I am the God of kindness
I am the God of peace
I am the God of love
I am the God of forgiveness
I am longsuffering
I am steadfast, immovable, impenetrable, undefeated, soul-saving, Spirit-breathing, life-giving, never ending, eternal, omnipotent, embracing, YHWH.
I AM all that you will ever need!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 24, 2020
Exodus 3:14 New Living Translation (NLT)
14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.[a] Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.”
Footnotes:
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3:14 Or I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE.
Redeemed
I wrote the following poem because our ladies at Journey Church, have been doing the Bible study, Finding God Faithful, the life of Joseph. Last night as I listened to the video I burst into tears as I heard the part about Jacob blessing Joseph’s two sons.
Joseph had been living in Egypt because his brothers had sold him into slavery when he was just 17 years old. It was thirteen years before he saw his brothers again. It is an amazing story you can read about it in Genesis start in the 12th chapter to get all the background.
But last night it was said he thought his life’s inheritance was lost to him and that he’d never see his family again. But when Jacob blessed his two sons, he told him God had been with him the whole time and not only would there be one tribe there would be two tribes because Jacob took Joseph’s sons to be his own. It’s a custom.
I cried because in my own life I thought I would never rise above all the trials and mess I had made of my life by making wrong choices. I tried so hard, but it seemed the harder I tried the more trouble would find me. I can’t begin to tell you all the heartache and hurt and suffering that was in my life and the hurt I caused; I didn’t try to hurt people, but I did. I could not get free…until one day, God delivered me and totally and completely changed me. I was taken out of the place I grew up and placed in a foreign land… (Lake Worth) for over five years I was in a place of solitude, alone with God. Yes, I was around people, and he brought me to a Church that would heal me, and I could grow and thrive. And only by the grace of God was I restored. He has REDEEMED Me, and I am blessed more than I could ever tell. He restored me to my family and gave me even more family. Church family and new grandbabies. This life I am now living is all because God saw in me a broken, beaten, defeated, unworthy, prodigal child who on her own could not make it. But by the grace of God and loving children of God I was redeemed!!
This is why this story ministers to my heart more than I could write about.
And if God can do it for me…He can certainly, do it for anyone who will surrender to him, love him and give him your full devotion. It is worth more than all the “stuff” or wealth, or earthly gain you could ask for…He said, but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His Righteousness and all these other things will be added to you.
Don’t put it off…I’m talking to YOU…the one reading this…God wants to Redeem your life…Let Him!
Redeemed
At seventeen all seems lost as I struggle in these bonds placed on my hands and feet…
Gone is the life that was treasured and sweet…
Betrayed by my brothers; how could this be?
Sold into slavery, I travel in defeat…
I only wanted them to see…
The dreams I had were not to boast
They were told to them because I loved them most…
Love was not returned; only hate…
Now I’m forced to live behind an iron gate…
How long O God must I suffer and wait?
Years I’ve served, being faithful to my God, mostly though,
It is He, who’s been faithful, my heart is tender and oh so grateful…
At least I’m still alive…
Years come, and years go, but I will never, ever know, the homeland of my birth…
Baker dies, Cupbearer set free, please dear Cupbearer remember me…
Forgotten again by human man…
But my faithful God, will let me rise again…
By God’s design, my family is restored, now I sit here with my father for a blessing from the Lord.
Jacob speaks, he’s now quite old, but with my two sons, I now am told…
You were never forgotten, son divine, you see your sons, they are considered mine…
A two-fold blessing is given today, Redeemed by God, hear me as I say…
Not only is your inheritance intact, but you’re also restored and blessed by our sovereign Lord…
I never thought I’d ever see your face; and all because of God’s loving grace…I’ve seen you, and your sons, who I take as my own… Now I can rest in my eternal home…
And you will live and forever be known…
As Joseph redeemed, you will never be alone…
Double blessings come from Faithful God’s throne!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 24, 2020
The Promise
After the rain, comes the rainbow
Before the storm, comes the calm
After the pain and sorrow, comes relief for a brighter tomorrow.
Each moment is an eternity of time making years
And in that eternity God wipes away our tears…
From birth to aged time we live
In hope, knowing, life never ends…
Closing our eyes our souls return to where it all begins.
His Kingdom come; His will be done,
in earth as it is in Heaven.
Amen.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 24, 2021
Mary and Martha
Woman, at the Feet of Jesus
April 17, 2010
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so, she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).
Do you have a younger sister? I do. There have been so many perspectives written about this I’d like to share mine.
I have a birth sister, a half-sister, a stepsister and sisters in the Lord. I am the oldest. And I can tell you if I was doing all the cooking, and cleaning and my sister was sitting listening to this wonderful teacher and in my heart, I knew he was the Messiah, I would want to be sitting right there too. But knowing, if I didn’t get dinner done, we wouldn’t have anything to eat that night, I’d say the same thing Martha said. “Jesus, tell Mary to help me!”
But in reading this story and the story of Lazarus’s death I think Jesus was preparing the two sisters for what was going to happen to their brother. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” In other words, “No Martha, I am not going to tell her to help you. You should be listening too!”
Jesus knew that Lazarus was going to die he waited four days to go to him. He knew that he would raise him from the dead. He also knew what their reactions would be. But these were his friends and as the story unfolds, they come to realize just who Jesus, really is.
In John 11:2 Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and washed them with her tears and dried them with her hair.
(Emotional tears contain more beta-endorphins, some of our bodies’ natural pain relievers, and protein.) Taken from the article HAVE A GOOD CRY By Victor M. Parachin
She remembered what he said to her in Martha’s kitchen, and she knows what will be coming to her friend. So, with all the love and care she has for him, she gives to him freely an act of respect and kindness for the Messiah, he is her savior and so she anoints him.
Do you ever put yourself in these stories? Do you ever wonder what your response would be? I’m sure I can see me, as Martha but then after doing a bit of soul searching, I have a change of heart sigh and say, “OK, Lord, I hear you. I’ll take a little while and sit at your feet.” Oh, what a refreshing, what peace fills my soul there really is nothing that can compare to being in his presence.
Why do we let the cares and distractions of this world prevent us from sitting at Jesus’ feet?
Stop what you are doing right now…sit at his feet…look into his face by faith … and praise Him.
Put your name in this space “______________, __________ choose the better part.” Jesus is speaking are you listening?
©Written by: Marla O’Neill
Cast Your Net on the Other Side
Yesterday I had a wonderful conversation with a dear sister in the Lord and friend. There had been no activity over the weekend on our home for sale and it was getting a little discouraging. Then April called and said we have four different people who want to come and see the house. Then she said, you know it reminds me of where Jesus told Peter to, cast his net on the right side of the boat… Peter was conflicted and tired, but he had heard Jesus preach and so he did as Jesus asked. A leap of the faith, sometimes, is all it takes. All you have to do is obey.
Worked all night, the sun is coming up. There’s got to be a better way to make a living, cause fishing won’t pay the taxes we owe. Won’t feed our hungry souls. Tired, exhausted, no hope can I see, laboring for a day’s wage I won’t be paid today.
Then in the distance a man I’ve never met, said cast your net on the other side.
I can’t believe my ears or my eyes…what is he asking me to do? I’m tired and weary from the long hard night. Did I hear him correctly? What can this possibly accomplish? But it’s the master, so he does as Jesus asks.
Throwing the net on the other side not knowing why… I obey! Fish! Thousands of glorious, beautiful, stinky fish come pouring into the boat so full the nets begin to break…
Astonished, bewildered, amazed, surprised…I didn’t believe, but acting on this man’s words…Cast your net…cast your net on the other side and you will receive…
Laughing, crying, then panic as the boat begins to sink, thrilled I couldn’t even think…
Are you feeling defeated today? Are you at the end of your rope? Disgusted, beaten down by life without hope?
Cast your net on the right side of the boat…then watch as “the man,” Jesus, shows you what He can do. You may not even have the faith to believe but I believe. I believe in the God who can do more than we can imagine, or even ask, or think! I’m telling you today, cast your net on the other side and watch as Jesus multiplies all you need!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 10, 2022
John 21:6
New King James Version
6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So, they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
This is What I’ve Found
Lowly stranger down and out, where are you going?
Head hanging low, conflicted and alone, you’ve traveled so very far from home.
City to city, town to town, nowhere is the place, I’m bound.
No destination when I set out, broken and shattered, headed to nowhere, whispers on the wind
Beginnings of sorrow and woe…
This is what I’ve found.
Blank stares with unhappy faces. Plans made on sand, in wasted places.
Bridges broken, words unspoken, empty souls approach toll roads, without a token.
Treadmill spinning out of control, busy highways, with many a lost soul.
World in turmoil, they can’t see the troll’s making decisions while innocent heads roll…
Into the abyss, as the devil insists…everyone is suffering, betrayed by a kiss.
Are you listening?
Listen to this!
Only one way for life to turn out, if you miss it, there is no doubt…
Wishing you’d paid more attention, because something is amiss,
Rumors of war no longer a threat…brothers, sisters this is no bet, it’s staring us straight in the face, be aware it’s coming, so let’s…
Pray like your house is on fire! Get real, with a holy desire…we are in the fight of our lives…
Make no mistake, I’m just a lowly stranger in a foreign land, but I’ve seen what’s coming, I’ve seen it first-hand.
Do not fear nor be afraid, you, who call on the name of the Lord stay true
For the Angel of the Lord has taken the seal and broken it in two…
It’s the heavenly host who is fighting for you.
Stand in the gap and make up the hedge…
Shout out to God! Make a pledge!!
No weapon formed against you will prosper, every lying tongue will be stopped. God of angel armies drive back the deluge. Saints of God, march on into the night, keeping vigil until the light, is seen and Victory is won!
Jesus Christ the Holy son, is coming with a vengeance…
Make no mistake, it’s not too late, to turn to Him and win this fight.
This is what I’ve found! Arise and shine for the glory of the Lord is upon thee! Today is the day of salvation. Do not put off the stirring that is within you. Fall on your knees, cry out to the God who sees and let him have your heart!
Do not mock and do not laugh; difficult times are among us!!
Where does our help come from? It comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
Put your hope in Jesus!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 8, 2022
Isaiah 54:17 New King James Version
17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.
Isaiah 35:4 New International Version
4 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
Isaiah 60 King James Version
60 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
The Goodness of God
In fields of clover I stop, look and wait…It’s been a long difficult journey…
Just there in the distance I see him…
He’s running towards me with arms held out, face shining in the sunlight…a smile as big as the sky…
I drop everything I’m carrying and with every ounce of energy I possess I break into a full run…
Papa! Papa! Two hearts collide as he picks me up and swings me around, we embrace and tears of pure joy flow…
It’s been too long, too long since I saw you last…but Papa, I promise, I’m never leaving home again. I’m here to stay with you forever!
The greatest love I’ve ever known was holding me in His arms…
Child, I’ve missed you, welcome home!!
Have you ever known a love like this? My birth dad wasn’t in my life growing up. It was complicated. I had a stepdad though he was a good man. I can’t say I’ve ever known the closeness of a loving Father. But I can say that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the love of my heavenly father is more real, more genuine, more faithful, than any an earthly father could have given me. I was listening to the song, “The Goodness of God.” And I saw the image I wrote above. It kind of reminded me of the prodigal son. But my feeling was of a child who had lived far away from her dad and upon coming back home she spots him in the distance. He had been anticipating her return. He would go every day to that field and watch. He knew that one day she’d return. And on this day fifteen years later she was there. Spiritually speaking.
I had run from God for fifteen long grueling years. My papa God knew I’d come home one day, and I did. The life I’ve lived in the last nine years have been more blessed than I can tell you. But I will tell you this, God is faithful no matter what.
You are never too far away that you can’t turn around and in an instant be in the arms of your heavenly Papa.
I would cry and beg God to help me. But I was in no condition to help myself. So, I ran and ran and ran. Until finally I ran into the arms of my heavenly father. He didn’t reject me. He welcomed me with all the love he has in his great big heart.
March 13, 2013, Bob and I were married. This was a true turning point in my life and I’ve never been the same since. God knew what I needed. He knew I needed love. Bob says, he didn’t pray for a wife, he prayed that God would give him greater faith. I guess we both got what we needed. It’s been an amazing nine years and with God’s help we will continue to grow and love each other. We’ll do whatever it is or go wherever God takes us until one day we run into His arms and are finally in our heavenly home.
If you’re hurting and searching, if you’re running from something that has caused you to fear and be full of guilt and shame. I’m here to tell you stop running away and run into the arms of your loving heavenly father. He’s waiting every single day for you to come home. He wants to give you an abundant, glorious, victorious, love filled, life.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 7, 2022
Luke 15:13-24
English Standard Version
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Plea to Putin
This is a plea going out to everyone regarding President Putin and what’s happening in Ukraine. My son sharing his heart. Thank you so much for watching and sharing. Please pray! Thank you.