The old preacher stood before the Sunday crowd and spoke these powerful words.
“How much is your soul worth? If you find your life, you’ll lose it. But…if you lose your life for Jesus’ sake, you’ll find it.”
A long time ago I was a lost soul. I had now money, no home, no friends, no family and I didn’t believe in God.
I lay in a cold, dark, alley drunk, beat up, unconscious; left for dead!
I was young then, but life had not been kind, I played the fool. Strong drink and wild women were my addiction.
Somehow, someway, someone pulled me out of that dark cesspool.
Dressed my wounds and said, “Son, it’s up to you. You must choose life or death…but I’ll tell you who, can turn everything around if you want him too!”
Fame can’t heal a broken heart.
Money can’t buy you a brand-new start.
Power can’t bring you peace, but son, Jesus can!”
That was more than fifty years ago, I’m now 72.
What will you give in exchange for your soul?
If you find your life you’ll lose it, but, if you lose your life for Jesus’ sake, you’ll find it!
The old preacher man folded his Bible and said, “Understand, it’s a choice, what will you choose?
More precious than silver or gold…is a soul set free living for all to see…your soul is priceless don’t let it be sold, to the dark lord, the enemy…
Jesus has already paid the blood price in full!
All you have to do is say yes, Jesus, I choose you!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 28, 2025
Mark 8:36-38 King James Version – For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Matthew 16:25 King James Version – 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Growing from a place of love and gratitude, are these people I call, friends. But more than that, they are my precious family…
Different mom’s and dad’s we had, the good, the ugly, and the bad, brought us all together.
Long talks and brisk walks took us through deep waters, but we survived, in fact we thrive!
Because a force, more powerful, than we could imagine, led us down different roads.
Over mountains and through dark valleys, around the world and back again, just to find each other, so that we could become, family.
The broken ones. Cast aside, unwanted, left alone and terrified, life had not been kind.
But the one thing we found in common, was a man named Jesus.
He picked us up and washed our feet. Introduced us to the Father, so we could meet, a family that we would never disband…This man, Jesus, gave us a brand-new community…
Secrets shared and forgiven. Accepted for who we are. Love, restored with those we never knew.
Family is more than flesh and blood, more than likes and dislikes. Family is a bond, that goes beyond generations, where the spirit of God creates nations…
A kingdom wrought by His own kind…
Family is where the love of God, breaks down barriers of lusts and hate, it binds us to the only one who can truly restore our humanity…
God gives us, a family…
Brothers and sisters who do the will of our heavenly Father God!
Oh, how he loves us, prays for us, multiplies, he does not divide…
We are family.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 27, 2025
Matthew 12:46-50 New King James Version – Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Send for Him – While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”
But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
Dreaming of a place where there’s no pain, hidden in her heart
But wishes are like fairy tales, make believe, a living hell
For those who build their dreams, on pretending, and lies…
All grown up, the little girl stands, at the altar and gives her hand
No prince charming, but he’s a kind and generous man…
Loves her, and wipes her tears, clams her heart and takes her to live, happily-ever-after…
The end…
Fantasy is a place we go, when we can’t face, life’s brutality and woe…
Remember honey, you’re worth so much more, you were made perfectly to serve the Lord,
You’re more precious than rubies and fine gold, one day your story will be told…
She’s a woman after God’s own heart…
Hush-a-buy my baby girl, please don’t cry…
The Prince of Peace is standing by your side.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 23, 2025
Matthew 7:24-27 New King James Version – Build on the Rock “Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
You could hear him before you saw him. No bigger than a minute.
He shouted, he shook, with all his might. Known as Lil’ Jake Bennett.
Standing on a street corner, wearing faded, denim overalls, toes poking through worn-out shoes, Lil’ Jake preached the word of God.
“Repent!” He cried. Tattered Bible in his hand.
Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Ole man passing by said, “Young man, why you out here doing this? Why ain’t you home, playing with the other kids. This Jesus talk is for Sunday school. Don’t you know the town’s got rules. Go on home now and stop this yell’n, people don’t care what you’re a’tell’n.
“Mister, do you know Jesus? Did you know he died on an old, rugged tree, just to save you, and me?”
I can’t stop mister, because you see, Jesus, took me out of a horrible pit. Mama and Papa died. My brother and sister too…
All burned up in a fire…I was only five, but I knew…
Miss Mae came to my rescue. She said, “Jake, here’s what we gonna do…”
You’re coming home with me, but first, let’s pray.
“Jesus, keep your hand on lil Jake. Raise him up to preach your word. Lord, use him in a mighty way. To save souls, Lord, help him obey. Don’t let him ever give up preaching your word. This we ask today, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
“Miss Mae, tell me about Jesus.”
“Jesus loves all the little children in the world. He loves you so much he died for you on an old rugged cross. But he didn’t stay in that grave. He rose on the third day. He is the Son of God. Ask him to save you and live in your heart and make everything new. Then preach his word wherever you go. Tell everyone about his great love.”
Sir, that was two years ago… “I’m just gett’n started. I won’t ever stop preaching about Jesus’ great love.”
Ole man shook his head… “Preacher Jake, that’s quite a story seems to me you give God all the glory. Keep doing what you’re a do’n son, and Oh by the way, will you pray. I believe ever-thing you say. It’s the best message I’ve ever heard. Tell me some more about God’s word.”
Lil Jake, is now, 80 years old. Four children, fifteen grandkids, ten great grandkids and one great gran. He still stands on the street corner, preaching God’s word. “Jesus loves you! Will you love him too? Ask him into your heart. Make you new!”
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 22, 2025
Romans 10:9-10 King James Version – 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
This story is fiction as far as Lil Jake goes but God’s word is True. If you don’t know Jesus and you want to know him. Just do what Lil Jake did. Ask him to come into your heart then live like Jesus is inside of you and do what Jesus says in his word. God bless you.
They watch, the bride approach, in all her glory and splendor…
Tiny pearls of opal, glisten, upon her gown, pure and white
Her skin perfumed in pomegranate and frankincense,
Lilies of the Valley crown her head and vail…
With humility and great joy, she approaches…
Finally, the day is here!
She stands before her beloved, two hearts, become one…
Overcome with the song of the turtle dove,
“Our wait is over!”
All that love him, witness the promise of God!
Mazel tov!
To Life!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 21, 2025
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Rev. 19:7,8).
Pomegranates represent abundance, fertility, hope, and resurrection, making them symbols of new beginnings and spiritual growth.
Frankincense oil is used in meditation, prayer, and other spiritual practices to promote calmness, clarity, and connection with the divine.
Using both pomegranates and frankincense oil in rituals or practices can symbolize the shedding of old patterns and the embracing of new beginnings.
Praising my savior all the day long!!] (Fanny Crosby)
~Marla Shaw O’Neill
1 Peter 1:3:
This verse speaks of a “living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” which is a key element of the assurance that “Blessed Assurance” celebrates.
1 John 4:18:
This verse states that “perfect love casts out fear,” a concept that aligns with the confidence and peace expressed in the hymn.
Hebrews 10:22:
This verse encourages believers to “draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith,” which echoes the hymn’s theme of assurance.
1 John 4:7-19:
This passage speaks of God’s love, which is the foundation of the assurance that “Blessed Assurance” proclaims.
Frances Jane van Alstyne (née Crosby; March 24, 1820 – February 12, 1915), more commonly known as Fanny J. Crosby, was an American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. She was a prolific hymnist, writing more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs,[a] with more than 100 million copies printed.[1] She is also known for her teaching and her rescue mission work. By the end of the 19th century, she was a household name.[2]
Crosby was known as the “Queen of Gospel Song Writers”[3] and as the “Mother of modern congregational singing in America”,[4] with most American hymnals containing her work.[5] Her gospel songs were “paradigmatic of all revival music”,[6] and Ira Sankey attributed the success of the Moody and Sankey evangelical campaigns largely to Crosby’s hymns.[7] Some of Crosby’s best-known songs include “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour“, “Blessed Assurance“, “Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home”, “Praise Him, Praise Him”, “Rescue the Perishing”, and “To God Be the Glory“. Some publishers were hesitant to have so many hymns by one person in their hymnals, so Crosby used nearly 200 different pseudonyms during her career.[8][b]
