Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

I’m posting this flyer to let you know there is going to be an event on Zoom, Thursday at 7pm. The ID and passcode is on the flyer but I’m also putting here incase you can’t read it. Zoom ID: 871 0407 7486. The passcode is: 803490

Rosy is a very dear friend and sister in the Lord who is hosting this event. The guest speaker is a Life Coach and Grief Coach. Her name is Pamela Weaver with an MA, ACC, CPLC. She’s a Christ Centered Counselor. There will be tips to help deal with grief and loss and lots of information regarding this subject along with a discussion with questions and answers. If you or someone you know  has struggled or is struggling with the hurt and pain of losing a loved one, please share this information with them so that we can experience love and expect healing and ways to deal with the suffering.

I wouldn’t normally share something like this on my blog but I feel so strong about what’s going on all around us today in our lives and in the lives of multitudes of ladies. God has impressed on Rosy’s heart to have this event. I hope you will come and that you will share it with every woman you know.

Thank goodness for technology, that we can come together in one accord through Zoom, in the comfort of our own home and find hope and strength among others with similar experiences.

God bless you. I hope you will come!

Love and blessings,

Marla Shaw O’Neill September 29, 2020

A steady, warm wind, is blowing across our restless land

Lives shattered and broken, afraid to take a stand…

Fear grips the hearts of women, children and men…

A cry is going out,

“Do Not give in. Do not give up. Remember the holy book, and take a good look…”

There is a window of hope that is open…

Just a small, tiny, window, in this moment of time

Will you waste it by hiding in dark shadows, will you continue to wallow and whine?

GET UP! GET UP!

Return to your first love…

Turn around and stop sinning…take this new beginning…

A window of time is open but soon it will close…

Will you be one of those, who harken to the call?

Or just keep on ignoring Holy Spirit’s warning?

It’s time to break down the walls…

Of guilt, shame, hate, unforgiveness, and lies…

Don’t be blinded by the deception of evil’s putrid disguise

He calls good evil and evil good…

Open you heart; open your eyes…

There’s a warm wind blowing…minutes are ticking by…

The window is now open, open your heart, don’t cry…

Now is the time to act…

Now is the time to walk by faith…

Surrender to the Savior

He makes the crooked places straight

Don’t wait, until it’s too late…

That tugging you feel within you, that gnawing, to do what is right…

Holy Spirit is calling, “Come back to me my child and do not tarry…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Crying in the darkness, isolated and alone, hopeless and despairing, no one caring, has become your hearts song…

Single mom struggling to raise your children alone. Dad out of work how will you make it on your own? Children contemplating leaving home, flying to a world unknown.

I see you, elderly man and woman, life was never supposed to have this end? What choice do we have we cannot win…? But wait…listen…there’s a warm wind blowing, the window is wide open…

Get up! Get up! Get up!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, September 23, 2020

Prayer of Forgiveness~

Lord, forgive me for not doing what I know to do. Forgive me for fighting and doubting what I know is true. I was distracted by the enemy of my soul. I couldn’t even hear you when you spoke to me. You have been with me the whole time, but fear and unbelief stole my attention. The more I listened to the world’s chatter, the more I sank into the pit of despair and distractions. There is no peace in the flesh. Only chaos and doom and want and gloom. This one is saying, “my way is right and that one is saying, your way is wrong.” Too many voices drown out your voice. Jobless, broken economy, disease and death. Fright and discontented all running rampant in the streets. Lord, forgive me. I take the authority you have given me in Jesus name and I proclaim, “NO MORE, I WILL TAKE IT NO MORE! I bind the spirits of greed, distraction, unbelief, death, chaos, fear, doubt, indecision, poverty, ill-gotten gain, materialism, political correctness, I say to factions and ungodliness, be bound and cast into the sea of forgetfulness…I AM A CHILD OF GOD AND I AM SET FREE! I am delivered and made whole and complete in the living God in Jesus name! Amen and Amen! Lord take all of me! I will bow before your holiness and stand in your righteousness and declare for all the world to see and know who it is I live for. To live is Christ and to die is gain. I give my life to thee, Jesus! Let it be a sweet-smelling fragrance flowing through your window of time. For now, I will live by faith and not in vain…in Jesus name! Amen!!!

~(MSO)

This poem was inspired by Father Ray Kelly a Priest from Ireland. He sang a song, Everybody Hurts, in 2018, on Britain’s Got Talent, but I watched it in 2020. God’s timing is endless. I was very discouraged. After hearing his song and he sang the part Hold on, hold on, hold on….I burst into tears. It gave me new strength and new hope and I got up from my bed and finished the poem. I recorded it and posted it to my Facebook page, so that others who are hurting at this time in our world would be encouraged too. I hope it blesses you and remember, to, “Hold on!”

Breathing in, I raise my head, staring into a canopy of clear, blue, skies

An eagle is soaring, high above he flies…

Sheltered under my Fathers wings, new life, He brings.

As the flowers grow in spring-time

And streams of living waters flow

My heart is full and carefree

As onward I go…

Being a lover of God, I step to and fro…

Dancing in the moon-light with innumerable stars…

The fragrance of honeysuckle drifts near and far…

Searching through the night,

I come to realize, it’s you I long for, tis you, I adore…

Counting the minutes until you knock at my door…

My heart longs to be near you with each beat it takes

Lying in fields of green pastures, sleeping, I awake…

My ears hearken, to hear your soft-voice, singing in pure worship,

I stand and rejoice…

You are there, contented, with a smile on your face…

I’ve come to bring you blessings in the heavenly place…

My heart beats wildly, with one glimpse, of you there

Loving you is easy; I will never despair…

You are my life’s essence, faithful and true

The High King of Heaven, Majesty, crowned, brand new…

Like fresh cut roses, dipped, in morning dew…

I breath you in, Holy and sacred, all of my love is only for you!

Lover of God, created to be…

When you look at my life, that’s what you will see.

Dear Ahava, lover of God!

I know you and You know me!

Crowned with loving kindness, your presence is pure joy,

I am bound to you fully;

One touch of your Spirit and my soul is restored…

To be known forever as the lover of the Lord!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill September 19, 2020

Acts 1:1 The Passion Translation: To Theophilus, the lover of God. 

Artist: David Bowman

Let me tell you a story.

It begins with a heart that is lonely and seeking for his very own love.

He has the greatest integrity. He’s the wealthiest, the most compassionate; loving man ever to exist.

He’s suffered many trials. He’s given everything to pursue the bride he seeks. He’s written love songs and letters to woo his lady-fair. He’s traveled through the portals of time, given up everything and endured the most excruciating pain imaginable. Even death could not stop him from finding his greatest love.

He’s seen her in the distance skipping over hills and bathing in the river of still waters. He’s watched as she drank from the wells of Jacob and gazed at her beauty as she danced in fields of light. He sees her napping in the mid-afternoon sun. Glowing with the radiance of pure delight. Her fragrance is of spikenard (light) and cinnamon (odor of holiness to the Lord). Her hair, is her crown of glory. It shines and sparkles like the north star. She throws back her head and laughs, music fills the air. He scans the night stars, when the moon is hidden from sight hoping to see just one glimpse of her beauty. When he scans the oceans, they remind him of the blue in her eyes. It calms his soul and gives him rest. When a tempest rises, they flash with strength and valor. She is a formidable warrior. He keeps searching for a sign that it’s time to go to her. No, not yet.

Enemies have tried to subdue her and take her will. But she is steadfast and immovable. Waiting for her Bridegroom to come. She laughs in the face of defeat, for she knows victory will be sweet. Her heart is ever ready as she runs the race without fear. She’s found peace in the valley and on the mountaintop. She waits patiently, knowing he only tarries to make her strong. She knows who her heart belongs to and will not take anyone less than Him. Her heart is pure. She’s without spot or wrinkle and when the time is ready, He will come for her.

Oh, how his heart burns within him. His love grows deeper and deeper seeing her faithful. It will be all the sweeter when they are united. They will soar as the eagles, high above their wounds. And celebrate, new life!

Dare he approach her now? Is she ready? What will her answer be?

He seeks her out. “Listen my dearest darling it is you I have chosen. I have loved you and waited for you a very long time. I’ve seen your faithfulness. I’ve seen your longing. I have come for you; will you be mine?”

Her chest rises and falls with great joy and her smile answers him even before she utters the words. “Oh, my sweetest love, “Yes! I will be your bride!”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill September 8, 2020

Song of Songs 4

The Passion Translation

4 Listen, my dearest darling,

you are so beautiful—you are beauty itself to me! Your eyes glisten with love, like gentle doves behind your veil. What devotion I see each time I gaze upon you. You are like a sacrifice ready to be offered.^{[a] 2} When I look at you, I see how you have taken my fruit and tasted my word. Your life has become clean and pure, like a lamb washed and newly shorn. You now show grace and balance with truth on display. ³ Your lips are as lovely as Rahab’s scarlet ribbon,^[b] speaking mercy, speaking grace. The words of your mouth are as refreshing as an oasis. What pleasure you bring to me! I see your blushing cheeks opened like the halves of a pomegranate,^[c] showing through your veil of tender meekness. ⁴ When I look at you, I see your inner strength, so stately and strong. You are as secure as David’s fortress. Your virtues and grace cause a thousand famous soldiers to surrender to your beauty. ⁵ Your pure faith and love rest over your heart as you nurture those who are yet infants.

The Shulamite

⁶ I’ve made up my mind. Until the darkness disappears and the dawn has fully come, in spite of shadows and fears, I will go to the mountaintop with you— the mountain of suffering love^[d] and the hill of burning incense. Yes, I will be your bride.^[e]

The Bridegroom-King

⁷ Every part of you is so beautiful, my darling. Perfect is your beauty, without flaw within. ⁸ Now you are ready, my bride, to come with me as we climb the highest peaks together. Come with me through the archway of trust.^[f] We will look down^[g] from the crest of the glistening mounts and from the summit of our sublime sanctuary. Together we will wage war
in the lion’s den and the leopard’s lair as they watch nightly for their prey. ⁹ For you reach into my heart. With one flash of your eyes I am undone by your love, my beloved, my equal, my bride. You leave me breathless— I am overcome by merely a glance from your worshiping eyes, for you have stolen my heart.^[h] I am held hostage by your love and by the graces of righteousness shining upon you.^{[i] 10} How satisfying to me, my equal, my bride. Your love is my finest wine—intoxicating and thrilling. And your sweet, perfumed praises—so exotic, so pleasing. ¹¹Your loving words are like the honeycomb to me; your tongue releases milk and honey, for I find the Promised Land flowing within you.^[j] The fragrance of your worshiping love surrounds you with scented robes of white.^{[k] 12} My darling bride, my private paradise, fastened to my heart. A secret spring are you that no one else can have— my bubbling fountain hidden from public view. What a perfect partner to me now that I have you.

^13–14 Your inward life is now sprouting, bringing forth fruit. What a beautiful paradise unfolds within you.^[l] When I’m near you, I smell aromas of the finest spice, for many clusters of my exquisite fruit now grow within your inner garden. Here are the nine: pomegranates of passion,^[m] henna from heaven,^[n] spikenard so sweet,^[o] saffron shining,^[p] fragrant calamus from the cross,^[q] sacred cinnamon,^[r] branches of scented woods,^[s] myrrh, like tears from a tree,^[t] and aloe as eagles ascending.^{[u] 15} Your life flows into mine, pure as a garden spring. A well of living water springs up from within you, like a mountain brook flowing into my heart!^[v]

The Shulamite Bride

^4:16–5:1 Then may your awakening breath blow upon my life until I am fully yours. Breathe upon me with your Spirit wind. Stir up the sweet spice of your life within me. Spare nothing as you make me your fruitful garden. Hold nothing back until I release your fragrance. Come walk with me as you walked with Adam in your paradise garden.^[w] Come taste the fruits of your life in me.

The Bridegroom-King

I have come to you, my darling bride, for you are my paradise garden!

The Shulamite Bride

Come walk with me until I am fully yours. Come taste the fruits of your life in me.

Footnotes

1. Song of Songs 4:1 The Hebrew text literally means “Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.” There is great symbolism in this verse. Hair is a symbol of our devotion to Christ. Mount Gilead (“hill of testimony”) is where the sacrificial animals were kept in preparation for temple sacrifices. So, a goat coming down Mount Gilead was a sacrifice ready to be offered.

2. Song of Songs 4:3 The “scarlet ribbon” in the text is a comparison to the ribbon Rahab placed at her dwelling to show the place where mercy would spare her life. The color scarlet points us to the blood of mercy, Christ’s sacrifice that has spared us. See Josh. 2.

3. Song of Songs 4:3 Pomegranates were engraved on the tops of the pillars of Solomon’s temple and were also sewn into the hem of the robes of the high priest. They speak of our open hearts of love, filled with passion for him. The Hebrew word for “pomegranate” is ramam, a homonym that means “to rise up.” Pomegranates were also placed on the hem of the robe of the high priest, interspersed with golden bells.

4. Song of Songs 4:6 Literally “the mountain of myrrh”—the emblem of suffering love. To become the bride, she must experience Calvary, as did her Lord. We must be his co-crucified partner who will embrace the fellowship of his sufferings. See Gal. 2:20 and Phil. 3:10.

5. Song of Songs 4:6 Implied in the context, affirmed by the bridegroom in v. 8. This is the first mention of the Shulamite as the bride.

6. Song of Songs 4:8 Translated from the Septuagint. The Hebrew is “the crest of Amana.” Amana comes from a Hebrew root word from which we get the English word amen. This is also one of the Hebrew words for “faith.” The crest of Amana is the realm where all God’s promises are kept and realized. Amana can also be translated “a place of settled security.” Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names by J. B. Jackson.

7. Song of Songs 4:8 The word for “look” is “survey, inspect, look all around, observe.” The bride of Christ is seated on high with Jesus and is encouraged to survey all the blessings heaven contains in our co-exaltation with Christ.

8. Song of Songs 4:9 Or “You have ravished my heart.” This is the Hebrew word libabthini, which is taken from a Semitic root word that means “to tear bark off of a tree.” He is saying that your loving eyes of worship have uncovered his heart and laid it bare, making him vulnerable to you. What a description of what happens to Jesus when he looks into your eyes. Your worship brings to him such an ecstasy and delight that it becomes hard to even imagine. Yet God has placed inside of you the ability to ravish the heart of your King—not someday in heaven, but now, even when you feel incomplete and weak.

9. Song of Songs 4:9 Or “the jewels of your neck [necklace].” These divine jewels are the beautifying graces that the Holy Spirit gives to us. They are the graces of righteousness given to the redeemed bride of Christ.

10. Song of Songs 4:11 Both the Promised Land and your heart flow with milk and honey. You have become the Promised Land of Jesus Christ.

11. Song of Songs 4:11 Or “like the scent of Lebanon.”

12. Song of Songs 4:13 Or “Your shoots are a paradise of pomegranates.”

13. Song of Songs 4:13 “Pomegranate” is taken from a word that means “exalted.” The temple pillars were adorned with pomegranates.

14. Song of Songs 4:13 “Henna” comes from a root word for “ransom price” or “redemption.” The fruit of mercy is seen in his maturing bride.

15. Song of Songs 4:13 The Hebrew root word for “spikenard” means “light.” She is walking in the light as he is the Light.

16. Song of Songs 4:13 Saffron is the crocus, the lover’s perfume, costly and fragrant.

17. Song of Songs 4:13 Calamus is taken from a marsh plant known as “sweet flag,” which produces fragrant oil. The Hebrew word for this spice means “purchased” or “redeemed.”

18. Song of Songs 4:13 Cinnamon emits a fragrance that is representative of an odor of holiness to the Lord. It was used in the sacred anointing oil of the priests and the tabernacle.

19. Song of Songs 4:13 This is the incense that would be burned on the golden altar in the Holy Place.

20. Song of Songs 4:13 Known as “tears from a tree,” myrrh was a resin spice formed by cutting a tree. It is a picture of the suffering love of Christ dripping down from Calvary’s tree.

21. Song of Songs 4:13 Aloe is considered by many as a healing balm. The presence of the Lord within her is released as a healing balm to those she touches. Jesus’ robes smelled of aloe (Ps. 45:8). One of the names used by some for aloe is “eagle wood.” Like eagles, we fly above our wounds, free from the past as we walk in intimacy with him.

22. Song of Songs 4:15 Or “like the flowing streams of Lebanon.”

23. Song of Songs 4:15 The scene of a garden and the breath of God point us back to Eden. Now this paradise is found in his bride. This is the reason the reference of Adam is given: to help the reader connect with the mystery of this scene. See also Jer. 31:12 and John 15:1-2.

So, there were these ten girls, (ladies-in-waiting,) waiting for the bridegroom to come and get his bride. Five were wise and five were foolish. Let me explain.

Five of the girls go on their merry way living life burning the midnight oil and taking no thought about anything other than doing what they love to do. Have fun. Shop. Sleep-in. Eat. Watch movies. Relax and enjoy life. They don’t think they’re hurting anyone. They aren’t evil. They just don’t take anything serious. After all, the bridegroom will come, but they don’t know when and there’s no telling how long he will take, so, why not just do their own thing. They go about their lives in a que sera-sera, attitude. And besides they can always rely on their friends to help them out. There’s no reason to worry. I mean, really, why shouldn’t they have fun; they’ve got all the time in the world. Right? Or, do they?

There are five other young maidens who are more conscientious. They keep watch for the bridegroom, he could return at any time. They have trimmed their lamps; they even keep extra oil so they don’t run out. There’s no telling when he will arrive but they want to be ready when he does. They go about doing their work. Their hearts are constantly expecting his return. They don’t want to be caught unaware. They live their lives with compassion and gratitude making sure their thoughts and actions line up with what would please the bridegroom even though he takes a long time coming.

But even in their best efforts they all fall asleep and at midnight a cry wakes them. “The bridegroom is coming come out to meet him.” The five who are wise, wake up, their lamps are trimmed and they have extra oil. The five who are foolish trim their lamps but realize they are running low on oil. “Hey, wise girls, can you help us out our oil is low and we won’t have enough to make it to meet the bridegroom?”

“We’re sorry, but we don’t have any extra oil to give to you, if we do, we won’t have enough. Go to the store and buy some.”

They look at each other, mouths a gap, exasperation on their faces. “What! We thought we could rely on you for our oil supply; now we must hurry to buy oil because our lamps are going out.” They rush to the store to shop for more oil.

While they are gone the bridegroom returns. He welcomes the five wise girls into the wedding feast and the door is shut and locked. No one else can enter. The five foolish girls come knocking on the door. “Lord, open the door, it’s us. Our lamps are full we’re here for the party. Let us in!”

“I’m sorry girls I don’t know you. The party is going on and I you cannot come in!”

Remember, if you are wise you will keep watch, your lamps will be trimmed and you will keep extra oil for your lamp so you won’t run out. The bridegroom is coming! We just don’t know when he will appear. So, be prepared at all times. Even if you fall asleep, if you’re prepared when you hear the call, “Come out to meet the bridegroom!” You will be welcomed into the wedding feast and not be locked out.

Matthew 25:1-13

The Passion Translation

A Parable about Ten Virgins

25 “At the time my coming draws near, heaven’s kingdom realm can be compared to ten maidens who took their oil lamps and went outside to meet the bridegroom and his bride.^[a] 2–4 Five of them were foolish and ill-prepared, for they took no extra oil^[b] for their lamps. Five of them were wise and sensible, for they took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. ⁵ When the bridegroom didn’t come when they expected, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. ⁶ Then suddenly, in the middle of the night, they were awakened by the shout ‘Get up! The bridegroom is here! Come out and have an encounter with him!’^[c] 7 So all the girls got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ But the foolish ones were running out of oil, so they said to the five wise ones, ‘Share your oil with us, because our lamps are going out!’

⁹ “‘We can’t,’ they replied. ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. You’ll have to go and buy some for yourselves!’

¹⁰ “While the five girls were out buying oil, the bridegroom appeared. Those who were ready and waiting were escorted inside with him and the wedding party to enjoy the feast. And then the door was locked. ¹¹ Later, the five foolish girls came running up to the door and pleaded, ‘Lord, Lord, let us come in!’

¹² “But he called back, ‘Go away! Do I know you? I can assure you, I don’t even know you!’

¹³ “That is the reason you should always stay awake and be alert, because you don’t know the day or hour when the Bridegroom will appear.”^[d]

Footnotes

1. Matthew 25:1 As translated from the Hebrew Matthew and a few Greek manuscripts. Most Greek manuscripts have only “bridegroom.” This would mean the ten virgins were going to marry one man, a doubtful teaching from Jesus. The ten virgins were bridesmaids, ladies-in-waiting. This was not Jesus condoning polygamy. It is possible that the parable hints of Zech. 8:23.

2. Matthew 25:2 See v. 8. Oil in the Scriptures is a metaphor of the Holy Spirit, who brings us revelation of the Word of God and power for ministry.

3. Matthew 25:6 This is not simply “meet him,” for it is a rare Greek noun that means to “have a meeting” or “an encounter.” See also 1 Thess. 4:17.

4. Matthew 25:13 As translated from the Hebrew Matthew.

 

Oh God, what have I done? These men, mean to humiliate me, in front of the whole town

I’m caught in my own sin, it has me tormented and bound

There will be no mercy, no compassion found

For the law is clearly written and it is profound…

“Stone her!” This is the only thing they can do. So, I mustn’t make a sound.

No defense will be given for one such as I…

Today, dear God, they want me to die!

Ashamed and devastated in the dirt I lie.

Shouts of accusations are spewed forth from these men…

“What say you teacher? Shall we shout it again?”

Silence from the teacher as he bends down, writing on the ground.

Not a word does he speak.

Certain death will be my gain today…I’m ready, for whatever the teacher may say…

I’m sorry for my sin. What else could I have done…I’m just a poor, haggard, woman.

These are my thoughts as I crouch in the dirt…dirty and sweaty, not of much worth. Eyes bowed low. I’m numb, but I’m not afraid anymore…I’ve heard of this teacher, they say He’s the Lord!

I hear Him stand and then he speaks these words…

“Let the man who has never sinned, throw the first stone at her” …

He stoops again and writes in the dust…

One by one, they drop their stones,

knowing their own hearts are full of lusts…

Not one of them could throw a stone, hanging their heads they walk on…

“Dear woman? Where are those who condemned you?”

Looking around I’m left alone with only the teacher… “They’re all gone.”

“I do not condemn you either. Go and live your life free from sin.”

Standing there I’m elated and surprised, today I will not die. Today I have new life!

I will live my life for Him!!

I am not condemned!!

Condemnation is a lie from the enemy, we all fight it at some time. Satan will lie to us over and over and over again. That’s his job. But Jesus does not lie and He says, “Where are your accusers?” Look around you, they are gone! Jesus has set us free! He is the freedom giver! Don’t let the devil condemn you not for one instant. Because Jesus does not condemn you, but he does say, “Go, and sin no more!!!” Praise the Lord!! Who the son sets free is free indeed! Simply ask the Lord to forgive you for condemning yourself and then walk in that freedom!! We are in a constant battle, but you know what, we are not fighting it by ourselves…We have the Spirit of the Living God, His Holy Spirit, living right inside of us. Listen to Him and you will never go wrong, not ever!!!! The Spirit and the word bear witness to the truth!!! Live in Freedom!!! Amen!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, August 31, 2020

John 3:17 TPT – “God did not send his Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it!

John 8:1-11 The Passion Translation Jesus walked up the Mount of Olives near the city where he spent the night. Then at dawn Jesus appeared in the temple courts again, and soon all the people gathered around to listen to his words, so he sat down and taught them. Then in the middle of his teaching, the religious scholars and the Pharisees broke through the crowd and brought a woman who had been caught in the act of committing adultery and made her stand in the middle of everyone.

Then they said to Jesus, – “Teacher, we caught this woman in the very act of adultery. Doesn’t Moses’ law command us to stone to death a woman like this? Tell us, what do you say we should do with her?” They were only testing Jesus because they hoped to trap him with his own words and accuse him of breaking the laws of Moses.

But Jesus didn’t answer them. Instead he simply bent down and wrote in the dust with his finger. Angry, they kept insisting that he answer their question, so Jesus stood up and looked at them and said, “Let’s have the man who has never had a sinful desire throw the first stone at her.” And then he bent over again and wrote some more words in the dust.

Upon hearing that, her accusers slowly left the crowd one at a time, beginning with the oldest to the youngest, with a convicted conscience. Until finally, Jesus was left alone with the woman still standing there in front of him. So, he stood back up and said to her, “Dear woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you?”

Looking around, she replied, “I see no one, Lord.”

Jesus said, “Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.”

Jesus took dirt, and His own spittle to make clay

For the blindman, who was born that way

He stood before the Maker of heaven and earth…

It didn’t matter his birth.

New eyes to see were worth, creating new sight, that day!

The God who formed man in his own image

And breathed the breath of life into his lungs…

New life was sung…

By the witnesses of creation and heavenly beings,

What they were seeing, came to light.

The blindman washed in the pool of Siloam and was given sight…

New eyes, to see the Son of Man…

Scribes and Pharisees; they were the blind…they grope in darkness

The blind leading the blind…they both fall in the ditch.

Thinking they are wise, they are fools…

Would, that they, could wash in the pool…

But they have no eyes to see what Heaven’s gifts could be…

They are blinded by the enemy!

The God who makes clay…will give new sight…

If you are willing to see, that Jesus, is, the light!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 20, 2020

John 9:6-7 KJV When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

Luke 6:39 KJV And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

Bread in the Desert

Manna… ‘What is it?’

A mystery,

Bread from heaven…

I was hungry and you fed me…

I was thirsty and you gave me living water…

I was wandering in the desert and you led me

Day and night with a cloud and with fire…

Holy desire…

You called to me, ‘Come follow me,’

I Am, the Bread of Life…

Gather the manna every morning and let me sustain you as you journey in the desert…

What is it?

It is, I Am!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 19, 2020

“You provided bread from heaven for them for their hunger, You brought forth water from a rock for them for their thirst, And You told them to enter in order to possess The land which You swore to give them. Nehemiah 9:15 NAS

Morning, just before the sun peeps over the horizon, I take a walk.

All is quiet and serene.

The wind, wisps through me, as if I am not here…

Holy breath exhaling upon me. They are near…

On seashore pathway, the sand is cool and soft

I look out and see the final twinkling of light, in the distant sky, I hear a seagull cry,

And I know, I, AM not alone!

I walk out into the water, my feet on solid ground as waves gently kiss my toes

In wonder, as step by step I take, I am walking on the water…

There in the distance I see them in the boat, the wind picking up, one of them cries out, “A GHOST!”

I shout back to them, “It is I!”

Bold and brave Peter shouts, “If it’s you Lord, may I come out to you?”

“Come!”

Heart pounding, mind racing, as over the side Peter goes…

“I’m doing it Lord; I’m walking on top of the water!”

A force of wind pushes in on Peter, the waves begin to rise…

And before he realized,

He began to sink. He cries, “Lord Save Me!”

Why do we take our eyes off of Jesus in the crisis?

When we are in the most miraculous, supernatural, experience of our lives we look at the circumstances and we begin to fall…why do we doubt when we’re hit with the unexpected. Fear causes us to put our focus on the storm. It’s then, we need to keep our focus on the Lord more than ever! He’s right there before us, in hands-reach. He has said to us to come. We’ve spoken to him and are even amazed at the miracle before us…but suddenly, the waves and the wind hit us, and we begin to sink…we’re afraid…and cry in desperation…”LORD, SAVE ME!”

Jesus asks, “Why did you doubt?”

Did you not know that I would not let you down? I will not let you die. Have faith, even when the storm is raging. Even when the doctor says, there’s no hope! Even when you are down to your last dollar and you’ve lost your job! Have faith and do not doubt!! I will save you! I have saved you many times…I am always with you and I will never leave you!! Don’t look at the waves. Don’t look at the storm. Keep your eyes on me, for it’s in me, your help will be found. I will take you to safety, the storms will cease and I will give you peace!

Love, Jesus

~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 18, 2020

Matthew 14:25-33 The Passion Translation

²⁵ At about four o’clock in the morning,^[a] Jesus came to them, walking on the waves! ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on top of the water, they were terrified and screamed, “A ghost!”

²⁷ Then Jesus said, “Be brave and don’t be afraid. I am here!”^[b]

²⁸ Peter shouted out, “Lord, if it’s really you, then have me join you on the water!”

²⁹ “Come and join me,”^[c] Jesus replied.

So Peter stepped out onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he cried out.

³¹ Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and lifted him up and said, “What little faith you have! Why would you let doubt win?”

³² And the very moment they both stepped into the boat, the raging wind ceased. ³³ Then all the disciples crouched down before him and worshiped Jesus.^[d] They said in adoration, “You are truly the Son of God!”

Footnotes

1. Matthew 14:25 Or “during the fourth watch of the night” (between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.).

2. Matthew 14:27 Or “I AM,” which was the name of God used in Ex. 3:14.

3. Matthew 14:29 Or “Go for it!”

4. Matthew 14:33 The Greek word used for “worship,” proskuneo, includes three concepts: to bow, to kiss, and to pay homage (worship). All three are included here.

 

God is so good! As I woke up this morning the Holy Spirit began to speak to me in that still small voice and He said, “Stop your struggling, and wondering and just know I am with you and in you and all around you. I, restore your soul. And though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, don’t be afraid, I, Am, with you. My, rod and My, staff comfort you. Just relax and rest in me. You bless me by being who you are. Stop making everything so complicated.” Praise God.

I thought that’s right it’s so simple. All we have to do is keep our hearts and minds stayed on Jesus. Amen.

God is saying keep it simple and follow him. Just be. He’s taking care of everything. ❤ Be a Mary.