First Dance
With anticipation and great risk of being rejected
The young man asks the young girl,
“May I have this dance?”
She looks up shy, at his glance, “Yes.”
Then takes the hand offered.
Placing their hands in the proper places
Smiles upon their uncertain faces
They begin to twirl and sway…
Caught up in the music as it plays…
Transformed into one, they glide across the crystal floor
A masterpiece of grace and form
Oo’s and Ah’s as the spectator’s watch
With unbelievable timing in each move, they make
First dance, a romance meant to be
The young man and she, are lost in the music with ecstasy
For you see, this music is the dance of life.
The young man found his wife!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 10, 2025
Proverbs 31:10-31 King James Version Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The Song of Miriam
As a young girl, I watched over my baby brother, Moses.
In a basket on the river Nile.
At middle age, I watched him flee the wrath of the King.
As an elderly woman, I greeted him as he returned home…
And now I’m with him facing the Red Sea.
The Red Sea before us, soldier’s behind, obeying God we run
No one lags behind…
Our God is taking us all the way to the finish line…
Horses and chariots, strong military men, pursue us in our plight
Behold! The sea crashes down on them,
They come to a watery end…
YHWH, delivered us this day.
Tambourines in hand, young and old, Miriam cries out…
Sing O daughters of men! Sing and do not keep silent
For our victory is won!
Praise and sing the God-praise song.
Joy fills the camp with a victory shout…
No more slaves, we’re delivered, set free…
For God in his sovereignty,
Has given us new life today!
We sing; we dance, our souls rejoice
Our God has triumphed gloriously,
Upon the other, side of the sea.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 2, 2025
Exodus 15:20-21 King James Version 20 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.
Falsely Accused
No words of protest do I make
Even though I’m accused of wrong
I stand in judgement of evil men
Lies, of hate, their song…
For living my life for Jesus’ sake
They aim, my life, to take
I’ll sing and rejoice forevermore
In the presence of the King of kings
And Lord of lord’s
For I am not alone…
Those who were before me
Greet, me, on heaven’s golden streets.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 30, 2025
Matthew 5:11-12 King James Version Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake
Traveling down the Via Dolorosa Road
Tired, rejected, I’m fettered beneath a heavy load
Sneers on faces, rocks are thrown
I fall upon the ground, with broken bones
Living what’s right in God’s eyes alone…
The Kingdom of Heaven is near…
I see Jesus, “Child welcome home!”
Arms opened wide, we embrace
Persecuted for righteousness’s sake,
My spirit soars…
I’m held forever in God’s amazing grace!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 30, 2025
Matthew 5:10 King James Version Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Peacemakers
As a child of God, I reflect him
His perfect peace is seen
What I see him do, I do
Returning good for evil, love for hate
His character is true…
All His, children, are peaceful and kind
Be a peacemaker and you will find…
His peace reflected for all to see, that peace, is divine!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 24, 2025
Matthew 5:9 King James Version Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Pure in Heart
Seeing, I understand
The pure in heart see God~
Single-minded, honest and sincere
We comprehend when we draw near~
Without malice, treachery and no deceit
With God, while we sit at His feet~
Fellowship is sweet
It is there, the pure in heart, God meets!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 24, 2025
Matthew 5:8 King James Version Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Obtain Mercy
Mercy, dear God, has followed me
All the days of my life~
Sowing now,
I give it back to thee
By loving compassionately~
For none are deserving, but I can see
Without your mercy~
There I’d be.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 24, 2025
Matthew 5:7 King James Version Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
They That Hunger and Thirst
There’s a pain within my stomach that aches~
And a thirst that must be quenched~
Righteousness, calls out to me~
That only God can fix.
A longing that only he can fill.
I earnestly desire justice~
By doing God’s perfect will~
Only then, my hunger and thirst, God fills.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 24, 2025
Matthew 5:6 King James Version Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed Are the Meek
