Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

Artist Adisorn Pornsirikarn

For some reason today has been especially hard for me…
I’ve cried off and, on, all day, some days are like that…
A cleansing I’m guessing…something coming to an end, or, a new beginning
A time of lamenting and soul searching…
There are so many hurting people…God sees… and He knows each heartache…

He says…
Announce Freedom to All Captives

The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn, to care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness” planted by God to display his glory. They’ll rebuild the old ruins, raise a new city out of the wreckage. They’ll start over on the ruined cities, take the rubble left behind and make it new. You’ll hire outsiders to herd your flocks and foreigners to work your fields, but you’ll have the title “Priests of God,” honored as ministers of our God. You’ll feast on the bounty of nations; you’ll bask in their glory.
Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt,
Your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever.
Isaiah 61:1-7 The Message (MSG)

He says,
GOD’s the one who rebuilds Jerusalem, who regathers Israel’s scattered exiles. He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and assigns each a name. Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we’ll never comprehend what he knows and does. GOD puts the fallen on their feet again and pushes the wicked into the ditch.
Psalm 147:3-6 The Message (MSG)

Do not be cast down O my soul…
Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.[a]
Proverbs 3:5-6 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Footnotes: Proverbs 3:6 Or “He will cut a straight path before you.”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 18, 2019

This morning as I was about to pray, I sat on my couch and said, “Lord let me just sit in your presence.” I closed my eyes and I saw myself sitting on my knees on the floor before the Lord. All of a sudden, this shower of sparking glitter was being poured over me and I literally felt chill bumps all over me. It was amazing I knew I was in the Lord’s presence and he was blessing me. I got up and wrote this poem.

 When you enter the holy of holies and you recognize the King

He holds out his scepter, then you know he is welcoming,

Come into my presence, open your heart and sing

Loving, gracious father, you are everything…

Sitting in your presence I, bring,

A heart full of thanksgiving, a soul made new

Holy father I sing this song for you…

Dressed in fine linen, bathed in perfume,

Dancing in the oil of gladness, your presence fills the room…

Angels stir the atmosphere and stars glimmer and shine

Golden cherubim whisper, she is mine…

A table set before me; I taste the new wine…

Basking from earth’s domain, in your heavenly presence I’ll remain

For Jesus opened Eden’s gate, I no longer have to wait, I’m welcomed in

Because all my sin, has been forgiven…

I delight myself in thee, it’s you and me…I turn and see…

I’m gliding on floors of glass…dancing with the King!

The sky burst into glorious light as fireworks explode…

An orchestra plays a symphony in honor of little ole me…

Joy, unexplainable joy, rocks this world with glee…

Showers of blessings raining on me…

All because I chose to follow thee!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 13, 2019

Ezekiel 34:25-27 The Message (MSG)

“‘I’ll make a covenant of peace with them. I’ll banish fierce animals from the country so the sheep can live safely in the wilderness and sleep in the forest. I’ll make them and everything around my hill a blessing. I’ll send down plenty of rain in season—showers of blessing! The trees in the orchards will bear fruit, the ground will produce, they’ll feel content and safe on their land, and they’ll realize that I am God when I break them out of their slavery and rescue them from their slave masters.

Ezekiel 34:26 King James Version (KJV) And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.

This morning as I was about to pray, I sat on my couch and said, “Lord let me just sit in your presence.” I closed my eyes and I saw myself on the sitting on my knees on the floor before the Lord. All of a sudden, this shower of sparking, glitter was being poured over me and I literally felt chill bumps all over me. It was amazing I knew I was in the Lord’s presence and he was blessing me. I got up and wrote this poem.

Let it Rain 

When you enter the holy of holies and you recognize the King

He holds out his scepter, then you know he is welcoming,

Come into my presence, open your heart and sing

Loving, gracious father, you are everything…

Sitting in your presence I, bring,

A heart full of thanksgiving, a soul made new

Holy father I sing this song for you…

Dressed in fine linen, bathed in perfume,

Dancing in the oil of gladness, your presence fills the room…

Angels stir the atmosphere and stars glimmer and shine

Golden cerebrums whisper, she is mine…

A table set before me; I taste the new wine…

Basking from earth’s domain, in your heavenly presence I’ll remain

For Jesus opened Eden’s gate, I no longer have to wait, I’m welcomed in

Because all my sin, has been forgiven…

I delight myself in thee, it’s you and me…I turn and see…

I’m gliding on floors of glass…dancing with the King!

The sky burst into glorious light as fireworks explode…

An orchestra plays a symphony in honor of little ole me…

Joy, unexplainable joy, rocks this world with glee…

Showers of blessings raining on me…

All because I chose to follow thee!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 13, 2019

Ezekiel 34:25-27 The Message (MSG)

“‘I’ll make a covenant of peace with them. I’ll banish fierce animals from the country so the sheep can live safely in the wilderness and sleep in the forest. I’ll make them and everything around my hill a blessing. I’ll send down plenty of rain in season—showers of blessing! The trees in the orchards will bear fruit, the ground will produce, they’ll feel content and safe on their land, and they’ll realize that I am God when I break them out of their slavery and rescue them from their slave masters.

Ezekiel 34:26 King James Version (KJV) And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.

 Whether life or death or things seen, or, not seen,

In sicknesses, or great sorrow,

Things will be different tomorrow

In peace or war, God will restore…

Embrace the moment…

Whether old or young or in between

Age is, moment by moment, lived with dreams

Embrace it…

One thing is for certain…

When He draws the final curtain…

There will be no do-overs,

All of the would-a, should-a, could-a’s will be gone…

Don’t look for the what if’s, or the when’s,

Embrace the here and now, begin…

Take hold of the life you’ve been given…

And embrace it while you can…

Hold onto love with all your might…

Live what you know, and do what is right…

Fully, completely, with passion and delight,

So, when the soul takes flight…

You’ve run the face and finished the fight…

Entering heaven in robes of white…

God’s chosen child, you made God smile…

Love, sustained you, in every mile…

Embraced by the light!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 11, 2019

Romans 8:37-39 New King James Version (NKJV)

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

John 15:9-17 The Passion Translation (TPT)

“I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts. If you keep my commands, you will live in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands, for I continually live nourished and empowered by his love. My purpose for telling you these things is so that the joy that I experience will fill your hearts with overflowing gladness!

“So this is my command: Love each other deeply, as much as I have loved you. For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends.

“You show that you are my intimate friends when you obey all that I command you. I have never called you ‘servants,’ because a master doesn’t confide in his servants, and servants don’t always understand what the master is doing. But I call you my most intimate friends,^[f] for I reveal to you everything that I’ve heard from my Father. You didn’t choose me, but I’ve chosen and commissioned you to go into the world to bear fruit. And your fruit will last, because whatever you ask of my Father, for my sake, he will give it to you! So this is my parting command: Love one another deeply!”

Artist Norman Rockwell

How old are you little girl?

I’m sixth, she says through missing teeth

Why have you come forward?

Tears rolling down her cheeks

Difficult to speak…she says,

I want Jesus to live in my heart so,

I won’t be afraid, you know?

I’ll have someone who is always with me

The dark-time is the worst-time…

That’s when the shadows come…you see,

If Jesus comes to live in me, I’ll never ever be in the dark

Even, when, the lights go out…

Because, He is light…

That’s very wise…

Let’s pray. Repeat after me.

Lord Jesus come into my heart and fill me with your love and light…

Live in me all the days of my life and take the dark-shadows away…

Fill me with your Holy Spirit so I can grow and obey…

This I ask in Jesus name, today. Amen

It’s been fifty-nine years since I asked Jesus to come and live in my heart…

Many miles, many tears, many heartaches through the years…

Jesus never left me not one time…

Thank you, Jesus, you are mine

And I am yours…

How can I not love you…?

I love you more and more with the passing of time,

I always will…it’s your love that heals…

My love is patient, my love is kind…it is not burdensome, it is not blind…

My Love never fails…

What are you seeking? What heartache are you keeping?

In the dark-shadows I’ve seen you weeping…

Open your heart and let the light come in…

~Jesus <3

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 8, 2019

1 Corinthians 13 New International Version (NIV)

If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Footnotes:

• 1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages

• 1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts body to the flames

Painting by Viktorija Lapteva

Call to me, says the Lord, and I will show you great things

Things you can’t imagine

Things hidden from the ordinary,

Things opened only to the heart of those who call to me

Call to me with all your heart

And I will answer!!

Don’t draw back, don’t be shy, open your mouth and call

Adonai! Adonai! Adonai!

I see you from afar

I hope beyond hope that you will call…

I am here…I’m right here…

Call and I will answer!!!

I’ll show you who I am and all that you are…

I will not hide my face from you

My love for you runs deep

O my dear one…

Have you ever tasted the innocence and quickening of that first love?

Palms sweaty, heart pounding, pure joy surges through your being

Their laugh, their essence, holding hands, small talk…

Eyes bright with expectation; bashful, getting to know one another…

Longing for them when apart…

A longing so intense you can’t sleep, can’t eat, you long to hear their voice…

Will they call? Where are they? Are they safe? Are they happy?

You hope they will call…

I feel that way about you…

Call to me and I will answer,

Without hesitation, without restraint…

First love is exciting with mysteries to behold…

Anticipating one tiny look, a knowing that they’re the one…

I am so in love with you…

Call to me!

We have all of eternity to spend together…

My precious dove…my true love…

Call to me!

~Love, Adonai

The Answer

Adonai! Adonai! Adonai!

I’ve been distracted by many things

Life gets difficult when you forget to bring

All your cares and give them to the caregiver of your soul…

Behold!

I call out to thee…

Set my spirit free…

Take all of me and let me see

Your mysteries…unfold…

I am lowly and meek…

Sometimes proud and sometimes weak…

I don’t deserve your love to seek…

But you have called to me, and I believe…

I will return to my first love, and no longer grieve

For joy has lifted me

I hear your voice on the wind

I will begin again…

I call to thee…

Adonai, in all I do, I will love you!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, June 5, 2019

Jeremiah 33:3 The Message (MSG) ^2-3 “This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’

When my soul is cast down and I cannot see the light of day

Lord, I will pray…

When everything around me is dark and I can’t find my way

Lord, I will pray…

You’ve turned a trillion wrongs around and set me upon solid ground

You’ve met me in every trial and care this world has thrown at me

You led me through deep waters, and were with me in the valleys of debilitating fear

Took every tear, so I could live to face another day

Lord, I will pray…

When death came to call, and sickness took all,

My heart was lonely and appalled, but I heard you say,

Child, pray…

For trust is learned by experience and faith must be applied

To every situation child, stay close to my side…

The scars I carry are gifts for me

So that you will realize…

This life is not your home

I have heard you pray…

There will be times of great tribulation

Persecutions and frustrations

Not all will go as you believe…

That’s when you must trust in me…

Rise above the shadows of grief and doubt

Open your mouth and let me hear a shout

Of praise and thanksgiving, let go of the despair

Let Victory out…

Praying brings you into my presence

Where the angels hear and fight for you

Pray without ceasing in everything you do…

Lord, I will pray and lift my face to thee

Stand, sit, or on bended knee…

I will trust you, and believe…

Where else can I go, you are all I need!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 3, 2019

Proverbs 3:5-6 King James Version (KJV)

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

John 17:14-19 The Message (MSG)

Now I’m returning to you. I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing So my people can experience My joy completed in them. I gave them your word; The godless world hated them because of it, because they didn’t join the world’s ways, Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways. I’m not asking that you take them out of the world but that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world Than I am defined by the world. Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I’m consecrating myself for their sakes So they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.

Looking into the newborn eyes I saw the look of the ancients

Patriarchs and matriarchs blood line, divine…

Inquisitive, his stare, fully aware, he was watched and compared…

Not to the beauties, no royalty did he bare…but his eyes told stories

For all to beware…

The ancients using his old soul to share, what most would never dare…

He’s an old soul and time would tell…

At the ringing of the resounding bell…

Look to him, he knows all things…

Life is what his blood shed brings

The love-birds and the turtle-doves sing

An old lullaby, sung for kings…

Hashem, Hashem, Hashem…

The old soul surrenders his nobility

So that you and I can know subtly

There’s more to life than reality…

Look to the one who knows…

Open your heart and follow Him…

Born in tiny Bethlehem

There’s and open door, so go right in…

Goodness and mercy follow Him…

But evil enters the heart of those blind and deaf to

The old soul…

So, they take him to Golgotha’s Hill…

Their plan, to mock and kill, the old soul born,

To do the father’s will…

The old soul is stripped and hung

As old as time, pure and kind

I looked into his tortured eyes

Then watched as the old soul cried and then died…

Three days later…on a long dusty road…

The old soul, is alive!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 2, 2019

Genesis 2:7 The Message (MSG)

At the time God made Earth and Heaven, before any grasses or shrubs had sprouted from the ground—God hadn’t yet sent rain on Earth, nor was there anyone around to work the ground (the whole Earth was watered by underground springs)—God formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive—a living soul! 

1 Corinthians 15:4 Good News Translation (GNT)

that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures; 

Luke 24:31-33 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight. So they said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts ablaze within us while He was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together,

He hovered over the deep from the beginning
He spoke and life began
He took the form of a dove, He’s in the wind, He is love
He was fire by night and cloud by day
He’s called the life, the truth and the way…
He split the sea and calmed it
He moved over the blood stains of door posts
Saving all those who are His kin…
Transforms hearts by forgiving sin…
He filled boats with fish
Yes, He did all this…
And so much more
Helped Noah build an ark and then, He shut the door
He, is, the Lord…
He wins battles fought by men…
Raised His son to life again…
That same power that lives within
All who believe and accept Him…
Is coming again…
Look to the East when the earth begins to quake
The moon turns to blood and stars fall and make
Mountains and valleys shake…
Know this, He’s coming on the wind…
He is Holy…He is light…
Your Bride awaits your arrival…
She is pure and dressed in white…
All who stand in your Holy sight…
Those who have chosen to be your wife
We cry out, even so, come quickly…Lord Jesus come!
Holy Spirit, Holy Father, Holy Son!
When you feel the quickening in your soul, know, it has begun!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 29, 2019

He who gives his testimony to all this says, “Yes indeed! I am coming soon!” So be it. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 Good News Translation (GNT)

This morning I had the most amazing dream or vision I don’t know, all I know is that it was so real…I was on this side of heaven and I was given a peek at the other side…I saw millions of shining lights like diamonds it was like I was looking at a movie, and it wasn’t liquid, not water, I was looking at…there were shining sparkling tiny lights all around and then I saw Jesus, he didn’t see me, I watched him as he played and danced among these lights…it was absolutely amazing…and then I woke up. I was left with this feeling of awe…and I wrote this poem!

Ten Million Shining Diamonds

Allowing me to look into a world I’ve never seen

God shows me, ten million tiny diamonds, shining, tis the scene…

And in between these tiny sparkles I see Jesus, gleaming…

He doesn’t seem to be aware that I am there…

I’m given a glimpse of heaven and I’m amazed as I stare…

He’s basking in sheer delight, as the tiny sparkling lights

Dance all around him, it is a glorious sight…

Why father have you shown me this? I can hardly contain my delight…

Are these tiny diamonds, souls, in flight?

Daughter, I have shown you this so you will understand…

Life is more than the physical man…

Everyday people rush about, not knowing who is watching, or what adventure awaits,

If they’d only open their eyes, they’d see the light, and know, there’s no need to fear or doubt

There’s so much more to this life, when you open your heart and truly realize…

My son is real, and he will heal the soul who will recognize, he’s always here…

These ten million sparkling diamonds are aware of who they are…

They’re In the presence of Living Light…

Walk in the spirit, keep your eyes on me, listen to my words and you will be…

One of the tiny shining diamonds sent to earth for me…

To dance in my presence, to show others the way, and live forever with me, eternally…

I looked, and I saw, ten million tiny diamonds…and Jesus…dance!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 28, 2019

Ezekiel 28:13 “You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared.

Romans 12:2 The Message Bible So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.