Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

I’ve learned that time goes by really fast…

It doesn’t seem like it when you’re young but trust me it does…

I’ve learned that people you love and care about don’t always live out their days with you; some die young and leave you to walk on without them…

I’ve learned that forgiveness really is for yourself and that doing it sooner than later makes you feel so much better…

I’ve learned that people can be cruel and unjust and down-right mean…but they can also change for the better…I’ve learned not to judge because I’m a people too…

I’ve learned that having your cake and eating it too, is not fun…it’s so much better to share…

I’ve learned that the sun will come up in the morning, that birds sing in the rain and that God answers prayer…

I’ve learned not to take people for granted…

I’ve learned to be grateful in everything…to take the good with the bad and that there is a reason for whatever happens in your life…

I’ve learned that divorce will not kill you but it hurts a long-long time…and no one wins…

I’ve learned that God’s greatest blessings are children. To carry them next to your heart for nine months, birth them, hold them and raise them…that nothing compares to that kind of love. Until you have grandchildren. (And except for God’s love there is no greater love.)

I’ve learned that seasons come and seasons go, and that life is a cycle we can only take one day at a time and that we should never, ever give up…

I’ve learned to trust God and to obey him…and that wisdom comes from Him…and if we want wisdom, all we have to do is ask him and he’ll give it…

I’ve learned that love is the most important character you can give and when you give love, it comes back to you multiplied…

I’ve learned that there can be a happily-ever-after…

I’ve also learned in my Sixty-five years that the body gives out…you walk slower…you think slower…and that what you thought was important is not…

I’ve learned to count my blessings and not my disappointments

I’ve learned that letting go of hurts is better than hanging onto them…

I’ve learned that each day is a miracle from God

That each breath I take, each thought I think, each bird I hear or flower I see, is, to be cherished.

I’ve learned that each life I come in contact with is a potential brother or sister and that they are worth more than money, or things…that life is priceless…

And when I’m alone because my family is not close in location…and I cry my tears of wishing they were near…I’ve learned that God is near…and they have their lives to live so that they can learn what they need to learn…and I pray that God will bless them with many years to come…

I’ve learned that what we do, speaks louder than what we say…so we must choose carefully…

Sixty-five years is not really that long on this earth…but I am thankful for every year I’ve lived…we are not promised a tomorrow…but we hope in the Lord…

I’ve learned that no matter what comes or goes in my life…that I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and I pray with all my heart that when I leave this world…people will know I lived what I believe…

God bless you friends…

God bless you family…

Life is continuous lessons…It is a powerful teacher!

Love,

Marla Shaw O’Neill January 2, 2019

I will be 65 years old tomorrow. January 3, 2019. Thank you God for all the lessons learned. Amen

Romans 8:28 New King James Version (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

 

Precious Papa, yours is a heart of love and life~

You come along side your children and you lead and guide us into paths of life, truth and righteousness~

Your love is everlasting~

Praying this morning I heard…

“Choose life! Choose life! Choose life!

Return to your first love!

Turn away from the whispers of that old serpent who hisses lies and deception~

Turn away from your doubts and fears~

Turn away from the glamour of this life it only leads to a bottomless pit~

Turn away from the spectacular…don’t go down easy street, where you are promised vanishing dreams and empty pots of gold~

You chase the wind~

The wind never stops blowing, never reaches its destination…it goes where it pleases and leaves disappointment and disaster in its wake…

There is a way that seems, right, but it only leads to despair. It is an illusion to keep you in its grip until all that remains is nothing…

Stop running~

What you long for is right in front of you, but you are blind and can’t see, deaf and can’t hear, mute and can’t speak, you are under the old serpents spell…

Snap out of it! Wake up!

I’ve been with you. I’ve been calling you all your life!

But you’ve rejected me, spat on me, laughed and mocked me and then you crucified me and kept me buried in a tomb~

I am not in the tomb!

I am not in the wind!

I am not in the fame and wealth of this world~

I am, that small still voice beckoning you to open your heart and let me come in~

I am offering you a gift…

Not wrapped up in pretty boxes and tied up with colorful bows…

I am not bright shining lights flickering on roof tops or trees adorned with garland and stars…

I am not in a manger or hanging on a cross~

All those things are pleasant, but that’s not what life is all about!

I AM Alive!

Right now, this instant, I am wooing you; prodigal son, prodigal daughter, come home!

I am the lover of your soul…

Sustainer of your life…

I am your first love!

The one you’ve searched for but couldn’t find because you thought I was someone, or something else~

I am the one who has protected you, surrounded you with holy guards, so that death could not take you before your time~

I am the one who cried over you

Prayed for you and died for you!

I am Yeshua…Savior…Redeemer…Messiah…and your friend!

I am the one who pursues you to the end of your days~

Wanting you to know, that, life, begins with Me!

Return beloved…

Return to your true love!”

Yeshua~

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 20, 2018

Revelation 2:4-5 The Message (MSG)

“But you walked away from your first love—why? What’s going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you’ve fallen? A Lucifer fall!

“Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I’m well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle.

 The season has come and we’re told to rejoice…

I’ve come to realize this is a day to day choice…

Times long gone with many I hold dear to my heart

Memories like shifting shadows mingle in the dark…

Once the child, with hopeful yearnings of dreams and things…

Eyes bright and expectant awaiting Christmas morn…

Now the child has long since grown with gray hair adorning

Traces of years upon the face…leaving memories, just a trace

Of days evaporated into time and space…now taking my rightful place

Step by step; making haste…

Trying so hard not to waste

The time we have together…

Life is a circle…

It never ends…when one leaves, another begins…

Look in the mirror my friend…

Life is passing by like a steady wind

New faces come into play…

Old faces gone away…

But Love never ends…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 17, 2018

Psalm 103:15-18 New International Version (NIV)

The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

Let me just say that this prayer is said so that souls will turn their hearts to Jesus. I’m talking about emotional and spiritual walls. Walls that separate us from God! Walls that keep us from helping each other and being brothers and sisters in Christ…this is not to stir up strife but to free us from the enemy’s clutches…Love conquers evil…please do not read anything into this but what God’s heart is about!! It’s about repentance and holiness before the living God! In Jesus name amen!

Jesus,

Tear down the walls of compromise and complacency…

Tear down the walls of prejudice and gossip and hate…

Tear down the walls of lies and deception and seduction…

Jesus, help us to turn our hearts, our ears, our eyes, our hands and feet towards you so that you are all we see and will follow.

You are our hiding place, our high tower; you are our hope and redemption

You are our strength and our peace and life you are truth…

Oh Lord, I cry before you today. Without you I am an empty shell

I am incomplete and lost…

Help us Lord! Have mercy. Turn our hearts to your heart…

Lord, I’m tired…but you said do not grow weary in doing good…

For we will bring forth a great harvest if we don’t give up

People are running and seeking pleasure and things that won’t last…

Tear down the walls of religion, and politics…

Tear down the walls of selfish ambition and self-gratification…

Tear down the walls of greed and pride…

Humble us Oh God and bring us back to the cross

To see you, and, to know you, in the beauty of holiness and all that you have given

Humanity is blessed because of your great love and sacrifice…

God tear down the walls of racism and indifference

Tear down the walls of materialism and turn our hearts to what is most important to you

This world is not our home…but you’ve said to occupy until you come…

Help us to remember why we are here…

Help us remember the call and who it is for…

Help us remember if we find our life we lose it, but, if we lose our life for your sake we find it…

Help us remember, this is a walk of faith and that your grace is sufficient for us day by day…

Jesus, you, be lifted up…so that all will be drawn unto you!

Amen…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 18, 2018

Joshua 6:15-21 NIV

On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.” When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.

 Darkness, despair, lost and afraid…

Wondering, is there something more?

Could I possibly be saved…?

Where can I go? Who can I turn too?

I’m so frightened; I don’t know what to do…

Living in my car…tortured day and night…

Demons pursuing me this can’t be right…

Driving, I see a sign…that reads Journey Church

Drawn by some unforeseen force, I end my search…

Sitting listening to the message it’s exactly what I need

Crying out, I hear the man say, Don’t walk away…

I know you may think this is just a cliché…

But I’m telling you, you can have a new life, if you will accept Jesus today…

Standing up front is our prayer team; they are there for you, if you want to pray…

With every ounce of courage I have, I take the long walk forward; with heart pounding…and whispers in my ear, don’t go… I press forward…

I tell them my story…

Not knowing if they can help me or not, especially because it’s so gory…

Getting reinforcements, they bring me to the cross of Calvary…

Do you want Jesus to be your Lord and Savior? The one man asks…

Without hesitation I say, yes.

Repeating the words, I ask Jesus into my heart…

I’m forever changed… I have a new life, a new start…

I’m clean, my sins erased…the demons flee…

Now God is living inside of me…

If I had not come today

If I had turned and walked away

If I had let fear and doubt overtake me

I would not be free…

But because you were there today

Because you helped me pray

I’m a new person in every way

Thank you, that you obeyed God, today!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 10, 2018

This is a true story. Sunday, Bob and I had the wonderful honor, along with our Pastor Shane, to lead a young man to the Lord Jesus Christ. I was feeling extremely sick that morning and wasn’t sure if I would make it to the 12:30 service. But I pressed in and with prayer and perseverance we made it to the prayer room where we pray before the service begins. The team prayed for souls to be saved and for God to move on the hearts of hurting people. The week before there were 101 souls that gave their hearts to Jesus…I don’t know how many made that choice this past Sunday yet, but I do know this one young man did…I don’t know if you’ve ever experienced leading someone to Jesus or not but I can tell you, there is nothing like it…knowing that there are demons fighting to keep them…but also knowing that God, by the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus with prayer warriors praying…souls are given the courage and strength to make the decision to accept Jesus into their hearts, and will know that they are forever changed, is worth every effort to be in the service of the Lord.

That does not mean life will not be difficult…but it does mean that instead of fighting the battle alone without hope…you have the hosts of heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ to fight the battle with you….He puts his Holy Spirit within you so that you are more than a conqueror…and you have the family of God standing alongside of you to cheer you on…and to hold you up and to help you all the way through this life. With God’s word…the Holy Spirit and with fellowship and prayer…we will overcome! Don’t give up…don’t grow weary…the harvest is ready and you are needed to glean in the fields…Amen!

A child was born today; he had no mama, no papa, and no place to stay

So the orphanage-home took him away…

For seven years he yearned for love and a home to call his own…

But no one wanted him…

Over the next ten years he learned to lie and cheat and steal…

He thought of himself as a no-body because a no-body could not reveal

The hurt and pain he hid within, he’s tough and cold and strong-willed…

His heart grew hard and dark…he didn’t know where he came from and didn’t have

A real good start…

To look at him and hear him talk, you’d think he’s just another statistic

Staring down the road to a jail-cell where his destiny was hell.

But this old preacher man came to town and soon found

Timothy…

Lying on a city bench…

The preacher saw him and said…

“Man, you need to get up from there…this is my, bench of prayer…

Timothy looked up at the old man and just stared…

“I’ll cut you old man you don’t know who you’re messing with…I’m a no-body and I don’t give a…”

“Hold on there, sonny…you don’t know who you’re, messing with…I’m not afraid of you! God is my protector and we’ve got work to do.”

Bending down on feeble knees the preacher man begins, “You’re not a no-body, for God don’t make no junk…you’ve just never known, who you are, and where you’ve come from. I’m here to lead you home…

Timothy could not believe what this old man had said…his biggest dream had always been a place to call his own…

“What do you mean, mister? I’ve been a no-body all my life. No mama, no papa, no one wanted me. Do you know something I don’t? I just can’t believe.”

“Sonny, I’ve been right where you are and for 70 years I’ve seen things that can’t be explained…I’ve got battle scars. Lived beneath the stars and here’s the thing…

I picked up this Bible. I’ve read it through and through, and when Jesus gets ahold of you, you’ll never be the same…

He sent me here tonight, to set your story right…he’s watched you all your life…seen the torment and the strife…

Heard you cry yourself to sleep, and watched the years go by, as you’d weep…

He saw you take to the streets…

Remember the woman, who gave you food to eat…?

Remember the man, who let you keep his coat on the bus, and gave you his seat…?

Remember the little girl, who smiled at you, with two missing teeth?

He allowed them to be there, so you could meet…

And to know that you are loved…”

Tears streaming from Tim’s eyes, he finally realized…

He wasn’t a no-body after all…

His life changed…

Ten years later looking back…the old preacher man had been right…

Timothy was a new man, because he found Jesus that night!

Orphan no more…God’s love restored…a no-body, God made him a some-body

Listen any-body…Jesus wants you to know…He loves you, you are not alone

In Him you’ll find your home!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 6, 2018

For all those who feel alone and unloved at this time, I told this story so that you would know…you are not alone…you are loved so much…don’t look at the circumstances you’re facing right now…look at the blessings that are all around you…even in your darkest days and nights…there is always something to be thankful for. Life is full of choices…you can choose to be miserable, unhappy, afraid, alone…or you can choose to be happy, at peace, find joy in little things around you. My mama used to say…in order to have a friend you have to be a friend…reach out to someone and even if they reject you…no worries…reach out to someone else until someone reaches back…I hope you are encouraged by this little story and that you find peace in your life. God bless you.

John 14:18-20 The Message (MSG) I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.

One glance of your eyes and you capture my heart…

Like a shooting star across the sky

Brilliant, streaming light goes by…

Prisms in color and fire, ignite

Your smile bringing my soul to life

Like lilies in the field, bare, spinning in the wind

Yellow, orange and white…

Stemmed in green, tall and serene

My love you’ve stolen everything…

Never to recover, your love to discover

As we two become one…

My precious dove

My own true love…

Forever…

Still, and filled, with awe, and contentment

Sealed in covenant…

By blood, we live…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 5, 2018

Song of Solomon 4:9 Expanded Bible (EXB) My sister [an ancient term of endearment], my bride, you have thrilled my heart [drive me crazy]; you have thrilled my heart [drive me crazy] with a [one] glance of your eyes, with one sparkle [jewel] from your necklace.

This is dedicated to all the children that are hurting at this time of year even to the little kid within each adult!

 

Dear God,

I know you have lots of things to do

You must be very busy this time of year

I heard, though, that you are never too busy

To hear each-and-every prayer

Even though I’m way down here

And you are way up there…

God, I need to ask you a favor

You see, mommy and daddy used to be

Kind and loving and happy

They used to pray and laugh and sing

But lately…they only bring…

Tears and hard words they sling…

Not knowing I hear them late at night

God, I don’t think everything is alright…

I’m only a little kid…was it something I did

To make them so unhappy instead

Of holding hands and bowing heads

A thankful heart at breakfast said…

Give us this day our daily bread…

What happened God

To many tears I shed

When no one sees me, and I lie frightened in my bed…

God, can you send help in my time of need

Giving love, planting seeds…

Of forgiveness, instead of greed

Some write letters to Santa, for toys and games

But if it’s all the same

I’m writing to you God

Heal mommy and daddy’s heart

Give them a do-over; with a brand new start…

Make them stop yelling,

So there’s no more hurt and no more blame…

This is all I ask God…in Jesus name…

Love,

The Little Kid

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 3, 2018

With a force more powerful than the human imagination can comprehend

Angels descend, in heaven’s starlit night

With a glorious majestic melody, the angels begin to sing

Glory to God in the Highest…

Peace, Goodwill, to all men we bring…

Joy and Hope our song will ring…

On this holy silent night

Shepherds watch in astonished fright…

An audience for the angel’s penetrating,

New beginning, holy choir, in sight

Let all the earth rejoice…

Be not afraid, they hear one say…

For Christ is born this very day…

Go see the babe in yonder manger lay…

The King of heaven here to stay

Bringing life, truth, and to show the way

Rejoice, lowly shepherd’s, for

Messiah has chosen you…

In open field, you’re witnesses

Where God’s love is sleeping, still

Beneath the stars in a humble barn

You’ll find him wrapped on yonder hill…

The savior of the world is here…

Angel voices, rise, in waves, of harmony

Ten thousand vibrations move the earth

With a song of glorious delight

Singing to the lowly shepherd’s on this Holy Night!

Royal star shining bright

Where baby Jesus sleeps, held tight…

Within his mother’s arms, this night!

Rock-a-bye my baby boy

Mary sings a lullaby

Son of mine and God’s delight

In this solitude and holy night

Shepherds bring a tiny lamb

King of heaven the great I Am

Resting in my arms so tight…

Rock-a-bye, my baby boy

Heaven has sent its greatest joy…

On this holy night!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 28, 2018

Luke 2:14 King James Version (KJV) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.