The Clay-Pot Sings
There she sits both night and day
On a tiny stool and forms her clay
Skilled hands now old, and wet, and caked
Molds the treasure she will make
Upon her potter’s wheel…
She spins and spins and as she does
She thinks, as she whispers a prayer
Lord, says she, I am molding this clay just for thee
Daughter, says He, I am molding you, just for me
And in His hands the clay spins and spins, upon the potter’s wheel
Lord, Why does it hurt so much? Asks she.
Daughter, says He, tis lessons to learn with twist and turns
On the Potter’s wheel that brings humility and obedience you see
The song of the clay is often learned through enduring much spinning and pain
My grace I give, as you surrender to me, your heart, to do my will
Yielded and broken so all can see what beauty this process will bring
Courage and strength, joy and delight, as you struggle under the Potter’s hands
From dust you were made, and dust you return, but your spirit still remains
I was formed in the womb, of water and clay, what a mystery to behold
For it’s in the hands of a Holy God
That He forms the clay this way
Round and round the wheel we spin ‘til the Potter perfects His design
Put in the fire to complete the task what beauty comes in the end
Sing, little one. Sing!
Let your spirit soar and reign
While spinning on the potter’s wheel there’s changes you will gain
Formed by the Potter’s touch, there will be joy and pain
Purified by fire, this treasure will remain
The clay once rough and battered not fit for anything
A song of victorious melody, heard, when the clay-pot sings…
Sorrow is for the night…but in the morning it will bring
A heart full of joy, instead of suffering!
Written by: Marla Shaw 7/1/2010
©2010
Life, Love and Liberty
(For Anne Frank)
The world now knows the words she once held so dear…
What the enemy tried to smother, now rings loud and clear!
To herself, she hid her own despair
With pen in hand, her words said she cared.
The enemy tried to destroy and exterminate her kind…
They may destroy the body, but not the soul or the mind.
It takes courage not to give up or shed a tear,
The strong fight to the end for what they hold dear.
For Life, Love and Liberty, we must forever stand
And honor every good creed by man.
There’s a purpose for all who believe,
Strength and courage is given if they’ll receive,
Anne was young, but old beyond her years,
Her compassion and knowledge of life; brought many to tears.
Anne believed there was “good in all men,”
She’d say with a smile…
Were her feelings the same when she walked her last mile?
She had a loving heart, and compassion for all, and through their strife
She stayed hopeful, until, they ended her young life.
~Rose Lee Gandy
9/15/2018
Under the Mask
Wind and shadow cloaked in darkness
Whispers of the night…
Hooting owl, ghouls wrapped in rags
Grasp with deceit, in crippling clam they travel…
Swirls of ghosts and taunting things…
Treats of evil in terror brings…
Fear and doubt these lost souls sing…
Oh hallow not this night…
Glorifying demons creep to sever souls
And death to greet, those who dare to walk and sweep
The streets in masks to hide and seek…
Not for those who are mild and meek
They will search you out with trick or treat…
Not only pagan hands and pagan feet,
Are those who walk the darkened streets…
All in fun they say…
But who doth stand beneath the sheet?
Paying tribute to the devil and kiss his cheek
Do not lie upon his altar…
We must pray and never falter…
Deceived we dance with the devil on Halloween
In light of day there is no fear
But at nightfall they will draw near…
Will you join in this costly game…?
They know your face; they know your name…
No sacred place this hollowed scheme
Masked in deception called, Halloween…
You say, don’t be absurd tis only fun…
But the devil laughs he’s on the run…
Filling his bag with little ones…
This is his trick not treat…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 31, 2018
Proverbs 3:5-12 The Message (MSG)
Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
a father’s delight is behind all this.
The Little Joys of Life
Those little moments when Joys become burdens
We are focused on what comes next
Instead of the here and now
Feeling trapped in a sea of littleness
Wanting something else, we give up bliss…
Frustrated and impatient, wondering about all this…
Grab hold of the right now…and never let it go
For when it’s gone you’ll understand and wish it back even though
Those moments have gone, and so…
The loss you feel will be greater than the letting go…
Take each moment that you live and live it to the full
For those Joys will be grown, and one day will leave your home
Empty, wishing they had not gone…
Words to the wise…Capture each sigh
And turn it into life…embrace the Joys that are at your side…
Little Joys, of moments, spent side by side…
Add up to a lifetime ago…
Grab hold of them and never let them go…
And when you’re old; and body bent…
You’ll be thankful for, each little Joy; sent
To make your life content!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 31, 2018
Dedicated to my children and grandchildren!
Be Strong in the Lord & Never Give Up Hope
The Words I Would Say
Three in the morning,
And I’m still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I’d say,
If we were face to face,
I’d tell you just what you mean to me,
I’d tell you these simple truths,
And I’m still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I’d say,
If we were face to face,
I’d tell you just what you mean to me,
I’d tell you these simple truths,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things,
I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so,
Don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
Never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things,
I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so,
Don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I’ve already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I’ve already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You’re going…
Never give up hope,
You’re going…
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things,
I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so,
Don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
Never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things,
I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so,
Don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,
Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things,
I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so,
Don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say
Never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things,
I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so,
Don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say
Songwriters: Sam Mizell / David Frey / Ben Mcdonald
The Words I Would Say lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Music Services, Inc
The Veil and Body Torn
From head to feet, His body torn
Disciples watched.
His mother mourned…
Taking our sins; Jesus the Lord!
Hanging from the tree that day…
It is finished! They heard Him say…
The earth shook and rocks were split
Soldiers were shocked because of it…
Thunder roared and in the Temple sent
Holy Spirit finally ripped
Top to bottom the veil was torn…
As the holy Angels sounded their horn
Souls were free and for joy they cried
God no longer had to hide; for Jesus His son
Had bled and died…
Three days in the grave and then revived…
How could this be? What does it mean?
The veil was torn in two
Five sets of blue, purple and scarlet cloth
A miracle of grace and mercy brought…
Where once a bull had to atone for our sin
The veil was torn which let man in
Now God and man would speak again…
Not in shadow, or, a go between…
God was free to live His dream…
Restored mankind and set men free
Jesus did this for you and, for me…
No veil to separate the Holy place
Now we can see Jesus, face to face…
And God is glorified, by the human race…
Holy Spirit now resides…
Within our hearts is where He abides
When Jesus Christ, God’s son, suffered and died…
From top to bottom
The veil was torn in two.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 30, 2018
Matthew 27:51 New International Version (NIV) At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split
Hebrews 9:1-9 New International Version (NIV) Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle
Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered Ark of the Covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.
Isaiah 59:1-2 New International Version (NIV) Sin, Confession and Redemption
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
Exodus 30:10 New International Version (NIV) Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the Lord.”
Step into the Light
Photo by: Marla O’Neill
There’s darkness, so dark; that the light cannot be seen
Lean in closer, let me tell you what I mean…
We are born into this earth empty and void…
Living, not knowing the reason why, we only survive
Physically our minds are in-tacked and our bodies they comply
Thinking we are living, but never asking why…
God’s Spirit hovers over us, “Step into the light!”
Fear and unbelief hold us tight…
But God said, “Let, there, be, LIGHT!”
A light so bright that it separates the darkness from the night
Where once we stumbled and fumbled about
The light reveals a marvelous sight…
New breath breathed, filling every molecule of our soul
Eyes wide open what majesty we behold…
Songs of praise and gratitude fill every darkened room
We’ve stepped into the light and now we are consumed…
Where once all we could see, was darkness, hopelessness and doom
Light has come and given us new hope, new life, we’re renewed…
Darkness is the dwelling place where nothing thrives or grows
Over the deep, bottomless pit, darkness screams to keep our soul…
Holy Spirit hovers near, he gently whispers in our ear…
“Come on dear child, step into the light!”
Abraham, Jacob, and Mary too, John, Mark and Bartholomew
Matthew, Peter, Stephen and Paul, along with others, yes, they all, stepped into the light!
And God saw that it was good!
When you step into the light you’ll fully understand…
Darkness is dark…But Light is life!!!
Step into the Light!!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill October 29, 2018
Genesis 1:2-4 New International Version (NIV) The Beginning
…Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
About a week ago I experienced something I had not experienced before…my sugar went extremely low and all I could see was this bright light it blocked out everything. Bob was at work and I was alone, so I had to force myself to walk to the kitchen for some orange juice…I could see forms around the light but not the center of the object…I knew what it must be like to be blind; only instead of darkness there was bright light. I found the OJ and I knew where the glasses were so I reached for a glass not being able to see it…I used my finger as a guide to pour into the glass, shaking the whole time because of the low…I drank a few sips, not panicking and drinking to much…and in a little while my sight came back and my sugar came up and life was calm again. Yesterday morning…God used that experience to say to me… “Marla tell them to Step into the Light!” He is the Light and he is the one who guides us and directs us even when we cannot see…He helps us to find the way!!! In him there is no darkness…we don’t have to be afraid just walk in the light!
What Will You Do
