Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

The Little ’uns are those who go unseen in the crowd…

Making life better, they are humble, not proud…

Little ‘uns do the doing, unseen and unheard…

They do tremendous things without saying a word…

Little ‘uns are servants that no one ever sees…

They open doors and scrub floors and make up beds

Without lifting their heads

They live among us; do menial tasks,

Without a word, before we ask…

Ever thoughtful, no ill intent

We never see where they go, or where they went…

They take out the trash, and mow our yards; they package potatoes and grow tomatoes

They make paperclips and potato chip bags

Have you ever wondered why beds don’t sag?

The Little ‘uns pray when no one sees or hears…

They know God is watching and that He cares…

No motives for thank you’s or monetary gain…

They walk among us eager, content and plain…

Next time you sit in a four-legged chair and drink from a cup

Watch lights way up there…

Think about this…they did not magically appear…

No spider spun…

That was simply the work of the Little ‘uns…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 28, 2018

Colossians 3:23 New International Version (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Is it worth it?

Will it be, worth it?

Questions of the heart and mind leave me speechless, leave me blind

Then looking full upon His face

A definite surrendered heart bows, to His, unfailing grace

Worth it and then some!

Worth giving up the hell of defeat, sleepless nights and weeping I repeat…

God help me stand upon my weary feet…

…One more day…

Worth it to have a life of peace, when otherwise,

Your heart shattered, and beaten without release…

Worth it to know when I’ve breathed my last breath

I’ll be with him and never know death…

Worth the trials and all the tests…to know Jesus will give me rest…

Worth it all, to have confidence and faith, knowing that God has promised…

Life here and life to come…Knowing Jesus I’ve overcome; now my race is won…

Worth the fight and worth the fear

Worth the battle and worth the tears

Worth the pain and suffering, worth the struggle,

Worth remains…

When we accept His love and share…

His worth becomes revealed

You see, there is no one here,

No woman or man, who can save you from life’s despair,

No one to rescue you from death…

Beware…

There is only One!

What it takes, is faith…in Jesus Christ, God’s son!

The worth is in the value…

The value, priceless…debt, paid in full

Your worth won’t come through material gain

It’s not in a place, or through great fame…

It’s only through one, whose precious name…

Is Jesus Christ!

Follow Him…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 27, 2018

John 19:30 English Standard Version (ESV) When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Tetelestai (Greek) means: TETELESTAI “IT IS FINISHED” “PAID IN FULL”

Matthew 13:45-46 New King James Version (NKJV) The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

 Voice-of-Thunder blasting out…Make straight for the way of the Lord

He’s coming as a gentle dove, filled with grace and spreading love…

Born of virgin, one-of-a-kind, healing the sick, healing the blind…

The Light-of-Life is among us, this is now the time…

I am not the Christ…you seek…I am sent to prepare the way for the meek

To wash and scrub your sins away, in the Jordan River, I’m here to say, Messiah, the Christ, is here today…

God-Begotten, God’s Passover Lamb, This is He; the Great I AM…

Will you follow Him?

Washed in the water, Holy Spirit descends,

God of Heaven rejoices…Please listen to Him…

This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased…

God in the Spirit is calling these…to follow Jesus, the Christ…

Jesus calls Andrew to follow…Andrew, tells his brother Simon Peter…and so the story goes…

This present day He’s still calling…each and every name he knows…

God-Revealer to all of those…who take up their cross and follow…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 27, 2018

John Chapter One… (The Message Bible)

There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.

April 17, 2010

 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).

Do you have a younger sister? I do. There have been so many perspectives written about this story and I’d like to share mine with you.

I have a birth sister, a half-sister, a step sister, I am the oldest. I also have sisters in the Lord. And I can tell you if I was doing all the cooking, and cleaning and my sister was sitting listening to this wonderful teacher and in my heart I knew he was the Messiah, I would want to be sitting right there too. But knowing, if I didn’t get dinner done we wouldn’t have anything to eat that night, I’d say the same thing Martha said. “Jesus, tell Mary to help me!”

But in reading this story and the story of Lazarus’s death I think Jesus was preparing the two sisters for what was going to happen to their brother. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” In other words, “No Martha, I am not going to tell her to help you. You should be sitting here too!”

Jesus knew that Lazarus was going to die he waited four days to go to him. He knew that he would raise him from the dead. He also knew what their reactions would be. But these were his friends and as the story unfolds they come to realize just who Jesus, really is.

In John 11:2 Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and washed them with her tears and dried them with her hair. Did you know (As far back as 1957, Emotional tears contain more beta-endorphins, some of our bodies’ natural pain relievers, and protein.) Taken from the article HAVE A GOOD CRY By Victor M. Parachin

Mary remembered what he said to her in Martha’s kitchen and she knows what will be coming to her friend. Not the full extent of the suffering he will go through but enough to know she wants to do something very special for him. So with all the love and care she has for him, she gives to him freely an act of respect and kindness she washes the feet of the Messiah, he is her savior and so she anoints him.

Do you ever put yourself in these stories? Do you ever wonder what you’re response would be? I’m sure I can see me, as, Martha, but after doing a bit of soul-searching I know I would have a change of heart sigh and say, “OK, Lord I hear you. I’ll take a little while and sit at your feet.” Oh, what a refreshing, what peace fills my soul. There really is nothing that can compare to being in his presence.

Why do we let the cares and distractions of this world prevent us from sitting at Jesus’ feet?

Stop what you are doing right now…sit at his feet…look into his face by faith … and praise Him.

Put your name in this space “______________, __________ choose the better part.” Jesus is speaking are you listening?

©Written by: Miriam aka Marla Shaw O’Neill 2010

I wrote this in 2010…it is now 2018. Recently I’ve been in a growing spurt…I’ve come to recognize that when I become agitated and everything seems to “bother me” I pray…”Lord I don’t want to be like this…help me to be more like you…” That is my prayer it seems that this has been a life long prayer…and it always will be, as long as I’m on this side of heaven. My heart has cried out, as never before, lately…”Holy Spirit, show me Jesus…help me to know Him, walk with Him…not gifts or privileges…not stuff…give me more of Jesus… ” You know when we ask to draw closer to Him…trails come…not to torture us or make us uncomfortable not to torment us or shatter us…but to change us…to mold us so that we will be more like Him. We have to decrease so that He will increase…so if you are longing to be more like Him…don’t be afraid to ask him…he won’t hurt you…he will do everything in his power to answer that prayer…you just have to relax and let Him do the operation…the recovery will be sweet and on the other side of that trial you will be blessed with peace, and you will become a little more like Him. All it takes is sitting at His feet, listening in the Spirit and surrendering to His love.

There is chaos all around

Trouble, hurt and pain

What does this life have to offer?

What gain?

People fighting and arguing; accusing; full of bitterness and blame

Even your children, Jesus, take your name in vain…

Nation against nation, neighbor against neighbor

Relationships broken, no rest, no peace, storms within, and storms without

Yelling and screaming, no one will hear us even if we shout!

In the midst of angry, weary souls…

God your mercy never ends…for you have told us so…

I love you children

Stop fighting and listen to me…

Look up at the sky; the sun you’ll see…

There are flowers in the sunshine

They still grow and they do not whine…

The mountain tops are majestic they stand the test of time…

See the stars in the heavens and the moon she shines…

Even in the darkness she’s there, she’s mine…

Laughter is still heard in the children as they play

Chaos may be everywhere but my joy can take it away…

See the ocean running to and fro…she knows just how far her borders can go…

 

Listen to the birds as they sing, the good news, tis a melodious song

Just one moment of your time, it won’t take long…

Days and nights spent crying, fear and unbelief, too much hurt, too much grief…

Oh won’t you look at me?

For in your most horrid moments I am taking care of thee…

 

You can’t hear me when you’re screaming…

You can’t see me when you’re fighting

You can’t love me when you hate

You can’t believe me when you’re in doubt, so much is at stake

You can’t trust me when you fear

Lies and death are sailing on the raging storm down here…

But if you will open up your heart and let my love come in

Even in insanity…you’ll see my grace poured out and win…

For even in the fire life is purified…

Even in the pain new life begins again

Even in the turmoil where evil tries to reign

My love will never falter, it forever remains…

Steadfast, immovable, unquenchable, attainable, concrete, nailed to the cross complete, and nothing, and no one can pluck you from my hand…for the blood of Jesus sustains…but you must proclaim…

I’m healed, saved, set free, and delivered, in Jesus, my son’s name!! Amen. 

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 21, 2018

Psalm 107:29 New International Version (NIV) He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

Psalm 144:2 New International Version (NIV) He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

Isaiah 54:10 New International Version (NIV) Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

There is a rose in my garden, whose tender petals bloom

The fragrance permeates the air, with a sweet, distinct, perfume

She was born from love and sent as a ray of sunshine…

Her gentle flower springing up with grace as a cooing dove…

Placed in my garden, a rainbow from above…

Her life filled with adventure she’s learning as she grows

Her beauty far exceeds all others, to look at her you know…

Something is abundantly special, about this lovely precious rose,

It’s written in the stars, she’s a winner in her eyes it shows…

She’s chosen from the garden for an extraordinary task

Her life’s journey will be a legacy that lasts…

Her stem is strong from inheritance, the thorns protecting the bloom

God in his mercy has prepared her, to reach far beyond the moon…

For everyone who looks upon this wonder they will see…

That God is looking back and them through this majestic, beauty.

A scented, loving, caring one…who’s been tended by the gardener himself…

This rose is not just grown to be set upon a shelf…

Her essence will be carried throughout the world to see…

That the rose from my garden is a warrior filled with victory…

Heart bold, spirit courageous, Hope is her legacy…

Born with a purpose…picked by the hand of God

A rose of grace and mercy, her armor faithful and truth…

This rose is not just a rose…no other name will do…

Esperanza, God is with you!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill (Grandma) June 18, 2018

Song of Solomon 2:1-2 King James Version (KJV) I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

Dedicated to my granddaughter Esperanza for her 16th birthday!

Early, he rises, and goes out into the garden, tending it with love and care

He begins to prune and dig in the earth, where…

He’s planted holy seeds…

Seeds of kindness and seeds of love, seeds of faith he’s planted there

Tilling the ground he works, listening to a gentle dove…

That’s singing in his garden…

Bursting out in a heavenly fragrance, the flowers all in bloom…

Showers of color, and butterflies flutter, among the gardener’s room…

Thriving trees, no sickness or disease, is found in this gardener’s domain…

He works full of love for his precious, holy seeds…bringing water and food the green, lush leaves, spring forth to shade the ground…

Birds sing, as squirrels run about, happy for the acorns they’ve found…

There’s no anxiety, no fear, no doubt, for the gardener takes care of these…

Live in the garden, where the faithful one is found…

Outside the garden you will only find, a place called Abandoned Town.

Abandoned Town is full of weeds, predators lurk, bringing evil deeds

There is only want and lack and terrible disease…no gardener to tend you there…

The place is full of rats and creeps, lurking in the dark you’ll weep…destruction on every street…Food is scarce and water polluted…Abandoned Town is for those recruited, to spend their lives in Hell…

Stay in the garden where the gardener lives, He’ll provide you with blessing and there you will thrive…live in the garden of life!

The gardener is Jesus Christ!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 15, 2018

Isaiah 58:11 New King James Version (NKJV) The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

John 15:5 New King James Version (NKJV) “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

1 Corinthians 3:7 New King James Version (NKJV) So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

Song of Solomon 6:2 New King James Version (NKJV) My beloved has gone to his garden, To the beds of spices, To feed his flock in the gardens, And to gather lilies.

Are you living in a waste land?

Are you distressed and troubled?

Are you wandering in no man’s land?

Are you depressed, rejected and without hope?

Is trouble your captor, and has chained you to a prison of self-loathing and despair?

Are you miserable, crying yourself to sleep, bitter and irritable, feel as though no one cares?

You long for happiness but it eludes you…you drink but your mouth is parched…hungry but nothing satisfies…

Are your bones brittle and leave you stiff and without strength…?

Has your life become robotic, empty, and without meaning or purpose?

Are you sick, weary, anxious, full of self-pity, fear and doubt? Are your relationships broken, stale, poor and hateful?

There is a remedy…it is worth the time to read this, but not just read it…take it into your heart and mind, then sincerely ask God to restore your soul…do what he asks you to do…then live it out…Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good…cry out to the Lord in your trouble…he will deliver you from your distresses…

The unfailing Love of God is one that never fails. He never gives up on those He loves and will redeem your soul from the pit…He will set your feet on the solid rock, fill your heart with joyful songs, give you good things, if you will do what He asks you to do.

I know it’s true because He did it for me.

Psalm 107:1-43 New International Version (NIV)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.

Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground, and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there. He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle. They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest; he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish.

Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow; he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste. But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks. The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.

Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 14, 2018

Prepared for the battle

The soldier waits…

His orders coming down from his commanding officer

He is alert, standing ready guarding the gates…

The order comes…Pray soldier, pray.

Down on his knees in prayer, the fight begins…

The word of God is your weapon, on Him, your life, depends…

Taking up the sword of the Spirit you slash the enemy

He falls and dies, no more lies, no sympathy….

For evil tries to conquer, but death has been destroyed

Other saints in God’s army have been deployed

New numbers for the battle in prayer they overcome

Jesus has delivered us and the battle has been won.

Our warfare is fought, not in this earthly place

It is fought standing in the Spirit with Jesus face to face…

Binding and losing in heaven and on earth…

The demons are fleeing without strength without worth

No power are they given, for the soldier of prayer takes control

And God sends forth his mighty angel warriors to break every stronghold…

Praise and Rejoicing is heard over earth and sky…

God has set the captives free; they live and will not die!!

Stand strong mighty warrior, pray and do not give in

The battle is the Lords, with Him we will win!!!

Faith in the living God, truth sets you free, Jesus is the way

Life is yours today!

Standing at attention,

The soldier brave and strong

Hears the Holy Spirit say,

Live to fight another day…

Pray warrior pray!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill – June 13, 2018

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 New King James Version (NKJV) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Ephesians 6:17 King James Version (KJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

2 Timothy 2:3 New Living Translation (NLT) Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

2 Chronicles 20:15 Good News Translation (GNT) Jahaziel said, “Your Majesty and all you people of Judah and Jerusalem, the Lord says that you must not be discouraged or be afraid to face this large army. The battle depends on God, not on you.

Holy God, Holy Son, Holy Spirit…

Show us Jesus…

With tears I cry unto you Oh God, with a heart lamenting and imploring…have mercy Oh God and hear my hearts cry…

Jesus, you are the one, the only son of God, who came into the world

You are the one they mocked and beat and persecuted

You are the one they nailed to a wooden stake

You are the one they spat upon and flayed, scourging and ripping your flesh until your bones were seen, you were unrecognizable…

You are the one, Jesus, the crowd, cursed and cried, “Crucify Him…

You are the one that walked the Via Dolorosa carrying your own cross…

Alone, rejected, not loved…not praised…not welcome…

You are the one they pierced in the side and water and blood flowed…

You are the one who suffered that day in the heat and you were tortured given only vinegar to drink, when you cried I thirst…

You, the precious son of YAWY…you are the one…Yeshua who gave up your life freely for the redemption of mankind…

There is no other one; no other way…

There is only one way…there is no side door, you can’t go under or over…you must go through the door and that door is YOU Jesus…You are the only way to the Father…

You never wanted wars, or sickness, or death…you never wanted abortion or divorce or hate…you never wanted lies and unforgiveness…

You, the God of Love, only wanted love…so you came in a body of flesh to show us what real love is, and does, for those you love…

God my heart is heavy for people I see who still reject you…still cry, crucify him, by the way they live…selfish, unforgiving and full of doubt and unbelief…stubborn, angry, hurting each other…

But you still love, you still forgive, you still call out to us to come unto you…there is no judgement or condemnation…

Lord, hear my heart…hear my prayer…Holy Spirit draw us to your great love, draw us to the breast of Jesus…let humility guide us, let pride go…for only through You Lord, can we find grace and peace and rest and love…

This world offers pain, rejection, hurt, war, disease, unforgiveness, lust, hate, murder, false hope, deception, perversion, and no redemption…

You are the one Jesus…who died to redeem us from sin and death…

Open our hearts eyes. Open our understanding. Let us become aware of who you are…and don’t allow us walk any other way…There is only ONE WAY… and that way is you, Jesus…the son of the living God…

You’ve given everything we need to show us how to follow you…let us become children of light not children of darkness…

Heal marriages, heal hearts, heal bodies and minds…You are the one who is the healer, you are the one who gives life, you are the one who walked on water, you are the one who healed blinded eyes. You are the one who is alive and makes intercessory prayer for us, you are the one, Our High Priest. You are the one the ancients of old said would come and you came. You are the one true God! You are the Savior.

There is no other way…no other name…no other God…There is One Lord!

One way!

One truth!

One life!

Only through the Lord Jesus Christ can we be saved. Amen!

Help us put away vain glory. Help us put away what we think and what we want…open our hearts to your righteousness…Jesus let us see you…let us walk with you and talk with you, let us hear your voice calling in the cool of the day…Come, follow me. My yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Holy Spirit, show us Jesus…show us Jesus…show us Jesus…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 12, 2018

Matthew 11:28-30 New International Version (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

John 16:12-15 The Message (MSG) “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I’ve said, ‘He takes from me and delivers to you.’

John 14:6 New International Version (NIV)  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”