Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

So I had this conflicting conversation with God. He presented something to me and I felt in my spirit that it was a wonderful idea and I’d like to be part of making a difference in someone’s life. But then I started second guessing myself. I’m too old. I’m not qualified. I am an introvert, mostly. I don’t know what to expect. I have health issues. I’m a little a feared…I begin looking at all the reasons why I can’t do it. I’d pray and think. Pray and think. “OK, I’ll go. I’ll just take tiny steps toward doing this and see how it goes.” Then anxiety set in and the closer it came to fulfilling the task, I wanted to back out, but I’m torn. Let me just say that if you’re in anxiety you’re in sin, and sin, will block faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. So I repented and asked God to help me and even if I’m a little afraid I’ll do it anyway. He said, with His help, I Can Do All Things…because He, will give me strength!

The conversation continued in my head… “God I’m not hearing you clearly, do I do this or not? Holy Spirit, please help me. Do you want me to go or not? Is this you or is it me? Is it the devil hindering me? I don’t know what to do? So I get in my car and drive. I’m driving, listening to my favorite Christian radio station and a song begins to play. I sing along with it but I’m not really aware of the words…all of a sudden I realize I’m singing…I am not alone, I am not alone, You will go before me, You will never leave me…(Kari Jobe)

“You will GO before me.” I see this car in front of me, and on the rear window is a sticker with the word ‘GO’… I start praising God and tears spring to my eyes as I say out loud… “That’s God talking!”

Now let me just say this, I don’t believe in omens and I don’t believe in coincidence. I do believe there are reasons and purposes for everything that happens in a believer’s life.

I begin praising the Lord and thanking him for direction. I understand that he’s saying, ‘Go!’ And because I have his direction now, and I’m faced with this upcoming challenge that is about to happen, I am not shaken.

Here I am, in a place I’ve never driven before…I have directions from Google printed out on paper…but still I take a wrong turn and have no idea where I am and my GPS on my phone has stopped working. I pull into a parking spot and call Bob. I get back on the road. The paper with my directions say to turn left; but Bob said I need to turn right. I am in the wrong lane and I can’t get over. I tell him I’ve got this and I hang up. When I get to the street that I think is correct, I see that the streets are all torn up and under construction. I drive down a one way street the wrong way, and the place I’m looking for is north, not south, I am in the wrong place….Let me tell you right now if I had not gotten that direction from the Lord I would have said, “Forget this I’m not doing this, I’m going home.” But…I had heard from God and I knew I was to Go.

I drove over the torn up road, full of big holes, and I managed to get to the correct road. Now I’m heading in the right direction. Talking to Bob from my cell phone he led me to where I needed to be and I got there just in time to meet who I needed to meet and to sign up for what I needed to sign up for. Let me also say that when you do get to your destination and you see a familiar face, it sure does feel good. Finally that part of the process was finished but there are still unknowns to be conquered. Although I now, know, that God is in this. I have faith in Him and know, without a doubt, he will lead and guide me the rest of the way.

If you are facing uncertainty, and you don’t have clear direction and you find yourself on the wrong road, going the wrong way, turn on your radio, do not be afraid, don’t give up…and ask the Holy Spirit to help you. He is the best GPS you will ever need…he promises to be with you, in you and he will never leave you.

Oh, and as I was leaving, I heard the song…No turning back…LOL!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 11, 2018

No Turning Back

Brandon Heath

I have decided
I called out his name
I’m following Jesus now and
He knows the way
I made up my mind
I leave it behind

No turning back
No turning back
I’m moving on
Not looking back
I’m giving him
All that I have
No turning back
No turning back

Though I may wander
I am not lost
So many distractions
But I, I look to the cross
I made up my mind
I leave it behind

No turning back
No turning back
I’m moving on
Not looking back
I’m giving him
All that I have
No turning back
No turning back

You want to come with me
He loves you the same
Oh, won’t you come with me?
(Oh, won’t you come with me?)
Just call out his name
(Just call out his name) Songwriters: Brandon Heath Knell / David Leonard / Leslie Jordan

Genesis 12:1 New International Version (NIV) The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

Mark 16:15 New International Version (NIV) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Genesis 24:58 New International Version (NIV) So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she said.

Ruth 1:16-17 New International Version (NIV) But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.

Matthew 21:2 New International Version (NIV) saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.

How close are you to Jesus?
Can you touch Him, feel His heartbeat?
Sense His breath upon your cheek.
Do you follow Him? Is it Him you seek?
Do you know what He is thinking?
Finish His sentences before He speaks…
How close are you to Jesus, He is strong we are weak…
Do you cry and beg for an answer, when things don’t go your way?
Do you even listen to hear, what the Master has to say?
Or are you, like, the prodigal son, stubborn, proud, wanting your own way?
How close are you to Jesus, do you rest in His embrace?
Do you see His love light shining on His compassionate, gracious face?
Each time you look upon Him do you see His amazing grace?
The faith song of Jesus is not seen by mortal eyes.
It’s not a feeling or a thought; it never doubts or asks why…
Faith is a knowing beyond what we do or think…
When you walk by faith and not by sight, peace will be at your side.
“Upon ocean waves, deep waters collide, I will ride the tides with thee.”
Not my will but thine be done or can this cup please pass from me?
“Abide in me, as I abide in you, faith will overcome.”
How well do you know Jesus?
When He calls your name do you hear?
Do you run to greet him, or hide away in fear?
Be ready, be watching, be still and know, Jesus will always be with you wherever you go! In your home or in the street, He’s closer than a heartbeat!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill© June 9, 2015

Matthew 16:13-20 The Message (MSG) When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?”

In life there is a garden

Where lovely flowers grow

Watered by the gardener with

Love he plows and sows

He tends to them completely

Watches the beauty they bestow

To all earth’s creation in his garden here below

Now you may be a periwinkle or a dandy-lion fair

But the stem with thorn and rose is where the most fragrant flower grows

The sunflower in all her splendor, richness and her grace

Will always follow after the sun from sunrise to sunset never leaving her place

And humming birds delight themselves in a sip of hibiscus’ sweet taste

But we are not flowers in a garden

Yet in a garden life began

Favored by the creator in the test of time we stood

Man and woman he formed us of dust and water and blood

We are watered by his goodness and share his likeness too

So lift up your heads and sing his praise let life begin anew

Yes flowers in this garden of life to which we stand

Created by the master at his loving, mighty hand

Often crushed and beaten but never defeated is the plan

We are just a lonely flower time is short for us you see

So let the savor of your life stand for something he commands

Trust in the wisdom of the Gardner

A sweet fragrance for his delight

Knowing a lilac is his handiwork

But you are his greatest plan

~Marla Y. Shaw (Marla Shaw O’Neill)

12/3/2012©

 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. Genesis 2:8

Little girl why do you stare

Where are you now my child

Can you not see your works undone

And life’s passing away

Oh sir, I see such beauty

Of things so rich and fair

I’m in a place of wonder

Where life never passes away

I see oceans of blue

And mountains high

Flowers reach beyond the sky

I hear music in trees

And wonderful things

Please do not hinder me

Daydreamer~

Mountain climber~

Achiever of all you seek~

We’ve reached the moon

And far beyond

Cause that’s what dreamers do

My dreams are real

So do not steal

The light from within my soul

For I am soaring in a distant place

A world invisible to those who see

Only obtained by faith

I’m one of a kind who dare to reach

Far beyond their grasp

I’m a dreamer of dreams

And without such as me

This world would be dark and bleak

Allow me my dreams

Do not disturb what God has put within

For as a dreamer; He, breathed in me,

And watched new life begin

~Marla Shaw O’Neill 4/2012/10/2013

(Joseph) “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. Genesis 37:19

He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:12-15 New International Version (NIV)

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. Daniel 1:17 New International Version (NIV)

 

 

Last night a storm came up that rocked my core…I’ve never heard the thunder or lightning or see the wind blow like it did last evening. It blasted so loud I actually screamed…I looked out across our back yard and saw twirling rain and wind coming straight for us…it blew my potted plants and chair and other things onto our patio as it blew past us…it was really scary…that is what inspired this poem…

Standing in my doorway, looking out into the storm

Rain and wind came dancing T’was a powerful form

Twirling straight towards me, the force it would be great

Is that you LORD walking across the yard in majesty, but wait…

No time for preparation, no time to gather things in…God is walking, He’s powerful

He’s a Mighty Rushing Wind…

If you aren’t ready when the Spirit passes by, then everything you’re storing will surely begin to fly…

How can you contain the wind, or tame the rolling tide…

How can you catch a falling star, or, hold back lightning, from afar…?

How can you take a sunbeam and send it to one place…

How can you hold in your hands, God’s invisible face…?

One tiny touch from the creator of the human race, one word spoken forming earth and space…will cause the earth to open, volcanos to erupt, tsunamis there’s no stopping as it gobbles everything up…His touch will heal diseases, cast mountains into the sea…one touch of His mighty power will set people free…

I now can say that I have seen Creator God walking…You do not know His power, or the strength of His majestic hand, until you’ve seen God, in the form of the Mightily Rushing Wind. Walking by He’ll show you, just how Powerful He is…shaking ground, purpose bound He’ll turn your world upside-down… His invisible touch surrounds the ones, that he loves Oh so much!

God is real; His Spirit indescribable…if you could hold electricity, in your human, unprotected, bear hands…than you would see just a glimpse of God’s Mighty Rushing Wind.

Do not underestimate God’s unseen power…

He’s in the storms of life

He’s walking towards you this very hour…

He is a consuming fire; He’s a mighty rushing wind…

There’s a stirring in the atmosphere…let it begin…

Blow wind…blow…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 6, 2018

Acts 2:2-4 King James Version (KJV) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Exodus 24:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) The appearance of the Lord’s glory to the Israelites was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop.

Psalm 46:4-7 English Standard Version (ESV) There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

John 3:8 Good News Translation (GNT) The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Job 38:4-7 New International Version (NIV) “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

Tiny fingers reach out to touch

The face of mommy and daddy…

Taking baby steps they learn to walk; mimicking voices they learn to talk…

Most wanted, but many rejected, who will care for those neglected?

God bless the ones with loving parents, cozy and safe, secure in their homes…

While others are cast aside to roam, perilous streets…preyed upon by perverts and derelicts in shadows where they meet…

Then there are the children, destroyed from the womb…

Torn from their mother’s quiet unruly rooms…

Weeping for those who cannot save themselves…

Broken cisterns, empty wells…

Evil, corrupting, filling hell…

Angel of death soon will tell…

For who the bell tolls…heads are gonna roll…

Who will pray for our children? Who will protect our future generations? Each child holds within its being, hope for the nations…

It’s said it takes a village to raise just one small child…

Who is willing to take the walk with them for just one mile…?

Teaching them and guiding them until they’re safely grown…?

You see, children are our heritage…that life continues on…

More important than wealth, or material gain, more precious than glory or obtaining fame…Children are God’s way of saying…life will remain…

We are guardians, stewards, parents; it is a high calling, not to be taken lightly

By blood or by adoption the call is without option…

We must step up and understand…Children are God’s plan…

God is watching and God is waiting to see what we will do…

God is looking for those people, who…

Will save the little children…

If Jesus took the time to pray, for those little children along His way

Then we are called to let them come to Him…for Heaven’s Kingdom belongs to them.

Save the little children…for one day they will be women and men and who knows

One of them may be the very one, to save us in the end…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 5, 2018

Matthew 19:14 International Children’s Bible (ICB) But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children.”

Psalm 127:3-5 New International Version (NIV) Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

 (This photo is just an example)

I dreamed last night that my sister showed me a picture of mom, herself and me. But I could only see a part of my face. Then she pushed a button and it became a video. Everything was shown in color. We moved to a suburb in Tampa when we were about nine and ten years old; into a brand new house. Coming from very humble surroundings this was a whole new world and life for us. In the dream the video showed the yellow and orange shag carpet, paneled walls, with all of us laughing…then it all went kind of fuzzy and I said the word, righteousness…and I woke up.

This afternoon I felt a tugging on my heart and I said, “What Lord? What is it?” I looked on my coffee table at my Bible and I was nudged to pick it up and read from the Psalms…so I opened my Bible and flipped to Psalm 145 and read it out loud…

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and rich in love.

My heart needed to praise the LORD at that moment…so the Holy Spirit pointed my attention to His WORD!!

God is always faithful and He loves His children…if you are down cast today, if you are wondering how you’re going to make it, if you are feeling alone and afraid…frustrated by life’s circumstances…open your mouth and begin to give God praise…He will lift the burden and the loneliness from you and you’ll see everything in living color…when we begin to see others, and look at them through love it doesn’t matter if we are seen or not…Because His face is the one we will be looking into every time we look at one of His creations…it will be His Righteousness shining through us…gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and rich in love.

Psalm 145…read it out loud and bless the Lord…and you will be blessed!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill June 5, 2018

I was a woman caught in adultery, sentenced, and condemned to die…He did not accuse me; he set me free from all the lies… John 8: 1-11

I was a leper who came back to say thank you, for healing me, once hiding; I was unclean, unloved and unseen…Luke 17:11-19

I was a soldier arresting Christians; I nailed the Messiah to a tree Luke 23:26-43

I was just a boy with some fishes and bread, but I watched multitudes as they were fed John 6:9

I was a girl sick and dead…but raised to life when he touched my head Mark 5:21-43

I was a woman with five husbands; going to fetch water from a well, when he began to tell my history…no longer a mystery, I drank long and full never to thirst again, from his unending well… John 4:18

I was a fisherman tending my nets at the shore of Galilee, when he said, “Come follow me.” Matthew 4:19

I was a rich, young ruler, I kept the law of the land…but I could not give up my wealth to follow him. I walked away from all of them… Mark 10:17-27

I was a thief I stole for a living, they hung me next to him. I deserved what I was getting, but not him… he said, I’d be with him that day in paradise…he paid for me the total price…No one had ever done anything for me, until Jesus, he is truly the Christ. Luke 23:39-43

I was a disciple, I kept the books, but in the garden I saw the looks, when I betrayed my best friend, and then, I went and hung myself…it was a bitter end…John 18:1-5 & Matthew 27:3-10

I was a woman, bent and bleeding for twelve years…I had shed many tears…but one day I touched the garment of the Rabbi who came to my town and looking around, he knew someone had been healed…faith was all it took, in his eyes, his love shook my very core…I had been set free by that one touch from the Lord…Luke 8:43-48

I was blind from birth. I had no worth. But soon I could see men like trees, then fully my eyes were opened and I beheld the King. Clay and spittle he put in my eyes, and within moments I realized, forever my soul was lit…for I could see not just physically but spiritually. John 9:1-11 & Mark 8:24

Who are you today? What stands in your way of knowing the Master’s touch? Listen woman, man, boy, girl…he’s standing right beside you. He’s in others passing by. He’s there in your bedroom late at night where he sees you cry…He’s there on your job. Oh won’t you at least try…He’s there when you’re driving, cooking, sleeping, buying, weeping…he’s always by your side…

Are you like the blind man, who could not see? Are you like the soldier still nailing him to a tree? Are you like the leper, or woman at the well, who no one sees…it doesn’t matter…because, He sees you right where you are…

These were real people with real stories…they are recorded in His book…open it up and take a look…and remember…you are someone with a story too…

He’s the same yesterday, today and forever…

Who are you?

You are someone with a story, may it be told well…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 31, 2018

Kind Lady what luxury you possess

You’ve wealth and riches I envy and protest…

Why have I none of these? I’m a good person

I’ve worked long and hard…yet,

For all my labor all I have is poverty and debt…

Looking at the lowly man

My heart goes out to him…

And slowly I ponder his words, then, begin…

Lowly man…

Would you travel the roads I’ve been down?

Would you walk in the heartache’s I’ve found?

Would you squander all your earnings, live in a barren town?

Would you dance the dance of sin and shame…?

Would you waste your youth on vanity and ruin your good name…?

Would you cry alone, unending nights?

Try to take your life?

You see, I wasn’t always in all this finery, as you so plainly put it…

It was one dark night with everything lost, I cried in despair to a God I thought no longer cared…

Responding to the Shepherd’s voice I clung to Him and made my choice

Leaving the sin of my discarded life behind…

I took up my cross and followed the one who brought me to His blessed breast

He took my heart of stone…

And there I was redeemed…

These earthly things you envy Sir are not the things I sought

For peace and rest cannot be gained in the market place to be bought…

Only Jesus and His saving grace, will give you what you seek…

All these things are temporal; they’ll decay and fade away…

But what I have is eternal, given freely to all who believe and pray

You see, Jesus Christ, lived and died, to wipe our sin away

So if you want, what I have, Sir, then ask Jesus to come inside…

He’ll transform your life and bless you, more than you could ever dream

Earth’s wealth and riches, are not what they often seem…

It’s Him, who lives inside of me, which gives my life meaning…

If you’ll give your heart to Him alone; make Him your reason for living…

If you’ll lose your life for His sake, you’ll gain your life by giving…

Hope to the hopeless, faith to the faithless, peace to the restless, grace to the graceless,

You’ll gain God’s favor, which is priceless, and you’ll never, ever, be poor again.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 30, 2018 

Matthew 16:24-26 Good News Translation (GNT) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me. For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it. Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life.

A number of years ago I was feeling hurt and lonely. I knelt before the Lord and cried and prayed with deep unspeakable sounds. Emotional pain so deep I could hardly breathe.

“Lord who am I? What am I here for? Who even knows my name?” I poured out my heart to the Lord and I heard Him say, “Marla, I am giving you a new name.” I was stunned and surprised and thrilled all at the same time; that the God of heaven would speak to me. But that is what He longs to do. He called me Seritzah and told me it meant treasure. I was amazed. So, I got up and went to Google to look it up. I didn’t find any name like it, so I knew it had to have come from the Holy Spirit. I wrote it down and kept it.

Today I was reminded about it and wrote this poem. The scriptures say, He will give us a new name in heaven. Lots of times God changed people’s names even while still on earth. There was Abraham and Sarah. He changed Jacob to Israel. There is Peter and many more…so why not Marla, to Seritzah…?

It doesn’t matter if you believe or not…I believe, because God has called us His treasure. Seritzah, is His special name for me. I’m thankful that the Holy Spirit speaks to me and confirms to me, it is Him speaking to me, over and over again.

It’s happened to many times to be a coincident which I don’t believe in. There is a reason for everything and when we are truly His treasure…we know his voice when he speaks. Amen.

Seritzah

A new name I give to you

Because you’ve been a pleasure

Devoted and faithful, I will call you

Seritzah, my treasure

A name known only to me, and the angels,

In the heavenly courts of the King

You are a rare and lovely treasure…

A gem that cannot be measured…

More precious than anything

If known to earth-beings…they’d sell

All they have for just one glimpse

Of this pure and undefiled gemstone

More brilliant than a diamond…

More costly than gold…

More precious than a cultured pearl

Is this gem alone…

 

Your heart once full of sin and strife

Broken, beaten, you cried out for new life…

New life came in and changed everything…

Your heart of stone was transformed and became

A living sacrifice

Humble, contrite, pliable in my hands, yielding to love’s true selfless demands…

You were a treasure found among debris

Putrid, morbid, lost humanity…if not for my grace you’d be

Lost in a darkened, forgotten sea…

Turbulent funnels…

Waves higher than mountains forging through unknown tunnels…

More powerful than a hurricane

Horrors no one should ever see…

But my grace, rescued thee…

Seritzah, my treasure…

You are loved by me…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 28, 2018

Deuteronomy 7:6 New Living Translation (NLT)  For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.

Revelation 2:17 King James Version (KJV)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that over cometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Ezekiel 36:26 King James Version (KJV)  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.

Isaiah 62:2 King James Version (KJV)  And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.