Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

 Book Gandy. I knew him years later.

It’s funny the things you think about I woke up this morning with my Great Uncle Book on my mind. “Book” I knew him as Uncle Book. I think that is one of the coolest names I’ve ever heard. And maybe that is one reason I love books so much. He’d get so mad if someone called him Booker because that was not his name. I’ve mentioned him before but today I remembered things about him I had not thought about since I was a child. Granny, Mom, Regan, Barbara, me and Uncle Book lived together until about 1963.

He was tall, and wore khaki pants and always rolled the sleeves up of his white shirt. He used a walking stick, when he walked, because he had what we called “his bad leg.” We don’t know what caused it but he had a place on his leg that wouldn’t heal. He kept it clean and always bandaged. When his facial hair would become scruffy my granny would sit him down in a chair in the kitchen and give him a shave and a haircut.

Uncle Book didn’t have any teeth so in the mornings granny would make hot buttered biscuits she’d put one in a saucer and Uncle Book would pour his coffee made with cream and sugar over it and eat it that way.

He would crack pecans and put them in a kitchen towel cover them and hit them with a hammer, grinding them, so he could eat them.

He always had a pocket knife and he whittled. He would take an apple or orange or potato and peal it carefully going around and around without breaking the pealing. To me that was magic. I’ve tried to do that over the years but never have mastered it. A childhood memory that has lived on even to this day, maybe by the time I am 70 I will have mastered it just like Uncle Book.

The man had unlimited talents and as a child I’d watch him with wide-eyed wonder. I never thought about this before, but growing up without a daddy, I suppose I looked to him as my role model. I didn’t know anything about his life before me, and as a little child I never even thought about it. All I knew was, he was there in my life and he did amazing things.

He did something we called, ‘throwing his voice.’ I learned later that it’s called being a ventriloquist. He played the fiddle and made music with spoons and glasses of water. Those were happy times of dancing around the room and laughter.

A man always has a best friend and Uncle Book’s best friend was called Ja’boe, his dog. We’d sit down on the stoop for the longest times not saying a word just Uncle Book, his dog and me. I look back now at those times of days long gone and remember the comfort with an understanding of how life was simple and uncomplicated, difficult at times but they were days of peace and there was love among family and friends.

 Great Uncle Book and me.

I know some of you reading this remember Uncle Book, too, and have your own memories of him. He comes from a long line of Gandy’s he was my grandfather’s brother. I never knew my grandfather and that’s OK, I love my Uncle Book. Uncle Book wasn’t perfect he had his vices but he had a heart bigger than the Milky Way, at least to me anyway.

He’d cut poems and articles out of the newspaper and glue them in a scrapbook. I didn’t realize why he would do that until many years later; he was making a book of memories which he kept in an old trunk. That image has stuck with me. He loved poetry and he’d recite little jingles.

At 79 years old, Uncle Book had a stroke and was taken to the hospital. I was 9 years old. I didn’t get to tell him goodbye or say I love you. But I’m sure he knew he was loved.

Our family loved to tell Tall Tales, we are story-tellers from way back, all the way to Ireland and Scotland and England. My mom started her genealogy in her fifties and she told how that there were three brothers who had to leave Ireland and settled in the Isle of Wight in Virginia. I wonder now if they related that to the Isle of Wight in England. If that is true, and someday I’ll need to research that, I found something very interesting about who lived there. In the 18^th Century, a radical journalist name John Wilkes came from there and in the 19^th Century the writer Charles Dickens and poet John Keats were among the inhabitants (great company). I don’t know why Uncle Book was on my mind this morning but I had another thought come to me. You hear many times about people expressing that in some horrific time in their lives, an angel comes to them, and the angel has the likeness of their great-grandmother, most times they resemble a female figure…why not a male figure? I thought about that, what if Uncle Book came to me this morning to remind me that everything is going to be just fine. I don’t know but these were my thoughts this morning along with how God has a great sense of humor…he wants us to laugh…and be full of joy…now there’s a story to be told…

Baby boy, list of names below… such as Peleg and Naggai…

I wish now that I had named one of my sons, Book…who knows maybe one day someone in our family will name their son Book…like the Good Book…and it truly is, a very good Book!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 16, 2018

God does keeps records: Is your name written in God’s Book!

Luke 3:23-38 The Message (MSG)

Son of Adam, Son of God

When Jesus entered public life he was about thirty years old, the son (in public perception) of Joseph, who was—

son of Heli, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melki, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri, son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Salmon, son of Nahshon, son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, son of Kenan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Kenan, son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.

No time to be silent

No time to hide

It’s time to turn up the volume

And shine, baby, shine!

No time for complacency

No time to be shy…

It’s time to be seen and heard

And proclaim God’s mighty word…

And shine, baby, shine!

No time to look the other way

No time to cry in dismay…

It’s time to take action

And shine, baby, shine!

Don’t follow the crowd

Be His light and throw off the shroud

Take hold of the reigns and begin to plow

Plow up the ground that’s hard and dry

Shine and exclaim, Victory is nigh

Let passion and truth explode from your soul

And shine, baby shine, everywhere you go!!!

Advance in the battle for the battle has been won…

Take up your cross and begin to run…

Fight the good fight, stay in the race…

You’ve been given strength and you’ve been given grace

Let the fire of Holy God…be seen in your face…

Turn up the lights…

And shine, baby, shine!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 12, 2018

Matthew 5:16 The Message (MSG) “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 New King James Version (NKJV) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

I’m here Jesus

Thank you for waiting for me

Smiling, Jesus reaches for my hand

“Come sit beside me and tell me what’s on your heart.”

Oh Jesus,

So much has happened I’m not sure where to begin.

You see, children are being hurt and abused and no one has an answer

Everyone is fighting and arguing with one side against the other and no one is solving the problem.

And then there are so many people who are sick and there are no cures. Babies and young people and adults and elderly with cancer and many other diseases it’s overwhelming. I don’t know what to do. I know you have the solution, but no one wants to hear about you. They say you aren’t real and that you don’t exist. They don’t want to pray. They say our heaven and hell is here on earth. Jesus my heart breaks for them.

“I know child. I know.”

Lord, if they don’t listen to you, if they no longer believe that you are real and that you can help, then, everyone is lost. How can I show them? How can I tell them without sounding religious and judgmental? If they didn’t listen to you then, how will they listen to me? How will they listen to you?

“When I was with the twelve I knew what was in their hearts. I understood their frustration and lack of faith. I knew they didn’t understand. So, I kept loving them and showing by example. It was up to them to decide for themselves if they believed or not. These times you are living in is not much different than, then. But there is one thing. When I left this earth and ascended into heaven I gave them a promise. That promise was that they would receive another comforter. He would abide in and with them. It is still true even now. Holy Spirit will convict and convince hearts of who I am. Those who accept this truth will have peace in the midst of all these troubles. Those who will follow me are mine. The plan is so much bigger than what anyone here knows. Just take one moment at a time. Walk in faith, believe and stand strong with me. Pray and intercede for others. Sicknesses will come. Wars will come. Evil is in this world. I have given you every advantage and everything you need to overcome this evil. What you are fighting for are souls…not lands…not fame…not possessions…souls for the Kingdom of God!

Just live the life before them, live by example. There are many who do believe me. Many are living for me. You are not alone. I am always with you.”

Thank you Jesus for our talks, I am so happy that you are my best friend, my brother, my Lord and my King. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You love me no matter what. I love you.

Holding out his arms he gives me a big hug. “I’ll come back tomorrow for another talk. I love you, see you tomorrow.

“I am always with you and I will be waiting for you. I love you too.”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 9, 2018

Matthew 28:20 King James Version (KJV)

²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

I am Beautiful:

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. (Sol. 4:7)

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (Prov. 31:25)

You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Is. 62:3

My beloved spoke and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. (Song 2:10)

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (Prov. 31:26)

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. (Ps. 34:5)

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! (Ps. 139:13-16)

Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it. (Psalm 139:13 – 14)

For we are God’s masterpiece… (Eph. 2:10)

I am Valuable:

…Created to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10)

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! (Lu. 1:45)

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. (Ps. 46:5)

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Pet. 5:10)

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? (Es. 4:14)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (I Peter 2:9)

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Phil. 3:20)

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. (1 Sam 16:7)

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Mt. 5:8)

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Cor. 12:27)

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. (1 Cor. 6:20)

I am Created as Beloved and Christ Lives in me:

She is worth far more than rubies. (Prov. 31:10)

But by the grace of God I am what I am. (1 Cor. 15:10)

See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands… (Is. 49:16) 

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal. 2:20)

And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:18)

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons (and daughters) of God, through faith. (Gal. 3:26)

…the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col. 1:27)

I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (Jo. 15:15)

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you.  (1 Cor. 15:58)

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (Jo. 1:12)

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:3)

And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:24)

So God created mankind in his own image… (Gen. 1:27)

__________________________________________________

You are loved today and tomorrow and for all eternity…take heart little ones…You shall overcome!!! Amen!

 God bless you!

I will praise God in the valley and watch the flowers grow

I will praise God on the mountains and everywhere I go…

I will praise God through the storms and over perilous seas…

Yes I will praise God for He is everything to me…

I will praise God when I’m weary

I will praise God when I’m strong

I will praise God in dance and I will praise God in song…

Hear my Praise Abba God…

Accept my humble plea…

Let my praise, rise up to greet you,

In the morning and noon and evening too…

I will praise you Papa God for it is what I long to do…

Yes I will praise you…

And when my eyes are tearful

And life gets fierce and fearful…

My soul will rise cheerful, and I will praise my God!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 5, 2018

This poem is inspired by KarenGirlFriday.com

Born of humble birth to a father and a mother

A child is given out of love for one another…

God sends this life to us, to help them grow, mature and love

Honor your father and your mother.

A mother’s love is like no other

She’s on call every moment of every day and night

Struggling to do what she knows is right…

Making mistakes along the way

Not always knowing just what to say…

And so she prays…

“Lord, help me to be a child of honor…

By honoring my children in this short time I have with them

Protect them when I’m wrong and help them to feel at home

Even when I mess up and cause harm, I don’t mean too Lord…

Help me to be strong.”

The love of a father is sometimes missed,

It’s not always easy to mend hearts with a kiss…

He’s tough and strong and brave but sometimes he can be wrong…

He works to provide for his family all day long…

“Lord, help me to be a child of honor…

To love in deed, not only in word,

Planting seeds within the hearts of these, my children…

Let them know when I am old, that I did the best I could,

Often times misjudging and misunderstood…

Lord, help me teach by example, to be a child of honor…”

To honor is to respect, and never to neglect, what God has given…

Parents, love your children, and honor them while they are small…

And when they are tall…

Respect will be their gift to you

And Honor, will be their call…

Be a child of Honor!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 5, 2018

Exodus 20:12 New King James Version (NKJV) “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

Ephesians 6:2 New King James Version (NKJV) “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:

Jesus spoke stories, to all who gathered around

Crowds stood waiting, wanting, but their motives, were found

Only to hear, not do, and so, God’s words fell on shallow ground

Knowing their hearts were far from Him…

He spoke in Parables, His truth He hid from them…

They didn’t understand when He spoke to them.

Will you draw near and seek to understand His word?

Can you explain what you have heard?

Leaving the crowd behind, alone in a private place

Jesus gave secrets to those, who longed to be embraced…

Longing for His truth and searching for His grace…

Oh, leave the crowd behind, and look upon His face

A special time, in a quiet meeting place…alone with Jesus

To gather around…not for everyone’s ears to hear

But for those He loves and holds most dear.

Parables revealed and mysteries sealed…

Invited to be alone with Jesus, what a privilege to obey…

To know and understand all that He will say…

Come away from the crowd and follow Him today!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 2, 2018

Mark 4:34 New King James Version (NKJV)

But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

Left as a young widow

Seven years, in loves bliss

But life was unkind and because of this

She fasted and prayed daily

In the temple of the most High

At eighty-four years God had heard her cry…

A tiny baby named Jesus, Simeon held in his arms

The Messiah has been born,

Sound the Alarm…

In the temple-courts as she enters the scene

She lifts her voice for she’s been given her dream…

“Savior, Deliverer, come see what I mean…”

Anna, full of grace, has met the King!

Seasons of life will come and go…

Occupy so that all will know…

Jesus is Messiah; go and share the good news…

Come see Jesus he’s waiting for you

Women of age do not despair…

Keep working and serving God everywhere

“Come see Jesus,” let this be your prayer…

In old age you are still vibrant,

There are souls that need his care…

God will use you to answer prayer!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 28, 2018

Mark 15:40-41 New King James Version (NKJV) There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38 New King James Version (NKJV)

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer

Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

We don’t remember our first breath but it must have been glorious…

If you’ve ever experienced not being able to breathe, than I know for certain you don’t take it for granted.

Most of the time though, we don’t think about breathing, do we? It’s automatic, and as long as we breathe there’s no conscious thought or concern about it.

Babies come into the world and we wait expectantly for that first breath.

Swimmers hold their breath under water but as soon as they raise their heads from the cool liquid, a strong breath fills their lungs and it is such a relief.

I’m writing this today because of a new song we learned during our worship service this past Sunday. “All Hail King Jesus” there is a line that says… One final breath and it was finished, but not the end we could have known… verse 2. The song goes and it says, For in a dark, cold tomb, where our Lord was laid One miraculous breath, and we’re forever changed…

Oh glorious breath…the breath of life!!! His breath that changes us forever and we become a living soul!

God breathed breath into Adam and he became a living soul…

Genesis 2:7 New King James Version (NKJV) And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Jesus took his final breath on this earth and was laid in the tomb. Three days later, God breathed, breath, into the King of Glory, and he became our living King forevermore!Forever changed!

John 19:30 New King James Version (NKJV) So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Thank you Father God for the breath of Life! Amen!

Oh let his breath fill your lungs today…let his life saturate your soul…Live and Breathe and Have your Being In Him…the Breath of Life…Now and forevermore!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 26, 2018

ALL HAIL KING JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Verse 1]
There was a moment when the lights went out
When death had claimed its victory
The King of love had given up His life
The darkest day in history

[Verse 2]
There on a cross they made for sinners
For every curse His blood atoned
One final breath and it was finished
But not the end we could have known

[Pre-Chorus 1]
For the earth began to shake, and the veil was torn
What sacrifice was made, as the heavens roared

[Chorus]
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of heaven and earth
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world

[Verse 3]
There was a moment when the sky lit up
A flash of light breaking through
When all was lost He crossed eternity
The King of life was on the move

[Pre-Chorus 2]
For in a dark, cold tomb, where our Lord was laid
One miraculous breath, and we’re forever changed

[Chorus]
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of heaven and earth
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of heaven and earth
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world

[Interlude]

[Bridge]
Let every knee, come bow before the King of kings
Let every tongue, confess that He is Lord
Lift up your shout, let us join with all of heaven
Singing ho-ho-ho-ho-holy
Singing ho-ho-ho-ho-holy
Crying out ho-ho-ho-ho-holy
Singing ho-ho-ho-ho-holy

[Chorus]
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of heaven and earth
And all hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world

[Interlude]

[Post-Chorus]
All hail, King Jesus
All hail, King Jesus
All hail, King Jesus
All hail, King Jesus!

[Interlude]

[Chorus]
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of heaven and earth
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of heaven and earth
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Lord of heaven and earth
All hail, King Jesus
All hail the Savior of the world

Jeremy Riddle

We, as true Christians, pray standing, as One Nation under God

We see tyrants come with fear to annihilate us one by one…

Enemies from within try to make us run

Impostors and liars try to divide our victories won…

We are Americans, strong, brave; daughters and sons…

Centuries of battles and wars have been fought

Deceivers and unbelievers tear at our heart…

Nothing is more powerful than our One True God…

Over mountains and plains, rivers and sky

Brave men and women have fought and died

To give us liberty, and freedom, fighting side by side

We know who we are, and in God we confide

Living and working together we stand…

By joining in prayer and the holding of hands

Sneer if you dare, but this is American Land…

We may fall down, we may take a rest, but we will never give up

In trial or test…

We are a Christian Nation; we give her our best…

Oh there’s always friction in families, tis true…

But we fight for the right of our red white and blue…

By our blood sweat and tears…and the grace of God,

Christian’s stand tall and do not fear

As An American Christian Nation, we gladly cheer…

Bound together in faith, we must draw near…

It’s time to lift high our Christian banner and cry…

No more talk and no more try…

Enough is enough, devil you’ve been served…

It’s way past time, for you to get what you deserve…

Stop fighting each other we’ve got work to do

America, God has chosen you…

To be bold, and courageous;

To stand above the crowd

Head, held, high, and make God proud…

Do not give up and do not give in…

With God by our side we will always WIN!!

America, we are, ONE NATION UNDER GOD!!!

FOREVER, AMEN!!!!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 22, 2018

Jeremiah 17:7-8 New King James Version (NKJV) “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be  green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.