The Wounded Angel – 1997
See her there, broken and wounded
Shattered hopes and dreams of ever flying
As I looked closer I could see her tattered broken wing…
The pain she bore was pain that could not heal.
Wounded angel dry your tears
Wounded angel you have nothing to fear
Help is coming and soon you’ll be flying away
To new heights on heavens highway…
You will soar with mended wing
Over mountains and plains, you’ll see the bright and morning star
All your hurts and pain will be over
As your wing is made brand new and your strength restored
The wounded angel is made whole
She is free from the pain and hurt that held her bound
Her wings are open, soaring high, a beautiful sight to see
The wounded angel is flying
You see, that wounded angel, was me!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill – written in November 1997
Isaiah 40:31 New International Version (NIV) …but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
The Stare
Sitting at my keyboard writing words for you
I stop for just a moment to find out who is who…
More than social media
It’s become quite repedia…to find out who is lead’n ya
In everything we do…
New friend request…
Like, Love, WOW and Cry…
Do not let one comment pass you by…
Recipes of food, cakes and pie
I must share it, as you sigh…
Just one more, then I’ll say, bye
News and birthdays everyday…
Reading comments along the way…
Memes and babies and fashion too
Why the whole world is watching all we do…
Perfect hair and smile and family…
If only they could see what you really think…
But this virtual world would surely stink
If they really saw, this ship would sink…
It’s here to stay there’s no taking it away…
We can’t live without our fix…
Minutes become hours changing covers and pics…
We are bound to the screens in all the mix…
Round and round we go…
And so
We are hooked as we scroll and look
At the mesmerizing scenes on this thing called Facebook, and more, Oh my…
Real people we’ve never met
Have become close family and friends
Notifications some must be blocked
Over and over and over again
Who would have ever dreamed?
That looking at a screen
Could bring
This kind of thing
Into being….
Gifs, emoji, emoticons, emotions shown without using words
We laugh and cry before our screens; craziest things we’ve never heard
We are the zombie generation…It’s the Real Thing…
Devouring, overpowering, just try to quit and you will see…
It will go on without you or me…
It sucks you back in with its empowering wit
It’s got cha…and there’s nothing you can do
Not one, little, bit…
This thing called the internet…
It’s a cycle without end…
~M.S. O’Neill December 31, 2017
Ecclesiastes 1 The Message (MSG)
The Quester
These are the words of the Quester, David’s son and king in Jerusalem
Smoke, nothing but smoke. [That’s what the Quester says.] There’s nothing to anything—it’s all smoke. What’s there to show for a lifetime of work, a lifetime of working your fingers to the bone? One generation goes its way, the next one arrives, but nothing changes—it’s business as usual for old planet earth. The sun comes up and the sun goes down, then does it again, and again—the same old round. The wind blows south, the wind blows north. Around and around and around it blows, blowing this way, then that—the whirling, erratic wind.
In the Final Hour
The baby was born in a lowly state
To a beggar who begged by the city gate…
Too much for her to take
She abandoned the child and left him in a gutter.
The clan of the out-casts, at least had a clue
They took the babe and raised him to loot
Now he was on his own…
Dirty hands and dirty feet, torn ragged clothes
He was a thief…
Life had not been fair…
Caught and now hanging on a criminal’s tree
No way now, he would never be free…
His fate was set as he hung beside two others…
This is how his life would end…
He was lost, now paying for his sin…
He lashed out with bitterness and hatred at the men…
The man in the middle spoke not a word
But the man on his left shouted and squirmed…
“If you be this king of the Jews then save yourself and us too…”
So he shouted back, “You shut your mouth, don’t you fear God?
He’s done nothing to deserve this kind of death…but you and I deserve what we get…”
Then he called on Jesus name…
Jesus, he said, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus answered him and said, In all honesty, I tell you, today, you will be with me in paradise.
He was a thief but he recognized Messiah…
Seeing his life pass before him that day, no mother to cry, no father to protest, this was the thief’s final request…
He would no longer run in the streets, stealing just to survive…
His life would not be in vain…
“You think you can steal paradise by asking Him to give you life?”…the man on his left shouted and cried… “Oh wouldn’t that be nice!” He lied.
The humbled man calmly replied…you can’t steal what has no price…
He called on Jesus and his heart was changed…
Paradise would be his final domain…
All because Jesus came!
No longer a thief he’s been redeemed.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 31, 2017
Luke 23:35-43 New International Version (NIV)
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the Jews.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Change Ahead
This year 2017, is coming to an end, it won’t be long now. As I reflect on the past year it is bitter-sweet. With each year that ends we try to believe that the New Year will be better and happier than the one we lived through. Out with the old, in with the new…
2017, was sweet in that we had a new addition to the family, little Ezra, our grandson was born, what a blessing he is, along with all the other sweet grandbabies. They are all blessings. I just wish I could spend more time with them.
Bitter for many reasons tragedies and hurricanes many people lost their lives and homes. It’s just a part of life I guess. The earth is constantly changing some for the better and some not so much.
But here we are, the ones who have survived to live another day…how will we live it?
I’ve found that in my almost 64 years of living, that nothing really changes as far as the nature of man goes…but yet there are changes all the time…I mean if we really think about it. In the book of Ecclesiastes 1:9 New International Version (NIV) it says…
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
Solomon, who wrote this, was the wisest man who ever lived; he knows what he’s talking about.
Every year we make New Year resolutions…we’ll get our health under control, exercise, eat right, get plenty of rest, spend more time with loved ones…buy a new house, car, make repairs…get a better job, education…write that book we’ve been talking about…
And in about a week or three we fall of the wagon and settle back into our old routine…
But if a tragedy strikes, what do we do then?
These are just a vintage woman’s rantings…I set a goal to reach 365 posts by the end of 2017, it is now December 30 …after this post I have 6 to go. I hope I reach my goal…I hope what I’ve written will encourage someone…I wrote them because I felt that it was what God wanted me to do.
You may be young, middle age or elderly…we all have different perspectives on things…you may come from the north, south, east or west…climates are different, accents different, customs and traditions all different…but one thing we all have in common…we are all going to get older, we are all hoping for a better life and one day we will all be leaving this planet. That’s a fact.
My hope is that even if you don’t believe the way I believe, or understand what I understand, I hope and pray that 2018, will bring you happiness and contentment. I hope that if you don’t know where you will spend eternity, I pray the Holy Spirit will draw you into the living knowledge of Jesus Christ and you will open your heart to receive him as your personal Lord and Savior. I mean really know who He is. Not the polyester Jesus but the true, authentic Jesus the son of the Living God…who lived, died, arose from the grave and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, ever making intercession for the saints.
This is my time, to live and speak and write the truth so that when I die…the person who I am passionate about, the one who died for me and loves me unconditionally will say… “Well done daughter, welcome home, you did exactly as I asked you to do. I am proud of you. I love you. Come and meet all the souls you helped to get here.”
I don’t know who is reading this…but I do know that if you are it is by no mistake. Let 2018 be the year of a new life for you. Turn around and run to the only one who can truly save you and set you free from addictions, stress, financial ruin, defeat, he will mend relationships if you will only open your heart and let him lead your life.
God bless you.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 30, 2017
My Little Cherub
I wrote this poem in memory of my mother. There’s an explanation at the end.
You are my little cherub, to kiss and hug so tight
We’ll say our prayers and then, I’ll tuck you in at night.
Throughout your years of growing
My little cherub you will be
An angel sent from heaven. God only loaned you to me,
To rock, and hold, and love, and guide you on your way
Little Cherub, you’re a blessing; in my heart is where you’ll stay.
The cherubim in heaven surround God’s holy throne
Angels of protection, they sing a holy song~
You were chosen by the Father to be my cherub here…
Singing songs of Jesus draws the angels near.
When you’re tired and lonely and I’m not around to see~
Sing Holy, holy, holy, around God’s throne you’ll be~
Joined by seraphim and cherubim a choir of jubilee…
Take heart little cherub sing a song for me…
Your journey will be long….
Be Strong~
Little cherub, heaven’s where you belong.
But before you leave your mission, of interceding on man’s behalf
Remember little cherub to sing and dance and laugh~
You are my little cherub; I cherish you with all my heart~
You have a story to live and share even though, I won’t, be there.
Your journey will be grand…
I’ve given you wings to soar, you’ll testify too, that on the solid rock you stand, anointed by the Holy Ghost, hold onto the Master’s hand…
He’ll lead you where you are needed most…
And when all is said and done…
Heaven’s gates will open wide
Welcome home, come on inside…
Little cherub you are mine…
I watch you sleep, sweet darl’n dear, I whisper a tender prayer…
Keep her Jesus, all of her days, to know it’s in your time,
That cherub’s come to sing and bring, praises, to the King of kings.
Let her live all of her days, to give you, holy praise!
Then in your time, Jesus, bring her to the throne.
Knowing that for all eternity, heaven is her home.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 30, 2017
Edited January 26, 2022
A few days ago, as I was reading, I came across some information regarding cherubim, angels of God. I remembered that when I was a little girl my mom would call me, her little cherub. I had not thought about that in many years. But remembering it brought tears to my eyes. The endearing name, cherub, took on a whole new meaning for me.
I did a little research, and this is something I found.
In the Book of Enoch, the cherubim, seraphim, and ophannim (wheels), and all the angels of power constitute the “host of God,” the guardians of His throne, the singers of praise ascribing blessedness to “the Lord of Spirits,” with the archangel Gabriel at their head (see Isaiah 61:10;). And so, in the Jewish daily liturgy the seraphim, ophannim, and “living creatures” constitute the heavenly choir who, the elect ministers of the Living God, ready to do the will of their maker with trembling, intone in sweet harmony the Thrice-holy. In the Talmud, the cherubim are represented as having the likeness of youths.
From what I read and there is so much to read, these cherubim and seraphim are powerful and very important to God and his purposes. Our minds can hardly comprehend all that God is. All I know is I’m glad he knows me, and I know him, and I am one of his children. Amen!
Good Morning God
Psalm 118:24 New King James Version (NKJV) This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Good morning God…thank you for this day
You made it, and it is beautiful…
How wonderful and marvelous to be alive; to glorify and magnify your name…
I can breathe, and walk and talk and think and see and hear and taste and feel…
You made the sun to warm the earth, thank you for the sun.
You made the flowers for healing and fragrance and food for birds and bees and me…
The smell of the dirt in farmers’ fields, rich and fertile where seeds can grow
And live and thrive so man and beast and bugs will survive…
The wind carries the dandelion, lifts birds to soar on high…
You give us peace and grace and love for all, and You said, Go and multiply…
We are poor, yet rich, in all our ways, when we praise you, O Lord…
You are our hiding place, and when we are weak, reach down deep, within our souls
Fill our cup and restore…for today is all we have, there’s no need to ask for more…
Thank you God for this beautiful day…I will rejoice and be glad in it…
This moment is all we have, tomorrow may never come…but Lord I pray in Jesus name
Your will in heaven and earth, be done!
Give us this day our daily bread…if today is our last then let it be said…this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! Amen.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 30, 2017
Hope
Dandelion tall and free
Tell me what you see…
I see a star and you’ll travel far
Over oceans and mountains and seas…
How can you know if this be true?
I’m lame, I’m just a lad…
Oh there’s more to you, just wait and you will see…
Pick me up and gently blow and watch as I go before thee
Taking the dandelion within his grasp…
I’ll do just as you’ve asked…
Tiny seeds fill the air the dandelion is set free!
Years pass, the young man’s task, is ship’s captain, just as he’d heard…
Watching from the bow of his ship, a little boy is heard…
Dandelion, tall and free, tell me what you see…
~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 29, 2017
Luke 12:27-40 New International Version (NIV)
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I Love You More
Thank you with all my heart. I dreamed of someone loving me the way you do. You’re always patient, always kind, never demanding. You are ever ready to help me in the smallest or greatest of ways…
You don’t complain. You are my miracle sent from God above. You are my husband; my blessing, my love.
I never want to take you for granted although sometimes I may. But you just keep right on loving me in your special, enduring way.
Good morning beautiful, every day I hear you say.
God knew what he was doing when he let the two of us meet. Your loving heart, your big brown eyes are tender, reassuring and sweet.
It’s difficult, I know sometimes, but you’re always kind…calling me just to let me know that I am on your mind.
For you, I am thankful and I bless God all the time…for giving me a treasured gift…and that I am yours and you are mine.
I love you more than the open sky…I love you more than the mountains wide…I love you more than all the stars and universe and oceans combined…I love you more than the years of earth…and baby for what it’s worth…I’ll love you until I die…into heaven’s by and by…I love you!
~M.S. O’Neill December 29, 2017
Colossians 3:18-20 The Message (MSG) Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master.
Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them.
