Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

Forgetting those things which are behind

No looking back, we can’t rewind

Time does not go backwards…

No do-overs, will change the past

Life goes on it only lasts…

As we pass on the lessons we’ve learned…

The wise will listen; and follow through

The fool continues in his folly

Wasting his time he will never find

The road he’s longing for…

They are blind, deaf, and dumb

Only humility will open the door…

With Wisdom, life can be restored.

Ask and it will be given

Seek and you will find

Knock and keep on knocking…

He, will open the door!

For the things you thought you wanted,

Are illusions, forever out of reach…

You see…

Time is invisible…

We are racing against the clock…

Over and over and over again, like waves upon the shore

They come in and they go out…

More…we cry…more…

But when you find your purpose for coming to this place

Contentment and surrender will be written on your face…

Past, no longer holds you, and future doesn’t exist…

Now is all that matters, now, is a holy kiss…

This moment lives forever in tranquil, beauty, and bliss!

Now, Faith is!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 27, 2017

Philippians 3:12-14 King James Version (KJV) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 11:1-2 The Message (MSG) Faith in What We Don’t See

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

 

Looking around I find I’m lost

I’ve wandered off at a ghastly cost

Where are the others I think as I cross?

To the pasture on the other side…

The greener grass I wanted, I needed, I had to have…

Not heeding the shepherd or obeying his voice…

Now I’m trapped all alone with a terrible choice

I’m only trying to feed my belly…

But now my knees shake like jelly

Bah, I cry, Bah, Oh please…

Bah, Shepherd, come rescue me…

Coming face to face with the worst of my enemies…

Why didn’t I listen, to the Shepherd’s commands…

I’m just a poor sheep I don’t understand…

I’m weak and meager not worth very much…

Now it looks like I’ll be Mr. Wolf’s afternoon lunch…

A whirling sound buzzed by my ear…

The wolf ran off he was much a feared…

The Shepherd’s rod came just in time…

The greener grass will make you whine…

He’s all I want and all I need…

I’m just a sheep a humble breed…

Good Shepherd guides and gives and leads

All us sheep if we’ll just believe…

And after today, I’ll never stray…

Thank you Good Shepherd is all I could say!!

~M. S. O’Neill December 23, 2017

Matthew 18:12-13 Good News Translation (GNT) “What do you think a man does who has one hundred sheep and one of them gets lost? He will leave the other ninety-nine grazing on the hillside and go and look for the lost sheep. When he finds it, I tell you, he feels far happier over this one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not get lost.

 

Some years had passed since the little babe was born

Living in a land distant and foreign…

Still following the star in search of the child

Wise, renowned, men had traveled many miles…

Entering the house they bowed, and humbly proclaimed

Messiah! We worship your holy name…

Traveling far and over much terrain

To bring you these gifts that will help sustain…

Your life in this earthly realm…

You’re more precious than the finest gold, here is our gift, for you to have, and to hold, to help you on your way…refined by fire, God’s treasured soul

Tortured and taken, they will hang you on a tree, the fragrance of frankincense poured out upon thee, the sight of your blood, mankind will see…Mediator, High Priest you’ll be…

Bitter is the path prepared for thee, so Myrrh is given, you’ll set many free…

 

For those who are wise will search for the King

Upon finding Him, it will mean everything.

This time of year reminds us to bring, the gift of our hearts,

Listen, you’ll hear the angels sing…

Gloria, to, the King of kings…

Wise men searched for a new born king in the city of David where prophecies ring…

Unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given…

Bethlehem…

City of the King!

He is the gift, He gave everything!

What will you, bring, to the King of kings?

~M. S. O’Neill December 23, 2017

Isaiah 9:6 King James Version (KJV) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Matthew 2:1-12 New King James Version (NKJV) Wise Men from the East

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

 

This morning I awoke and realized that something was not quite right in my spirit. I prayed, “Where are you God? I can’t hear you…I can’t see you…” and I realized I had allowed “stuff” to clog my heart and I needed to confess some things to the Lord. Wrong attitudes, complaints, resentments…and as I talked to the Lord about these things, the Holy Spirit began to reveal, my heart to me, because I asked him too. He does not force us.

I remembered the peace he had given me when my mom died, and at that time, I said, I never ever want anything to come between me and God, because the peace he gave was so pure and freed me from unforgiveness…but years go by and we become complacent and take Him for granted. Even though He shows us many things, and uses us for His glory…little foxes come and spoil the vine. (*Song of Sol. 2:15)

This morning these thoughts came to my mind as I prayed. I thought about, Pride, Pity and Praise.

Pride certainly blocks our communion with the Lord. We are centered on the “self.” And when self is on the throne of our hearts there’s no room for another.

Pity also blocks our communion because the “I, Me” is our focus. “Why can’t “I” have this, or, why can’t “I” be like that, or, why doesn’t anyone care about “me?” Poor pitiful thing…

Then there is Praise. Not the praise of self, but praise to God. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, “Praise opens the gates into the courts of the throne room of God. Our eyes are taken off of self and focus on the Living God. He is our Hiding Place, He is Love and grace…our hearts become free and unfettered in His presence. Life emerges and we can see clearly who He is.

Then I had a vision…the room was dark and someone, I couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman, was sitting at a desk writing. Light illuminated only where the hand was writing and the Holy Spirit said, “Praise brings the light!”

We can know the Lord, study his word, know all Scripture and sing songs and pray. But unless we are enlightened by His grace we are empty vessels. When we begin to concentrate on who He, is and what He, accomplished and forget about ourselves…then the light of His grace and mercy will burn like a bright light in our souls…

We can become so distracted by what we want, and what we think, that before we know it, everything is all about us…It takes the light of His Holy Spirit and His word to reveal Jesus to our hearts so that we can be clean and holy in His sight…writing for His glory…singing or preaching or greeting, or giving, our motives must be about what He wants, not what we want…

I hope this encourages you today. Stop what you are doing right now, and open your heart and mind and see if there is anything blocking you from hearing and seeing His light. Let go of pride and pity and open your mouth in Praise to Him who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb…Be blessing and honor and power and glory, forever….(*Rev. 5:13 NKJV)

God bless you on your journey…

All is well with my soul!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 21, 2017

John 8:12 English Standard Version (ESV) I Am the Light of the World

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Psalm 119:105 Good News Translation (GNT) Light from the Law of the Lord Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.

*Song of Solomon 2:14-15King James Version (KJV) O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

*Revelation 5:13 New King James Version (NKJV) And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

Through the pages of a worn out book

I long to take just one more look

Faded cover, edges frayed

Tears stain the words, from where I’ve prayed…

Still, all its value I hold most dear

These stories inspired by God, who makes all things clear

Mysteries and secrets hidden from those who won’t draw near…

I read it day and night

To the one whose heart is true

Spirit, will reveal God’s love to you…

The author writes…

I am the light…

I do not change

I am always the same…

Men of old wrote the book you hold…

But my words cannot be bought or sold

Living and breathing these words you read…

Life I’ve planted in a tiny seed…

Grand oaks, and cypress, are glorious trees…

They are living inside of thee…

They spread their branches and bear much fruit

I am the way, the life, and the truth…

Open the book and read… 

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 20, 2017 

Jeremiah 30:2 The Message (MSG) Don’t Despair, Israel This is the Message Jeremiah received from God: “God’s Message, the God of Israel: ‘Write everything I tell you in a book.

Habakkuk 2:1-4 New King James Version (NKJV) I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected.

The Just Live by Faith Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

 This is dedicated to all our children!

I wait in joyful expectation

You’re arrival I long to see

Nine long months until we know

Are you a he or a she…?

Days, weeks and months go by

The day comes and you arrive…

Oh my…

I’ve never felt this way before…

I sing and dance and praise the Lord…

For,

The child I hold within my arms

Pulling out all the stops, I see all your charms…

How can I love someone so much?

Tiny fingers soft to the touch…

Love so powerful I can’t explain

It’s like a tidal wave I can’t contain…

Filling the sky with stars far and wide…

A smile on my face I cannot hide…

Promises, life goes on through you my child…

I’ll take you on walks for a million miles…

I’ll rock you, and hug you, and plant kisses on your face…

No one in a million years could ever take your place…

I’ll sing you lullabies and make you cookies and cakes…

Teach you to bow your head and pray

Buy you candy and toys, I know you’ll enjoy

I love you more…my sweet baby boy…

Love always,

Grandma

~M.S. O’Neill December 20, 2017

Psalm 127:3-5 The Message (MSG) Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.

2 Timothy 1:5-7 The Message (MSG) That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.

 

 (Photo by Bob O’Neill, 1992)

As I scanned through some pictures today on a friend’s timeline, one in particular caught my eye. It was a picture of a hand holding a little bird. The thought came to me where Jesus was teaching, and mentioned the sparrow, in the book of Matthew.

I thought about that little sparrow and decided to do a little research. I found that there are many species but I concentrated on the house sparrow. Sparrows are found all over the world. Places like, Southern Panama, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific islands including Hawaii, South Africa, Tanzania, and in South America near Buenos Aires, and from Tierra del Fuego to the fringes of the Amazon basin with isolated population as far north as coastal Venezuela. These birds are very social and well adapted with humans in urban and rural communities.

Their communal chirping is constant and not a very pretty song…but they have different sounds such as a chirrup, ‘ecstatic call’, for mating, and a soft quee, as an ‘appeasement call.’

I learned that sparrows will lay about four to five eggs and both parents feed them when they hatch. If the parents should perish, the ensuing intensive begging sounds of the young often attract replacement parents which feed them until they can sustain themselves.

The oldest known wild house sparrow lived for nearly two decades; it was found dead 19 years and 9 months after it was ringed in Denmark.

The oldest recorded captive house sparrow lived for 23 years.

I thought about the Scripture in Matthew 10:29-31, where Jesus used the example of sparrows to point out that not one of them falls to the ground without our heavenly Father’s care, and that we are worth more than many sparrows.

Sparrows are prolific, they thrive and feed and live among us. So prolific that people consider them as pests. They are rejected and in some places have almost become extinct. Yet they serve a purpose they eat other pests that are harmful to humans.

I thought about how amazing it is that Jesus used this tiny bird to make a point. Such an insignificant little bird, it is so common, not very pretty and isn’t of much value. Their song notes are of irritating chirps and yet God was mindful of them. He feeds them and cares for them. He spread them all over the world. His point…humans…insignificant, common, not very pretty, in their total weight they aren’t worth much…harmful if not educated, congregate in communities and are wasteful and prideful and make a mess wherever they go.

But, Jesus said, we are worth more than many sparrows. Oh how he loves us…He loves us so much…

Fallen to the ground…God picks us up, cleans us up, and carries us for a while…then sends us on our way…

Learn to sing a new song little sparrow…You are loved, you are not alone!

I learned that there was a time in my husband’s life when he was under a tremendous amount of stress that God reminded him of the sparrow and that if God could take care of the sparrow, he knew he would take care of him. The picture I used is one that Bob took years ago. How fitting for today’s surmising’s.

~M. S. O’Neill December 20, 2017

Matthew 10:29-31 New International Version (NIV) Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

 

Lying in a hospital bed not given hope to live

The specialists shake their heads, there’s nothing more we can give.

The little boy lies motionless, eyes closed, doesn’t know

He will soon be gone…

Parents bow their heads and pray, a miracle needed today.

Little sister folds her hands and they hear her begin to say…

“Please Dr. Jesus you can heal my brother, you don’t need him in heaven

Like we need him here; he’s only seven…

He’s not very big and he can’t do much, all he needs

Dr. Jesus is your gentle healing touch…”

Standing up, Dr. Jesus felt a tender nudge; someone had touched him with an amazing amount of love…

Looking from the portals He smiled and whispered one word…

Live…

The little boy opened his eyes and said, “Mommy please don’t cry…I just heard Dr. Jesus and I’m not going to die!”

The doctor stood there in shock, he could not believe his eyes…

The little girl smiled from ear to ear and said, “Dr. Jesus does not lie. He is the healer and when you know him like I do, all it takes is one little talk and he’ll do anything for you.”

With hugs and joy filling the room a miracle is seen…

The little girl holding the physicians hand, said, “Just talk to Dr. Jesus and you will see what I mean.”

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 19, 2017

I was inspired to write this because of Nydia and Alan Crescas 12/17/17. Alan is battling cancer but he is not alone Dr. Jesus is in the battle with him. The call Jesus, Dr. Jesus.

Psalm 103:1-6 King James Version (KJV)

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

When I was a young girl I used to dream of being all grown up, doing whatever I wanted to do, with no one to tell me what to do, or, where to go, but these are the thoughts of the immature…childish day dreams…

Looking back on those days I smile and give a little sigh…I’ve come to learn that those wishes are no more true than the ones I have today…I’ve walked through some heavy rains…waited out many storms…the trek of life is not easy and it’s not meant to be I guess. The years with seasons come and go, day in, and day out, thoughts of what was and what is and what’s to come, still wander through my mind.

Getting older the body slows down, grows stiff and weak…giving the mind lots of time to think about many things…

I watched my mother grow old, become feeble but gained a whole lot of wisdom. I saw her grow stronger in the Lord, she’d read her Bible and learned to take One-day-at-a-time…and I watched her take her last breaths and move on into the next life…

I’ve grieved and missed her ever since…

Sometimes, now, I see her looking back at me through my eyes…the eyes she gave me…I look down and see her hands…once young and flawless…now wisdom spots begin to emerge and fingers get tired…I get up to sweep the floor and it’s a real challenge to stand. Bones creak and struggle under the load of the body …the aging process progresses as it should…

I laugh and joke about age and repeat mama’s words, “I’m not old; I’ve just been here a long time.”

I watch my sons growing older too…as they have families of their own. Living their lives and learning as they go.

I know the curse of divorce, as it hits families with a terrible force, and I pray… “Oh God, help them.” I know the devastation of such things and what it will mean in years to come. Brokenness, regret, loneliness, extended families, hurt and pain…Life is hard…but God is good.

My perfect dream was to have a family and a home where there would be Christmas dinners and long talks about memories we all share…My perfect dream was buying that special gift that would bring Ah’s to the receiver and see the joy on my grandchildren’s faces of wonder and delight, sparkles in their eyes. Laughter and happy moments as years would go by. But there are no perfect dreams…only life.

They say life is what you make it. Maybe that’s true. But I think if it was true I’d have made mine a lot different. The thing is you don’t know how it’s going to turn out until years down the road. One things for certain if you are blessed to live a long, hard, life…you get to enjoy the good and the not so good…God has all our days numbered and I’m most grateful for coming to know him when I was a young-girl and that my grandmother and my mother taught me to have faith in God. It’s His grace that has kept me all these years.

All I know is that we should be grateful for the relationships we have in our lives and celebrate each person for who they are. You know, Love doesn’t cost one penny…yet it is the most valuable of anything in this world. I am not talking about selfish love, because well that isn’t love at all.

I’m talking about a Love that is giving. It’s selfless, honest, pure, faithful, not angry, it doesn’t seek its own desires…it’s a Love that is holy…it’s a love that puts others first and does not gossip or kill or harm…the Love I’m talking about only comes from one source, it is supernatural and cannot be bought or sold… it cannot be shattered or wasted…this Love comes from the creator of Love…For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life…John 3:16 I learned this verse as a child. I have never forgotten it. It’s so very important to teach children to memorize Scripture. It sustains us throughout our life. It gives us wisdom and insight. It is God’s living word.

I’ve traveled many roads…seen foreign lands and known many people…

I’ve written a whole lot of words…and read many books…

I’ve been a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, mother-in-law, and a friend…

I’ve done things I’m not proud of and done many things I’m glad I did…

I’ve enjoyed the miracle of motherhood and suffered the loss of loved ones through their death…missing them knowing one day I’ll see them again…

I’ve been young and now am old…I’ve lived through seven decades and witnessed many changes in this ole world…

There have been twelve U.S. Presidents in my life-time so far…

Lately I’ve been pondering all these things and life appears to be surreal…the world I knew is nothing like the world I’m living in…

People now connect through technology…reminds me of Alex Haley’s Brave New World…only it’s not so brave and not so new…but the test tube babies…and virtual reality, we are now witnessing day-dreams coming to life…I don’t seem to fit here…and yet I’m called to a purpose…God does not change…He is still the same…if our ancestors of over 2000 years ago lived today…can you imagine waking up after over 2000 years in the year 2017…well that’s how I feel…

Like I’m living in a world that is unfamiliar to me…a world I don’t understand and cannot fathom for the life of me…how it became so sick…words are twisted and don’t mean what they are supposed to mean…morals are laughed at…doing what’s right is looked down upon and every perversion known and unknown is accepted…

I can imagine how John the Baptist must have felt and Paul and the disciples and Bonhoeffer, men who fought evil, and gave their lives for a world that held no place for them…they looked forward to another world…where love and joy and peace is practiced and lived. No threat of hate or death. This is not a fantasy…this is reality…

As Christians we are living in this world but we are not to be of it…living without judgments…forgive always…stay true to who you know, and what you know…

With age comes wisdom and responsibility. A responsibility to proclaim, to warn, to shout WAKE UP…

As the old song goes…This world is not my home…I’m just a passing through…my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue…the angels beckon me from heaven’s open door, and I can’t, feel at home, in this world anymore…

O Lord you know I have no friend like you, if heaven’s not my home dear Lord what will I do…the angels beckon me from heaven’s open door and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore…

I love my sons and daughters-in-law and grandbabies…I love my husband and extended family. I love my friends and all those God has placed within my path. I pray for all those who are lost and haven’t found their way yet…

I’m going to live until I die…and while I’m here…I will write and pray and read and laugh and keep on going until my last breath… I’LL PROCLAIM…the Gospel of Jesus Christ…Amen!!! For He is My PASSION!

Growing old is a blessing, especially when we know we are forever young…

~M.S. O’Neill December 18, 2017

Proverbs 16:31 The Message (MSG) Gray hair is a mark of distinction, the award for a God-loyal life.

How dark is darkness? It’s black and void…

There’s no sight; no sound

No light to lead the way…

Searching for what, we cannot say…

For we’ve never seen the light of day…

Never knew the brightness, of a single light, to guide our unknowing way…

We stray…

Shielding our eyes from something just ahead…

An awakening from, the living dead…

Someone comes to carry the light…

Dispelling the darkness from our bed…

Squinting, we shake, our weary head…

A tiny light is shed…

What is this, we cry in delight…we can see within the dead of night…

Light!!

Our souls take flight…

No more groping or stumbling in the dark…

One tiny flame, one little spark, light enters the void

Darkness, destroyed

What is Light?

Not seeing, we see…

This new thing, how can it be…

We’ve stepped into the light

Now all has become so bright…

No more fear, no more fright…

Jesus stepped out of heaven, and brought us, Light!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 18, 2017

John 8:12 English Standard Version (ESV) I Am the Light of the World

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 The Message (MSG) You’re Missing God in All This

Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.”

Inspired by Hanukkah, Bodie Thoene’s, ‘Things that matter!’