Faces in the mirror all staring back to see

Am I groomed perfectly?

Teeth-white, eyes bright, a wrinkle or two, that’s new

Flaws; there are a few…

Walking through the Mall there are faces everywhere

Going here and going there, never arriving anywhere

Sometimes smiles returned to me…

Deep concentration, busyness and frowns I see…

Lackadaisical faces and others hurrying on a lunch break. Some holding onto

children’s hands, those little faces making many demands…Mommy I want this…

Not now or we will miss…Santa and Mrs. Clause…

Long lines to stand in…its Christmas time again…

Lots and lots of faces…what stories they could tell…

Strangers, acquaintances; I hear the Salvation Army bell…

Friends we haven’t met yet; could be behind their stare…

These are the faces of many people going everywhere…

So as I stare in the mirror, this is what I see…

On my way to somewhere; they are looking back at me…

At eighty; who will I see…?

I’ll be staring at a stranger and the stranger will be me.

The reflection I want to see when I look in my mirror, is the face of the Master

For then I will know…I’ve followed where he led me, it is His face I’ve sowed.

~M.S. O’Neill November 8, 2017

Lord let us be transformed into your likeness so that when people look at us, they will see you looking back at them. Kindness and Joy and Peace and Love , a reflection of you given freely, no strings attached only that they will receive your grace today Lord and will want to know you! Amen!  

Little One…

Hiding behind a smiling face…

Hurt, that no one sees…

They’d never guess in a million years, her heartaches and her tears

The silent pain she carries, is kept in the place, where only God, hears

Never to be revealed…

Never to be healed…

Hurt locked away, from day to day, so no one will ever know…

The battle scars from things gone wrong that can never be let go…

Companions they’ve become, a comfort, this dread and woe…

Then one night in a fit of despair, the crying will not end…

Grace comes to call and witnesses the smiling face as it falls…

Little One, surprised by this…suddenly realizes…what Lies have been telling her

No one cares, you poor, pitiful thing… can’t you see…it will only bring…

Pity and disgust if anyone should ever discover your secret pain…

Little One cries, “How long can this go on…? It’s too humiliating, too, debilitating…Won’t you help me get over this?”

Grace responds, “I thought you’d never ask!”

With forgiveness comes healing of the heart, new life and a brand new start…

Little One, smiles.

Now sincere, there’s no more pain and no more fear…

Hidden secrets have been revealed…

Now Little One is free!

~M. S. O’Neill November 7, 2017

2 Corinthians 12:9 New International Version (NIV) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

 Stack upon stack…are things we’ve said and done

And as we age and go along…

We see pictures of places and people and songs…

Wandering sometimes if we’ll ever belong…

Words and holidays and fragrances we embrace…

Traditions we keep are like tracks that we trace…

Hard times and good times with family and friends…

We continue to hope, that time will never end…

The spinning clock, it never stops…

Even if the hands get blocked…

Then one day we find…we’ve become old and displaced…

We sit in our recliners; reminisce of all those things…

Filled with sadness our memories bring…

Children grown and parents gone…

Soon we too, will take the long road home…

But until that day when life slips away…

We’ll have our memories where we laughed and played…

As silly giggles, fill the air…we dance and run and sing without a care…

Baseball and football and school days we share…dress up and make up and doing our hair

Hop scotch and dodge ball…Fall in the air…

Waiting for Santa Clause to bring toys everywhere…

Stories told by mom and dad…if only we could bring them back, we’d be so glad…

It doesn’t work like that…

Enjoy your life, let go of regret…memories are wonderful and we’re not dead yet…

Life is forever and the memories we keep, are precious and sweet, and we’ll never forget!

Memories last, so let go of regret!

~M.S. O’Neill November 2, 2017

Isaiah 46:9 KJV – Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me, 

Proverbs 10:7 KJV – The memory of the just [is] blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Thought to be a gardener, and then He says your name

Surprised and thrilled for this is no game…

As life, and love and joy, like a floodgate opens wide,

Your heart is full, ‘til all that remains, is happiness inside…

One whisper from the Master is what it takes…

To find hope; erasing all mistakes

Once you know that Jesus, is the one who’s calling you

There’s only one thing that’s on your heart to do

Run and tell the others…

There’s no need to weep or seek…

‘Cause he’s been here all the while, there’s no need to weep

You may mistake Him for a gardener or a stranger on your way

He’s only asking, that you believe today…

You’ll recognize Him instantly, when Jesus says your name…

There’s nothing sweeter, and you’ll never be the same.

Jesus brings peace with Him, believe, even if you can’t touch His hands or feel His side

You’ll know it’s Him, the one who died…

Just for you, He knows your name, so do not cry!

Jesus… is… alive!

~M.S. O’Neill November 2, 2017

John 20:11-16 New King James Version (NKJV) Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

 She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

 She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” (insert your name)

 She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher)

When sadness will not go and you live in the land of despair…

Tears fall in streams of regret leaving pain everywhere…

The hour glass turning over as years come and go

Looking back into the life that once was young, now old…

The web you spun all tangled up from running wild and cold…

Looking for answers even though you were told…

The only life worth living is the one where light unfolds…

Stop your crying, lift up your head now…child, it’s time to come home…

No more hurting or striving for a place to call your own…

Open your eyes and see clearly each moment you’re alive

You’re sent on an assignment and when you finally arrive…

You’ll no longer live in the land of despair…

For Love will meet you there…

The land of Hope will be your home, and peace your sweet reward.

While living in this cursed place, heaven will unfold,

But look toward the eastern sky, for it will testify…

Life begins at the new birth…

For Jesus is, and will always be, all this life is worth…

Looking at the past will only bring you heartache; it’s not the place that lasts…

Living in the here and now, is where you’ll bask, in happiness…

Blessed in knowing Jesus Christ, is all you’ll ever need…

When pain and suffering come to call, and doubts like mountains will not fall…

Trust in God and you will see, He’s all you’ll need…

After all!

~M. S. O’Neill November 1, 2017

Psalm 3:2-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Many say about me, “There is no help for him in God. “Selah

But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain. Selah

I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. I am not afraid of the thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side.

Lurking in every corner, Ghouls and Goblins wait…

Dressed in shredded linen and shrouds of dusty drapes…

Black as night; molded with grime and grease…

Fear and Dread take to the streets…

Trick… or Treat…each child awaits and greets…

As neighbors open their doors, kiddies scream, “More! More!”

Old Hallow’ Ween…what evil you have seen…running in and out with shadow in between…

Where demons laugh, and mock, and shriek…

While people play games of hide and seek…in darkness, unaware of who they seek…

Trick…or, Treat!!!

Hallowed… it should not be…

But nevertheless, “Tis just for fun…”

Or so Death says, taking one by one…

Be wise, for he who lurks, is the father of lies…

Pulling the wool over undiscerning eyes…

In the end…each one cries…

Trick…or, Treat!

~M. S. O’Neill October 31, 2017

John 14:15-17 The Message (MSG)

The Spirit of Truth

“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!

 

A fire that burns, but does not consume

Mighty wind engulfs the room…

A desert bush, lit, and burns

This fire is Holy and as He turns…

He speaks truth and commands…

Take off your shoes for where you stand

Tis Holy ground not sinking sand…

The fire which burns, but does not consume…

Will live inside of thee…

Ancient days but future blaze…will set on fire…

Men and women who desire…this promise I will give…

To all my sons and daughters…those who believe and live

In my appointed time…you’ll see…

Holy Fire with tongues unknown, their praises given unto me!

From every tribe and nation, these will glorify the King of kings…

~M. S. O’Neill October 30, 2017

Exodus 3:1-6 Good News Translation (GNT) One day while Moses was taking care of the sheep and goats of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, he led the flock across the desert and came to Sinai, the holy mountain. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him as a flame coming from the middle of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire but that it was not burning up. “This is strange,” he thought. “Why isn’t the bush burning up? I will go closer and see.”

When the Lord saw that Moses was coming closer, he called to him from the middle of the bush and said, “Moses! Moses!”

He answered, “Yes, here I am.” 

God said, “Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Acts 2:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV) Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:3-5 New International Version (NIV) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.

In most cases doesn’t going to “Church” make us feel good? We come together with people, we sing songs together, worship together, hear the message the pastor brings, and we all pray together. That’s how church should be, right? Of course right. It’s a place where we seek the Lord’s presence and hope for healing and deliverance. It’s a place we learn about God and the Bible. For the most part we leave feeling that we are somehow better for being there and we feel encouraged and strengthened.

Then we pack up the kids to go home. Or we are single and we meet up with some other singles. Or we are retired and go out for Sunday lunch. That could be a typical Sunday in most cases.

So what happened to all that encouragement? Where did all the singing and praying go? Did the message we hear just fade away? Why did we leave it in Church?

It’s, as if, we dress for Church and when Church is over we take off our Sunday clothes and pack them away for the next Church visit. We put on our street clothes, maybe our mom and dad clothes, or our teenage clothes to hang out with our friends, or maybe our business-work clothes because after all we wouldn’t want to wear our Church clothes to the grocery store, or to work, or school, that’s just not the place for Church. I thought of this recently because I heard someone say, “This makes me feel like I’ve just come from Church.” Shouldn’t we be, the Church? Are we not the Church, “the called out ones?” The ones that Jesus told to Go into all the world and teach others about Him to live our lives pleasing to Him? The one who gave us His Holy Spirit and said, He would be in us and lead and guide us in all truth, all the time?

He is not a suit of clothes that we put on one day of the week and the rest of week put on another set of clothes.

The world is watching us. They are watching to see if we are authentic and real. Do we actually believe what we say we believe? Are we living, breathing, doing what Jesus would have us do? Are we showing kindness when someone cuts us off in traffic? Do we show others respect when they disrespect us? Do we yell at our children and become impatient when they don’t listen? What would our spouse say about us to others when we are not around? What movies or TV shows do we watch on a regular basis? Are they uplifting, non-violent, do they have to be censored if your young child comes into the room? Is your bible read regularly or is the Bible App you have on your phone obsolete? What about when you eat, are prayers said to bless your food in such a rush that you barely even know if they were said or not?

We say we are Christians but is there enough evidence, or any, to prove it?

Do you have a prayer time or devotional time? Or are you “too” busy for that?

These are questions that have been on my heart not to judge or condemn because heaven knows none of us are perfect. I certainly am not…but they’re just questions to think about. I’m sure all of us could use some soul-searching in these areas. Conviction is what Jesus wants not condemnation.

It’s great to go to Church, it is. But if you go just to “feel good” or out of “duty” and it has no lasting effect on your life…well then, it’s time to do some real, soul-searching in that regard.

As the Psalmist prayed…

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 New International Version (NIV)

Let’s say you’re a Christian and you needed to talk to Jesus so you went to his house but the door was locked. So you knock on the door, and He comes to the door opens it, and stands there staring at you, but he doesn’t let you in, because he doesn’t know you.

Man/Woman: Hi Jesus it’s me, I need a favor from you. Can I come in for just a moment and talk to you about it?

Jesus: Who are you? I’ve never met you and we’ve never been introduced.

Man/Woman: What? Of course you know me I come to see you every Christmas and Easter. I send money and I sit on the third row at Church, sometimes.

Jesus: No. I haven’t ever seen you. There is only one way you can come into my house and since you’ve never accepted me into your heart I can’t help you. There’s lots of ways people try to come into my house. They try to buy my love. They try to talk their way in and when they get into trouble they cry very loud. But to be honest with you I don’t even hear them. Let me tell you this if you are truly sincere in wanting to know me. I suggest you find out how to have access into my house. There is only one way.

Man/Woman: But Jesus, I’m a good person. I tithe and I feed the poor and I just need a little favor.

Jesus: Unless you are born again you cannot enter my house. See these scars in my hands they were nailed to a cross for you. My side was pierced with a spear where water and blood poured out for you. My feet are scared where nails pierced them too, so that you could have access to my house. So unless you have asked me into your heart, and really mean it, unless you are humble and sorry for your sins, unless you say I believe you are the son of God, that you died for me and rose again, you cannot enter into my house.

Can you say that? All our good deeds, all of our begging, won’t get us into God’s house. The only way to get into His house is to know Jesus and he has to know you. If you knocked on Jesus door would he know you?

It may sound a little hard to hear this, but there is only one way…

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12 King James Version (KJV)

This is the way:

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:8-11 New King James Version (NKJV)

And then you’ll have Church wherever you are!

~MS O’Neill October 25, 2017

I had a conversation with the Lord this morning.

I wasn’t speaking; He began to talk to me.

He said, I don’t tell you to read my word just to command you to read it. It is not my intention to cause you to feel guilt or regret if you don’t read it. I tell you to read it because I know it will help you. I had my prophets and my children write everything down for future generations so they would see and understand who I am. To encourage them and give them answers to questions I knew they would have. My word tells them how to have peace in trouble. How to overcome enemies and hard times; my word instructs, how to live life. How to plant and sow, how to have healthy loving relations, how to raise children, how to grow old, even how to die, because the body goes back to dust but the soul, your spirit, lives on forever. The words in my book are both spirit and life to those who truly know me and to those who want to know me.

The words, my words are written, so you can see and understand how to live a pure, clean, full life  and with wisdom and grace. The struggles people had in ancient times (in earth’s timeframe) are the same struggles people have today in your timeframe. My words do not change. I am always the same. I tell you to read my word so you’ll be encouraged and have hope. I tell you how to be filled with the Holy Spirit, so that He will guide you and comfort you and instruct you in ways that will help you to be safe, and not harm you. My word teaches you how to treat others and how to pray for one another. I tell you about my Father God and show you His character, so you can get to know Him better. He knows you, but he wants you to know that He wants to know you. To become best friends. This friendship is not one-sided.

We are not a dictator, commanding you to do this and commanding you to do that. We are loving and compassionate to everyone; even those who reject us and deny us. I died for them too. Their eyes are blinded by death, but as Holy Spirit, draws them and they respond to His call, they will come alive just as you did.

We love you more than you can imagine. I am only asking, when I say read my word. I will never force you, that would go against your free will…We don’t want robots or indentured servants…We long for your hearts to love us because we love you.

I say, we, because God the Father, Jesus the son and The Holy Spirit are three yet one. I know it sounds complicated but that’s another reason we ask you to read the Word. It explains everything even a little child can understand. My children hear my voice and know me and will follow me. I am meek and tender in heart I guide gently but with a firm hand when correction is needed; just as you would guide your children. You learned it from us.

It’s like, if you knew someone was sick and you knew of a medicine that would heal them, not only the symptoms but heal the disease too, you’d be pretty adamant about them taking that medicine. That’s how it is when I say read my word. There is healing and deliverance in my words. They will not only satisfy the hungry soul, they will totally heal the body, mind and soul.

You have an enemy…he is jealous and bitter, full of hate towards me and because of that he feels the same way about you. He has already been judged by my father…he will not want you to read my word…he will put every stumbling block he can in your way to prevent you from knowing me…be aware and pray and keep your heart and mind on me by reading my words, by praying and by building relationships with other believers. My words are health to you and life.

People have made many translations of my words but Holy Spirit reveals to the reader; the listener; exactly what is needed. Ask Him to show you, He is the ready teacher to guide you in truth and right living. I adore you and love you!

I know your lives are busy and hectic, take time to be quiet in my presence, I will refresh you and give you peace.

~Yeshua

~~MS O’Neill October 23, 2017

Psalm 119:105 King James Version (KJV) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

John 6:63 New King James Version (NKJV) It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

Psalm 107:20-32 The Message (MSG) Some of you were sick because you’d lived a bad life, your bodies feeling the effects of your sin; You couldn’t stand the sight of food, so miserable you thought you’d be better off dead. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves; Offer thanksgiving sacrifices, tell the world what he’s done—sing it out!

John 1: 1-5 Good News Translation (GNT) The Word of Life

In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  From the very beginning the Word was with God. Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him. The Word was the source of life,^[a] and this life brought light to people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.