Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

In the Garden of Eden where God was betrayed all because his children disobeyed…

God created them and loved them and set them as caregivers over His Garden

Walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day

Watched his creation live, love and play

His heart was that of a kind, loving, father in every way…

He said, And it was good

Then sin arrived and His children died…

Put out of the Garden…God cried…

Pain and sorrow beyond belief

Lucifer, a cruel thief

Thousands of years later, God became a man, to set right what the enemy had stolen from Him…

And so, Jesus, God’s son came and once again

He suffered in the garden…

But this time, life would begin!

Kneeling in the garden, three times he prayed

Surrendering all, Jesus, obeyed!

Jesus died,

God cried…

No longer bound to sin and death, God arose with a brand-new breath

No longer defeated; No more death…

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 4, 2023

Genesis 2:8-24 (NIV)

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

¹⁰ He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so, I hid.”

¹¹ And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

¹² The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

¹³ Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

¹⁴ So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,

“Cursed are you above all livestock
and all wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
and you will eat dust
all the days of your life.
¹⁵ And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring^[i] and hers;
he will crush^[j] your head,
and you will strike his heel.”

¹⁶ To the woman he said,

“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;
with painful labor you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you.”

¹⁷ To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’

“Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat food from it
all the days of your life.
¹⁸ It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
¹⁹ By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return.”

²⁰ Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.

²¹ The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. ²² And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” ²³ So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. ²⁴ After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

 

Did you think of me this morning? Was I the first thing on your mind?

And rising from your bed was there an expectancy we would meet?

So, you lifted your hands in thanksgiving, then got up on your feet.

Stepping into my presence for fresh manna as you seek, to begin a brand-new day!

Did you bow your head and pray?

Did you think of me in the afternoon while wondering if soon, you’d hear me gently whisper?

Child, welcome to the throne-room!

 And as day gave way to the setting of the sun,

Did you look for me in the stillness after your day was done?

Then lying down to rest did you hear me whisper, good night?

Tomorrow is another day; everything will be alright!

I Love You, Jesus

 You are a blessing to the Father and to the son and to the Holy Spirit. He loves you totally, completely and tenderly. He’s your best friend! He never sleeps, never slumbers, He watches over you with deep compassion and tender mercies every day…it only takes a moment to tell Him and show Him, He’s important to you too!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 5, 2023

The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

A Little Child Shall Lead Them
Dedicated to little Abran

I wasn’t long in this ole world, but I knew that it was home.
I know mommy, and my family will be so sad when I’m gone…
But I want you all to know something, I was chosen for a different plan, than living here below
I know you’ll cry and wish that I could stay, it’s okay, it just worked out this way, so happily I will go…
Oh, I’ll miss each and every one of you and the life I could have had.
But I’ve seen heaven and you know what, the place don’t look so bad…
I want to let know, I won’t be lonely in heaven,
Because Jesus and the Angels, are waiting for me there.
Heaven is a happy place with others I know care…
We’ll sing and dance and laugh and play I won’t suffer anymore.
After all, I’ll be home with the Lord!
You have to be strong and brave; don’t be bitter or blame.
God knows what’s best.
Coming to Earth is just a test…
And even if you live 100 years on this side of heaven, I’m here to tell you there will always be tears…
So, when you’re able to remember me without the pain and fear.
I’m only a heartbeat away, I’ll always be near…
Make sure you come to see me when you’ve finished your life here.
And be kind to everyone, we are all in the human race…
Remember to say your prayers and be thankful for each day.
Let those around you, see Jesus in your face.
One day, you too, will also leave this place.
I’m not afraid, I know where I am going, no more sickness, no more death, and when I take my last breath… I’ll be living there, in Heaven!
The only thing I will regret is if I don’t see you there!
Nine years, is just a spec, compared to eternity…
When you get to heaven come look for me…
I’ll be the one hosting the party!
In the meantime, understand you have work to do.
Live your life for Jesus and then I’ll be seeing you!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 1, 2023

Isaiah 11:6 New King James Version

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.

We scattered, were frightened and guilt ridden.

Jesus is dead!

Then Mary said, “He’s not! Jesus is not dead; I’ve seen him at the tomb!

He told me to tell you to meet him in the upper room.”

Jesus appears we know it’s him. Scars in his hands and feet. He tells us what we must do…

“Go to Jerusalem and wait there until I send the Holy Spirit to you…

Then go into all the world and preach the good news. You will receive holy power and fire that will shake the world and make it new!”

Lord, take us back to Pentecost where nothing less will do, then to have your Spirit shake us up and make us witnesses for you!

Arising from, the death, of religious, self-righteousness. Turning from immorality that sets captives free. Eyes fully centered on a living, creating God, full of hope and love and peace, Oh God, cause our hearts to be…

Set ablaze within us Lord, your Holy Ghost and Fire, with a cry to obey you Lord, make this our hearts desire!

Take us to the empty tomb where faith becomes brand new…Lord, take us back to Pentecost where we preach and testify of You!

Pour out your Spirit God in this very hour. There’s nothing that we can do but ask, it’s only by your Holy Power!

That we can be newborn and live according to your plan…God, it’s you who created man!

So many are dying and without hope they’re burdened down and lost.

Repentance is our only option you already paid the cost…

Our lives are but a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow, God let us be your servants and show your love, Lord take the sorrow.

Take us back to Pentecost where nothing else matters but to speak your truth to multitudes and watch as hearts burn with Holy fire!

At Pentecost a Mighty Wind blew upon those souls, as tongues of fire lit them up, and gave them strength to be bold!

Not even death can stop this now as Holy Grit takes hold…we’re products of that glorious day when God sent all our fears away, to be filled with the Holy Ghost and Fire, child, only obey!

Standing in the here and now, come boldly to His Throne, wait in prayer with supplication, God wants to meet you there.

God isn’t looking for rituals or man-made traditions, he’s not looking for the rich and famous or self-seeking politicians…

God is looking for humble, sold-out hearts that will seek him and not back down. Won’t crumble in the heat of battle but stand against the opposition! God’s Kingdom is our mission!

So go back to Pentecost and wait…

There’s a mighty rushing wind beginning to blow…

Amen!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 18, 2023

Luke 24:48-50 King James Version And ye are witnesses of these things.

⁴⁹ And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

⁵⁰ And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

Acts 2:1-3 King James Version And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

³ And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

 

From Bethlehem to Jerusalem, the house of bread to the city of peace, it was anything but bread and peace. What would happen next would change everything…

Born into a lowly place, he was desert traveler, teacher, son, friend and to this end we see him in the garden~

Three hours Jesus prayed in agony, on his face and on bended knee, he cried as great drops of blood poured out for all generations to come…

“FATHER! WILL YOU NOT TAKE THIS CUP FROM ME? FATHER! WILL YOU NOT TAKE THIS CUP FROM ME? Father, will you not take this cup from me? He surrendered to God’s will. Peace came, as everything became still.

Betrayed by a kiss, Oh do not miss, what was taking place for you and for me…

Tried, arrested, scourged and then nailed to a tree for all to see…

In the ninth hour of the day after torture, exposure, dehydration, suffocating, bleeding, rejection, abandoned, mocked, enduring the elements, naked, afraid, dying, Jesus cried out with a loud voice…

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mark 15:34 New King James Version

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? Psalm 22:1 New King James Version

And about the ninth hour, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach cried out with a kol gadol, saying Eli, Eli, lemah sabachthani! (that is, My G-d, my G-d, why hast thou forsaken me? TEHILLIM 22:2[1]). Mattityahu 27:46 Orthodox Jewish Bible

 It doesn’t end here. You know the rest of the story. I just wanted to high light this part of the story to show you something about Jesus. Yes, he was God but he was also man. He felt everything humans feel…

He felt the pain and anguish of betrayal. He felt the rejection of loved ones, religious leaders, his peers. He was in deep despair, just read the garden scene alone. The death process started way before the cross… He knows sorrow and suffering. He knows loss and defeat. His disciples/friends couldn’t even pray one hour with him. He knows sickness and unimaginable pain. On the cross he took all of mankind’s worst fears, nightmares the mental and emotional torment, addictions, everything, on himself…you might ask, why would anyone do that?

Why? One reason, it was because of Love…

Not the kind of that love we know.

It’s God’s love! A love that will lay down his life so that we, lowly forms, created by God, loves us so much He would go through all of that to die for us! We’re the reason he did this in the first place. Adam and Eve died in the garden. Not instantly but death entered the garden that day and God was the only one who could put it right.

Oh, please someone get this…God didn’t get pleasure out of watching his only son go through this, but He knew there was no other way and now being on the other side of the cross, death and the grave. He gives us a free gift and he brings redemption through his son…Jesus was placed in a tomb in a garden…now life was restored in the garden…He Rose from the dead!

All God asks is for us to accept His son as the son of God and believe! Open your heart. Let the Holy Spirit led you to the garden today…and pray, no longer in agony, accept the full gift of His salvation and peace into your heart today, In Jesus Name…the bread of life and peace!

All the way from Bethlehem to Jerusalem receive His bread of life and peace! Shalom! Shalom!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 7, 2023

TEN YEARS ago today, March 13, 2013, Bob and I were married. We weren’t spring chickens anymore and there were a whole lot of years behind us with a whole lot of water under the bridge. I believe, with all that is within me, that it was no accident we reconnected at our 40^th class reunion. Life had not been kind. We were two broken people but together with God’s help, we were made whole! Words that have helped us through these ten years were spoken by the person who married us at the courthouse in Lake Worth. Mom O’Neill and Mike O’Neill, Bob’s mom and brother were there with us.

Taking our wedding vows, these little words made a huge impact that would carry us through the years. “Tiny little adjustments.” We’ve had only a few bumps in the road and nothing too serious. When we’d have a disagreement, we’d remember those words, “Tiny little adjustments.” We’d hug, kiss and make up. We try to remember to never go to bed angry. I won’t lie there have been a couple of times we did, but the next morning we both said we were sorry, and all was forgiven.

There are times we get a little irritated with each other then one of us starts laughing and then the other and we hug each other, and Bob will pray, “Lord forgive us for being biscuits.” Bob’s daughter Dana came up with that. Being a biscuit means, instead of calling someone a bad name she calls them a “biscuit.” It’s just flour, lard, and milk. Not much to it. So, when one of us is being, silly or ridiculous we say, “You’re a biscuit!” It’s a much nicer way of saying, you’re being a jerk…etc.

Every time Bob prays over our food he’ll say, “Jesus, thank you for my Marla and thank you for the food.” I mean, how sweet is that? He’ll say, “I love you more than the moon.” I’ll counter with, “I love you more than all the stars and the planets.” He says, “You win.” Not that it’s a competition but it’s just a little fun game we play while loving each other.

My mom would say, “Life never runs smooth.” And that is certainly true. So, we have to find ways to make it less difficult. When you’re young you make a multitude of mistakes but it’s OK that’s how you learn. If there is something, I could leave you with that will maybe help a little along the way it’s, “Be kind. Be grateful. Be forgiving. Love unconditionally. And remember, tiny little adjustments.”

Also, the number 13 means, “God’s Love!”

Bob, I love you thirteen!

I love you more than…

~Marla O’Neill March 13, 2023

“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:2-7

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”… So, the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. – Genesis 2:18, 21-24

Artwork by: Manasseh Johnson

 

Once upon a time…

The story’s been told from ancient times, it never gets boring and never gets old…

Maybe you’ve heard it but didn’t understand, it’s pretty simple, let me begin…

Before existence there was a void, a place we’ve never seen…

Spirit came blowing the wind. He spoke and everything changed, new beginning, new dream…

Over the face of many waters in darkness it is told, Spirit formed the land he looked and behold!

Hurling stars into place, sky, land and sea, earth and space…

Trees and mountains and birds and creatures in the deep…

The artist was working all these things he’d keep, and it was good!

This story is more exotic, more thrilling than I can tell,

There was the first of mornings light and then night fell…

Toiling the soil…with his hands in the mud…yielding the fruit was a fresh new bud…

There in the dirt a child of God was born…

Breath brought forth a living, breathing soul…

The story is told…

Life had begun! God had made a son…

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 7, 2023

⁴ This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, ⁵ before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; ⁶ but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.

⁷ 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. Genesis 2:4-7 New King James Version

There at conception was the tailor of my soul.

He birthed me and guided me, until His story was told!

Six years of my life he gently whispered, “Come unto me.”

Willingly, surrendering, I heard his love story.

Without hesitation, my broken-child’s-heart, responded to the Lord!

I heard Him knocking, so I opened the door!

A breath of fresh air blew into my being…

What is this? I couldn’t believe the wonder I was receiving…

The old life vanished and, in an instant, I was made new…

This is what he had promised when I didn’t have a clue!

Five more years I walked with the life-man, then I heard Him whisper,

“Child, I have someone for you to meet, He will help you understand!

He’ll comfort you in brokenness, guide you through the wilderness, protect you from the enemy, Tell you all about me. He’s gentle and caring, he won’t force his ways on you. But lovingly and tenderly, He’ll show you, how to live this life with grace and gratitude.”

“Oh yes Adonai, I’d love to meet him too!”

His name is Holy-Spirit, full of Power, Love and Self-Control, He longs to live within you and make you completely whole! One with the Father, One with the Son, open your heart child and Holy-Breath and Fire will come!

The encounter…

Seeking, the Way-Maker, Truth-Teller, Life-Sustainer, I humbly pray. Jesus, I love you I’ll do what you say!

Overcome in Brilliant-Light’s-Flow, languages I did not know…it fills my mouth and takes control…Heavenly words on thee, I bestow! A power so intense I cannot comprehend, covers me inside and out…Oh, let this never end!

He’s been a friend that has never left me, and He never condemns. He’s taught me about love, patience, longsuffering, joy, gentleness, faith, goodness and self-control; all these are his character straits, I too, can have these, when I’m humble, yet bold!

He’s healed me, delivered me, shown me mysteries and has loved me even when I was not so lovely… Oh do not grieve him in unbelief…

But ask him and he’ll show you how to believe!

He will never, ever leave me, won’t desert me, or cast me upon life’s tattered shore!

He’ll comfort me and guide me, to Heaven’s open door…

Then, I will see Him face to face, Gracious-Holy-Spirit-of-Truth and His Amazing Grace!

I’ll see Jesus and Papa God and Mama and all the rest…

And worship with the Angels in blessed holiness!

Until then, I will continue to let Him dwell within!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill March 1, 2023

“I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught. John 14:26-27 The Message

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 New International Version

 A Sound Like a Strong Wind When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. Acts 2:1-4 The Message

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. Acts 10:44-48 New International Version

 Jesus Promises Another Helper “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Indwelling of the Father and the Son “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

The Gift of His Peace “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.

“And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here. John 14:15-31 New King James Version

Day is done…

Sun is set…

Mind still racing, I want to forget…

All the pain of the past…all the regret…

Bowing my head,

I open my heart.

God, this is where you and I start!

Honest confession is good for the soul!

So, Papa God, let me just be bold!

Sinner, Saint, it doesn’t matter…

As long as I am honest with you.

Nothing anyone else, can say or do…

Will keep me from bearing my heart to you!

You are the Son of YHWH (Spoken in a Breath)

You bear all my sorrow and all my shame.

I am made brand new in Yeshua’s name…

No shadow of turning or brokenness,

Can shatter my soul and leave me in emptiness.

Take all of me, Dear Lord I pray,

My fear, my doubt, and anxiety it has to go,

It cannot stay.

In the presence of your Holiness, I bask in blessedness.

At your right hand are pleasures and joys forevermore!

Your love comes rushing in, Jesus, let new life begin…

In solitude and humility, I offer to you, all of me!

And when those times of despair and unbelief try to rob me and give me grief…

Lord, may I remember just who I am!

I’m a child of the Living God!

And on the Solid Rock I’m found

Standing and standing still, I’m Jesus bound…

Tied to the cross of Calvary!

With all my heart I offer thee

Total surrender, completely sold out, I’ll persevere…

For Jesus I know beyond a doubt

YOU ARE HERE WITH ME!!!

I will not fear nor be afraid…

I am God’s child to live and breathe in Victory!

No death nor life, nor things seen, nor unseen, nor angels, nor demons, can separate me, from Your Love! Amen and Amen!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill February 28, 2023

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 New International Version

 ²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 New International Version

Painting: Artist Unknown

The sweet spot is the place where my heart merges with Jesus and there is a quiet contentment~

A stillness, a peace, a Holy Silence, waiting on God.

The world fades away, worries cease, storms die down, winds are still, as we enter the throne-room of God.

Angels are standing in a worshipful stance~

Seraphim and cherubim watch the romance~

A daughter of the beloved, draws near~

No more wandering, or wondering, why and what for?

She’s entered the sweet spot with her sovereign Lord!

Exuberant joy is released in the room…

Freedom from the solitude, doubt and gloom…

Radiant beauty breaks forth in song…

The sweet spot has been there, all along~

All she needs do, is surrender to His will

Daughters of the King need only be still.

To enter the sweet spot, simply say, “Yes Lord, I will!”

Marla Shaw O’Neill February 14, 2023

 

More to be desired are they then gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Psalm 19:10 ESV

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24 ESV

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103 ESV