Meeting at the Farmhouse
This is written in memory of my dear friend, Phyllis Porter Dolislager’s mother, Eleanor. She passed away Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017.
Born in the season that celebrates the birth of baby Jesus, Eleanor, came into the world. And now all these ninety something years later, she leaves this world at the season of the celebrated resurrection of Christ Jesus, as was her prayer. She’s not dead she’s alive!
I can imagine as she walks into heaven, there is her family. She sees Darcy, her husband, and the love of her life, known to her in the former world.
He’s standing in the fields where a little farmhouse sits. Blue lights all around sparkle and twinkle just for her. Darcy waves and runs to greet her with a kiss. They turn, and then, she sees Jesus face to face…
“Welcome home daughter.” Jesus smiles and embraces her.
All the ones who had gotten there before her, gathers around, to celebrate the new arrival.
Darcy says, “We don’t milk cows here, just wait til you see
Buttercup our cow, and Bessie our horse, are here, they not only talk, they sing with glee…
And hoeing and plowing Oh that’s absurd…
We all laugh with pure joy, as we listen to the Word…
These blue lights are shining to welcome you home…
To comfort you in this place where you knew you belonged…
Meeting at the farmhouse was the setting we chose ‘cause heaven is home
Like everyone, knows…
You’re home now…
Come on let’s go…
There’s so many things you’re gona love, I know…
I can’t wait to show you, I can’t wait for you to see…
I’m so happy you’re finally home with me…”
Eyes wide open, heart set free…
“Oh, Darcy, all this just for me?
The Farmhouse is just as I remember
All our family and friends, love tender,
And look, we’re all young, and the colors so vivid
I can see without blurred vision
I can run without labored breath…
The music and the singing well, it’s just heavenly…
Look at the animals and the trees and the hollyhock, flowers…
Brooks and streams, mountains that tower…
Glistening rain drops and the sunshine, what power…
Now I know I’m in heaven and I’m far above…
All the pain, and sadness, there’s only love…pure love.
It’s just as we were told…
Behold,
As it was written, Eyes have not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 King James Version (KJV)
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 17, 2017
Land Mines or Land Marks
At this stage in life you have learned to pretty much recognize “Land Mines,” having stepped on them a number of times and managed to come out wounded but not destroyed. Land mines are those nasty little bombs buried just beneath the surface of the ground; you don’t know you’ve stepped on until you hear the little click. By then it is too late. You can’t take that step back. You know when you remove your foot that the next thing you are going to hear is boom…but you think to yourself, that maybe your body will survive the impact. That is the question. Hundreds of thoughts run through your mind in just a few seconds… “Why did I take this path? Why didn’t I listen to so and so and go the other way? This’s it, I’m done for.?” Then your reasoning kicks in. “Well, if I jump with lightning speed, maybe I will clear it, before it explodes.” Your heart races, your whole body jerks with fear, sweat pours from your body as if a bucket of water has been poured over you and you know this is a no win situation.
Life is like that…somehow you manage to get through all the hurt and pain and survive vowing never to do that again.
Then there are the “Land Marks” in life. Those life events that are important to you. People, places, things, you recognize.
You’re young you meet the love of your life and you marry. That’s one land mark.
Then, your children arrive, that’s another land mark.
Just when you can’t decide what your true purpose in life is, you come to discover you’ve been chosen for that much sought after dream job…this land mark, takes you to a whole new level of desires and realms you never imagined.
Money is no longer an issue. You have the prestige of being the CEO of your own company. You’re a world traveler. Your family is thriving but…
But between the land mines, and land marks, you discover something is missing…
You begin to wonder about all those times you heard your mother praying for you, alone in her room; her words begin to haunt you in your dreams which become nightmares. The kids are unhappy. Your marriage is falling apart and all the glamour and fame you thought was the answer to all your problems begin to wear you out. Now all you want is to find some peace. You have stepped on a land mine and didn’t even know it.
You start to ask yourself…“Why am I really here? What is my true purpose? If I jump quickly, maybe I will land safe from the explosive device that is about to take me out.” And then you remember the words of your mother…
Trust God in all things…
Proverbs 3:5-12 The Message (MSG)
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 15, 2017
In Remembrance
Words from the Barbara Streisand song from Yentl I heard years ago.
In remembrance of a very dear friend. We love you and we will miss you!
Papa, Can You Hear Me?
Barbra Streisand
God, our heavenly Father
Oh God, and my father
Who’s also in Heaven
May the light
Of this flickering candle
Illuminate the night the way
Your spirit illuminates my soul
Oh God, and my father
Who’s also in Heaven
May the light
Of this flickering candle
Illuminate the night the way
Your spirit illuminates my soul
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you see me?
Papa, can you find me in the night?
Papa, can you see me?
Papa, can you find me in the night?
Papa, are you near me?
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you help me not be frightened?
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you help me not be frightened?
Looking at the skies
I seem to see a million eyes
Which ones are yours?
Where are you now that yesterday
Has waved goodbye
And closed its doors?
The night is so much darker
The wind is so much colder
The world I see is so much bigger
Now that I’m alone
I seem to see a million eyes
Which ones are yours?
Where are you now that yesterday
Has waved goodbye
And closed its doors?
The night is so much darker
The wind is so much colder
The world I see is so much bigger
Now that I’m alone
Papa, please forgive me
Try to understand me
Papa, don’t you know I had no choice?
Try to understand me
Papa, don’t you know I had no choice?
Can you hear me praying
Anything I’m saying
Even though the night is filled with voices?
Anything I’m saying
Even though the night is filled with voices?
I…
I remember ev’rything you thought me
Ev’ry book I’ve ever read
Can all the words in all the books
Help me to face what lies ahead?
The trees are so much taller
And I feel so much smaller
The moon is twice as lonely
And the stars are half as bright
Ev’ry book I’ve ever read
Can all the words in all the books
Help me to face what lies ahead?
The trees are so much taller
And I feel so much smaller
The moon is twice as lonely
And the stars are half as bright
Papa, how I love you
Papa, how I need you
Papa, how I miss you
Kissing me goodnight
Papa, how I need you
Papa, how I miss you
Kissing me goodnight
Songwriters: Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman / Michel Legrand
Papa, Can You Hear Me? lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Where’s Jesus
“Where’s Jesus?” Mary asked.
“What do you mean, where’s Jesus? I thought he was with you.” Joseph said.
“Joseph, go and see if he’s with his brother’s.” Mary said somewhat concerned.
The brothers were setting up their tents when Joseph approached them. “Have you seen Jesus?” “No, we haven’t seen him Joe, when’s the last time you saw him?”
Joseph, scratching his head, thought for a moment, “I’m not sure. It was, it was yesterday or was it the day before. I thought he was here.”
“No we haven’t seen him Joe.” Expressions of questions passed between them.
“I have to go and tell Mary.” Joseph ran back to his camp. “Mary, don’t panic, Jesus is not with the caravan. I’ve looked everywhere and no one has seen him.”
Mary dropped the bowl she was holding and grabbed Joseph by the arm and said, “Joseph we have to go back to Jerusalem. We have to find Jesus.”
There, perfectly content, sitting in the middle of his contemporaries, not standing, he’s accepted as one of them. Jesus is teaching the teachers. Twelve years old, Jesus is in his father’s house. Completely comfortable, totally natural, doing what he’s compelled to do. He’s in Jerusalem city of God. Most boys his age would be playing with other young people. Jesus is not most boys. He is conversing with the holy men of God, telling them things they’d never even thought of before.
“We’ve not heard such words since, well never. What authority! What wisdom, comes from one so young.” The teachers and professors reply to one another.
Then in the background they hear rumblings, a woman’s voice. “Where’s Jesus? Where’s my son?”
Mary makes her way to Jesus. Joseph is right behind her.
Mary sees Jesus in the temple and pulls him aside to talk to him.
“Son why have you done this to us, why did you not tell us you were staying behind? We’ve been searching for you for three days.” Mary said searching Jesus’ face for answers. Joseph looked on at him with hurt but relief that he was safe.
“Why did you look for me, didn’t you know I’d be in my father’s house?” Jesus said like nothing was amiss.
Joseph and Mary just stared at him; they didn’t know what he was talking about.
They realized he was the Messiah and that he should have been taken to the palace not the temple. They didn’t understand the prophetic call that was on his life. That he was to teach and bring good news to all who would learn and listen to him.
But in honor and obedience to his parents, Jesus followed the fifth commandment, honor your father and your mother, he went back to Nazareth with them. Setting an example to young people that they should adhere to their parents and that they should grow in wisdom and become children of obedience. He was their son, but he was also God but it wasn’t his time yet.
Are you searching for Jesus? Do you know where he is? Will you search for him?
He’s in the temple with His Father. He’s sitting and praying and doing all that the Father asks.
You can find him if you seek for him, call out, “Jesus where are you?”
“I’m here, don’t you know I’m doing what my father has asked me to do. I’m waiting for you to come and find me. Then I will go with you to the home of your heart, and there we will abide forever.”
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 13, 2017
They Found Him in the Temple
Luke 2:41-52
Every year Jesus’ parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up as they always did for the Feast. When it was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it. Thinking he was somewhere in the company of pilgrims, they journeyed for a whole day and then began looking for him among relatives and neighbors. When they didn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for him.
The next day they found him in the Temple seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. The teachers were all quite taken with him, impressed with the sharpness of his answers. But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt.
His mother said, “Young man, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you.”
He said, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?” But they had no idea what he was talking about.
So he went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.
A Hammer, Nails, a Robe, a Crown and a Spear
A carpenter uses a hammer and nails to build
A soldier uses a spear to fight
A King is crowned with gold
A prince wears a costly robe…
Today a king is crowned with thorns
A prince is stripped and unadorned…
A soldier of the cross is pierced
Blood and water flow…
Once a carpenter by trade
Now bear, before the crowd
A carpenter no more,
The hammer and the nails are tools,
He will no longer use,
This hammer and these nails they’ll use to…
Strike his hands and feet
Wood that could have been used,
For a cradle or maybe a table,
Has become a wooden cross, to hang our precious Savior.
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 12, 2017
Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. Mark 6:3New King James Version (NKJV)
Are you a Wimp or a Warrior?
This is NOT, a dress rehearsal…the play has already started and we are supposed to be ready. We are supposed to be in the play not just spectators. But we’ve lost our script…we don’t know our lines and it’s time for us to go on stage…
The battle is raging and our weapons are rusty, broken and we can’t find half of them. How in the world do we expect to fight in the war like that?
The cloud of witnesses is cheering for us, but we’re running with our tails between our legs in the opposite direction.
I’m talking to the Mighty Warriors of God…or should I say the terrified, petrified, full of fear and doubt, wimpy children of God… do you even know who your God is?
It’s Exhortation time…it’s time for a spanking…
When and if, you pray, are you praying hoping God will hear you? Or are you praying like your pants are on fire and you know in whom you are praying too!!
God hasn’t changed. God hasn’t moved. God is still the God of I Can and I Will!
But he’s not going to answer unbelief. He’s not going to honor doubt and fear. He’s not going to listen to lies.
When Jesus prayed Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…Thy kingdom come, Thy WILL be done…on earth as it is in heaven…
Did you catch that…GOD’S WILL BE DONE…His will is that we prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers…His will is that all would come to repentance and be saved. His will is that we draw near to Him resist the devil and he will flee from us…
God’s will is the covenant he made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…His, will, is the New Covenant he gave to us through the Blood of Christ Jesus.
The early Christians, they were a force to be reckoned with…they didn’t back down…They knew who their God was and IS…eaten by lions…ripped in half…hung on stakes and burned alive…boiled in oil…and still they served the Living God…
What is wrong with us today?
Jesus said, “Can you not stay awake and pray for just one hour?”
People are dying in their sins and are broken and diseased and following the crowd right into hell…and we, “Christians” are worrying about who unfriended us on Facebook. Get real…
WAKE UP!!! God is calling laborers to the harvest…Can you not hear him calling?
He’s searching throughout the world for those who will believe Him and serve Him with their whole heart, mind, body and soul…The harvest is great, the laborers are few…
If you’re not hungry and thirsty for the word of God.
If you’re not seeking Him on a daily basis.
If you’re not in fellowship with other believers and praying.
If God’s not constantly on your mind…then something is terribly wrong…
Get alone with Jesus and ask him to make you hungry and thirsty, ask him to put a deep desire in your heart to seek him. Find a church that preaches the true word of God and go there regularly. Then watch God pour out His Spirit on you and give you new dreams, new visions, a new heart for him and his people.
Time is short…it is not time to be complacent about the things of God. It is not time to play around like you have all the time in the world. It is not time to be a wimp. It is time to fall on your face before God and cry out for the souls who are dying and going to hell. It is time to put on your armor and know the word of God and speak and preach and pray and devote your life to Him…
I am talking to you! The ones who call themselves Christians…Followers of Jesus Christ the Messiah.
I hope you get real mad at me…I hope you get so mad that you tell Jesus on me…when one of my kids used to come pointing a finger at their brother, I knew they were guilty of something. They would be the one who got the correction.
God loves you and He wants the very best for you.
When Jesus said the greatest commandment was to Love God with ALL your heart, all your mind and all your strength and the second to love your neighbor as yourself. He meant what he said.
Because that’s exactly how much he loves you. Actually he loves you more!
If your faith is shallow, that just tells me that you aren’t hearing the word of God…because Faith comes by hearing.
If you are full of doubt and fear that just tells me you aren’t spending enough time alone with God in prayer. Because I promise when you get into the presence of God, your doubts and fears will vanish.
I said all of this because God put it on my heart.
You are in a war…an invisible war with an enemy so strategic in his plans and diabolical in his tactics that unless you have the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT you will not win…
I’m praying for you. I’m praying that the HOLY SPIRIT will get ahold of you and turn you every which way but loose. I’m praying that the Fire of God will come down and consume your heart, mind, body and soul. And when He is through with you, you will come up out of the pit…Praying, singing, marching, preaching, the Gospel, Good News to everyone around you. And that because of your new hunger and thirst for God that they will run to our Glorious, Almighty, Powerful Loving God, and be transformed for his glory!! Amen.
Don’t go back to sleep…be watchful, be praying, be diligent…the devil never sleeps but he will lull you to sleep in a heartbeat. Let the Fire of the Holy Ghost keep you alive, awake and on guard at your post for God. Amen.
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 12, 2017
Encouragement:
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 1 Corinthians 14:1-3New King James Version (NKJV)
The Race of Faith
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Good Young Days
The ‘good old days,’ they should be called the ‘good young days.’ You start out with nothing ahead of you but unfilled dreams, and then before you know you it, you’re hydroplaning down the high-way. You slide, “safe” right into home base. You’re shook up a little, but life is good and you keep right on trucking down the highway. You’re young and tough, you can tackle any obstacle. Life happens and before you know it you’re forty-five. Hair begins to thin. Little pot belly shows up, ‘Hello, where’d you come from. Maybe a jog would be nice. Oh no, that’s not going to happen.’ You eat dinner, sit in front of the ole tube, begin to watch something exciting, and before you know it your out cold, and snoring. All of a sudden something hits you right between your eyes. You jump fully awake, yell, ‘What’s going on?’ Looking around, have witted, you see the culprit. “What’s wrong honey?”
Then you turn sixty. The ‘good young days’ become the ‘good old days’ because you are living them. You’re old and you wonder, ‘Where did all the time go?’
Ever feel like that? Where’d the ‘good young days’ go?
If you’re let’s say, ten to thirty years of age, let me give you a tiny-bit of wisdom I’ve learned in my sixty-three years.
Slow down; don’t go so fast, take time to live each day better and happier. Stuff, just doesn’t matter. Don’t wait til your old to understand that.
Take care of your teeth. You’ve probably heard that before but it is true. When you reach my age it gets harder to chew.
Keep all the friends you make in life because there is nothing more valuable than good friends. And remember to be a good friend too, sometimes we forget that part. In order to have a friend you have to be a friend. Good advice from my dear departed mama.
Jobs will come and jobs will go but from the start do something you are really passionate about because you are going to be doing it for a long time and it’s much better to do something that makes you happy, and get paid for, than to be burnt out from doing something that’s mundane that drains your gifts and talents.
Kiss and hug the people you love often, as much as you can. All too soon they leave us and you will miss them terribly when they’re gone. Mend bridges and forgive as many times as it takes. Life is really very short don’t waste a minute of it fighting, and holding onto grudges. Just, like that “Frozen” song says, “Let It Go.’
Laugh and laugh and laugh. Laughter will heal many ailments and no one likes to be around a sour-puss…
Say your prayers. Talking to God is very important. Listening to him is more important.
Complement others and tell them how you really feel. Give respect and you’ll receive respect. Honor your parents. They brought you into the world and they can take you out…no just kidding. But God says, if you honor them you’ll have long life. And that’s a good thing. And remember to call them. They get lonely and love to hear from their children.
You’ll have some regrets; that’s just part of life, but you’ll have far fewer ones if you do what’s right and live upright before God and your fellow man.
You can kill more people with unkind words than a weapon. Use your words wisely.
Be honest, and true. Be polite and share. Work for what you have and don’t live above your means. Be responsible for what you do. And in the end when you look back on the ‘good young days’ you’ll be amazed what a full, beautiful life you’ve lived.
Take it from this old lady. Life is good. God is good. And though I have some regrets I have far more love and thankfulness in my heart for a life lived and blessed than all my sorrows. God is right; His peace goes far beyond my understanding. When you forgive you receive peace.
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 11, 2017
Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. Psalm 37:26 NLT
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 New King James Version (NKJV)
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22 New King James Version (NKJV)
Spend Some Time With Him
Lord,
Here I am, I’m putting my busy life aside and for these next few moments I’m spending time with you.
Lord,
So many times I’m distracted with problems in my life. I forget that if I would just take the time to come to you, that all these things that are bothering me wouldn’t seem so big at all.
And Lord,
I know you’re never too busy when I need to chat with you…You always give me your full attention, you don’t interrupt me when I ramble on and on. You’re patient and kind and loving and I always feel so peaceful when we are together, even when I tell you all about my troubles and things that are going on in the world. As if you didn’t know already. You listen with a heart of compassion. You never judge me. Sometimes scold me when I get out of line. But that’s what a caring Father does with his children. Not to punish but to correct in a way that gets my attention.
Lord,
It seems people don’t talk to you much anymore. They say they can do it themselves. But Lord, this world is in a terrible mess, them “doing it” themselves isn’t working out so good. What’s happened Lord to this world? When I was growing up people helped each other. They were respectful and thankful and polite to each other for the most part. Oh I know there’s always been wars and trouble in the world. But it sure looks worse now. The news is flooded with people killing people. There’s no respect for others or for you LORD.
Oh I know you still have many who live for you and try to do right. And I know you are still on your throne and are in control of everything. I suppose we are living in the last days and that we should just keep on spending time with you. And maybe sometimes I need to be quite and let you speak to me. That’s what I’ll do Lord.
“Child, I’ve been listening to you all your life. No I never get tired or weary. I wait and I wait. That’s called patience. I hear your heart and I see your actions and I know you are mine. You don’t need to worry. You don’t need to be afraid. For yes, I am, with you. I see the world and all the chaos. I see pain and wars and death. I see man corrupting themselves and others. And I just wait. I intervene in many instances. I dispatch my angels where needed. I protect and orchestrate in the affairs of government and countries. Believe me I am not one to close my eyes to what concerns mine. I sent my son, and I sent my Holy Spirit into the world. I know exactly what I’m doing. All you need to know and do is trust me. Trust me child. Come to me and chat all the time, for it is my pleasure when you do. I smile and I’m helping in every, single, aspect of your life and in the lives of people in the world. I didn’t send my son to kill. I sent my son so that all could have life. There is an enemy who opposes and he sends destruction and chaos and death. But he also knows his time is short. You have all that is needed to overcome and survive. But many don’t put it into practice. I am more than words in a book. I am more than the wind or the universe. I am more than mere man…I AM! Those who are wise will seek me. Those who are mine will do what I’ve asked. And in the end, all will be as it should be. Keep loving, keep serving, keep watch. Keep praying, keep seeking and knocking and you will find me. For I Am always here. ~Your Loving, Papa God…
–Marla Shaw O’Neill April 11, 2017
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 King James Version (KJV)
Into the Arms of God
