Me, Come Me, Cabah
Yesterday I sat at a park and watched dozens of little children playing. Running to climb and slide and swing as mommies and daddies followed behind to make sure their little ones were safe and protected.
The awe on their tiny faces as they experienced each task with enthusiasm, fulfilled not wanting help from anyone…being free to explore and tackle each hurdle with only a slight touch from mom or dad. They laughed and ran. Running, always, away from the adults responsible for their wellbeing…independent tiny folk…with one objective…to run and not be caught.
I wondered, as I watched them, how times have changed and I wondered how my grandmother must have felt in her day. Born in the 1900’s where men were the bread-winners and women the home-makers and child bearers…Granny lived through the great depression, and the big wars of one and two. She swore that man did not walk on the moon, that, that, was all set up by Hollywood. She was actually the mom and the dad to her seven kids…her husband died when she was only 32 years old. Those kids all grew up and had their own brood of chickens. Still with the belief that the man went out to work and the woman stayed home and raised the kids. But times were changing…
And in my generation more and more women were going to college to become doctors and engineers. Still with the mindset that the man was the one to make a living, and they let, their wives go to work outside the home to help out, knowing they’d still have to come home and take care of the children too.
Well at least the majority thought this way…
But in today’s world…the mindset is so different…the dad’s stay at home to be the care-givers of the children while mom’s go outside of the home to work leaving the younger kids home with their dads. But don’t be fooled they are also working…and it’s no easy job!
Nothing wrong with the way it’s done today…it’s just foreign to the mindset I grew up with. Although my mom was a working mom.
Some other scenario’s in today’s world, is that there are many who don’t have two parents raising them in the same home. Then there are the parents of the same-gender, raising kids…my point is that in my generation and former generations the family unit has changed so much from how we were taught.
I’m not saying it’s a bad thing; it’s more of an observation. And what I’ve observed is that it doesn’t seem to matter to the kids one way or the other, as long as they know, they are loved and cared for by both their parents. It doesn’t matter who changes their diapers during the day or who wipes their noses and feeds them breakfast; or who gives them their baths at night and say prayers with them and tuck them into bed, as long as each parent hugs them close and gives them lots of kisses and love…they are secure in knowing who their mommies and daddies are, and that they are truly loved.
Some, in my generation were known as latch-key kids they came home after school with no mom or dad to greet them…some have no dads or moms to guide them…it’s sad really…
It makes me wonder; in another sixty years what this generation’s world will look like? Even ten years…
God has a plan…but again a lot of people don’t believe in God…and those who say they do…don’t really know him…generations of moms and dads weren’t there to teach them about God.
But still there are some who do believe, who do teach their children and if we continue in His, plan…everything will turn out just fine. Pray for our children…pray they will see and know the love of God in a real and personal way…
Moms, Dads…whatever your rolls, remember to make each moment count…because children grow up right before your eyes and all too soon they move away and begin lives of their own…
Life goes on…
One day you will be in the same position I’m in…
You’ll be sixty-something, watching your grandkids playing in the park, you will be amazed and awed by them…running, climbing, and exploring…the cycle of life goes on…
And your two-year old grandson/granddaughter will turn to you, and pointing to themselves’ will say, “Me, come me!”
Oh the thrill that they want to be with you, is unbelievable joy…there’s a bit of you living on in them…
Times change, but love never changes!
Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4The Message (MSG)
–Marla Shaw O’Neill March 27, 2017
More
More of Thee my heart to sing
Less of me you’re everything…
Lifted High for all to see
Jesus, Son of the morning…
More to tell of who you are
More abundant than the stars
More is More O Gentle Lord…
More courageous, to adore…
More than cups, running over with grace
More of your love, poured from your face
More of Thee, my heart to embrace
More, more of Thee…
More fragrant than the oil that burns
All the dross of sin stained turns
My life in full surrender yearns…
As Living water flows
To all of those
Whose hearts in whom you call…
More than conquerors
More…
Connected to the Living Vine
Pruned and watered shaped divine
Abiding in you and you in me
More, more of Thee!
–Marla Shaw O’Neill
The Vine and the Branches
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. John 15:1-2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Psalm 23:5 New King James Version (NKJV)
I read that there is a Jewish custom that when a guest comes to visit they will fill the guests cup until it overflows, meaning that they may stay as long as they like. I thought how awesome is that….When we go into our Heavenly Father’s house He fills our cup to overflowing showing that we may stay as long as we like…I love that!!
Wait
Father God, are you there?
I’m always here child…
Child, are you there?
Silence…
We go about our daily lives, things are hectic, but everything is running smooth…
Nothing happening out of the ordinary…
Busy, doing the mundane things of life…
Go to Church, sing songs, and listen to the message… “That sure was a great message this morning. I’m even going to post the video on Facebook. Let every one know about how awesome the message was that we heard…”
Do ten minute devotionals…Jesus really spoke to me in that passage. Say a little prayer. Thank you Jesus, then rush out the door…
If you have children and they are, let’s say, all grown up with busy lives of their own. And let’s say you don’t live close by. (I’m not talking about anyone in particular, it’s just an example.) And you come for a visit. At first everyone is excited to see each other and you hug and catch up on a few details. I’m so glad you came mom, dad, but I have this thing, I have to do. I’ll see ya later, Love you. And they rush out the door.
How does that make you feel? I’d say not so loved, not a priority. Of course you want them to go on with their lives and enjoy themselves and do what they need to do. Of course. But really?
That’s what we do to our heavenly Father…and when we really need something…then He’s important…isn’t He?
I don’t want to cause condemnation, I don’t want to cause guilt or embarrassment…I just want to give a little reminder…
God’s a person too! In fact He is the most important person you’ll ever know. God is love. God is not man. God is faithful and patient and merciful. God is ever lasting, He never dies, He never lies and He goes beyond Heaven and Hell to show you how very much He loves you.
God is forgiving, God is transparent in so many ways…God is Spirit, God is ever present, all knowing, all consuming, God is fire and life…God is creator and God is always near…
Even when we don’t feel him or see him or smell him or desire him…even when we say He does not exist…God is…
When I’ve been at my worst, God picked me up and held me and loved me through every ugly thing I’ve ever said or done. It took my mom dying to make me realize how very much God does love me, and how very much I love Him…
And when my unborn granddaughter died…I thought I would die with her…not only did I cry and lament for her, but I cried for my son and my daughter…knowing, Jesus, wept too.
God was right there with all of us…giving grace and mercy…I can no longer just rush into His presence and say, Hi Pop’s…good to see ya…love you…I’ll see ya later…and rush out.
Oh no…now I sit and weep and laugh and I talk to him about all the things that are going on in the world and people’s lives that I love, and those I barely know and ask him to help them…and then I wait…there is no silence, so loud, as the silence I hear in the waiting, just before he begins to speak…
You may think me silly or even crazy…I do not care…because what I’ve found through the mourning…is more precious than anything this world has to offer…
God is my best friend…Jesus is my savior and I love him with all my heart…The Holy Spirit is also a person, not the flesh and bone kind, the Spirit kind, even more real, and He feels and grieves right beside me…then He lifts me up and shows me the face of Jesus…in love and compassion with a fullness I’ve never known before…
Nothing can take that from me…Not death, nor life, nor things seen or unseen, not sickness or health or wealth or peril or darkness or raging sea…My God has shown himself to me.
If you don’t know this love I am speaking of…then go to your secret place, bow before the Living God and ask him to show you…It’s going to take more than a ten minute meeting…So make sure you have lots of time to wait…
This is my heart today…God bless you in your seeking…
–Marla Shaw O’Neill March 23, 2017
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39
Joy Comes Through the Mourning
The Lord’s strength is Joy…
Crying in the night…
Joy comes through the mourning…
Trials come,
No pain, no gain…
Spirit weak…
God gives His strength…
Give Him ALL the glory…
Tears in the night…
Joy in the light…
For joy comes through the mourning…
–Marla Shaw O’Neill March 22, 2017
Psalm 30: 4-5 The Message (MSG)
All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face! He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.
Forbidden Fruit
There are two trees in the Garden
One you may eat freely…
One you must not touch or eat…
It is forbidden…
Not heeding what the Father said…
They ate the fruit and now are dead…
Forever the knowledge of good and evil
Dance inside their pride held heads…
Banished from the Garden to live…
Slaves to lust, who will forgive
This vile deed they’ve done…?
Too late to grieve, disgrace received…
Cherubim with flaming sword…
Comes to guard the Tree of the Lord…
No longer can the two freely eat thereof…
Now they simply survive…
Forever tempted by the forbidden fruit…
Lusts and death are companions now,
These two made of flesh…
Live in tortured temptations, soon to return to ash and dust…
Until all heaven sings the song, Salvation in God’s Son is sung…
Now rest in peacefulness…
Do not partake of the forbidden fruit…
It’ll leave you barren in regret and mute…
Lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, the pride of life…
Now lies within the forbidden fruit…
For all who eat of the burning coals
Will never taste the fruit of life…
Only death will be their reward.
Cherubim with flaming sword, standing at the Garden door…
Only one way to enter there…
Jesus, hear my whispered prayer…
Take my heart and be my Lord!
Repentance, turn and bow before the Lord
Forbidden fruit eat no more!
Cherubim with flaming sword, guards the Garden door.
The only access is through Jesus the Lord!
–Marla Shaw O’Neill March 22, 2017
Genesis 3:24 New King James Version (NKJV)
So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the Garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
Run to the Fire!
When David faced the giant…he didn’t run away from him…He ran toward Him…with a sling and a stone…
As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. I Samuel 17:48-50New International Version (NIV)
When Shad rack, Meshach and Abednego, three Hebrews, were told to bow to an idol or be burned alive in a fiery furnace…they would not bow. They didn’t run from the fiery furnace they went into it knowing that even if their God did not save them, even if they died they would not bow and worship the idol…
Not three men but four men were in that furnace, The Lord was in there with them…and when they came out, they didn’t even smell of smoke…even though the fire was made seven times hotter. (Read Daniel 3:16-27 New Living Translation (NLT))
Moses didn’t back up from Pharaoh, Daniel didn’t run from the lion’s den, Joseph didn’t run from Egypt he stayed true to God, Esther didn’t run, Ruth didn’t run, Noah didn’t run, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob remained true to God, John the Baptist didn’t run from Herod the king, there are many more throughout the Bible who didn’t run from the fire…and Jesus the son of God, didn’t run from the cross, He embraced it…
We are not to run from the fire…but…run to the fire…God’s fire is more fierce than any fire people of the Earth can even imagine…you think of the powerful weapons that are on the earth today…it is nothing compared to God’s fire…
The Holy Ghost and fire is powerful…but today we’ve diminished him to ash and a few tiny sparks…why because the enemy, Satan has told lies. “Surely it’s not for today. That was done long ago. Look how silly those fanatics look…Holy Rollers…sensationalism, speaking in tongues was for the disciples of old it is not for today. You are gods.” He is still hissing in the ears of men and women today and they are listening…But Jesus said, “Go, I am sending you another comforter.”
Why are there wars, why are there murders and rape and addictions and immorality and perversion and ungodliness everywhere…because people have forgotten Who God Is!!!
*God does not change…Jesus told the disciples to go and wait in Jerusalem until they be endued with power from on high…I am sending you another comforter to live inside you and teach you and guide you. Wait for him to come. And he told them to go and teach these things to others…If you see Jesus, you see the Father for what the Father tells me to do that is what I do.
If you see the Father and Jesus you see the Holy Spirit for the three are one yet they are individual persons. You may not believe me. That’s OK. Search the scriptures and you will find the truth. But don’t search them to prove someone wrong. Search them to prove to yourself that God does not lie and he does not change.
Below are scriptures that go along with what I’ve said. If God can fill unlearned men and women of old and he can go to Gentiles of the Italian band and fill them with the Holy Spirit then who are we to say that it is one time and only a one time experience. O please understand I’m not trying to convince you. All I’m trying to do is serve God in the way he has instructed me too. And He has instructed me to write this today. If you truly desire to know Him…then search the scriptures for they testify of Jesus, God’s son.
The only way back to God is through the cross of Jesus and His blood and resurrection…God showed me something this morning as I was worshiping Him…I fell to my knees weeping…and I heard the Holy Spirit say, “People don’t bow down anymore.”
I thought about that…in churches people all stand…they want a new way of worshiping they don’t want to “offend” anyone…I’m not saying there is anything wrong with how we worship God as long as it’s from the heart and that it’s true worship…for of such the father seeks…
But where is humility? Where is adoration? Where is total surrender to the Almighty, All knowing, All Majestic God…where is down-on-your knees worship of the Only Begotten Son of God…lying prostrate, knowing WHO GOD IS…He IS…The Essence of ALL! He is Spirit…yet we dare to shake our fist at him and tell him, that He does not exist…Why? Because people, don’t, know who He is! |
Philippians 2:8-11New King James Version (NKJV)
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Job 26:5-14 The Greatness of God
“The departed spirits tremble Under the waters and their inhabitants. “Naked is Sheol before Him, And Abaddon has no covering. “He stretches out the north over empty space And hangs the earth on nothing. “He wraps up the waters in His clouds, And the cloud does not burst under them. “He obscures the face of the full moon And spreads His cloud over it. “He has inscribed a circle on the surface of the waters At the boundary of light and darkness. “The pillars of heaven tremble And are amazed at His rebuke. “He quieted the sea with His power, And by His understanding He shattered Rahab. “By His breath the heavens are cleared; His hand has pierced the fleeing serpent. “Behold, these are the fringes of His ways; And how faint a word we hear of Him! But His mighty thunder, who can understand?”
Bible References:
*God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19 New International Version (NIV)
*You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. Luke 24:48-50 New International Version (NIV)
*Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. John 14:9-11 New Living Translation (NLT)
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
The Upper Room Prayer Meeting
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 1: 8-14 New King James Version (NKJV)
Coming of the Holy Spirit
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 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 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit
Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.
Then Peter asked,“Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days. Acts 10 44-48 New Living Translation (NLT)
I Am a Person of Unclean Lips…
Kneeling in the presence of Almighty God
I cannot stand or dare to look at thee for…
I am a sinner, unworthy to be…
Anywhere near thee…
I am humbled by your Holiness…
I am undone; cast me far away from your presence for I cannot bear the thought of the Host High God, looking at me. O wretched woman who I am…
Shield me seraphim, let me melt away in my sackcloth and ashes…let me repent and turn away from the sin before my God…
I cannot even begin to speak with a mouth that’s vile and unclean…how can I praise thee
With lips that utter unjust things and cry with a heart that’s marred by evil that waits just beneath my breath…and people that I dwell among they too have unclean lips…and hearts far from thee…
O Holy One…I am undone let me hide and run from thee…
Then the angel took coal of fire from the altar and placed it on my lips…
Sanctifying and consecrating my mouth to speak the words of God, to God, without the stench of sin upon my breath…
Then I heard the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
But LORD, I am a woman, who will listen to me? I don’t have a degree or money, I am just me.
You are exactly who I want…
The scares, the wounds, and the marks of a life broken…your heart is true, you are who I have sought. I created women too…
And with humble adoration I spoke to my LORD and said, I’m old, and I’m weak, I can’t offer much but what I have I give to thee…
“Here I am. Send me!”
And He said, “Go tell this people.”
Isaiah 6 New International Version (NIV)
Isaiah’s Commission
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
He said, “Go and tell this people:
“‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and close their eyes
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
Then I said, “For how long, Lord?”
And he answered:
“Until the cities lie ruined
and without inhabitant,
until the houses are left deserted
and the fields ruined and ravaged,
until the Lord has sent everyone far away
and the land is utterly forsaken.
And though a tenth remains in the land,
it will again be laid waste.
But as the terebinth and oak
leave stumps when they are cut down,
so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”
You Do Not Walk the Road Alone…
In the stillness of the morning, as dawn breaks through the night…
There’s a quiet to the soul, seeking, waiting for the light…
Busy day a waiting…as I step out of my bed.
Yawning and stretching, scratching my head…
Lord, am I to walk all alone today?
This is what I heard Him say,
You do not ever walk alone; I’ve been with you all your life…
Even in your mother’s womb, I’ve been with you…You never walk alone…
I’ve seen your birth and heard you cry. I’ve watched you learn to walk…
I’ve kissed your head when sickness came, I’ve carried you and I’d talk…
I’d tell you of mysteries far from this world’s woe…Child I want you to know…
You do not walk this road alone…
It may seem that you are lost at times…but child please know that you are mine…
When storms rage and your strength is spent…when life gets hard, you wonder where life went, when the road stretches far and wide…remember this…
You do not walk this road alone…I AM WITH YOU…
In the stillness of the morning, as dawn breaks through the night, I hear my Shepherd calling…
Come to me, the light…
The road before you may be lonely, but you will not walk it alone. Even though you cannot see me…I’ve been here all along. But I know that you can feel me, it’s my joy that keeps you strong, and by faith, I will lead you, all the way home.
–Marla Shaw O’Neill March 20, 2017 \i/
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, Isaiah 44:24 English Standard Version (ESV)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 New King James Version (NKJV)
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20 King James Version (KJV)
Me Pot O Gold
