Inside Out
Tiny cracks within the rock
I’m looking from the inside out
Brightest light of middle day
Burst; revealing; heart is true
The only one who sees, is me
Holy Spirit born of thee
Breaks the rock and sets me free!
By: Marla Shaw O’Neill ©September 17, 2015
Sarah what will you do today?
An excerpt from my book…’Sing Sarah Sing.’
“Sarah what will you do today?” God asked.
“Lord what would you have me do?” asked Sarah.
“Sing for me Sarah, sing the Angel Song.” God’s light shot out in every direction as He smiled.
Sarah closed her eyes and sang out through heavens portals.
Philomel spread her wings wide as she glided to the floor and escorted Sarah into the throne room. She smiled, stood to one side for Sarah to walk ahead, and said, “After you Sarah.”
A procession of angels stood with their wings spread out creating a radiant canopy over Sarah as she walked past each one. There was Rose-el, Sage, Garth, Stephan-Arrow, Zarta-el all the guardians of her life. Fifty generals, seventy musicians and one hundred infantry angels gathered on each side of the golden street; bowing their heads as she walked past. Showing honor and gratitude to a servant of God! A life lived in service for His Majesty the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Everyone in one accord began singing The Angel Song as Sarah entered into the very presence of the Lord!
She looked at her hands there were no wrinkles or crooked fingers from the arthritis; she stood without being bent or in pain. She didn’t hesitate she was giddy, she was young, her skin wasn’t brown or white…it glowed with the radiance of the master. Twirling in a dance of tremendous joy she could not contain her happiness. Her pure white robe an abundance of fine linen flared out in a circle around her like a ballroom dancer, she abandoned all thought of self …suddenly realizing she was in the presence of a heavenly host, she stopped. Standing before her was a glorious throne. Cheri bums and Seraphim fluttered around the throne joyfully. The music was energizing as it permeated the air around her. Then everything got very still. Sarah threw herself, face down on the floor as she recognized the master.
Unseen Hands
Unseen Hands
Lying prostrate before the Lord, she’s alone praying in the stillness…
Tears of loss and tears of hope; rise before the throne…
Unaware of the angels presence, and the hands that hold her near,
They listen to her hearts cry, and this is what they hear…
‘Gracious, Loving, Heavenly Father,
Wash my heart today; I come humbly before you, please hear what I have to say,
There are so many dying, afraid, and fearful, they want to run away…
The pain and suffering in our world, grows stronger every day…
Savior, Healer, Provider; Maker and Keeper of all…
Draw them by your Holy Spirit, and do not let them fall,
Into the hands of the evil one, he kills their dreams and lives, steals their joy and salvation, then
destroys hope and sends despair.
Holy One they are blinded and lost without, a prayer…
But you my God have given me a heart of Warrior prayer…
A burden for lost souls, please grant grace, for their welfare…
I am only one, a warrior down on my face…before your throne O God,
give me mercy and give me grace…
Pray without ceasing….Hear the battle cries…
Save their dying souls Jesus, there’s no need to question why…
Into your loving unseen hands, is where our victory lies!
The angels wipe her tears away at the anguish of the fight…
And in the midst of the climax they, SCREAM…
‘GOD HEARS, AND WITH UNSEEN HANDS, DEFEATS THE DEVIL’S SCHEMES…’
You cannot see the fighting, going on in the spirit realm…
But unseen hands are there guiding, protecting; because of prayer fought on the ground…
His sword is drawn, He strikes His mark…
Prayer, He’s heard, from His warrior in the dark…
She’s on her face…before Her King…prayer destroying yokes of bondage, by His hands
unseen…
Fighting the demons, while on her face, she wails…the battle rages on, freeing captives, battles
won…
Never let go of God’s unseen hand, even though, you don’t understand, His strategic battle plan…
The grace, the mercy, the heart of God; beseeched in prayer by the warrior true; conquered demons to
set souls free…
unseen hands are fighting for thee!
~Marla Shaw O’Neill September 9, 2015©
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the worldly governors, the princes of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, which are in the high places. Ephesians 6:12.1599 Geneva Bible
Hidden Treasure
Hidden Treasure
Driving down an old dirt road, something I see catches my eye…
I stop to investigate, and there I see a broken vessel and so I sigh…
Weathered by dirt and years of old paint, broken furniture full of decay
I’ll pick it up, take it home, since no one wants it anyway
Hum, says I… picking up this old piece,
I think to myself, well, wonders never cease…
Stripping away years of white paint, lacquer, varnish, dirt and mold
A treasure I see, as I behold; oak in its solid state
Sanding and stripping the wood I find…
What beauty lies beneath…?
Taking it to its original grain…no more covering with paint, no more awful stain…
Years of use, the memories of life, it must contain…
Stories of lives, silent, remain, buried within this old chest…
Thought your days were finally done, but no, it was just a test…
Resting awhile but nothing was won…
The journey’s not over it’s just begun…
Taken the old and made brand new
I still have a place in this world for you!
Don’t think for one minute your life is through…
Just because someone gets rid of you…
What treasure we miss, when passing some by
With one look closer you may find a surprise…
Be willing to invest in someone disguised…
You’ll miss God’s mercy if you are unwise…
He empties the vessel to start something new…
Looks past all the layers, caked inside of you…
Ripping and stripping with each swipe of His hand
The carpenter Jesus always understands…
You may be old and thrown away, but God has sent
His carpenter, for you, today…
A treasure more precious than rubies or gold…
Is seen underneath all that dirt and mold…
A vessel of honor you’re called to be…
As the old is removed, and your story is told;
Even if you’re left, beside an old dusty road!
By Marla Shaw O’Neill ©September 3, 2015
All I Ask
Rising early in the morning I watched the sun, rise.
Its warmth and beauty filled my soul as I heard the seagull’s cry.
I walked along the seashore as a breeze gently blew.
And in that precise moment I felt his presence and knew…
The day was almost over, time does not stand still.
I asked my heavenly father to show me his perfect will…
He whispered softly to me, are you ready for that my child.
I answered a most assuredly, Yes Lord, and stood quietly to hear…
Love others without question, stick closer than a brother,
Honor your father and your mother.
With all your heart, delight yourself in me.
My perfect will is this child; that all mankind would know.
My perfect love is what I give, because I love them so…
Oh, open your eyes and see beyond the curtain, life is waiting for you now!
I only ask that you seek me; with your whole heart kneel and bow…
I loved you from the beginning and I love you now…
Lift up your eyes from whence cometh your help…
See me from the inside out…
What more can I do I’ve given all; give your life, and take the call
I’ve called you to serve, stand humble yet tall.
I am God; I am your Abba; The First and The Last
Give me your heart that’s all I ask.
~Marla Shaw O’Neill 7/7/15
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
Mommy’s Rolling Pin
Mommy’s Rolling Pin
My mommy has a rolling pin
I watch her roll the dough
Making my favorite pastries
The ones that I love so
The rolling pin is made of wood
I watch it as it spins
She adds the nuts and chocolate chips
Eggs and vanilla all filled within
Spinning over the mixture I see
What a delight she’ll be giving me
I watch the wooden rolling pin; spin, spin, spin.
If not for mommy’s rolling pin
No pastries would I savor
Of dough that holds delicious nuggets
Full of freshly sweet, baked flavor.
My mommy’s wooden rolling pin, now sits upon my shelf
And just for the fun of it…I’ll roll some dough myself!
By: Marla Shaw O’Neill 7/6/2015©
My Teddy Bear Moe-Care
My Teddy Bear
Sitting there upon the shelf the one I made all by myself
Is a fluffy, little brown bear, whose name is Moe-Care.
Moe-Care and I were the best of friends
He’d go wherever I’d go…
A trip outside in my wagon, Oh, I love him so…
At nighttime, my companion
He’d chase the woolies away…
Woolies are the scary ones they don’t come out in the day.
Shaking under the covers they hope to make you cry…
They tickle your toes and wiggle your nose, while all you do is sigh
But Moe-Care and I, we’d snuggle tight when the lights went out at night…
And just when I thought, I’d be swallowed up, by the woolies in my room
Moe-Care with courage, fought strong and true, to chase away the doom
So if you have a teddy bear that’s worn, whose coat is bear…
Keep him up upon the shelf…
Telling Woolies, “You better Be Wear.”
By: Marla Shaw O’Neill 7/4/2015©
The Path
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 King James Version (KJV)
The Path
The broad path, is the one I chose early in my life…
Careless times of living, not giving heed to what lay ahead,
this was the road I traveled full of misery and strife…
Anger, deceit, and treachery, companions they became
Lawless, reckless, destitute, these were my middle name……
Then something strange happened to me, I can’t begin to explain
But this much, I can tell you, I never was the same,
I changed…
A faith woman, came to town one day,
She preached a little sermon, about the straight and narrow way…
Broad is the road that leads to destruction, hear this story, she wailed…
Narrow is the road that will lead you away from Hell…
Where gnashing of teeth is heard and the worm never dies,
Listen to me, Oh sinner hear me; she cried…
Get off the road your walking, let Jesus be your guide
Follow in His footsteps they lead to eternal life!
I cried to her in anguish…
I’m a wretched, poor, lost sinner…not worthy of anything but death
She laughed and shouted, “That’s perfect, you’re the one he’s been looking for
A little lost lamb he came to save, he’s knocking at your hearts door…”
Tears that flow like a river ran down my face that day
I’ve never been the same since, now, I’m on the narrow way…
There is a way that seems right to man, but the ends thereof are death…
On the narrow path you’ll meet the one where wonders never cease…
You’ll lie down and sleep in his embrace where there’s perfect love and peace…
I’ve come to know what true life, is really all about…
on this less traveled, narrow path…
I’ll live and laugh and shout…
Broad, is the pathway, that will take you straight to Hell…
Narrow, is the pathway, walking with Jesus, he’ll show you the way out!
By: Marla Shaw O’Neill 6/17/15©
Photo by: Sallie Henry
Jesus, path finder, way maker, truth and life giver; take us by the hand today and guide us with each step we take today. Be closer than a heartbeat that we will never, ever, stray away from you. You are the only way, home! Amen!