"From Prison to Pulpit: The Divine Set Up Journey of Author Shawn O'Neill"

  • The Four Counterfeit Identities Men Chase

    Every man wants to know he matters—but too often, we build our identity on what we can achieve, prove, or control. In this post, we break down four of the most common false identities men chase—secular, moral, religious, and even shallow versions of the Christian life—and reveal why each one ultimately fails to satisfy. The…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • The Problem with Identity: Why We Feel Lost

    If we’re made in the image of God, why do so many of us feel insecure, anxious, or like we’re constantly falling short? In this post, we uncover what went wrong—how sin distorted identity, how the world and the enemy try to rewrite who we are, and why most of us are walking around with…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • The Divine Setup

    This past Wednesday at Purpose Academy in Pompano Beach, something sacred unfolded.

    Shawn O’Neill

  • The Father’s Love: A Prodigal’s Perspective from Prison to Pulpit

    From prison walls to a pulpit, my story mirrors the prodigal son’s. I ran from authority, lost everything, and hit rock bottom. But when I turned back, God didn’t wait—He ran to me. This isn’t about earning a second chance. It’s about a Father who never stopped loving me, even while I was still a…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • The Hope of Christmas: Looking Back and Moving Forward

    As the calendar nears the end of December, Christmas has come and gone, but the hope it brings remains. The promise of Christ’s birth—the light shining in the darkness—is not confined to a single day or season. It is a hope that sustains us as we step into the uncertainties of a new year. “The…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • Go Tell It: Living the Call of the Great Commission

    Go Tell It on the Mountain” isn’t just a hymn—it’s a challenge. This Christmas season, we’re called to step into the mission of the Great Commission: to proclaim the Gospel boldly, disciple others faithfully, and trust in Jesus’ presence every step of the way. Join me as we explore how to live out this call…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • Kairos Moments: When Time Stands Still

    In life, we all face moments that feel like turning points—times when everything changes in an instant. The Greeks call these Kairos moments, divinely orchestrated points where God’s timing intersects with our lives, shaping our paths in ways we could never plan. From a jail cell encounter with God to an unexpected love story at…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • The Shift from My Efforts to His Grace: Understanding True Righteousness

    This week’s blog explores the transformative journey from relying on self-effort to embracing God’s grace, emphasizing that true righteousness is found through faith in Jesus Christ, not personal achievements or good deeds. It unpacks the concept of positional righteousness—what Christ has accomplished on our behalf—and lifestyle righteousness—how we live out that grace daily. The message…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • The Power of Vulnerability – Embracing Authenticity to Heal and Connect

    The Power of Vulnerability – Embracing Authenticity to Heal and Connect In this blog post, we explore the significance of vulnerability and how it plays a crucial role in our healing and connection with others. Using the biblical story of Adam and Eve, we reflect on the natural human tendency to hide in times of…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • Running Toward Purpose: Lessons from Jonah’s Journey

    In this week’s reflection, I dive into the story of Jonah—a man who ran from God’s purpose and found himself in the belly of a fish. Like Jonah, we often resist when God calls us out of our comfort zones. But through his journey, we learn invaluable lessons about obedience, repentance, and the power of…

    Shawn O’Neill