Author Archives: Jen O'Sullivan

I am not safe!

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I am not safe! I feel like I can barely step foot outside my home for fear that I am unsafe. I long for the day that I am truly safe. That those around me would be safe… from me. I am a wrecking ball that knows no bounds. My prickly surface often snags the soft flesh of an unsuspecting bystander. My sharp fiery tongue bites and lashes out at those I love most. It is the unsafeness of myself that I am most horified by. The deep sadness inside me gnaws at my own flesh begging the question, “When Lord? When will I be safe?” His soft, loving reply is always, “Soon, my child, soon.”  

Button the Bunny

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We live in an area that is infested with rabbits. They destroy our garden and make a mess of pretty much everything. One day my son asked me, “Mom, can I have a pet bunny?” Being the economical person that I am, I set a trap in the yard. Sure enough I caught one. It was clean enough, so I took it to the vet to have it checked out, thoroughly cleaned, and to get all of its shots. I wouldn’t want to bring it into the house full of disease, now would I? I went to the pet store, bought a cute little cage house with all of the bells and whistles, and brought our new pet bunny rabbit home to my child, much to his excitement. 

The bunny was given a new name, Button. Button the Bunny was loved, played with, fed the best food, and slept on the softest bedding. Meanwhile, out in the back yard, a rebellion was forming. The other rabbits were quite upset. They were grumbling amongst themselves and questioning why Button, formerly known as Brutus, was getting all of the attention. Why did he get to sleep inside? Why was he always fat and happy? Why him and not them?

It is not about why some are going to heaven and some are going to hell. The real question is “Why are any of us going to heaven?” Do any of us deserve heaven? The answer is, “No! None of us deserve anything!” In the case of Button the Bunny, it was not about why he was chosen and none of the rest were, it was about why any of the rabbits were chosen at all. I am in charge of my own backyard, and if I choose to help a bunny, then so be it. If I choose, I can get an exterminator and eliminate them all like in the days of Noah (Genesis 7:4 and Matthew 24:38-39).

But God! God made a way to have a relationship with Him. The mystery of salvation is one that we won’t fully understand this side of Heaven. Until then, we must proclaim His Good News of Salvation to everyone knowing that it is God who does the work of Salvation through the mighty power of His Holy Spirit!

Prayer of Salvation

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As I sit here in tears, on my 11th salvation anniversary, at 4am in the morning, I am reminded of the beauty of the mercy and grace that was lavished on me 11 years ago for no reason at all other than God chose me.

At 3am, I was woken up by my husband who was quietly sobbing next to me because of the immense pain he is in. Three discs in his back are bulging from late stage diabetes and the pain is unbearable at times. I used to say I can count how many times I have seen him cry on one hand, but now it seems to be a daily occurrence. This is a difficult time for someone who never shows emotion.

We’ve been together since we were 18. If you have read my testimony you will know that I thought I was saved during those years. We were marred when we were 30. I still married him even though I though I was saved. I now understand why I did not have the strength to let go of my high school love.

People used to tell me how hard it would be since we were “unequally yolked”. What they did not understand, and what I now understand, is that we were equally yolked at the time. Our marriage was really easy in the beginning. It was not until 2013 that things drastically changed. Becoming an actual Christian, fully saved, filled, and sealed by the Holy Spirit changed everything.

Now, over 20 years of marriage later, he is still not saved and is as stubborn as ever. Tonight I told him to ask God to help him with his pain. I told him I have been praying for him too. What Tim doesn’t know is that I don’t pray that God would heal him. I pray that God would save him. His soul is of far more value than his decaying body.

If you read this, would you please pray for Tim O’Sullivan. Not for his body, but for his soul? Pray that God would grant Tim the same wonderful mercy and grace He gave to me on May 19, 2013. Pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal to him that he is a sinner, that he needs forgiveness, and he needs to be holy in front of a Holy God that he may be meeting sooner than later.

Thank you my friend! God is good, even through the valley.

Seven Ways to Let Your Light Shine

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Many Christians think the way to show our light is by simply being good and loving others. While this is a start, consider how many other religious people do the same thing. How does Christianity stand out from other world religions? It is simple. Jesus.

The following are some practical application ideas to get you started:

  1. Ask a non-believer how you can pray for them specifically.
  2. Follow up with that non-believer on their prayer request often and tell them you have been praying for them.
  3. When you are wrong in a situation, humbly apologize and ask them for forgiveness, but be clear that you are humbled by your own sin and how God has forgiven you. Colossians 3:13
  4. When someone has wronged you, pray blessings for them. Tell them you forgive them even if they have not asked for it, and even if you are still working through forgiving them. Let them know about how God has forgiven you. Matthew 5:44-45
  5. When someone tells you something hard they are dealing with, pray for them right at that moment. It could be online, in a text, or in public. Pray right away, with that person.
  6. Be a peace-maker rather than peace-keeper. Focus on resolving conflict in a loving and humble manner rather than a “I am right” manner. Find any area that you are culpable in and own up to your part in it. Share a supporting scripture verse or passage such as Romans 12:18.
  7. Seek ways to show humility. In today’s society, we all try our best to show a perfect life. Rather than show how perfect your life is, look for ways to show when you messed up and how God was the solution. Share your imperfections and allow God’s glory to shine brightly through.

Pick Up Your Cross

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Matthew 16:24-26 tells us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Jesus. I was recently asked in a group study “What practical ways can you “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus” in your life today?”

This is tough because this question often falls back on how we may have culturally read this verse. Something along the lines of being less selfish and consider what things you might sacrifice. Some people may even associate it with giving up pleasures or vices.

We always need to remember to read scripture first in its original context. The phrase “pick up your cross” in todays language might read something like “pick up your electric chair”.

The cross was a symbol of death – more specifically death row. So when the readers of that time read this sentence it had a much heavier weight.

Basically if you are to follow Christ, you are willingly going on death row. You are saying you are no longer your own. You die so Christ can live in you. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

Be blessed today as you meditate on what it means for you to personally pick up your cross and follow Jesus!

Be the Pebble

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Have you ever had a conversation with someone that was one sided? The person is so eager to get their point across that they simply make it impossible for you to respond. When you put a boulder in someone’s shoe, it stops them completely so there is no contemplation other than to remove it and disregard it. When you put a pebble in their shoe, they will most likely continue on, and work through their thoughts about that pebble.

How can you be that pebble? What is a positive witness? How does this look in today’s world? How can we share the good news of Jesus so well that people will actually respond positively?

It took me a while to understand this, as I was often “throwing pearls before swine” on social media as well as trying to talk to those I love about Jesus only to have my words land flat and ineffective.

Being bold with strangers can be easy. Being bold with loved ones may break that relationship. People respond to those they know, like, and trust. When you share the gospel with a friend or family, are you someone that they like and trust?

Here is a good way to navigate who to continue with and who to stop: are they interested at all?

When sheep are grazing in the field, there are often multiple herds grazing together. Even when they are all mixed up with other herds, any particular herd knows when it is time to go based solely on the voice of their shepherd. It is the same with people and Jesus. Those that are His will hear the call when it is time. They will hear His voice and follow Him. All you need to do is share with anyone and you will know. They will be interested or they will not.

This helps me know when to keep going and when to stop. Forcing Jesus down people’s throats never goes over well and only gives Christianity a black eye. Place pebbles in people’s shoes and love them well.

Jesus Clubbing

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Have you ever been clubbed by someone regarding their opinion? They come out of no where and club you over the head (aka aggressively share their thoughts) regarding some controversial subject like vaccines, wearing masks, abortions, global warming, and any other topic that polarizes society. Has anyone who has argued with you over an issue ever won you to the other side? Probably not.

When you club someone over the head with Jesus, they tend to not respond well. How can you master the art of persuasion?

From a secular standpoint, Harvard Business Review posted an article by Jay A. Conger titled The Necessary Art of Persuasion, where Jay states:

Effective persuasion involves four distinct and essential steps. First, effective persuaders establish credibility. Second, they frame their goals in a way that identifies common ground with those they intend to persuade. Third, they reinforce their positions using vivid language and compelling evidence. And fourth, they connect emotionally with their audience. As one of the most effective executives in our research commented, “The most valuable lesson I’ve learned about persuasion over the years is that there’s just as much strategy in how you present your position as in the position itself. In fact, I’d say the strategy of presentation is the more critical.”

How do we translate this to a Biblical world view?

  1. Establish Credibility
    Do you know the gospel message?
    Are you well versed in understanding the Bible?
    Does the person you are talking to see your life in light of Christian values?
    Does the person know, like, and trust you before you try to persuade them?
  2. Common Ground
    Have you asked them what they believe?
    Can you identify with their concerns and objectives?
    Did you, at one point, feel the same way?
  3. Use Stories
    People connect with stories rather than data and facts.
    Share your testimony.
    Share other’s testimonies.
    Relate the gospel message with storytelling in mind.
  4. Connect Emotionally
    Your ability to match the emotional state of the person you are talking to is crucial.
    How empathetic are you? (Can you share the feelings of the other person?)
    What are their fears that you can connect with?
    People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.

No one is naturally great at sharing the gospel perfectly. Some may be great at debating, others amazing at simply talking to people, while most of us flounder our way through the gospel once or twice only to give up and use the excuse that you will leave gospel-sharing to those who are gifted in that area, like pastors. Gospel-sharing is not a gift. Gospel-sharing is quite literally non-negotiable if you are a Christian. It is THE one thing Jesus commissioned us with. We are to go and make disciples.

We must practice if we are to get better. No one learned how to play the piano in a day. It takes time, repetition, and commitment. You must DECIDE you are going to practice. You must KNOW the gospel message inside and out. You must PRACTICE sharing the gospel. You must COMMIT to this practice without fear. Remember, this will take time and effort. John Maxwell said it best: “Everything worthwhile in life is all uphill.” This, my friend, is the MOST worthwhile endeavor you can embark upon!

Prepare the Way

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In Matthew 3 we see John the Baptist preaching the word, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He was considered the one Isaiah spoke about when he prophesied a voice crying in the wilderness “Prepare the way of the Lord”.

How are we, as Christians, to also prepare the way of the Lord? I believe this is speaking to how we are to share the gospel with others. It’s easy to do all the things that check the boxes of Christianity like read the Bible, pray, go to church, but the difficult part is the prep work required for us to be the salt and light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Salt is a preservative. How am I preserving the gospel message on a daily basis? Not only preaching it to myself, but also preaching it to those around me? John the Baptist “prepared the way of the Lord” by telling everyone and anyone who would listen to repent! 

We are to be the light. Light illuminates the darkness yet also helps show the way. We are called to “go and make disciples”. This is the great commission. The Bible does not tell us to sit in our cozy homes and just pray for people. Beautiful are the feet of those that bring good news. (Isaiah 52:7)

How are you preparing the way of the Lord today, tomorrow, and this week?

Biblical Foundations

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We will be working through “Biblical Foundations” in the month of February. This is a Bible study for groups or one-on-one discipleship. If you would like to follow along, you may join our women’s only Roots & Fruits group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootsfruits

Download the study here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/38fa9813-7702-4b44-b0d7-c0e283371c62

Goals

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Every year at this time we set out to change things for next year. What goals have you set in place? How long do you think you can keep them going?

In order to make a true shift in your ability to make something actually happen, you must commit by changing or updating your identity. The number one goal we should all have this year is to get a few steps closer to Jesus. Our whole world becomes clearer and calmer when we abide in Jesus and His Word abides in us!

Who are you? What is your identity? If your identity is found in Jesus, then let the following five commitments be our battle cry this year:

  1. I am committed to having a “learner’s spirit” (a desire to learn Jesus).
  2. I am committed to examine my life honestly in light of the Bible only and not the world.
  3. I am committed to comparing myself to the Bible rather than to others.
  4. I am committed to obeying God, in all circumstances.
  5. I am committed to Biblically prepare myself for trials and tribulation this year and learn through them as I lean on the Word of God. 

With these five commitments in mind, our one, over-arching commitment should be to read the Bible often and thoroughly. Be blessed through God’s love letter to you!