Blessing God ~ Integrity

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Jen O'Sullivan

Integrity is the foundation of a strong person. As in most plants the base is larger than the top, or in trees the roots grow out in the same pattern as the top to give it integrity, or strength. I try, every day, to instill integrity into my own child. Those who lack wisdom, lack integrity. Children are mostly lacking in wisdom, so it is our job to guide them along. Often I feel like the blind leading the blind. My own integrity is often lacking. I catch myself all the time. It pains me when I tell a white lie or gossip or lose my temper. Our old nature is always just at the surface. It reminds me to not just live by the Spirit but to also walk by the Spirit. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25
The ease by which you are able to do things that are wrong will be a strong indicator of how your walk with God is doing. Audit yourself daily and commit yourself to starting your day in the Spirit through prayer and reading of God’s Word. You will see a marked change in your own integrity throughout your day.

“Integrity”

Let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity!
– Job 31:6

Photography by Jen O’Sullivan

Blessing God Series
Rain from the Lord
Grass in the Field
Parable of the Pearl
Rocks Cry Out
Flourish
Joy in the Thorns
Perfection
Fruit
Everything

Blessing God ~ Everything

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Jen O'Sullivan

This world was made for us. Everything in it, we are to enjoy. The sad reality is that we have brought decay and death upon ourselves. God longs for us to be right with Him again. Give your life over to him and He will give everything to you once again. He made a promise so don’t turn your back on Him because you are stubborn or worse, arrogant in thinking your way is better. Many people’s foolishness and arrogance will cause them the greatest loss they will ever know.

“Everything”

And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
– Genesis 9:3

Photography by Jen O’Sullivan

Blessing God Series
Rain from the Lord
Grass in the Field
Parable of the Pearl
Rocks Cry Out
Flourish
Joy in the Thorns
Perfection
Fruit

Blessing God ~ Fruit

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Jen O'Sullivan

What is God’s fruit and why would it be better than fine gold? I rejoice every day just thinking about what God has in store for me! Gold was the most precious thing back in the days of the writing of the Proverbs. Think about the best thing in this world you could think of. Winning the Mega Lottery? Having a 10 carrot diamond ring? Catching 10 perfect waves in one day? What is your “best thing ever” idea of life? Times that by a million and you will start to get a glimpse of what God has for you.

“Fruit”

My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
– Proverbs 8:19

Photography by Jen O’Sullivan

Blessing God Series
Rain from the Lord
Grass in the Field
Parable of the Pearl
Rocks Cry Out
Flourish
Joy in the Thorns
Perfection

Blessing God ~ Perfection

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Jen O'Sullivan

We live in a world that expects or rather demands perfection of us. From our boss to our teacher to our parents to our spouses. Some might call it excellence, but when you get right down to it, you personally work towards perfection. Even if it is just the best you can do, it is YOUR perfection. The sad thing is, the harder we try to get something perfect, we all know it is impossible. Sure you might get a perfect score on a test, but to truly make something perfect is impossible. God is the only one that is able to make things perfect. We see it all around us in nature and even see his perfection in how we are made, how we grow, and how we heal.

“Perfection”

The Mighty One, God the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.
– Psalm 50:1-2

Photography by Jen O’Sullivan

Blessing God Series
Rain from the Lord
Grass in the Field
Parable of the Pearl
Rocks Cry Out
Flourish
Joy in the Thorns

Blessing God ~ Joy in the Thorns

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Jen O'Sullivan

God has been putting me through a series of trials and tests. At one point I begged Him to give me respite. I thought, “I can’t do this anymore!” Then he blessed me. He blessed me in a way I would never have guessed. He changed my desire. Instead of changing my circumstances, the thing I kept praying for, he blessed me in the best way possible by redirecting my focus. Can you look at something you are going through right now that you are sad about, hurt by, or just don’t understand and look at it from a different perspective? Will what you are going through matter a year from now? Maybe. Will it matter 10 years from now? It might. Will it matter 100 years from now? Well, that is up to you and your Maker. If it is of this world, then it definitely will not matter 100 years from now. If it is regarding your spiritual life, you better bet it will matter 100 years from now. Change your perspective and rejoice in your trouble.
“Joy in the Thorns”

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
– James 1:2-4

Photography by Jen O’Sullivan

Blessing God Series
Rain from the Lord
Grass in the Field
Parable of the Pearl
Rocks Cry Out
Flourish

Blessing God ~ Flourish

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Jen O'Sullivan

We are so rich! Think about it. What could you do with two dollars? I have at least two dollars in change in the bottom of my purse. I have two dollars that my son ripped in half when he was a baby that I don’t quite know what to do with. How interesting it is that something as simple as two dollars for us here in America is what more than half the world lives off of a day. We are rich! Did you know that the average person living in Southern California lives off of $117 a day. Do the math. If you make over $3,500 a month you are living an above average lifestyle. If you want more on this topic, check out Francis Chan’s Sermon on this very topic.
“Flourish”

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
– Proverbs 11:28

Photography by Jen O’Sullivan

Blessing God Series
Rain from the Lord
Grass in the Field
Parable of the Pearl
Rocks Cry Out

Blessing God ~ Rocks Cry Out

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Jen O'Sullivan

How do you live your life in light of what God has given you? Are you one of those quite humble types when it comes to the name of Jesus? Do you feel that you are a great prayer warrior who loves others but allows them the right to their own opinion? You are really saying, I love you, but not quite enough to tell you about Jesus. Don’t be a lukewarm believer in Christ. For that quite form of “Christianity” Jesus has said he will literally puke out of his mouth. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound good at all. Don’t be silent!

“Rocks Cry Out”

As he was drawing near — already on the way down the Mount of Olives — the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

– Luke 19:37-40 (ESV)

Photography by Jen O’Sullivan

Blessing God Series
Rain from the Lord
Grass in the Field
Parable of the Pearl

Blessing God ~ Parable of the Pearl

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Jen O'Sullivan

Have you considered what God has offered you? Nothing compares to anything in this world than what he has for us should we choose Him. Take a look at the Parable of the Vase to see a modern day version of this beautiful parable of the pearl.

“Parable of the Pearl”

“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
– Matthew 13:45

Photography by Jen O’Sullivan

Blessing God Series
Rain from the Lord
Grass in the Field

Blessing God ~ Grass in the Field

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Jen O'Sullivan

We are so fully busy every day and every second. Ask anyone you come in contact “How are you doing?” and 9 out of 10 will say something like, “Busy” or “Swamped” or “Just waiting for my vacation” or “Looking forward to the weekend.” Is that you? Do you answer that same way? Take the next 7 days to start answering that question differently. Say, “I am so blessed!” or “How gorgeous is today?!” Take time to remind yourself of all the good that is in your life rather than dwelling on your trials.

“Grass in the Field”

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

– Matthew 6:30-34 (ESV)
Photography by Jen O’Sullivan

Blessing God Series:
“Rain from the Lord”

Blessing God ~ Rain from the Lord

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Jen O'Sullivan

We often ask God to bless us. How do we bless Him back? Through prayer and giving thanks, through reading his word, through our actions and how we relate to others, and through our talents. Here is my feeble attempt to use my God given talents to give glory back to him. Bless the Lord, Oh my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

“Rain from the Lord”

“Ask rain from the Lord
in the season of the spring rain,
from the Lord who makes the storm clouds,
and he will give them showers of rain,
to everyone the vegetation in the field.”
– Zechariah 10:1

Pink Magnolia
Photography by Jen O’Sullivan