Jess Connell

growing heavenward, by grace

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Category: Grow as a Disciple

Spiritual Abuse: Grow More Discerning and Be Less Manipulable

Posted on January 23, 2023January 23, 2023 by Jess Connell

Last fall, I unexpectedly encountered someone I haven’t seen in decades. Mercifully, it was in a crowded setting where we did not have to interact, and I don’t think he ever saw me. I didn’t even recognize him at first. But when I was young and impressionable, that person-across-the-way deeply impacted my life through manipulative…

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USING THOSE MUSCLES AGAIN

Posted on January 9, 2023January 9, 2023 by Jess Connell

Two springs ago, we were in Georgia on a road trip, and our van needed attention. Doug and Mae went into town with the van, and I spent the day with 7 of our sons on the approach trail to the Appalachian Trail. We had hiked a steep two miles uphill to see Amicalola Falls…

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KNOW YOUR BIBLE: 12 Ways to Improve Your Swordsmanship, part 2

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Jess Connell

Too often, I wait to FEEL like reading the Bible, rather than doing it wholeheartedly & seeking to grow in my understanding and dependency on God’s Word. In part 1, I shared 6 ways I’ve grown in “using my sword” (God’s Word). Here’s part 2, with 6 MORE practical ideas for you. #7- Hand-copy the…

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KNOW YOUR BIBLE: 12 Ways to Improve Your Swordsmanship, part 1

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Jess Connell

Let me something painful but honest. The truth is:  there are many days when I just don’t desire to read God’s Word. In fact, over the past few years, there have been weeks at a time where I have had almost no desire to read or study my Bible.  It’s embarrassing. But maybe you can…

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When Your Family Doesn’t “Get” Your Parenting Decisions

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Jess Connell

So you’ve decided to homeschool. Or, not allow sleepovers. You don’t watch certain kinds of movies, Or, you don’t own a TV at all. Or maybe, even though they’re Christians, you’re convicted in ways that are obviously different from the convictions they have, or had. You can feel judged. They can feel judged. They can…

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IS IT POSSIBLE to Shake Off the Materialism of Christmas?!?

Posted on December 5, 2019 by Jess Connell

Q: What do you do for Christmas celebrations? How do we get through without it being a focus on presents and stuff and food? Is it possible to shake off the materialism of this season? Sure, I have a few thoughts, in no particular order: #1- I don’t know how old your kids are, but…

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“If Every…” (a Self-Assessment for Christian Moms)

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Jess Connell

I like questions and ideas that help me be “have a sober estimate” of myself, like Romans 12:3 tells us to do. If you are a Christian mom, here are some questions you can consider, to help discern if you are being sober-minded and reasonable in your thoughts, words, and choices. Essentially, they all stem…

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Beware the Mom Idol of Affirmation

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Jess Connell

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her…” In the human heart there is a desire to be blessed, to be loved, and to feel special… As moms, we long for what we do to really MATTER and be NOTICED. Especially in this modern age, moms are desperate for notice….

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Every Mom is a Theologian

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Jess Connell

You are a theologian. And I am too. We may each be a good one, a subpar one, or a heretic, but we can’t get away from *having* a theology and bringing it to the table with each day of mothering.   Who matters most in our theology? For many moms, the person who matters…

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From One Stressed-Out Mom To Another

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Jess Connell

This was written sometime ago, TO a friend, after her incredibly stressful day, FROM me, in the middle of an incredibly stressful day of my own. I don’t know if this will be encouraging to you… but I’m in the midst of our own 36 hours of seriously high levels of stress right now (the last 18 months have…

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Recent Posts

  • “Old Age” is Coming: Who Am I Becoming?
  • Christian Fasting & Fasting for Weight Loss: Similarities & Differences
  • The Soothing, Sorrowful, Sweet Song of Extended Family
  • Evil Shepherds/Spiritually-Abusive Pastors: The Opposite of Ezekiel 34
  • HOW Did I Learn That?! Moving Beyond Toxic People & Teachings

Recent Comments

  1. Joanna on “Old Age” is Coming: Who Am I Becoming?
  2. KB on Warning: LEGALISM IS SEDUCTIVE (But It Kills)
  3. Jess Connell on Christian Fasting, for Moms
  4. Shera Walter on Christian Fasting, for Moms
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