Jess Connell

In Part 1, we talked about: the unreliability of basing our identity on seasons, or characteristics about us the way we are all geared toward identity idolatry (feeling that what we do/choose is the same as who we are) and the way God – in kindness – seeks to shake us loose of that. And…

In Part 1 we discussed- the unreliability of basing our identity on seasons, or characteristics about us the way we are all geared toward identity idolatry (feeling that what we do/choose is the same as who we are) and the way God – in kindness – seeks to shake us loose of that. Ultimately, there…

On Twitter, (in April 2016) New York City Pastor Tim Keller was asked: “What are the false gods of our society?” Part of his reply was– “the myth that you can choose your own identity.”  He is absolutely right. Sister, this is the one of the great lies of our age: “you get to pick…

One thing that amazes me, the longer I live as a Christ-follower, is the unpredictable way of humans as they interact with Jesus.  Some who appear to start out burning bright for Jesus– fall away and disassociate themselves from Him and His people. Some who seem weak and needy persevere and the light of their light grows…

Recently I was able to get away for a glorious (and gloriously quiet!!) week alone. [If you don’t know, I have 9 children, ages 19 down to 2 years old, and I’ve been a stay-home, homeschooling mom for the duration of those years.] For most of my life, getting away like this has been an impossibility,…

When you experience pain inflicted upon you by those claiming the name of Christ, especially by those in leadership in a Christian community, ministry organization, or church, it can turn everything topsy-turvy. What is true? What is right? Did that really happen? Am I losing my mind? Who can I trust? Can I ever trust…

First: If you are suffering under spiritual abuse, or have recently left a spiritually abusive situation, I want to encourage you– not minimize or question what you experienced. For the purposes of this article, spiritual abuse is defined (by Got Questions) as: To “abuse” is to use something or someone to bad effect or for…

As our winding story nears yet another “bend,” our necks are craned, but we can’t (YET) see which direction the river flows from here. Within a week, we are scheduled to hear back from the “committee” whose decision will either send our boat down one leg of the river: running a family business each summer in Colorado…

One of the last things our son wanted to do as a family, before leaving for bootcamp, was watch Master and Commander. I’m not generally a fan of Russell Crowe, but that movie is phenomenal. Many times over, it’s clear: it’s not human cunning, nor the battle plan, but providence, that guides one’s path along…