You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. — Genesis 50:20 The story of Joseph in the Bible has always been one of my favorites. You can find the whole tale starting in Genesis 37:1. If you’re not familiar with…
Take Vulnerability Too Far
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. — 2 Corinthians 4:7 VULNERABLE A few years ago, I learned about the difference between transparency and vulnerability. They sound similar and may even look alike from the outside, but the motivation and…
Dance Stand Run: Let’s Go Back
It’s okay if we’ve had some misconceptions about grace, holiness, and mission. But it’s time for us to go back to the beginning of our faith and sort them out. ✦ Suggested Reading in Dance, Stand, Run: Intro, Chapter 1 (To be read by facilitator) Intro Ladies, friends, sisters: are you ready? This week, we’re…
You Are the Girl for the Job: Let’s Quit
GROUP STUDY WELCOME NOTE FROM JESS (2 MINUTES) Leader, read Note from Jess aloud to the group. Friends! I am so excited to be with you, to grow with you, over the next six weeks. There’s no getting around it. I believe God is going to change each of us, change our lives, and change…
Your Weakness Is Real
God Has the Last Word in Your Weakness Your weakness is real. But I don’t believe in blaming or hiding, unless it’s in the Cross of Christ. As we take steps forward, believing He’s placed us here on purpose for the good of others and the glory of God — we cannot go boldly and…
Let’s See Other People
Do you love personality tests? I love personality tests. Myers-Briggs, DISC testing, even the one that classifies you as an animal (I’m a lion, by the way). My favorite two are the Enneagram and the Fivefold Ministry Test. I’m an eight on the Enneagram and a Prophet on the Fivefold, and these two things help…
Even If You Don’t Know a Lot About the Bible
Give us today our daily bread. — Matthew 6:11 My short-term memory and my long-term memory could not be more different. I can remember minute details of stuff that happened in the 1980’s. I’m one of those weirdos who has really distinct memories of things I shouldn’t be able to remember. I can describe houses…
Even When You Don’t Feel Near to God
You are near, LORD, and all Your commands are true. — Psalm 119:151 I always used to ask God to be near, but recently I’ve tried to shift my prayers a little. I don’t think it’s wrong to ask Him to be near, and I certainly don’t think He gets annoyed if we do even though…
Even When You’re Worn Out: Always Enough, Never Too Much
Even When You’re Worn Out by Jess The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. — Psalm 23:1-3 Shepherds are tough mamma-jammas. There are still shepherds today — did you know that? There aren’t too many in America,…
The Easter that was a Disappointment
We sat beside each other in the back of the church, with our knees touching and our deflated hearts mirroring the same overwhelming discouragement. Everyone else sat in front of us, their backs to us as they sang the last few worship songs, oblivious to the spiral of defeat we were swirling in a few…
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