And now, here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to start all over again. I’m taking her back out into the wilderness where we had our first date, and I’ll court her. I’ll give her bouquets of roses. I’ll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope. — Hosea 2:14 MSG “Jess is hard on…
What Kind of Woman?
Editor’s note: The following excerpt is from one of our favorite books of this past year. It is powerfully insightful, it is fun and inspirational, and it is filled with heart-pumping Hope. You Are the Girl for the Job by Jess Connolly will spur you on in the belief of the most foundational truth –…
Why Body Image Is a Spiritual Issue
I’m grateful you’re here. I believe healing is available for us. I believe our culture is ripe for revival as it pertains to seeing our bodies in light of God’s kingdom. I’m literally praying for you. Let’s get started. I was riding in the back of one of my parents’ cars; I can’t quite…
Breaking Free from Body Shame: Hope and High-Waisted Jeans
Do you remember the first time you encountered someone whose perception of her body was not in line with culture in the best way? The first time you met someone who lived in radical freedom, acceptance, or abundance as it pertains to her body? Did you notice another mother playing hard on the beach with…
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…
Worship on a Mission
We don’t have to look too far to see beautiful, vibrant examples of people who took God at His Word regarding their respective missions, because they’re literally everywhere. But I want to go straight to my favorite source for an intentional reason. If we want to see a good example of someone using what they’ve…
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…
A Passionate Life
When the hour came, Jesus and His apostles reclined at the table. And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the Kingdom of God.” — Luke 22:14-16 We can’t afford to play small right…
Take Patience Too Far
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…