Dear Jennifer…
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124 Responses to “Thank You, Jennifer!”
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Thank you Jennifer for the opprotunity to get to know you! I loved it that you appeared on our Blog during this study for a personal message. I considered that a cool momment of the study.
We did the summer study at work. It has been several years since we have done a Bible study and we have had new women come to work there that joined this time as well as friends that was missing getting together. The thing that they cherish is having a place to talk about what is going on in their lives. And Jennifer, Me, Myself and Lies is a perfect forum to do that. After all we are talking about what women are thinking about. We could never exhust that subject!
There is one of our ladies in particular that has been completely overcome with bad distructive "mind movies". More than anything, Me, Myself and Lies, made her realize that she was totally caught up a full closet of negative, hurtful self talk that was affecting her and her family.
She emailed me last week that she had two days of staying out of her thought closet which we all considered a hugh first step.
Thank you for the love you show to us by writing this study and helping us to turn our bad thoughts into praise of our magnificant loving God.
Paula
Tulsa Office Study
Hey Jen,
This study was such an eye-opener for me. I finally realized that because I had believed the lie, "Things are never going to change," I really didn't believe I needed to make better choices.
One of my biggest issues was going to food instead of God when I was upset. I believed that what I put in my mouth wasn't really important and it wouldn't affect my health. And because it didn't seem to affect me when I was younger, I was deceived into thinking that it never would.
I just want to thank you so much for letting the Lord use you in the writing of this study. I especially appreciate your sharing of the embarrassing moments. Don't we all wish people didn't know certain things about us?
"We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by the hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV
Dear Jennifer,
I am truly, like thousands of others, so very thankful to you for writing this study and for all you do. I have mentioned my thankfulness for you more than once on my blog. I really liked when you quoted the wise penguin from Happy Feet, and then you made sure to make it Biblical and say "God's power"!
I am going to attempt to use your study with high school girls, doing 1 day a week, 1 week's lesson a month, only meeting once a month. I am excited that they are excited about continuing to meet together.
I have to say Thank you to your Dr. Phil, too, for his answer to my email and for all he does.
Thank you again for everything you do!
Jennifer–
I knew as soon as I heard the title of your study that I had to do it. I did it solo,but will be teaching a group at my church this fall. It was amazing and has pinpointed some real needs for closet cleaning. Thank you for your faithfulness to His Word.
Janae
Dear Jennifer,
God has used this study to re-train my mind….to make me aware of what clutters the racetrack in my mind. I have been changed by the power of re-learning how to actively apply His truth to my heart….thought by thought. It's so simple, yet SO difficult for a stubborn-obsessive gal like me.
Praise the Lord He hasn't left me this way!
Thank you!!!
Dear Jennifer,
Just yesterday I received an e-mail from one of our group members who wrote, "This study is GREAT! Does she have any others?" I am passing that compliment on to you and praying that just as Beth said, God will shower blessings on you for all that has been accomplished in the lives of women through your Me, Myself and Lies Bible study. God has truly transformed my own mind this summer. As someone who has battled depression off and on the last ten years, your revelation that hopelessness is the root of depression has set me free! "In Christ Alone, My Hope is Found" is the song I am singing.
Thank you, Jennifer!
Terry
Louisa, VA
Jennifer, I began this study with thoughts of impressing my children and other's who have doubted my computer savy-ness in the past, but that was all about to change- "I'm doing a bible-blog study"! Oh! the joy this humble(?)heart felt when their eyebrows raised and I could see the look of admiration, EVEN IF tinged with some doubt, on their faces. Let's just say I didn't have the purest of motivation…. it would be something to keep me in the Word fresh for the summer, right? riiight…you can sense the construction zone signs popping up…. True to God's nature and His Word through your guidance, and Beth's contribution, I have come to see how very much my closet needed an extreme divine makeover & transplant, a radical surgery. Purposed to expose the cancerous thoughts of apathy towards my self-talk and reveal my spirit of complaining (however righteously I try to mask it)and its root of entitlement. God is so loving and compassionate that even a heart that is so buried in outward adornment and temple worship is a heart He is after. Thank you God for your passion for me that while I am yet a sinner you sent your Son to be sin so that I might become the righteousness of God! That, seistas, shakes the ground I'm standing on!
Thank you Jennifer for following God's prompting on your heart. Keep it up! He is using you to help us press in and seek Him!
'Thank you' doesn't seem adequate enough for the depths I've reached through this study! You were able to encourage a search of that particular shelf of my heart that I've never done before. We always taught our children to think positively, look for the good in others, never say "I can't" and try something new for at least two weeks and know that God would lead them on the path that was right for them. BUT I realized that I don't practice what I teach. I'm now listening to those little God tho'ts and praying before I speak. I have to say, it's working!
Beth has done a wonderful job in bringing out some great highlights in this study for us to discuss! Sorry, Beth, I guess those hair terms are just natural with us Siestas!
Although I've done this study alone I definitely feel that my husband of 37 years has benefited from it. Thank you, Jennifer, so much for sharing this gift God has placed in your thought closet.
In God's amazing love,
Bobbie
Hi Jennifer,
I have truly received from your study this summer and so appreciate your writing it for us. I am a teacher starting back for the school year tomorrow, and I can tell you that I have some wonderful "school supplies" to take back with me this year! You know, things like Water Words, attitudes of gratitude, hope, and even a song to sing to my soul! And of course, I know Jesus is already there, preparing the way as I prepare the classroom. So thank you, dear Jennifer, for sharing yourself with us this summer- it has been wonderful.
Love,
Fran McCurry
Gulf Shores, AL
Thank you for reminding me that Satan goes after the solitary and silent. Sometimes I tend to think that being strong and not allowing others to know my "stuff" is Godly. However, through your study I was reminded of the importance of accountability and sharing with my sisters how they can best pray for me in my circumstances. I know that people need to see and experience me being real so that they can see how God is working in and through me in the midst of challenges. Thank you for your faithfulness in speaking God's Word to us through this study. It was life altering!
Jennifer, I so appreciate your words of encouragement to expose the lies of the enemy and the lies we sometimes tell ourselves. I've been fighting a raging physical (illness) that at times, has left me extrememly weak and very vulnerable to the enemies lies of despair and hopelessness. Your words have helped eased my suffering. Please pray for me.
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for your keen insight. I started this study only because it's the one Beth picked. I had absolutely no idea I had any issues in my thought closet that needed to be addressed. Turns out, I had (have) a lot of junk stuffed in there; I am just adept at keeping the door closed.
At first I was angry because I had a perfectly wonderful self-image before I started, and through you, God showed me that I was hiding behind a false self-image (lies) and I needed to come to terms with reality. Not something I wanted to hear. And I don't mean I have somehow come to loathe myself or anything – I just am learning how to be truthful about myself and still be ok. I'm still cleaning out the closet, but it's a good thing now.
I guess I was afraid of what was in there (spiders maybe?), but I'm over that now and just trying to get it done! Maybe one day, I'll even be able to leave the door open without being embarassed! Thanks so much. God bless!
Dear Jennifer,
I actually have not done your study yet, but plan to soon, as my BFF and I were in the middle of Psalms of Ascent when this started. But I followed along on this blog, and the thing that is huge to me is: "You are not what you struggle with!" That hit me in so many places, and still does.
Also I am reading your book "What I Learned in the Light," at the same time that my friend and I listened to the first video of Beth's "Inheritence" study, and the next thing I read was the exact same thing Beth had been talking about, the adventure and the ride of our lives with Jesus! God is truly amazing and incredible in the way He shares His love with us and teaches us what we need, right when we need it.
Thanks so much for sharing your life and His love,
Love, karen:):)
Thank you Jennifer, what a blessing to share in your study this summer- in Texas, "The Long Hot Summer"- my color is yellow- I do pray to shine as a result of my Lord's divine energy- your words and study have certainly helped transform black thought patterns into radiant color. Blessings
Jennifer,
This study has taught me so many things. Beth asked us to be specific, so I want to tell you one thing in particular that God has shown me through this study. It is humbling, to say the least. My husband is a minister, and I see God use Him in amazing ways. Over the years, I have served a little bit here and there, but I've always felt that tugging to do more. I have come up with all kinds of excuses, but this study has shown me that the root of my hesitance is pride. Plain and simple. I am scared to do anything because I am always thinking of how it will make ME look. I conclude that I will probably not look good enough…that I will fail in some way and look silly…and thus I just don't do it. What I thought was being shy or having low self-esteem is actually pride. YIKES. Instead of trusting God to bring glory to His name, I have been thinking of only myself. Just discovering that has already brought me a measure of freedom. Honestly, I had no idea it was a problem! Now God is really working on me, and my continual prayer is for my pride to be removed.
Thank you Jennifer!
Thank you Jennifer for this amazing ride with our Heavening Father through your study! I have loved getting to know you and you are indeed one of my favorite Bible study teachers.
I did the study solo and learned that my thought closet was full of negative/hurtful self talk that was hurting my walk with the Lord. Thank you for pointing out God's truths in helping me to do some much needed cleaning! You are truly one of God's vessels.
Blessings to you and yours!
Cindy – Lake City, FL
Dear Jennifer…
All I can say is that I love you. You have blessed me more than you can ever know. I am so thankful that you live your life in obediance to God which allows Him to work through you and touch our lives. You are a blessing!
In His Love,
Lauren
Jennifer, Thank You! God for sure has used this study in my life this summer. I am amazed at how much untruth we speak to ourselves. Thank you for, "Who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing". (I think this going to have to go on the bathroom mirror, so that I can see it every morning!)
One thing that I think God really brought to my attention is that if my self-talk can be so destructive to me, that how I talk to others can just as destructive (or positive) in their lives, too!
It so awesome when God uses others, like yourself, to share things with us to help us become more like the "shinig stars" we are to be. Thank you!!
Jennifer, Thank you so much for this amazing study.! Every Bible study I do, my goal is have my life changed in at least one way. You have taught me to replace those "what if's with WHAT IS" and the difference is huge !! I catch myself starting to fret or worry, I hear the Spirit say is this and is or an if?? WOW Blessings to you and your family.
thanks and love
Jill
PS I too am going to lead this study as a larger group in my church. Every woman needs these truths!
Dear Jennifer,
I just loved this study. It was also one of the hardest I had ever done. I also loved using some of the highlights of each day as devotionals with my daughters who are 9 and 12. They loved it. I sometimes just had them go back and read over the list of truths on page 36. Just such a beautiful reminder.
Thank you for reminders and fresh insights to how the enemy works, and the lessons on hope and helplessness which were huge for me…and oh I could go on and on.
But I also want to share that your confession on Day 1 of Week Four really convicted me of the condition of my stove top. I thought they were clean, but really…after that lesson all I could think of was if Jennifer was here and ran her hands across my stove…what would she be thinking? So needless to say I am reminded of my thought closet now everytime I am in my kitchen which is a lot. Thank you so much. I need visual and it's a great reminder of keeping something clean is easier when tended to daily.
I really look forward to doing another study of yours.
Thank you again for being such a blessing.
Love in Christ,
Michelle van de Ven
Woodstock, Vermont
Thank you, Jennifer, for this Bible study, Me, Myself & Lies. This study came about just when I needed it! I especially liked the times you gave us specific Scripture to use to renounce some of the lies we tell ourselves. Having them right there in front of me showed me the impact God's Word can have in my thought closet. Specifically, I'm thinking of when you listed those statements, "When the lion roars…." and then you gave us Scriptures to counter his roar. I typed out those statements and Scriptures to use against the enemy of my soul! It was a pleasure getting to know you these past weeks. May God continue to richly bless you. Your "siesta" in Christ!
Thank you so much Jennifer for sharing the lessons you have learned with us. Thank you for speaking the hard truth and guiding us through some tough homework.
I am so blessed and so grateful to have learned more about God and through the way He spoke to me through your study.
Thank you for being a willing servant of his. My thoughts have changed and I am much more able to catch the lies.
God bless,
Heather
Thank you Jennifer! We have loved this study! Well, we've mostly loved it – except when it's hard and convicting (which it usually is!) and then we love it because we know God is using it to do a good work in us. Thank you for being the tool God is using to shape us and conform us to the image of Jesus!
Keep challenging us. Your faith, honesty and courage inspire us and make us want to press in to know Him more.
Praying that God will continue to speak to you!
Blessings upon blessings to you!
Vicki for the Chehalis, Washington Siestas!
I'm not sure where to begin to put into words how meaningful and timely this study has been! There are so many things that God has used you to teach me, and I am trusting Him to keep me from forgetting them.
Today I purchased spiral bound index cards for each member of my small group and for the other 2 members of my family. We are going to fight the enemy's lies by internalizing TRUTH, and I am going to work especially hard on identifying faulty assumptions and thinking with my feelings. I feel like I'm going to need to review each week's material again after the formal study time is concluded, in order to remember everything that you so lovingly packed into each lesson.
Thank you for pursuing a life of Truth and for guiding the rest of us into its Light as well!
Jennifer,
Thank you for writing this Bible study and participating in it with us! I have learned so much over this summer, and I will be more on guard over my thought closet thanks to you! I pray that God will continue to bless you and your ministry for many years to come. You are truly a blessing!
Love, Joan
Thank you Jennifer for being such a faithful servant of God! This study has touched us all so much. Together we have opened our hearts and shared so much from our lives. We have also actively shared how this "cleaning our thought closets out" is affecting our lives.
For me personally, God has spoken so much to my heart. There is one thing that he has truly spoken to me, through your study and through the Word. God commands us to listen to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent to us to guide us and we get so busy we don't hardly pay attention. I need to be still, fill my thought closet with his Word and be led by the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your stewardship of Christ.
God Bless you and your family.
Your Sister in Christ,
Lori
Jennifer, thank you so much for the study. I have always realized that my thoughts are my biggest issue. But this is the first that I have thought about the lies are from Satan. Thank you! I will be seeing you on August 21-22 at Sevier Heights in Knoxville. Already have my tickets and I am so excited.
Brenda in Knoxville
Jennifer,
Thank you for this amazing, life-changing study! And it truly was life-changing. Through working with a counselor and working hard at your study, God has brought transformation and healing to my mind and my heart in ways I never believed possible. But I believe now!
And then to have the privilege to hear you speak at the Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference on Saturday night…WOW!!! To thank you and hug you and have you sign my Bible study book was just one of the sweetest gifts God has ever given me.
Bless you,
Deb
Thank you, Jennifer, for pressing my mind to go to places it never wanted to go and deal with stuff that I was unaware was eating away at me, like an ugly worm.
Thank you, Jennifer, for pouring out yourself to teach the Word and to share the word-pictures that God gives you so wonderfully. You are a dear woman of God and though you do not know me, you have walked some important parts of my journey with me–impacting my life and my family's life, even future generations.
Love you so much!! Praying for your daily strength and joy.
Love,
Holly in Monument, CO
This study has been an answer to prayer. Before hearing about MM&L, my prayer for this year was for God to reveal the roots of who I really am. Boy, your study hit me right between the eyes!!! (in a good way). The theme in my life last year was to replace my "lies" with God's truth…i.e., if I don't feel loved, I quote Isaiah 43:1-5….putting Phillipians 4:8 in action….thinking about what God says is true, not what I feel or allow others to tell me…I have always wanted Rom 12 to be true in my life: to have a sane estimate of myself….and God is really working that out this year, using your study. I thank you for giving me a tool to really delve into God's truth and allowing His light to shine to reveal what I have stuffed down and crammed into the corners of my heart or closet. You have been a huge blessing for me and I thank God for your ministry and this study.
Thank you Jennifer for your willingness to be transparent and to love us through this study. It is an amazing work and I loved every day and every minute. You are so blessed in your gift.
Dear Jennifer,
You cannot possibly know how God has used this study for good in my life. It came at God's perfect timing and corresponded with some topics that we have been studying in church recently from the book of Ephesians such as taking out the trash in our lives.
Our ladies' group at church is in need of a Fall bible study and I have recommeded this one to our pastor's wife. I just know that it will be good for so many others in our church body that struggle with some of the same things I do.
One thing that stuck with me from this study comes from Ephesians 2:10 – I am a Craftsman's tool (get it?…. a Craftsman tool). I giggle everytime I think about this verse. God surely does have a sense of humor! I am reminded that I have work to do and cannot give up no matter what dirt is in the thought closet or how weary this temple becomes.
Thank you again for this wonderful study. May God richly bless you as you continue in service to Him!
Jennifer,
You are an inspiration to me. Your study has challenged me and set me free from negative thought patterns. God is doing a great work in my mind this summer (even with my kids home ALL day)!Thank you for your obedience in learning this yourself and passing it along!Love you!!
Jenny from VA
Jennifer,
Thank you for appearing on the blog in your personal message. It was great to see you! 🙂 After I finish a Bible Study, I always feel like I'm budies with the author because of the intimacy that entails. So it was nice to have you talk back! Ha.
I did this study solo and when I started, I thought "oh this doesn't pertain so much to me". Boy was I wrong. It's not necessarily about your self esteem but about the fact that we have to speak truth to our souls. I think that's the main thing I'm taking away from this study – to speak truth to my soul. And when I do that, it honors God. I didn't realize (until doing this study) just how much junk and lies I tell myself or allow to linger in my thought closet. Thanks for bringing it to light and for reminding me the importance of dwelling on truth.
Thanks!
Becky in TN
Jennifer ~ Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for preparing this particular study. It has been very difficult for me but in the best way. God has used it to reveal outdated, ugly clothes hanging in my thought closet. HE has shown me my tendency to go for the threadbare old baggy sweats when the evening gown would be so much more becoming. There were polyester suits and mu-mu's in my wardrobe – UGH!!!! I didn't have a clue. I thought I was looking mighty fine in my '80s shoulder pads and bright colors.
With your astute guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit, I've done a closet overhaul. Soft shades of blues and greens of tranquility have replaced the harsh and overpowering reds and oranges of anger and resentment. Beautiful pinks and purples of joy and trust in the Lord despite trying times have replaced ugly monotones of anxiety and fear.
My prayer is to keep my closet clean and not let junk pile up. May you be flooded with blessings.
Love,
Leigh
Montgomery, AL
Jennifer, thank you so much for writing this study!!! It has been one of the highlights of my summer!
The truths I learned about my own messy thought closet vs. what God's Word has to say to me have been enormous!
For me, the culmination of all I've learned came in the 2nd last chapter when I was confronted with my feelings of entitlement. God spoke to me hugely about that.
God bless you and your ministry! I pray that it'll continue to grow and flourish and that God will touch many lives through you.
Judi – Bradford, ON, Canada
Oh yes, as a P.S. to my comment, I meant to tell you that we did our study as a "Blog group" (on another blog) and we had women participate from all over the U.S. and Canada, and also one young woman from Nepal!! It truly was a blessing to study God's Word with so many women of different backgrounds, denominations, locales and customs!!!
Thanks Jennifer, I did this study solo but gained so much about what's wrong with my thought closet. Hopefully, I will remember and change my wardrobe! Thank you thank you, thank you!!!You are such a blessing to all women who need a change of thoughts!!!
To my new friend Jennifer,
Thanks so much for this study !
I loved so much about it, but the most timely and helpful was the part on the sons of korah. Let's just say that seeing them as gate keepers after a sinful family line gave me alot of hope.
Love your work ,
Jill
Dear Siesta Jennifer,
I do praise the Lord for this study and give thanks that He laid this message on your heart for a Bible study! It is absolutely life changing to change the way we think. From old ways of thinking to the new. Know that He has used this study to change me too. I've written down my truthful labels and their support verses. Knowing who I am now in Him is a major part of the battle!
Many blessings to you, Love in HIM,
katiegfromtennessee
Jennifer,
First of all I thank God for your creativity–to come up with "thought closet make-over"!! How perfect. 🙂 I loved the OT examples all the way through the study–thanks for doing your homework. I was challenged constantly but to highlight just one or two, I'd say I had never really taken the time to consider what constructive learning my bad memories held for me. Thanks for making me do that! And, Debora's song "march on oh my soul!" Wow. I write songs too and it made me think, "That's one I need to sing–I need to write it!" Thankfully, there are many in our Christian heritage already. Lastly, the woman with the issue of blood; her thoughts led to actions that led to Christ. I want my thoughts and actions to always lead me to Him. Just a great charge. Thank you!
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for taking the time, the energy, the prayer, the thought processes and everything that must go into preparing a study like this. It ministered to me hugely and I often wonder if people who write Bible Studies write while asking themselves if they are only writing for themselves and no one else.
Please know that this one woman benefited so very much and I am so blessed.
Specifically, I want you to know that the colors of the thought closet was one of the most freeing things I have ever done. When I went to color mine, I realized that half the closet was dark and cave-like, and, something I have never entered. I actually stopped myself and just stared at the page.
I felt the Lord saying, "Even the dark is not dark to me," and urging me to go in.
I won't go into all the details, but I want you to know that I did go in there with the Lord that morning. I went holding his hand, and oddly, yours too. We spent quite a bit of time in there beause there was much to clean up and much to speak truth too.
And now, it is not dark and cave-like anymore. I painted it the warmest color of yellow I could find.
Blessings to you
Dear Jennifer
I loved doing the bible study, i learned a lot and appreciated your easy style of writing and sharing. thank you so much!
Monica
Dear Jennifer – I'm only 2 weeks into your study & already God has used you to teach me so much! I had no idea that I thought of myself as unremarkable! The ensuing behavior from that thought is ridiculous – from lying in an attempt to appear like something more to just plain foolishness. It's truly a break through to realize I speak such dreadful things over myself. Looking forward to the next four weeks!
– Shannon
PS – I did something cool with the girls in my small group. I sent them to Wordle.net the first week of the study to create word clouds from their "I am" discriptors on Day 1. It was really cool to see those words laid out in that format.
PPS – my security word is "UNCHANT" and I just couldn't resist. I'm going to "unchant" the lies I speak to myself.
Thank you so much, Jennifer for guiding us (along with our Siesta Mama, of course!) down this oft-untraveled path. I knew that I was not always kind to myself, but I learned things that will certainly shape my future. I am working on "marching on" in some aspects and "waiting" in others. God's goodness was again evident in His provision of this study and my mother-in-law's participation. Though she and I were already close, this has brought a new dimension to our relationship that we are truly grateful for! Thank you, Jennifer!
P.S. Maybe you can be crowned an honorary Siesta Mama! 🙂
Thank you with love in my heart, for digging into my thought closet. The study has changed my thought pattern from horizontal thinking (Me first) to vertical thinking (God first). Thank you for posting on the blog and for supporting my efforts to inspire women.We had over 8,000 visitors during our online "Small Group" study- Amazing! In Jesus name we are blessed by authors who walk by faith, thank you Jennifer.
Moderators: Please include a photo of a flower bouquet for the Thank You!
Jennifer–
Thank you sweetie, I did this study by myself, and learned some things that I had no idea about.
The one biggest thing I want to thank you for is this;
You reminded that I am precious to Him. Jennifer, I had forgotten that for a long time. No wonder my mind was in such a mess there for a season.
I'm precious to Him… Praise the Lord. And so are you.
I hope you have a great rest of the summer.
Becky
Brentwood TN
Jennifer thank you,
I am way behind, I have had every reason not to do the study. I think satan really doesn't want me to do it. But I have slowly progressed and boy is it relevant to me. I call myself fat and ugly all the time (it makes me sad to write this) Anyway I am working on changing my dialog to myself. Thank you again.
Liz
Jennifer,
This study was so much fun. It was also very challenging. I knew there were some things in my closet that needed to be removed, but I had gotten so comfortable with them. I appreciate you for encouraging me to closely examine the contents of my closet. I am prayerful that I can now appreciate what my Father has given me versus what the devil wants to convince me of.
Praise God for growth! May He bless you richly.
Kim