Jennifer Slattery is the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, and in that capacity, helps women embrace and live out who they are in Christ, find healing and restoration in His unfailing love, and enjoy the deep emotional and spiritual freedom only He can provide. She loves interacting with women and women’s group on a personal level and speaks locally and nationally on topics pertinent to women juggling all the demands and uncertainties in today’s fast paced, ever-changing culture. (You can find out more about her speaking endeavors HERE.)
Read her latest blog post HERE. Connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
As a multi-published author, Jennifer also has a deep love for story and all things creative. She writes Christian living articles for iBelieve, blogs for Crosswalk, and podcasts for Salem Web Communications. When not writing, you’ll likely find her at one of Omaha’s many coffeehouses. She and her team also share content on the YouVersion Bible reading App and Back to the Bible’s reading app.
Looking to book her for your next event? Contact her HERE for more information.
Check out her podcasts, Faith Over Fear, hosted by Jennifer & the Wholly Loved podcast team & Your Daily Bible Verse, cohosted with Grace Fox:
Check out her video devotions:
Jennifer’s Books
Coming February, 2024 …
What she’s always wished for… might be right here at home.
When she loses her job, professional dancer Harper Moore returns to her Texas hometown with one goal in mind—leaving again. But first she needs money for her big move, even if that means working for her ex-boyfriend. CJ Jenkins is certain he can help the single mom and keep his still-bruised heart intact. But as old feelings resurface, can they let go of the past for a new dream together?
Preorder HERE
Falling for the Family Next Door:
The home he doesn’t want could become the family he needs.
Returning home to sell his mother’s struggling farm, Tyler Reyes doesn’t expect the new neighbor to ruin his plans. But when Daria Ellis’s ATV rentals damage the property, working on repairs with the single mom is the only option. Soon the simple agreement turns into kids’ riding lessons and family dinners. With his deadline looming, Tyler knows his biggest challenge will be leaving Texas with his heart intact.
Grab your copy HERE.
Her Small Town Refuge:
To secure the future she’s been wishing for, she must earn her boss’s trust.
Escaping to the Texas Hill Country with her daughter for a vet tech internship is Stephanie Thornton’s chance at a safer life. But when medicine goes missing from Caden Stoughton’s struggling vet clinic, all evidence points to Stephanie. With the new life she’s been searching for hanging in the balance, Stephanie must convince Caden to trust her with his business…and his heart.
Grab your copy HERE.
She needs his help …
But can she trust him again?
After she inherits her uncle’s mismanaged ranch, single mom Rheanna Stone’s not sure she can also handle saving abused horses from a nearby property. So when rancher Dave Brewster offers to stay in town to help, she can’t say no—even if he left her once before. As they grow closer, old secrets are uncovered…but can they heal past heartbreak to give themselves a new beginning?
Building a Family
Creating a circle of love together…
Can love for two little matchmakers
unite their reluctant hearts?
Worried that Noah Williams is still the reckless bull rider she remembers, Kayla Fisher is convinced he isn’t the right person to care for their orphaned niece and nephew. Now she’s back home, determined to fight for custody. But Noah is a changed man, and he intends to prove it. When Noah and Kayla start falling for each other, could raising the children together be the perfect solution?
Grab your copy HERE.
She’s home again, but not for long…Unless this cowboy recaptures her heart
Returning home with a baby in tow, Paige Cordell’s determined her stay is only temporary. But to earn enough money to leave, she needs a job—and her only option is working at her first love’s dinner theater. With attraction once again unfurling between her and Jed Gilbertson, can the man who once broke her heart convince her to stay for good?
She left belief behind…Yet this family could change her mind
With two boys to raise, a fledgling contracting business to run and a family ranch to keep afloat, widower Drake Owens finds his hands aren’t just full—they’re overflowing. When Faith Nichols is hired to help him renovate the church, he’s drawn to the beautiful artist, but he can’t fall for a woman who isn’t a believer. Can love restore her faith…and his heart?
Unshakable Unbreakable Joy 10-Week Bible Study (FREE in ebook form)
Joy. We all want it, and in Christ, we can all have it. Regardless of our circumstances, our blessings or challenges, we can have unshakable unbreakable joy in Christ. And this joy begins by understanding what true biblical joy is, where it comes from, and how we can best cultivate this precious spiritual gift.
We can experience unshakable, unbreakable joy no matter the situation because true biblical joy isn’t dependent on our circumstances. Joy is a gift God gives us come to know Him better and deepen our intimacy with Him. This study helps women experience the abiding joy of an ever-deepening relationship with Christ and reliance on His grace.
A ten-week study with:
• Weekly video sessions
• Group discussion questions
• Take-home lessons
Becoming His Princess: A Bible Study Based on the Life of Sarai
Do you ever feel insignificant or unseen? As if what you do or even who you are isn’t quite good enough? Does your confidence level vary based on who you’re around and how their bank account or how accomplishment list compares to yours? If so, this study, based on the life of Sarah from the Old Testament Scriptures, is for you.
For seven weeks, we’ll follow her uncertain and at times terrifying journey from the ancient Mesopotamian city of Ur to the land promised to her husband, and ultimately, the place of rest God beckons each of us toward. He met her in the middle of her pain, her shame, and all her striving, and rewrote her story—through grace. A grace bigger than her greatest failures and that proved sufficient for all her insufficiencies. Step by step, God taught this once-scorned woman to live as His beloved, His princess.
As we follow her journey recorded in the pages of Scripture, He’ll help us do the same. We’ll learn to center our identity in Christ, recognize His power and presence in our most challenging circumstances, find rest from our striving, and live daily in His grace.
Grab a print copy HERE and an ecopy HERE. Watch the weekly videos HERE.
As the hurricane forces Jacqueline to evacuate, her need for purpose and restitution forces her to head north. North to where her estranged and embittered daughter lives. She needs reconciliation, but can she find it in time? Will her handsome new friend be someone she can lean on during the difficult days ahead or must she relinquish her chance at love again to find peace?
When Dawn Breaks is a contemporary romance novel filled with humor, romance, and intrigue, along with characters overcoming life’s obstacles and embracing hope. When Dawn Breaks provides readers a look at how middle-aged men and women dealing with real-life issues find hope and peace in God’s will for their lives. The characters will inspire readers to look for ways God can turn their greatest tragedies and failures into beautiful acts of love and grace. Be inspired to see how God longs to love and heal His children through other Christians.
Written by a Hurricane Katrina survivor, this novel is an excellent choice for book clubs as well as women’s Bible study discussion groups to encourage evaluation of one’s gifts and desires in light of God’s calling.
Restoring Love (Free to Newsletter Subscribers!)
Mitch, a contractor and house-flipper, is restoring a beautiful old house in an idyllic Midwestern neighborhood. Angela, a woman filled with regrets and recently transplanted to his area, is anything but idyllic. She’s almost his worst nightmare, and she’s also working on restoring something―herself.
As he struggles to keep his business afloat and she works to overcome mistakes of her past, these two unlikely friends soon discover they have something unexpected in common―a young mom who is fighting to give her children a better life after her husband’s incarceration.
While both Mitch and Angela are drawn to help this young mother survive, they also find themselves drawn to each other. Will a lifetime of regrets hold them back or unite them and bring redemption along with true love?
Restoring Love, part of New Hope Publishers’ line of contemporary missional fiction, demonstrates how God can turn our greatest tragedies and failures into beautiful acts of love and grace that can impact the lives of others. Readers will connect with the realistic characters and find they can relate to the complex situations that makes Jennifer Slattery’s book so appealing. Readers will be inspired to see how God wants to use us to restore people’s perception of love in action.
Sometimes it takes losing everything to grab hold of what really matters.
Women’s ministry leader and Seattle housewife, Alice Goddard, and her successful graphic-designer husband appear to have it all together. Until their credit and debit cards are denied, launching Alice into an investigation that only leads to the discovery of secrets. Meanwhile, her husband is trapped in a downward spiral of lies, shame, and self-destruction. Can they break free from their deception and turn to the only One who can save them? And will it be in time to save their marriage?
Marriage . . . it’s more than a happily ever after. Eternally more.
Ainsley Meadows, raised by a hedonistic mother who cycles through jobs and relationships like wrapping paper on Christmas morning, falls into a predictable and safe relationship with Richard, a self-absorbed, socialite psychiatrist. But as Ainsley’s wedding nears, a battered woman and her child spark a long-forgotten dream, a hidden passion. One that threatens to change everything, including her fiancé. If she wants to embrace God’s best and find lasting love, this security-seeking bride must follow God with reckless abandon and realize that marriage goes Beyond I Do.
Abandoned by her husband for another woman, Tammy Kuhn, an organ procurement coordinator finds herself in an altercation with a doctor. Now she is fighting to keep her job and her sanity when one late night she encounters an old flame facing an unthinkable tragedy. Because they both find eternal purposes in every event and encounter, they soon discover their lives are intertwined but the ICU is no place for romance . . . or is it?
This could this be where life begins again.
Loni Parker, a music major struggling to find employment, seeks refuge at Camp Hope only to encounter the man who took her sight.
On the verge of college graduation, Loni Parker seeks employment as a music teacher, but no one will hire her since she’s blind. Or so she thinks. To take her mind off her troubles, her roommate invites her to spring retreat at Camp Hope in the gorgeous North Carolina mountains.
Unbeknown to Loni, Michael Ackerman, the director, is an ex-con responsible for the accident that caused her blindness. When Loni warms up to camp and wants to return as a summer counselor, Michael opposes the idea, which only makes Loni want to prove herself all the more. Though she doesn’t expect to fall for the guy. Still, her need for independence and dream of teaching win out, taking her far away from her beloved Camp Hope . . . and a certain director.
Camp director Michael Ackerman recognizes Lonie instantly and wants to avoid her at all costs. Yet, despite the guilt pushing him from her, a growing attraction draws him to the determined woman. She sees more with her heart than the average person does with his eyes. But her presence also dredges up a long-buried anger toward his alcoholic father that he’d just as soon keep hidden. When circumstances spin out of control, Michael is forced to face a past that may destroy his present.
Jen;
When you slow down and take a breath would you let me know? I don’t come across many women who can sustain the level of activity you do and accomplish so much. I’ve been wittness to the growth of your writing just since I came into ACFW in April and am impressed by the level of GREAT posts in your blog postings.
I’ve been married 36+ years and still have to deal with the ‘egg-on-my-face’ more times than I care to admit (or experience). Your work is a real testimony of your heart for God and I appreciate it very much. Keep on encouraging me and others and may God bless you richly as He’s promised.
Jen,
I’m glad I visited this page after I read your blog. I’m intrigued by the question you asked in the last paragrah. I never looked at it that way, but yes…I am an overcomer of fear and depression. I have a second book coming out soon titled “Growing Up And Liking It” where I explain some of the lessons I learned. Maybe I’ll be able to share it with you down the road.
I really enjoyed your post and my visit with you today! Blessings to you and yours.
Thanks, Dolores. Shoot me an email. I’m starting to gather stories for a column that’s spinning in my head. Personally, I believe in Christ, we’re all over-comers. (If you read my post about self-imposed bondage, you’ll know what I mean.) The question is, do we realize what we are bound to (before Christ) and do we realize the extent of our freedom. (Once in Christ.)
Love the title of your book, by the way! I’ll keep my eye out for it.
Thanks Jen…I will check out that post. Would you like to take a peek at the cover of my new book? It’s not available yet but I just love it. It really suits the content of my book.
http://doloresayotte.com
Hi I’m touched by your write ups I wish. I just wish I can write like you.
Hi! How kind of you to stop in and leave such an encouraging comment! Are you a writer? If so, may God bless your words! ❤️
Very cute!
Jennifer,
Thank you for taking time to comment on my blog. I’m glad you did because it caused me to visit your blogs. Oh how well I could relate to your tale of the crabcakes! And thank goodness the Holy Spirit convicts us in such circumstances.
Enjoyed your piece titled “How to Deal With Unemployment”. I’ve experienced significant depression and anger after my husband lost his 9 year engineering job in 2009. He has still not recovered and has lost three other jobs since. I was wondering if you have any articles or could refer me to anyone else’s blog/writings regarding the combination of “respecting” your husband while living with unemployment or a “struggling husband”. I’d appreciate any direction you could give me. I’m currently struggling with “isolation” because of the judgment that “humanly” comes from the church regarding his employment status. Even my own desires to isolate from him. I’m having a difficult time finding any books or writings on the subject. Feel free to e-mail me as well. Thanks, Lori
Lori, I’m going to shoot you an email. 🙂 And I’m going to pray for you right now.
Lori, I don’t see your email address, but I am trying to find resources for you, and I’l love to connect by email. You can get in touch with me at jenniferaslattery@gmail.com. I am sorry you are going through such a difficult time, and I know how much stress unemployment, especially when it’s gone on for some time, can be emotionally and to the family unit as a whole. I’d love to be a support to you, if possible.
Dear Lori,
I can’t remember if I emailed you back or not but I would like to share with you that I’ve been down the road you are traveling several times. It is frustrating and tugs at the heart. It is hard to keep your eyes fixed when they are clouded over with tears. I totally get the isolation thing too, for my own reasons, ie. divorce. The church can be very hard on the “different” and yet they can be caring and loving. Please don’t isolate. You are only allowing the enemy to take your thoughts. If you would like to chat privately, you can email me at bethfarley_3@yahoo.com.
Many blessings.
Beth
It was great meeting you at BRMCWC. Let’s stay in touch
You, too! And absolutely!
Hi Jennifer, I loved your letter about deciding to go to the conference after all. I’ve been in your shoes many times over the years and every time I decide to go with the “first” word, the first leading, the blessings and rewards of the Lord are so rich. I hope you are fully recovered now on on the road to being well.
I’m now in my early 70’s and I traveled to speak and teach the gospel for over 35 years. Now I’m staying home to learn to write the messages I’ve taught. It’s been not quite eight years of writing and three books are out (filled with mistakes, ha!) and the Lord has opened overseas doors for the two Biblical studies and the young person’s fiction just came out last fall (8 years old and up). Four more books are in the chute and hopefully, two will be out this year. I also have a monthly teaching newsletter by snail mail where I share rough draft chapters of various studies, etc. The next venture for this old head is learning to blog. So, I’m blessed and excited about the many wonderful things to learn that will help spread the good news about Jesus.
You go girl! Your schedule sounds full and wonderful and I pray God will bless you richly as you pursue the Lord and your dreams of service to His kingdom. In the meantime, I’ll keep on writing and serving in my corner, and Lord willing, one of these days I’ll be able to attend that conference and meet you and so many of my preaching, teaching, writing-happy sisters in Christ.
God love you and hug you today.
Nita Berquist, Kent WA
Nita, what a beautiful message! It sounds like God is really using you! I enjoy blogging and hope you do, too. 🙂 Have you ever taken any of Edie Melson’s social media classes? She’s the social media guru! (And she has such a heart for Jesus. 🙂 ) How exciting about all your projects! Can you share a link to your books here? I’d love to check them out. And it would be lovely to meet you in person! God willing, I’m hoping to go again next year. 🙂
Jennifer. I’d share a link to the books if I knew how to do that. My computer skills mainly are simple typing. But, you can see what I’ve written by going to my publisher, OutskirtsPress.com (they maintain a page for me); Barnes&Noble, or Amazon.com. One of those even printed a page from my kid’s fiction (I forget which one).
The Biblical studies are being used to help train pastors in a number of nations now; taken there by a ministry dedicated to encouraging/instructing new (or established) ministers who have very received very little Biblical training. These are very simple messages but geared to ground folks in the word. The first book is about God being a Healer as well as a Savior and is called, The Greatest Physician. The second is on being led by the Holy Spirit and is called, Somewhere With God. The kid’s fiction is called, The Song of Pounce and is about finding a place to belong and becoming useful to those around you (told by a cat and his friends on a farm).
I’ve never taken any social media classes, but I do maintain an account with my local Apple store (I use Mac machines) and have taken some classes from them to help with navigation issues. Yup! Perhaps a social media class is a great idea. I do have a face book page where I re-post issue items I wish my friends to “think” about, mention prayers, talk about my cats and place here and from time to time post devotions, etc. Someone told me to consider posting parts of my books online too. I did that once, I believe.
Thank you for your reply. What a treat to hear from you.
I found them. I’ll post the link here. 🙂 And fyi, to do so, go to the page where the book/s is/are listed, then copy the letters, starting with http: that appear on the top bar in your computer, then go where ever you want to post the link, (like here in a comment) and hit “paste.” http://www.outskirtspress.com/bookstore/9781432783464.html
I absolutely love your books, I talk about them at work all time, my coworker collin and I really want every book signed! Please keep making more
Hello, Joshua,
What a blessing you are! Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out with an encouraging comment! Blessings!
Hello Joshua (and Collin)! Thank you so much for the encouragement! And for going to such lengths to purchase a copy of my latest release! That really encouraged me and made me smile! And I would love to sign them! 🙂
Happy to have found your site, Jennifer!
Thanks, Brandy! Have a blessed evening!
It’s a great place to linger.
Beth
Love you, Beth. 🙂
Ditto friend.
I love your books I wish to have some of them . God bless you .
Jennifer, I just read your article on Crosswalk.com about Reviving Your Dead Marriage. My marriage isn’t dead but it is holding on by a string. It is a long story but to sum it up my husband made some mistakes and then I didn’t have anyone to talk to so I talked to our children (one in particular) and I believe I have hurt him terribly bad and undermined his position as husband, pastor, father and leader. I continuously apologize and ask his forgiveness but he is so distant. He keeps saying he needs his space to work through it all and tells me I need to quit pushing so hard but I’m afraid if I quit pushing nothing will get fixed. We are seeing a counselor (1 appointment so far). All this to say please be in prayer as we try to work through all this and thank you for your article it really helped.
Oh, my, Kareen, I can really feel your heartbreak in this comment. I’m so sorry. 🙂 That is hard. It sounds like maybe your husband needs to heal. I’m so glad you guys are going to counseling! That will give you both a safe place to talk, and hopefully, he will begin to feel comfortable sharing his feelings. If it were me, I’d maybe write my spouse a letter letting him know much I love him, how I’m sorry I’ve hurt him and how I want to do whatever I can to make things right but that I also respect his need for space. Then I’d say something like, “I do hope we can talk about this, when you are ready.” It could be some of his pain is from regret of his own mistakes, and that might be something he needs to work through. We’re all different in how we process, and I do think some of us need more time. Again, I’m so very sorry. I know how much that can hurt, to have the one you love so deeply pull away. But I can tell you, God is bigger than our worst mistakes and even than our emotions, and He is fighting for your marriage even more than you are. Turn to Him, lean on Him, follow whatever He asks you to, and trust Him. I know that’s the hardest part–trusting, but He is the God of reconciliation. Hugs my sweet sister!
Great website. Looking forward to reading your books.
Thanks so much! What an encouragement you are!!
Read your article on Dying to onneself in a marriage. Great points made. Not an easy task and impossible without the Holy Spirit guiding.i am in the early stages of applying these principles to my own life. Over 30 years of heartache I have caused my wife. I pray I can turn it around. I love her dearly but a lot of the offensive traits in your article always applied to me. Time to go 100/0. Help me Jesus.
Hi, Tim! Thanks for connecting and letting me know how the article impacted you! I really love how you have taken responsibility for your part in your marriage struggles! It’s often much easier to point the blame out our spouse. With that kind of attitude and leaning hard on Jesus, you are placing yourself (and your marriage) in the best position for healing. Blessings to you! <3
Thank you for the personal reply. It is encouraging and I really appreciate it.
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Absolutely!
I shared three of your books recently with my 87 yr young neighbor (I won these books from you a few years ago).. since then she has been reminding me how she so wants to read more of your books. I believe she read all three books in a week. You are now one of her all time favorite writers. She is like another Mom to me, as we have known each other for 22 years. Yet we share so much in common; I can’t begin to tell you the impact this Christian woman has had on my daily life.. and my walk with God. I hope to surprise her soon with more of your books. In the meantime, she has been reminding me to begin writing again. I write short devotionals, and have off and on for many years. Now that I am not working outside the home, I hope to make this happen. Every single day is a gift indeed and with it comes daily reminders.. those are what I like to convey in my writings. Thank you for being here, and for ALL you do -:)
Hi, Momtocam, thank you so much for the kind words, and for sharing my books with your friend! I’m so glad she enjoyed them! That’s so exciting regarding writing devotionals! God’s abundance blessings to you as you seek to serve Him with your gift of writing! <3 <3 <3
Hi Jennifer my name is Malikah Harris the author of Generational Curses. I wanted to know if you are still doing reviews for novels and if so would you like to do a review for my book. Description is below. If you like please reach me through email
Generational Curses is based on one of the most controversial topics known to man… GENEALOGY. Where do you come from? How can one lie alter your entire existence? Set in the fictitious town of New Metro, this story is the journey of Joanna Karen Smith who tried to raise her five daughters without the influence of their fathers. Joanna a victim of rape and abuse as a young child has grown and over come many obstacles and hardships which lands her in the eye of the storm. She notices that the eye is a very peaceful place until… after she received a package from her deceased grandmother. Shifting her entire family tree leaves her wondering who her real father is. Finding out the truth takes more than a D. N. A. test.
Hi, Malikah,
Unfortunately, I don’t do reviews very often; I don’t have the time. 🙁 But I wish you the best of luck. As an author myself, I know how important reviews can be!
Hi,
I am a baby to the blogging world and yours is one of the first I am reading. I am trying to learn what blogging is all about so I can share what the Lord has taught me like you have done. I love the content and voice your blogs have. Thanks for sharing so others can learn from you!
Hi, A World Without Word! Thank you so much for taking the time to pop by and leave a kind and encouraging comment! May God bless your work as you continue to serve Him!
Praise the Lord! I’m a Christian and pray daily, I was once that person you spoke of not giving God any recognition and if I did it was not for long or sometimes forgot all together. I pray to get a closer relationship with the Father. I do feel like my prayers were for nothing, yet I still prayed. I know that nothing is impossible for you Father God, so I’m asking for your guidance and direction in this, so I’m faithful Father that you’re in the midst and all things are possible in Jesus name. Amen
Jowanda, I can sense by your comment that you perhaps in a difficult or uncertain time. I’m going to pray for you right now. You are so right–God is always faithful, and always has a plan! He does everything in love and is continually thinking of us, His children. His heart is for us!
Hello! I wanted to reach out to let you know your article “Does Honor Your Father and Mother Apply to Deadbeat Parents?” touched me to the core. I wept bitterly while reading it. Thank you for the scriptures you included in it. They cut me deeply in a good way! Cindy’s testimony was awesome. I’ve been struggling with how to honor my deadbeat dad my whole life. Now that I’ve dedicated my life fully to Christ and his work, I’m really trying to forgive and fulfill God’s commandment. It’s an uphill battle but I’m hoping this revelation I received though your article puts me on the right path. I love you sister and may God bless you like you blessed me!
Hi, T. Burton, thanks so much for reaching out! I’m sorry you’ve experienced the pain of parental abandonment. That cuts so deep. But praise God that He used my article to bring you some comfort and healing! What a loving Father we have!
Read your 10 times Jesus in OT. As a Bible Teacher: it was great. As a Baptist Pastor I taught Pre-incarnation appearances. There are more. I believe that you studied Daniel. One of His visits was as Prince called along side by Gabriel [who couldn’t overcome satan’s angel] and He was called Michael [‘who is like God’. I don’t believe that it is a question!] In the Bible there is only one Archangel and that means First over all the angels. As Rev shows that is how Jesus returns to capture Satan and his henchmen. He is over all the angels including Gabriel and leads them out in Chapter 16. I believe that His first appearance was at Creation and John supports this ‘In the beginning was the Word’: Jesus. Thank you for your writing: keep going.
Hello, Dr. Heyworth! Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to me and leave me an encouraging comment! I’m thrilled you enjoyed my article! It certainly is a fascinating topic! I love researching all the ways and times Jesus and prophesies of Him appear in the Old Testament!
I am a new reader, what I just digest about how Jesus appeared in the old testament is revealing. Thanks Jenny.
Hi! Thanks for popping in to leave an encouraging comment! I’m so glad you enjoyed my article! God bless you!
Thanks
Here because of the words from, What kind of love…A mother… Moving and even though I am a man it was something the Lord wanted me to hear! So thank you and I do hope you do not mind that I subscribed. Even men need teaching in what ever ways the Lord chooses to do so.
Ben
Hi, Ben! Thank you for stopping by and sharing how God used my writing to speak to you! I’m so glad! Blessings!
very good
Thanks, Oburu!
Hi Jennifer, Do you ever discuss “losing a child”. I lost my son, Kyle, 3 1/2 years ago and I have such a hard time living with the sadness and guilt. I pray to Jesus to help me live with this …because you never “get over it”. I feel so lost and was wondering if you ever wrote anything about this topic. 11 months ago I lost my husband..I think maybe God wanted my son to have his dad with him. I wonder if I am getting punished for something I did in the past, although I don’t know what it would be…I don’t think God does that but it feels like it.
Hi, Darlene, I’m so very sorry for your loss and the pain you’re experiencing. I personally don’t have experience with losing a spouse or child and so could not really write on that, but I can understand how encouraging a post from a parent who’s experienced that would be encouraging. I’ll see if I can find a guest to write on that, as I think it’s an important topic, and I really appreciate you reaching out. I can say, no, God is not punishing you. He is a God of love and mercy and kindness who sees and feels our pain. Whenever we do mess up or sway from Him, He makes this clear and draws us back. Whenever you have thoughts arise that He is mad or punishing you, I encourage you to replace those thoughts with truth and focus on verses that speak of His love. Much prayers to you, sweet sister!
Thank you Jennifer. That was written beautifully. I will be looking forward to any posts about this topic. I appreciate your thoughtful words.
I initially signed up to receive a free study guide to download but my flash was out of date. I installed the new flash but I am now unable to down load your guide.. I would really like to receive it. Thanks very much
Hi, Peggy! Thanks for your interest! I’ll email you. 🙂
Hello Iennifer:
You have written many books on God’s love and that is good. But I’m sorry to say that even though I believe in Jesus Christ, somehow I don’t feel God’s love is around me. All because I was born deaf but I had a cochlear implant to be able to hear however I’ve never heard or understood speech spoken so I still depend on lip-reading which is hard enough as is!
I’ve tried to learn how to write but never could understand how to develop characterizations! I did write an article about my cochlear implant published in Hearing Health about a year or so ago and have not written anything since. My writing this article was edited by this magazine’s editor which helped a lot.
I have wanted to take a Bible study course started by several women in your organization, but nothing really applied to me so it has been discouraging. Some used videos but I was told they were not closed-captioned so I quit! There never was a comment made on this so I assume that there is no interest in someone who cannot hear! How would you feel if you had this same handicap?? Certainly, there is no love there! How can you practice God’s love when it is not there? I have only my husband’s love in which we have been married for 57 years and we look to many more!
Thank you for “listening”. If you have anything to say, I would love to hear from you.
Hi, Barbara, I’m so sorry you don’t always feel God’s love around you. Whenever I feel as if God is distant, for any reason, I remind myself of what I know to be true, and His love isn’t dependent on my feelings. Our feelings rise and fall, often dependent on our circumstances (and sometimes our health and sleep level). But His love is constant. I’m going to email you to see if we can find a solution that will enable you to enjoy the video content. Watch for a message in your inbox. 🙂
Just read “10 Things All Christians Should Know About Heaven” on Crosswalk.com. Very good information. A reminder that the proper name for the last book of the Bible is Revelation, not Revelations. Might just be an auto-complete problem, not trying to be judgmental. Thanks for the article.
Hi, Michael! Thanks for taking the time to pop over here to leave an encouraging comment! And for the reminder regarding Revelation. I often slip up on that.
Dear Jennifer,
I think you and so many other writers do a disservice to Christian women (and men) when you tell them that God is going to make their troubles all better. For the vast majority of Christians, broken relationships are the norm and God is not going to fix them no matter what we do. It’s easy to say, “I did this or that, and everything turned out alright.” God does not give everyone the ability to understand and apply his word, or the words to express their experiences and feelings in ways that others understand, or others the ability or desire to forgive and reconcile. It is also clear that God does not intend for a large percentage of his human creation to rise above their circumstances or to experience joy in this lifetime.
Hi, Dave! Thanks for reaching out and sharing your concern. I can sense your love for Christ and those who are hurting. Are you concerned of a blog post, article, or podcast episode in particular?
I agree wholeheartedly that life can be super hard this side of heaven and we’re not promised a life of ease or happiness. In regard to joy, I have a different definition than the modern dictionary or how we use it in our vernacular. My understanding of joy is that it is a deep and enduring realization of God’s Grace and a gift of the Spirit that He grows within us as we draw closer to Him. I also believe joy and deep sorrow can coexist. We can grieve but we grieve with hope knowing good is coming, if not in our earthly lives then certainly in eternity. And I do believe God wants to bring us to places of emotional and spiritual wholeness and freedom, a peace that comes not from a life of ease but from the reigning presence of Christ.
Blessings my brother! I admire and respect and honor your love for truth.
Jennifer, I enjoy your posts and books. I am interested in starting a podcast. I need help on this. How did you learn the process? Any tips? I cannot find someone to help me -so far. I live near Athens Ga. Any ideas? I started a website and began writing – thinking I was pushing forward full force to the call on my heart to write. God kindly said for me to set it aside because we had things to talk about. It’s been four plus years now. I have learned that well meant Zeal is no substitute for a ministry flowing from intimacy with Him. He is placing the idea in my heart of mentoring young women through prayer groups, zoom, and/or podcasts. Fear has kept me from taking the step. I subscribed to your posts on Fear. I plan to go back and reread them. Thank you and I appreciate any thoughts you may have. Barbara
Hello, Barbara, Thanks for reaching out! I just sent you an email. Merry Christmas, friend!
do you mind emailing me your article-5 victorious ways to respond when someone attacks you please and thanks.
I red your article about the Lost of spiritual sensitivity and spiritual darkness
Hello! Thank you for taking the time to stop by and let me know! I hope you found the article helpful!
Another occurrence of Jesus appearing in the Old Testament:
Joshua 5:13-14
The Commander of the Lord’s Army
13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”
Hello, Michael, Thank you for taking the time to pop in and engage in biblical conversation! And thank you for pointing me to a faith-affirming section of Scripture! Blessings, friend!
Hi, I came here from your great podcast interview with Barb Raveling. Thank you for all the truth you shared about idols; it really put a finger on a few things about which I’ll be going to God. I tried to download the free e-book for the study, Unshakeable Unbreakable Joy, but the link to me to an Amazon page for a different (not free) book of yours. Is the study still available? Thank you!
Hi, Ali! Thank you for taking the time to reach out and for the encouragement! I enjoyed my conversation with Barb! I’m sorry about the link. I’ll get that fixed. Thank you for alerting me to that! You can download a free ecopy here: https://whollyloved.com/product/unshakable-unbreakable-joy-free-e-file/ (You will need to add it to your cart and check out from our store, but you will not be charged; this is for a PDF version.) You can download a free MOBI file (the file Kindle uses) from here: https://mailchi.mp/ce212136f4e1/joy-study-e-file
Thank you so much for the quick response. I’ve downloaded the study and am now searching for the videos, but the link in the study takes me to a Page Not Found message . Are they still available? Thank you!
I apologize. Thank you for letting us know this! We will work on getting that changed. You can find the videos here: https://wp.me/P9JW7O-1nk The password to access them is UnshakableJoyStudyContent
Hi, Ali, I received a message from Amazon that they are phasing out their MOBI files. Because of this, we added an ePub file (which they say is an acceptable format) to our efiles landing page. (The link I sent you above to go to in order to download the efile.) In case you have any problems with the MOBI, and sorry this has been such a time consuming process for you! We hope you enjoy the study!