Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself [Paperback]

Jennifer Rothschild (Author), Robin McGraw (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007

Popular Women of Faith speaker and author of Lessons I Learned in the Dark, Jennifer Rothschild, has a message for every woman: Words are powerful. Especially the words women speak to themselves. All too often what they say to themselves when they lie in bed at night or look in the mirror in the morning is not even close to the words God wants them to speak to their souls.

Scripture has a lot to say about this "soul talk." Because many women feel overwhelmed and struggle with issues of self-esteem, depression, and discouragement, Jennifer shares practically and helpfully from her own life and from Scripture to show how every woman can turn her words--and her life--around for good.

She offers 7 powerful things a woman can say to her soul, including:

• Press On - "March on my soul, be strong" (Judges 5:21)
• Look Up - "My soul, put your hope in God" (Psalm 42:5)
• Chill Out - "Be at rest, O my soul" (Psalm 116:7)

Self Talk, Soul Talk is perfect for individual or small group study and includes interactive pages and Scripture passages for digging deeper.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jennifer Rothschild has been a frequent speaker on the Women of Faith tour and is the author of several books and Bible studies, including the popular Self Talk, Soul Talk. She has been featured on Dr. Phil, Good Morning America, and the Billy Graham Television Special. She is the founder of Fresh Grounded Faith Conferences and of WomensMinistry.Net, an online magazine for women.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers; First Edition edition (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736920722
• ISBN-13: 978-0736920728
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

'We walk by faith and not by sight.' 2 Corinthians 5:7 'It is well with my soul.' For Jennifer Rothschild, these words are much more than the lyrics from a familiar hymn; they represent a foundation upon which many life lessons have been learned in the dark. At the young age of fifteen, Jennifer was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative eye disease that would eventually steal her sight. It was more than a turning point for the Miami, Fl, native. Her dreams of becoming a commercial artist and cartoonist faded. Words and music have replaced her canvas and palette for more than 25 years. Known for her substance, and a down-to-earth style, Jennifer weaves together colorful illustrations, universal principles, and music to help audiences find contentment, walk with endurance, and celebrate the ordinary. Through her signature wit and poignant story-telling, audiences are prompted to look beyond their circumstances to find unique 'gifts,' in unusual packaging. At the young age of fifteen, Jennifer was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative eye disease that would eventually steal her sight. It was more than a turning point for the Miami, Fl, native. Her dreams of becoming a commercial artist and cartoonist faded. Words and music have replaced her canvas and palette for more than 25 years. Jennifer has taken her message of encouragement across the country speaking at national and regional gatherings of busy professionals, dedicated volunteers, salt-of-the-earth farmers, impressionable youth, and overwhelmed moms and dads. Jennifer has been a featured speaker for the Women of Faith arena events, and has teamed up with Beth Moore to lead LifeWay's National Women's Conferences. Thousands have come away with a new vision for their work, their family, and their future. Jennifer is the author of Fresh Grounded Faith (2008), Self Talk, Soul Talk (2008), Lessons I Learned in the Light (July 2006) Fingerprints of God (Multnomah, 2005), and Lessons I Learned in the Dark (Multnomah, 2002), and two best-selling DVD-enhanced bible studies, Walking by Faith (LifeWay, 2003) and Fingerprints of God (LifeWay, 2005). Her most recent study is Me, Myself and Lies: A Thought-Closet Makeover (Lifeway 2009) and is based on her popular book Self Talk, Soul Talk. In addition to her writing and speaking ministry, Jennifer is an accomplished songwriter and recording artist, with six albums to her credit including Walking by Faith: The Music Captured Live, Along the Way, and others. Her life story and message has been the cover story of numerous national publications including Virtue magazine, Becoming Family magazine, HomeLife magazine, and others. She's been interviewed on national TV and radio programs including The Chuck and Jenni Show, Hour of Power, Life Today, Family Life Radio, TBN, and others. Jennifer is also founder and publisher of the popular online magazine, WomensMinistry.NET. She resides in Springfield, Missouri with her husband of 24 years, Dr. Philip Rothschild, and their two sons, Clayton and Connor. She enjoys nature walks, visits to theme parks, and riding a bicycle built for two. She got a real charge singing the national anthem for the Atlanta Braves and bungee-jumping from seven and a half stories.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars SELF TALK, SOUL TALK November 5, 2007

By Dawn Brantley

Format:Paperback

Like all people, I tended to talk negatively to myself a large portion of the time. After reading Self Talk, Soul Talk, I have learned to keep my thought closet neat and clean of negative thinking! When I hear KNOCK, KNOCK! STATE YOUR BUSINESS! I only welcome in positive, reinforcing thoughts. Wisdom should always be the keeper of the door to my thought closet.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Encouraging November 5, 2007

By Pam Berzett

Format:Paperback

I have a great tendency to berate myself. From this day forward I will have "talks" with myself using Scripture to enforce what God is calling me to do instead of listening to the enemy. Thanks Jennifer.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Important Message for All of Us January 28, 2008

By Patrice Fagnant-macarthur VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

We all have that little voice inside our head that chatters away incessantly, offering a running commentary on our lives. What does that voice tell you? Does it criticize harshly, destroying your spirit, or does it speak words that come from God, helping you to live as God intended you to live? Is it possible to change the recording in your head? At age 15, Jennifer Rothschild became legally blind due to a disease called retinitis pigmentosa. She has not allowed her disability to define her. Instead, she got married, had children, and has become a well-known speaker and writer. Like all of us, though, she has to contend with the voice in her head, a voice that does not always speak kindly.

In "Self-Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself," she reminds us that "what you think and say to yourself will impact the texture, color, and music of your life." We should base those words on God's words, words from Scripture, words that tell us how to live. Even when we do need to correct our behavior, our words to ourselves should not be unkind. "Wise, truthful words are never harsh and unkind. They are gracious. Wise and truthful words are never wimpy or without power. They have authority. Even the hard truths we speak to ourselves should not be condemning. They should build us up."

In Chapter 4, "Speaking Truth to Your Issues," Rothschild focuses on the woman suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years who had the courage to reach out and touch Jesus' cloak in order to be healed. This was such a radical act. According to Jewish law, she was unclean. What she was doing was illegal. Yet, she reached out. "She told herself that if she touched Him, she would be healed. She encouraged, counseled, and advised her soul." (Matthew 9:21) Her words of encouragement helped her faith and she was rewarded for that faith.

Part 2 of the book concentrates on "Seven Things to Say to Your Soul." Taken from scripture, these seven statements offer a jumping off point for nurturing your soul. God (and Rothschild) invite us to awaken our souls, look up to God, rest our souls, remember the good that God has done for us, persist when the road is hard, and praise the Lord.

Rothschild's message that what we say to ourselves matters is a very important one. Many people tell us that we should be kind to ourselves. Self-help books are full of such affirmations. What makes Rothschild's take on this subject unique is that she utilizes Scripture to help us speak the truth to ourselves. The point of "Self Talk, Soul Talk" is not simply to help us feel better, but rather to bring us closer to God.

Some great quotes from this book:

"When we receive new life from God, He declares that 'the old life is gone. A new life has begun!' Neglecting our new, clean selves allows dirt and grime to collect on the surface of our souls. It will become stuck on and hardened, it will work itself down deep, and it will certainly dull our shine. To prevent this from occurring in our lives day by day, we must be attentive."

"The most hopeful people I know are those who place their trust in God . . .It's not a once-and-forever choice. It's a choice I make day by day."

"You see, rest isn't just what God did. Rest is who God is. Rest means we quiet ourselves next to the One who not only gives peace but who is the Prince of Peace."

"If you quit, the world will be lacking what you alone bring to it."