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Stuff I'd Only Tell God: A Guided Journal of Courageous Honesty, Obsessive Truth-Telling, and Beautifully Ruthless Self-Discovery
Welcome to your own little confession booth.
What would you say if you were completely honest with yourself and with God? It's time to find out.
With daring questions, provocative lists, and quirky charts and illustrations, this journal is a place to record all the stuff you'd only tell ideas, beliefs, secrets, memories, wonderings, and wishes--things that might seem outlandish or outrageous to anyone else but are what make you you . You'll find the space, the courage, and the help you need to unearth the real you, the you that is sometimes buried deep beneath a layer of self-protection.
Where to begin? With your beautifully ruthless honesty.
What would you say if you were completely honest with yourself and with God? It's time to find out.
With daring questions, provocative lists, and quirky charts and illustrations, this journal is a place to record all the stuff you'd only tell ideas, beliefs, secrets, memories, wonderings, and wishes--things that might seem outlandish or outrageous to anyone else but are what make you you . You'll find the space, the courage, and the help you need to unearth the real you, the you that is sometimes buried deep beneath a layer of self-protection.
Where to begin? With your beautifully ruthless honesty.
224 pages, Paperback
Published May 2, 2023
23 people are currently reading
2138 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Dukes Lee
19 books263 followersI write books. I embarrass my kids. I was once a mime. (True story). I attend a small country church where some Sundays you'll find me spinning tunes as the church deejay.
I'm a big fan of dark chocolate, emojis, eighties music, bright lipstick, and Netflix binges. My husband and I are raising crops, pigs, a herd of cats, and two beautiful humans on the Lee family farm in Iowa.
My newest book, It's All Under Control, releases in September. (There's also a six-week companion Bible study.)
I wrote a couple other books: The Happiness Dare, and Love Idol.
I'm a journalist at heart. I used to cover crime, politics, and natural disasters as a news reporter for metropolitan daily newspapers. Now, I use my reporting skills to chase after the biggest story ever: the redemptive story of Christ. (That's front-page news.)
I cling to the hope of a cross, and I'm passionate about sharing the Good News through story. I believe in miracles; I am one. I marvel at God's unrelenting grace for stumbling sinners like me, who have been made whole through Christ. I believe in scandalous grace, and that the cross is the most priceless and costly gift the world has ever seen. I believe that it really is all because of Jesus.
You can connect with me online at:
My website
My Facebook page
On Twitter
On Instagram
I'm a big fan of dark chocolate, emojis, eighties music, bright lipstick, and Netflix binges. My husband and I are raising crops, pigs, a herd of cats, and two beautiful humans on the Lee family farm in Iowa.
My newest book, It's All Under Control, releases in September. (There's also a six-week companion Bible study.)
I wrote a couple other books: The Happiness Dare, and Love Idol.
I'm a journalist at heart. I used to cover crime, politics, and natural disasters as a news reporter for metropolitan daily newspapers. Now, I use my reporting skills to chase after the biggest story ever: the redemptive story of Christ. (That's front-page news.)
I cling to the hope of a cross, and I'm passionate about sharing the Good News through story. I believe in miracles; I am one. I marvel at God's unrelenting grace for stumbling sinners like me, who have been made whole through Christ. I believe in scandalous grace, and that the cross is the most priceless and costly gift the world has ever seen. I believe that it really is all because of Jesus.
You can connect with me online at:
My website
My Facebook page
On Twitter
On Instagram
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 21, 2023
I like to journal, so I found this book and the questions in it very interesting, many I am not sure I would want to write down. They are deep and personal questions that will take some humbling and courage to work through. Though I know that doing this, it can be very helpful if you have some unresolved issue(s).
There are seven parts to the book, and Jennifer explains the what and the why of each section. Each section has several pages of questions and ares to journal on. There are over 200 pages of questions. The first section is about discovering more about the people in your life. She states you are the sum of a lot of things. Each person you know will leave an imprint on your life. This can help you learn about why you are the way you are and about the kind of person you want to be.
Section two is about your past. She reminds us not to live in our past, but it can be a good idea to look at it. See where you see holes and gardens. I liked her analogy of this.
Section three is about the current moment, the present. This is a reminder to be all here. This is the section I liked best. Keeping first things first, figuring out what is important to you, what matters most.
Section four is about what makes you different and wonderful. “Embrace your weird, wild, whimsical, well-made self.”
Section five is summing up what you have learned so far and being honest with it. “Me and My Weird Ways.”
Section six is regarding the future, learning to let go, get rid of bad habits, start new good habits, and stop doing what you hate.
Section seven, the last section, is about making vows and taking action with what you learned.
To be honest, there are parts I will not fill out, I don’t tend to like to dwell on the past and bring up past hurts. I’m not saying it can’t be helpful or healing. Some people need to do this. So if you are hurting by all means, this would be helpful to do those areas. I am at a point where I can use my hurts for good and be thankful that I survived through those hardships and hopefully help someone else with sharing my experience. She does share some Christian truths and verses throughout the journal, I do wish there were more of it. There are some really fun sections that I enjoyed doing. They were helpful journaling prompts. Sometimes, I sit down to write words and have nothing, but this was helpful. I didn’t have to try and come up with something. I find journaling helpful and enjoyable, so if you do also, this would be a great journal book to get and give as a gift to those who like to write.
There are seven parts to the book, and Jennifer explains the what and the why of each section. Each section has several pages of questions and ares to journal on. There are over 200 pages of questions. The first section is about discovering more about the people in your life. She states you are the sum of a lot of things. Each person you know will leave an imprint on your life. This can help you learn about why you are the way you are and about the kind of person you want to be.
Section two is about your past. She reminds us not to live in our past, but it can be a good idea to look at it. See where you see holes and gardens. I liked her analogy of this.
Section three is about the current moment, the present. This is a reminder to be all here. This is the section I liked best. Keeping first things first, figuring out what is important to you, what matters most.
Section four is about what makes you different and wonderful. “Embrace your weird, wild, whimsical, well-made self.”
Section five is summing up what you have learned so far and being honest with it. “Me and My Weird Ways.”
Section six is regarding the future, learning to let go, get rid of bad habits, start new good habits, and stop doing what you hate.
Section seven, the last section, is about making vows and taking action with what you learned.
To be honest, there are parts I will not fill out, I don’t tend to like to dwell on the past and bring up past hurts. I’m not saying it can’t be helpful or healing. Some people need to do this. So if you are hurting by all means, this would be helpful to do those areas. I am at a point where I can use my hurts for good and be thankful that I survived through those hardships and hopefully help someone else with sharing my experience. She does share some Christian truths and verses throughout the journal, I do wish there were more of it. There are some really fun sections that I enjoyed doing. They were helpful journaling prompts. Sometimes, I sit down to write words and have nothing, but this was helpful. I didn’t have to try and come up with something. I find journaling helpful and enjoyable, so if you do also, this would be a great journal book to get and give as a gift to those who like to write.
June 11, 2023
In Stuff I’d Only Tell God, Jennifer Dukes Lee has designed a brand-new journal to help readers to have an open conversation with God. She referred to this book as our own personal little confession booth. She encouraged readers to be honest and compassion in going through the journaling process. It is designed to help us to discover our people, your past, present, and future, secrets, dreams, and much more. She also stated how readers could destroy the book later on if they choose to do so after they are finished with it. The book included charts, blank spaces to answer the questions, games such as happiness bingo, drawing where your scars on your body are, soundtrack of our lives, waves of nostalgia, if I were a Psalmist, facing your fear, dear younger me, and much more.
I immensely loved the vast different writing activities that are included in the book. Some of my favorite was writing a letter to your younger self and this reminded me of the same idea that is showcased in Brad Paisley’s Letter to Me and Younger Me by Brothers Osborne. I think we will all realized that we have grew as a person and hopeful have grown in wisdom. I also liked how she encourage readers to explore the holes that have postmarked our life and some we have fell into. We can also eagerly hope for the seeds and the garden that have grown. I liked the idea of the genogram and exploring your family tree and looking at what behaviors, habits, and personalities that each family member deal with. I liked how she encouraged readers to write down what hurtful words have been spoken over their lives and how we can counteract them with affirmations to heal the deep wounds.
I would recommend this astonishing journal that is filled with fun activities to do while you spend time with God to anyone who is seeking a journal that is Christian focused. This is a wonderful took to use in our self-discovery journey. I really enjoyed how there was all different types of fun activities for readers to do and everyday was distinctive to assist us in becoming more honest with the real you. The journal enclosed difficult questions that sometimes readers would need to ponder and deal with their past, present, and dreams about the future. This journal will take readers on a refreshing journey and help you to grow close to Christ.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”
I immensely loved the vast different writing activities that are included in the book. Some of my favorite was writing a letter to your younger self and this reminded me of the same idea that is showcased in Brad Paisley’s Letter to Me and Younger Me by Brothers Osborne. I think we will all realized that we have grew as a person and hopeful have grown in wisdom. I also liked how she encourage readers to explore the holes that have postmarked our life and some we have fell into. We can also eagerly hope for the seeds and the garden that have grown. I liked the idea of the genogram and exploring your family tree and looking at what behaviors, habits, and personalities that each family member deal with. I liked how she encouraged readers to write down what hurtful words have been spoken over their lives and how we can counteract them with affirmations to heal the deep wounds.
I would recommend this astonishing journal that is filled with fun activities to do while you spend time with God to anyone who is seeking a journal that is Christian focused. This is a wonderful took to use in our self-discovery journey. I really enjoyed how there was all different types of fun activities for readers to do and everyday was distinctive to assist us in becoming more honest with the real you. The journal enclosed difficult questions that sometimes readers would need to ponder and deal with their past, present, and dreams about the future. This journal will take readers on a refreshing journey and help you to grow close to Christ.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”
June 1, 2023
Stuff I'd Only Tell God: A Guided Journal of Courageous Honesty, Obsessive Truth-Telling, and Beautifully Ruthless Self-Discovery by Jennifer Dukes Lee is a journal that I would say definitely belongs between you and God if you are going to use it and be honest in it.
I have some things in common with Jennifer Dukes Lee. I am from Iowa. She is from Iowa. I am a trained journalist who has worked as a reporter with newspapers and so has she. She likes to ask questions and learn about people and things in the world. So do I. I have followed her on social media and read others books she has written. With all of those things in common, I had to get this guided journal. Oh, and I do like to journal so that also makes this book up my alley. Maybe Stuff I'd Only Tell God is up your alley too?
Stuff I'd Only Tell God is a paper back guided journal with an introduction by the author and well-organized sections with titles like, Me and My People, Me and My Past, Me and My Right Now, Me and My Weird Ways, As Honest As I've Ever Been, Me and My Future, and Finally. This book has you thinking about yourself and your likes/dislikes, your past, your future and thinking about other people in your life and how they impact you. It also has you thinking about God, Prayer, Gratitude and more. This book just plain gets you thinking--and writing. For me, as a thinker and a writer, it is a book that I will work through slowly. In the end, I hope to know myself, those around me, and God a bit better. Stuff I'd Only Tell God is a writing adventure I am excited to take. Maybe you are too?
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.
I have some things in common with Jennifer Dukes Lee. I am from Iowa. She is from Iowa. I am a trained journalist who has worked as a reporter with newspapers and so has she. She likes to ask questions and learn about people and things in the world. So do I. I have followed her on social media and read others books she has written. With all of those things in common, I had to get this guided journal. Oh, and I do like to journal so that also makes this book up my alley. Maybe Stuff I'd Only Tell God is up your alley too?
Stuff I'd Only Tell God is a paper back guided journal with an introduction by the author and well-organized sections with titles like, Me and My People, Me and My Past, Me and My Right Now, Me and My Weird Ways, As Honest As I've Ever Been, Me and My Future, and Finally. This book has you thinking about yourself and your likes/dislikes, your past, your future and thinking about other people in your life and how they impact you. It also has you thinking about God, Prayer, Gratitude and more. This book just plain gets you thinking--and writing. For me, as a thinker and a writer, it is a book that I will work through slowly. In the end, I hope to know myself, those around me, and God a bit better. Stuff I'd Only Tell God is a writing adventure I am excited to take. Maybe you are too?
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.
June 2, 2023
I was sent a copy of this book from a publisher/publicity team/giveaway. My ratings and reviews will be my own personal opinions and are in no way influenced by publishers or authors who may have sent me books to review.
I have really gotten into journaling over the last year or so and I am always looking for new topics and prompts to challenge myself and my mind. I was excited for this one.
This has so many different questions which I love. It is broken down into many different parts: people in your life, your past, right now, your ways, honesty, and your future. There are some pages I will skip and others that have really challenged me. It has also been great for my mind to have to think about things from my past and people in my past. I have loved reflecting on some of my past memories.
I have just jumped around and have been having fun with all of the questions. I have a digital journal and I have also been using this for that. I switch between filling out the actual book and writing around a topic in my digital form.
Overall, this is great and I am loving it.
I have really gotten into journaling over the last year or so and I am always looking for new topics and prompts to challenge myself and my mind. I was excited for this one.
This has so many different questions which I love. It is broken down into many different parts: people in your life, your past, right now, your ways, honesty, and your future. There are some pages I will skip and others that have really challenged me. It has also been great for my mind to have to think about things from my past and people in my past. I have loved reflecting on some of my past memories.
I have just jumped around and have been having fun with all of the questions. I have a digital journal and I have also been using this for that. I switch between filling out the actual book and writing around a topic in my digital form.
Overall, this is great and I am loving it.
June 16, 2023
I love this journal! It has prompts both for fun and for thought, that help you reevaluate your life, your purpose, and the people in it. Jennifer Dukes Lee writes in such a friendly, easygoing way and encourages you to open up and be vulnerable with yourself, God, and others. And I loved the variety of the prompts! Questions as fun as "If your life was a movie, what would be the title? What actors would play you, and the people in your life?" and as thought-provoking as "I understand God better because of these people..." and "A person who understands God better because of me..." (that last one really convicted me!).
I do wish that the format of the book was different: coil binding for the spine would make the book so much easier to write in, and a little pen loop would also be helpful. That would make the book more aesthetically pleasing, and more appealing to give as a gift. Either way, though, this is a great gift idea for the writers in your life, and also would be great as a way to encourage someone to start journaling.
I voluntarily received this book from the publisher in order to write an honest review. All opinions are truly my own.
I do wish that the format of the book was different: coil binding for the spine would make the book so much easier to write in, and a little pen loop would also be helpful. That would make the book more aesthetically pleasing, and more appealing to give as a gift. Either way, though, this is a great gift idea for the writers in your life, and also would be great as a way to encourage someone to start journaling.
I voluntarily received this book from the publisher in order to write an honest review. All opinions are truly my own.
May 29, 2023
I was so excited to get my hands on this guided journal by Jennifer Dukes Lee. If you follow Jennifer, you know she is real, honest and fun! Stuff I'd Only Tell God is a guided journal of courageous honesty, obsessive truth-telling, and beautifully ruthless self-discovery. This fun book features wonderful journal prompts and thought-provoking illustrations to journal your life. Sections include me and my people, me and my past, me and right now, me and my weird ways, honesty, me and my future. This journal helps you reflect on many areas of your life and is absolutely fun. Anything from how you spend your free time, to two truths, and a lie, to your worst nightmare, or this, or that, habits, places you’ve been or don’t want to go, as well as a plethora of other journal prompts. This journal is great for self reflection and also makes a wonderful gift. This can also be passed down to family or used year after year to see growth and change. Well done, Jennifer!
I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review. I am so thankful I was and happily recommend this book.
I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review. I am so thankful I was and happily recommend this book.
May 7, 2023
Journaling is the practice of writing down one’s thoughts and feelings for a variety of reasons; to remember, to release, to see more clearly or a new perspective etc. Journaling can be done by anyone at anytime, and is very popular in the Christian community. Even so, if you are anything like me, you don’t always know what to write, how to get down one’s thoughts adequately or what even needs to be expressed.
Introducing The Stuff I’d Only Tell God, a guided journal welcoming you to enter into the safe place of telling God what only He needs to know. Through thought provoking questions, humorous prompts, fill in the blank statements and personalized illustrations this journal will help you find yourself. The YOU of your past, present and future! The questions have been asked, but the answers are all up to you!
Introducing The Stuff I’d Only Tell God, a guided journal welcoming you to enter into the safe place of telling God what only He needs to know. Through thought provoking questions, humorous prompts, fill in the blank statements and personalized illustrations this journal will help you find yourself. The YOU of your past, present and future! The questions have been asked, but the answers are all up to you!
June 14, 2023
Thanks to Bethany House for the free book.
I am always inspired by Lee's writing, so I was excited to hear she was coming out with a journal. This book takes you through your past, present, and future and gets you to look objectively on your faith and beliefs. But it's not just centered on that. She also helps you walk through memories and familial struggles and digging deeper into who you are. I think this is a great book for someone who is doing a lot of reflecting, yet wants to also look towards growing. I think it's also great for the self-exploration of beliefs, ideas, and desires. This is a book I will work through slowly and continue to come back to when I am feeling stuck and need some prompting to dig deeper into the situation. It's a beautiful book that would make a great gift, too.
I am always inspired by Lee's writing, so I was excited to hear she was coming out with a journal. This book takes you through your past, present, and future and gets you to look objectively on your faith and beliefs. But it's not just centered on that. She also helps you walk through memories and familial struggles and digging deeper into who you are. I think this is a great book for someone who is doing a lot of reflecting, yet wants to also look towards growing. I think it's also great for the self-exploration of beliefs, ideas, and desires. This is a book I will work through slowly and continue to come back to when I am feeling stuck and need some prompting to dig deeper into the situation. It's a beautiful book that would make a great gift, too.
February 5, 2024
I enjoyed filling out prompts and answering questions, some for fun and others more serious.
The book is broken in sections such as the past, right now, honesty, etc.
There is a sub-section at the end of the book titled “My Vows”. I’m not comfortable making vows I might not keep, so I changed it to “Things I Want to Work On”. I find writing things down is helpful in remembering and wanting to be accountable. Jennifer Dukes Lee has a calendar to fill in to check off or write where you need grace.
Some questions didn’t apply to me (yet) and there is a game that I thought unnecessary.
Still, I did like this guided journal and being reminded that God sees me as unique and there’s always room for growth.
The book is broken in sections such as the past, right now, honesty, etc.
There is a sub-section at the end of the book titled “My Vows”. I’m not comfortable making vows I might not keep, so I changed it to “Things I Want to Work On”. I find writing things down is helpful in remembering and wanting to be accountable. Jennifer Dukes Lee has a calendar to fill in to check off or write where you need grace.
Some questions didn’t apply to me (yet) and there is a game that I thought unnecessary.
Still, I did like this guided journal and being reminded that God sees me as unique and there’s always room for growth.
May 3, 2024
Jennifer Dukes Lee’s book, “Stuff I’d Only Tell God,” is not just a journal, but a source of joy and fun. It’s a private conversation between you and God, guided by Jennifer’s prompts, questions, diagrams, and concepts. These tools lead you to both enjoyable and profound places that need healing and one-on-one time with God. It’s a call and an invitation to self-reflection, introspection, and growth, where we get to be honest with ourselves and God. I found the book to be a delightful mix of fun and seriousness, of joy and profundity. It is helping me get in touch with who I am. It is a book to work through thoughtfully. Thanks to "Stuff I’d Only Tell God, "I have been able to do some deep excavating and healing with a lot of joy.
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July 5, 2024I made it through most of this book, pondering, answering questions, making lists, and dreaming. It was a good way to clean the attic of my mind and clear the cobwebs from the windows. It is one thing to think about things, and another to write them out on paper. Lee had some great questions - and some super lame ones. Mostly the questions were age-appropriate for me. Overall, I recommend this experience to anyone wanting to get to know themselves better.
May 17, 2023
Jennifer Dukes Lee feels like an old friend your chatting with over coffee when you read her books and this one is no different. Asking questions that challenge you think, reflect, and peel back the layers, this book is a beautiful invitation to a deeper level of intimacy with God. I've journaled for years, but never had a companion quite like his book!
October 3, 2025
A really thoughtful faith based guided journal. I found the questions to be unique and thought-provoking. We definitely recommend for people who enjoy exploring their relationship with themselves and with their faith.
June 13, 2023
A companion for face-to-the-floor time with God, but also a friendship-deepener and marriage-strengthener. HIGHLY recommend!!!
February 23, 2024
This is more of a journal than a book. So cool though
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews