What if God already knows your every thought—and still loves you?

In this Scripture meditation on Psalm 139:1–4, we begin our Fully Known, Fully Loved series with a reflection on God’s deep, intimate knowledge of us. Using the Lectio Divina method, we’ll gently meditate on the reality that God knows every word before we speak it, every move before we make it—and none of that scares Him away.

In a world obsessed with self-discovery, these verses remind us of something even more powerful: Before we try to figure ourselves out… God already knows. And His love is unwavering.

In this guided Christian meditation, you’ll be invited to:
• Reflect on what it means to be fully known by God
• Consider how God sees and understands you with perfect love
• Rest in the truth that His knowledge of you is not threatening—but comforting

📓 Download your FREE companion journal for the Fully Known, Fully Loved series https://jodieniznik.myflodesk.com/fullyloved

This journal includes:
• All the Scriptures for this series
• Weekly reflection prompts
• Space to record what God is revealing to you

Here are some additional helpful links:

You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/

Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik

Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Guided Scripture Meditation Journal here.

Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning.

Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com.

Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

Entire Meditation Text:
Psalm 139:1–6 (NLT)
1 O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, LORD.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We’re thrilled to welcome our new friend Jodie Niznik to the studio today! Jodie is the host of So Much More, a Scripture meditation podcast that helps women slow down, create space to listen to God, and move biblical truth from head knowledge to heart transformation.

In this conversation, Jodie shares how Scripture meditation has become a lifeline for women who feel stuck in doing all the things, and why creating space to simply be with Jesus is often the missing piece for those breaking free from alcohol, people-pleasing, or performance.

Whether you’re just curious about taking a break from alcohol, walking your own exodus, or longing to deepen your relationship with Jesus, this episode will encourage you to slow down, listen, and start small.

📘 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why head knowledge isn’t enough, and how Scripture meditation moves truth from your mind to your heart and hands.
• The difference between Eastern “empty your mind” meditation and biblical “fill your mind” meditation.
• The brain science behind creating new grooves for peace instead of spirals of anxiety and craving.
• How to begin (even if you’re busy or intimidated!) with just five minutes a day.
• Why slowing down is essential for real transformation, and simple ways to start.
• How to help your kids recognize God’s voice and discern His leading.
• A sneak peek at the practices Jodie will teach live inside our community this October.

💌 Links & Resources:

🗓️ Join Jodie’s Live Masterclass in the BJDW Community — October 21, 2025
Learn and practice breath prayer, Lectio Divina, and the Examen with Jodie in real time by joining us inside the BJDW Community.

🎧 Listen to Jodie’s Podcast — So Much More
A weekly Scripture meditation podcast designed to help you slow down and experience God’s peace.

📖 Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

📲 Connect on Instagram: @butjesusdrankwine

🎥 Watch on YouTube: Come hang out with us HERE!

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Whether you’re asking “Do I drink to slow down?” or “How do I build healthier rhythms without adding more to-do lists,” this episode is practical, encouraging, and full of real-life examples that’ll give you ideas you can try this week.

We’re back with Lauren, this time digging into pace, rhythms, and how busyness intertwined with drinking and why alcohol felt like the only “off” switch

📘 What you’ll learn in this episode

• Lauren’s personal story: the fall that stopped her in her tracks, the cascade of overwhelm that followed, and how pace contributed to her drinking.
• Why hurry is spiritually dangerous, and how hurry and sin produce the same effect: cutting us off from God, others, and our own souls.
• The subtle trap: “I drink to slow down” — why it feels helpful in the moment and why it actually fuels worse sleep, anxiety, and overwhelm.
• Practical rhythm wins: Morning prayer + journaling, needlepoint Sabbath-ish screen breaks, shifting chores off Sundays, and asking “What can I offload?”
• The myth of productivity-as-worth: why busyness can be an avoidance strategy and how to start disentangling worth from to-do lists.
• Real hope for “boredom” fears: boredom at first is normal — it’s not the same as peace — and the horizon of meaningful, non-alcoholic rest gets easier with practice.

Lauren’s other episodes:

Lauren’s Freedom From Alcohol Beginning Story

Letting Go of Moderation As The Goal

Resources Mentioned:

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer

🤝 Join our community: https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community

📖 Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

📲 Instagram: @butjesusdrankwine

🎥 We’re on YouTube too—come hang out!The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain patterns keep repeating, or how to stop passing pain down the line, this conversation is for you.

This week we’re joined by Gina Birkemeier, LPC—licensed professional counselor, international speaker, and award-winning author of Generations Deep: Unmasking Inherited Dysfunction and Trauma to Rewrite Our Stories Through Faith and Therapy.

Gina specializes in generational trauma and the intersection of faith and psychology, bringing nearly two decades of clinical work (and her own story) to help people rewrite their narratives through the lens of faith, science, and hope.

📘 What you’ll learn in this episode

• Invisible scripts & attachment: How early patterns (spoken and unspoken) shape identity, coping, and relationships—and how to name them.
• Curiosity over combat: Why shouting Bible verses at intrusive thoughts often backfires, and how to pull weeds (roots) before planting truth.
• After year one AF: Why sobriety can get harder once the behavior changes—because now you’re facing the drivers beneath the drinking.
• Epigenetics ≠ destiny: Family history creates predisposition, not a prison. What rewiring looks like physiologically and spiritually.
• Repair with kids: How to apologize well, reopen connection, and invite ongoing feedback without sliding into shame.
• Inner-child work with Jesus: Meeting unmet needs with compassion when parents couldn’t—or can’t—do the repair.
• Faith + therapy together: How Scripture and nervous-system wisdom align (“be transformed by the renewing of your mind”).

💌 Resources & Links:

Gina’s Book: Generations Deep: Unmasking Inherited Dysfunction and Trauma to Rewrite Our Stories Through Faith and Therapy.

🤝 Join our community: https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community

📖 Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

📲 Instagram: @butjesusdrankwine🎥 We’re on YouTube too—come hang out!The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Will people still like me? Will I be boring? Will I be left out? We’ve been there, and today our team joins us to share the real story of how friendships shift… and why the changes are ultimately a beautiful blessing.You’ll hear honest fears, surprising blessings, and practical ways to navigate social life alcohol-free, without losing yourself (or your true people).📘 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• From fear to freedom: The most common friendship worries (being “boring,” losing invites, not fitting in) and what actually happened.
• Practicing new social firsts: Weddings, themed parties, girls’ nights, how repetition makes it normal (and fun) to show up sober.
• Quality over quantity: Redefining friendship from “people I drink with” to mutual care, honesty, and presence.
• Vulnerability vs. lowered inhibitions: Why real connection requires trust, not cocktails, and how to build it.
• The ripple effect: How your “no” can give someone else permission to skip the drink too.
• Loosening your grip: Offering up friendships you’re clinging to and watching God bring better-than-expected community.

🕊️ Scripture woven through:

• Romans 12:2 — Don’t conform; be transformed.
• Ephesians 3:16–20 — God does immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
• Genesis 22 — Trusting God with what you love (Abraham & Isaac).

💌 Resources & Links:🤝 Join our community: https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community

📖 Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

📲 Instagram: @butjesusdrankwine

🎥 We’re on YouTube too—come hang out!

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

For the first time ever, we recorded with the team in person—from our Leadership Retreat in Colorado Springs! Join us (plus Sam, Amber, Jill, Tracy, Kelsey, and Lauren) for a cozy, honest roundtable.

We talk about the moment each of us got brave, how community breaks shame, and the surprising ways love, joy, and peace grow when alcohol isn’t running the show.

Whether you’re just getting curious or already walking your own alcohol exodus, this one’s rich with real-life stories, practical shifts, and Scripture-rooted encouragement.

📘 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• From “stuck” to starting: Why the first step is the hardest, and how surrender (not control) actually moves you forward.
• Breaking shame in community: How saying it out loud with safe people dismantles isolation and accelerates healing (Romans 12:2 vibes).
• Everyday proof of change: Driving the rental car, offering to be DD, cooking dinner with joy, early mornings with God, what freedom looks like IRL.
• Finding real LJP (Love, Joy, Peace): The quiet practices that replace the evening pour—prayer, needlepoint/creative work, a walk, a mocktail, joyful movement, Scripture.
• The stories that kept us stuck: “I need it to relax,” “I’ll lose friends,” “What if I can’t change?”—and what God revealed on the other side.
• Marriage & friendships: Why connection deepens (not shrinks) when alcohol isn’t mediating the relationship.
• A better-than-expected life: Ephesians 3:16–20 in action—how God keeps doing immeasurably more than we asked or imagined.

🕊️ Scripture woven through:

• Romans 12:2 — Don’t conform; be transformed.
• Ephesians 3:16–20 — Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

🤝 Join our community: https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community

📖 Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

📲 Connect on Instagram: @butjesusdrankwine

🎥 We’re on YouTube too—come hang out!

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We did it! This episode was recorded in person at our first Leadership Retreat in Colorado Springs, CO. We share the heart behind the weekend, how this ministry began, and what God is building through community.

You’ll also get a sneak peek at the next two episodes featuring stories from our leadership team, on life after alcohol and the “friendship shuffle.”

Whether you’ve been with us since Episode 1 or you’re brand new, we hope this behind-the-scenes conversation makes you feel right at home with us.

In this episode:

• Retreat highlights: worship around the fire (bear visit included 🐻), shared meals, prayer over every community member by name, and recording together for the first time.
• The origin story: how a cold email became a friendship, a podcast, and, surprise to us, a ministry.
• Why community matters: the difference between white-knuckling alone and growing together around Jesus (not wine).
• Work God has done: what freedom looks like years later, and why it keeps getting better.
• What’s coming next: two team episodes on (1) the biggest life changes after alcohol and (2) navigating friendships as you grow.
• An invitation: pray with us as we plan our first in-person gatherings for the whole community.

📖 Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

🤝 Join our community: https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community
📲 Connect on Instagram: @butjesusdrankwine

🎥 We’re on YouTube too—come hang out!

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Sign up for the September 40 Day Fast here: https://butjesusdrankwine.myflodesk.com/septemberfast

In Week 6—the final week—of our 6-part Monday series walking through Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast, we’re covering Days 35–40. These last chapters are all about navigating real-life situations, confronting shame, and stepping fully into lasting freedom.

From the workplace happy hour to vacation cocktails, from cultural pressures like “mommy wine time” to the quiet work of letting go of fixation—this week brings together everything you’ve learned and invites you to reflect on how far you’ve come.

Whether you’ve been with us since Day 1 or you’re just dropping in, this episode will leave you inspired, equipped, and ready to walk forward in confidence and joy—rooted in your identity in Christ.

📘 This week covers:

💼 Day 35: Alcohol and the Office
How to navigate workplace drinking culture with grace and confidence.

⛓️ Day 36: Breaking the Chains of Shame
The truth about shame, why it’s not from God, and how to walk in freedom.

🍼 Day 37: Sobering Up to Mommy Wine Culture
Unpacking the cultural messages around “wine mom” life—and how to create new narratives.

✈️ Day 38: Travel and Vacations Without Alcohol
How to enjoy every moment of your trip without needing a drink to make it “special.”

🔓 Day 39: Fixated or Free?
Moving from obsessing about not drinking to living in true, joyful freedom.

🌅 Day 40: Reflections on the Journey
Looking back on the fast, celebrating transformation, and setting your eyes on what’s next.

💌 Resources & Links:

📣 Join the September 40 Day Fast
Registration is open now for the next live-coached 40 Day Alcohol Fast starting September 8! Walk through the fast in real time with coaching, community, and the support you need to finish strong.
👉 Sign up here: https://butjesusdrankwine.myflodesk.com/septemberfast

📖 Order your copy of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind

🤝 Join our community: https://butjesusdrankwine.com/community
📲 Connect on Instagram: @butjesusdrankwine

🎥 We’re on YouTube too—come hang out!

The creators, hosts, and producers of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological or professional advice nor do they intend for the podcast, any communication on behalf of BJDW or otherwise to be a substitute for such. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed in any mention of and/or linked resources are those of the authors/owners of those resources and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the But Jesus Drank Wine podcast team or guests of the show.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.