The Mentor's Table: A Place for Women Desiring a Biblical Spiritual Mentor

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This week we're expounding on the dangers of confirmation bias and focusing our attention on two key components:

1. You must know you're foundational beliefs to understand where confirmation bias will come into play. If those beliefs don't line up with the Word of God or the character of God, that's more important than spitting out a response.

2. God lives outside of space and time; He is not in a hurry to hear your response. He gave us the spiritual disciplines as a way to develop a rhythm of slow and steady in our lives; our response to current events is no different.

Pull up a chair 🪑  by commenting on joyabad.com or Instagram.

SHOW NOTES

Part 1 of this conversation.

Part 2 of this conversation.

Part 3 of this conversation (where we begin defining "confirmation bias)

Confirmation Bias on simplypsychology.org

"End Times: Who's Really Influencing You Online" on the Eyes on the Right podcast.

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Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

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What does the term "confirmation bias" have to do with formulating a God-honoring response to current events? Well, . . .  everything!

In this episode, we'll define confirmation bias, talk about its effect on memory and recall, and discuss the subtle ways it skews your outlook on events and your ability to properly discern truth. Confirmation bias in and of itself is not bad, but it is important to name and define it, so you don't fall into the trap of choosing a response that is unaware of blind spots. 

Pull up a chair 🪑 by joining the conversation (see below).

SHOW NOTES

Part 1 of this conversation.

Part 2 of this conversation.

Confirmation Bias on simplypsychology.org

Spiritual Disciplines on The Mentor's Table:

• Remembering: Part 1 & Part 2
• Silence: Part 1 & Part 2
• Sabbath: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
• Fasting: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

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Add your voice to the Table HERE:

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Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

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In this episode, we'll continue to build our God-honoring responses to current events. Not only are we called to walk in love but to take responsibility for our words that could potentially de-humanize the people we are talking about. Dehumanization is a slippery slope to "rejoicing in social injustices," which, according to 1 Corinthians 13:6, is NOT God's love.  

We'll also talk about the importance of soul care and some practical tips to keep your soul energized and strong during this deluge of emotionally taxing current events. Let's be counter-cultural and slow down rather than jump on the urgent-train and feel compelled to spit out hot takes within moments after another painful current event causes our heads to spin again.

Pull up a chair 🪑 

SHOW NOTES

Part 1 of this series: How to Formulate a God-Honoring Response to Current Events

John 13:35 NLT "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

I Corinthians 13:6 NLT "[Love] does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out."

Isaiah 61:1-3 CJB

The Spirit of Adonai Elohim is upon me,
because Adonai has anointed me
to announce good news to the poor.
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted;
to proclaim freedom to the captives,
to let out into light those bound in the dark;

to proclaim the year of the favor of Adonai
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn,
yes, provide for those in Tziyon who mourn,

giving them garlands instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
a cloak of praise instead of a heavy spirit,
so that they will be called oaks of righteousness
planted by Adonai, in which he takes pride.

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Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

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🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

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This is only one component of a multi-layered and important conversation that followers of Jesus need to work through. My goal is not to prepare you for a debate-team-style win but to prepare you to be a representative of Jesus Christ in your words, actions, and posts on social media. This episode covers the first and most important filter we must all keep at the forefront of any response. 

We'll cover more layers in the following episodes, so be sure to subscribe to the pod so each new episode auto-populates in your feed. This IS NOT a stand-alone episode! Please stick around for the entire conversation, and reach out with your responses along the way. Let's work together to empower the Church to live as effective lights for God in this broken world.

SHOW NOTES

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." Proverbs 25:11

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35

Where this conversation began on As We Grow "BONUS EPISODE: On Division In the Church."

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

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What if all that we're learning about tables doesn't just apply to our physical dining room tables, but rather, what if it applies to all of our virtual tables (i.e., social media platforms)? 

Who are you inviting to your table? Who are you excluding from your table? What does God have to say about our invites? Let's get into it.

Pull up a chair 🪑  Comment below to join the conversation!

SHOW NOTES

Sitting At the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith

"The inclusion of sinners in the community of salvation, achieved in table-fellowship, is the most meaningful expression of the message of the redeeming love of God." Joachim Jeremias (pg. 149)

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 ESV

Episode on As We Grow where I began this conversation about unity over division: "BONUS EPISODE: Division in the Church"

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Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

In this current cultural moment, conflict and division are rampant not just in the world but in the Church as well. Yet we all have a reminder in our homes that can serve as a symbol of peace and laying down our conflicts. This isn't just some theology I cooked up; this has biblical precedence. Let's talk about it. Pull up a chair 🪑 

SHOW NOTES

Where Heaven Meets Earth with N.T. Wright on Blurry Creatures -- Another podcast discussing the power of a table (around minute 42:00).

The story of Laban and Jacob reconciling over a meal is found in Genesis 31.

Sitting At the Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler & Lois Tverberg -- Modern-day story of a table as a sanctuary of peace and a place where conflicts are laid down and not picked up again is found on pages 146-47.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

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Last week, we began our deep dive into the power of a TABLE. Part two of this conversation today focuses on the biblical precedent of regarding our dining table as a type of altar, which means we hosts are then the designated priests meant to represent the presence of God to those who gather around our table. There's so much to study when it comes to tables! I'm loving this. BONUS: We begin with a Bible-reading tip that has helped me recognize the frequency of themes in the Bible when I read through the Bible in a year.

And, I finally remembered to add in a personal update at the end! I'll try to get that in on a more regular basis. This week, I'm sharing my intention/focus/habit for 2026 and what it has to do with tables and my family. Hint: I was convicted by a Joe Rogan podcast. 

Pull up a chair. 🪑 

SHOW NOTES

"Episode 178: Dr. Matthew Sleeth" on That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

Reforesting Faith: What Trees Teach Us About the Nature of God and His Love For Us by Matthew Sleeth

Moses, Aaron, & 70 elders share a ceremonial meal with God on Mt. Sinai: Exodus 24:1-18

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith

The Joe Rogan Experience: #2424 - Jelly Roll

The episode where I talk about my conviction to intentionally make space for long-form conversations in my life: "The Big Bonus Episode" on As We Grow.

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

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Ever wonder why we chose the name, The Mentor's TABLE? I've always been drawn to tables, and as I began to study Jewish culture, I learned that gathering around a table is not only nourishing physically but also relationally. In fact, historically, an invitation to a table was not just for a meal but also inherent in that invitation was a promise of protection that went along with hospitality. 

Here at the Mentor's Table, I take that responsibility seriously. I don't just want to nourish your spirit with teachings from the Bible, but I also invite you to share with me your struggles, and I will advocate for you spiritually as well.

Pull up a chair 🪑. Let's talk about it.  

SHOW NOTES

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith by Ann Spangler & Lois Tverberg (at the time of this recording, the ebook is free on kindleunlimited!).

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

This is about as passionate as Joy gets! You're going to want to sit down and make some space to be present while listening to this one. Pull up a chair 🪑 

Please note, we are taking the last two weeks of December off. This is a great time to catch up on any episodes you may have missed. The Mentor's Table will resume on January 7th, 2026. 

SHOW NOTES

Advent Week 3: Joy

The Bible Project video on the biblical meaning of JOY.

The Bible Project podcast deep dive about JOY in the Bible--highly recommend!

Joy's other podcast: As We Grow (New episode releasing on December 29th).

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links

Send us Fan Mail

In this merry season of hustle and hurry, let's commit to intentionally making space for the sacred, simply setting aside small pockets of time to fix our eyes on what's most important--God. For me, this looks like a rhythm of observing Advent, namely in following Bible reading plans for the four themes and, my favorite, incorporating fire 🔥 

How do you find moments to hold the sacred in this busy season? Text the show (above), and tell me all about it!

FAVORITE ADVENT RESOURCES

Bible Project | Advent 

Advent Video Series

Advent Reading Plans

Advent Podcast Series: Hope & Peace

"Waiting, Longing, Rejoicing, and Beholding with Rich Villodas" on the That Sounds Fun podcast with Annie F. Downs

Support the show

Add your voice to the Table HERE:

🪑 Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

🪑 Sign up for my monthly newsletter here and receive a free "Couch-to-Sabbath" plan to start a sabbath rhythm in your own life. 

🪑 Website: JoyAbad.com

🪑 Email: [email protected]

🪑 Instagram: @joyabaddotcom

Join my friend Gretchen and me on our podcast As We Grow for fun conversations about what we're currently learning as we grow in our walks with God. You can expect lots of laughs and a little serious each time.

*Show notes may contain affiliate links