Write this Down! with Dot Bowen

In this episode, we are talking about one of the New Testament’s most unique characters: John the Baptist. Dot and Cara discuss the unusual circumstances of his birth, the confidence he had to be exactly who God called him to be, and his faithfulness in carrying out that calling, even when it cost him his life. We hope this conversation inspires you to live confidently, secure in your place in God’s kingdom. Grab a cup of coffee and your Bible and learn with us from John the Baptist today.

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 

Episode recap:

• Start by writing down Matthew 3:1-6 (0:14)
• Everything about John was unusual from Day One (3:07)
• John knew he was not the Messiah, but he also knew God was going to use him (10:19)
• Like John, we can be confident in our unique role in God’s story (14:57)
• John was faithful to what God called him to do (22:16)
• John wasn’t threatened by Jesus’ popularity or His followers (26:25)
• While in prison, John sought reassurance from Jesus (28:07)
• When Jesus came into his ministry in a big way, John was in prison and didn’t get to see most of it (36:28)
• John modeled taking his doubts and fears to Jesus (38:33)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected].

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Scripture Verse: Matthew 3:1-6
Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying,

“THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS,
‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD,
MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!’”

Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather belt about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea, and all the district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. 

In this episode, we explore the story of Elijah — a man of great faith who, despite witnessing God's power, found himself overwhelmed by fear and doubt. Dot and Cara discuss how God met Elijah in his lowest moment, offering a gentle reminder of His presence in both the miraculous and in the quiet whispers. Pull up a chair and lean in with us as we learn from Elijah today. 

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 

Episode recap:

• Start by writing down 1 Kings 1:9-10 (0:14)
• God wants to do amazing things in our lives too (3:48)
• Elijah was born into a dark time in Israel’s history (5:10)
• If we don’t continually protect our minds when we are surrounded by darkness, we too can end up “in the cave” like Elijah (9:00)
• Elijah got a little prideful (13:00)
• We can get caught waiting on the big miracle and ignore all the ways God meets us “in the cave” (21:00)
• God leans into us (26:53)
• In the cave we can start to believe we are alone (32:03)
• How Cara practices being still and being in the presence of God (36:02)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected].

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Scripture Verse: 1 Kings 19:9-10
And he came there to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down the altars and killed the prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

We all want to be people after God’s own heart like David. Today, Dot and Cara explore how David’s quickness to recognize and address his sins set an example for us in our own relationship with God. Although he is known as shepherd, warrior, and king, David’s life was characterized by humility, confession, and repentance. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join us as we learn from David about having an intimate fellowship with our heavenly Father. 

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 

Episode recap:

• Start by writing down Psalm 61:1-4 (0:14)
• Let’s take a look at David’s backstory (4:45)
• David’s willingness to repent is a great example of true repentance (8:00)
• We get stuck in sin patterns because we don’t understand true repentance (13:10)
• We aren’t really concerned about how our sin separates us from God (18:34)
• David knew his place, he knew he wasn’t The King (27:00)
• David’s heart was what was truly attractive about David (28:00)
• Sin in us creates a breech in intimacy and fellowship with God (32:30)
• Ask God, is there anything coming between us? (36:14)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected].

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Scripture Verse: Psalm 61:104

Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.

I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

Today we’re looking at the unique role Moses played in the deliverance of Israel. From birth, God placed a call on his life to rescue the Hebrew people, but Moses faced challenges and missteps in his early efforts. Cara and Dot discuss the transformation that occurred after Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush and the deep intimacy with God that followed. Settle in with your Bible and your coffee as we explore what Moses’ journey teaches us about waiting on God's timing and pursuing intimacy with Him.

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 

Episode recap:

• Start by writing down Exodus 2:11-15 (0:14)
• Cara has a special place in her heart for Moses (2:10)
• Our efforts to help or rescue others don’t always go the way we hope they will (8:31)
• God placed the desire to protect and help the Hebrews on Moses’ heart (11:16)
• How do we know when to step in and when to refrain from helping others? (13:35)
• We have to wait until we are invited into other peoples’ lives  (20:48)
• When Moses met God in the burning bush, he left a changed man (23:54)
• Day by day Moses built a relationship with God and waited on His lead (31:40)
• Moses experienced a lot of wonders, but it all came from an intimate relationship with the Lord. That’s why he got to experience all that he did. (32:23)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected].

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When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.

Join us this week as we take a look at the faith journey of Abraham. From God’s initial call to move through decades of ups and downs in Abraham’s obedience, we unpack how Abraham trusted God, even though his faith was far from perfect. Grab your coffee and discover the power of a little faith in a big God as we discuss Abraham’s pursuit of obedience.

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 

Episode recap:

• Start by writing down Genesis 15:1-6 (0:15)
• Check out our YouTube channel to watch the show (1:45)
• When God calls Abram, we’re already in the middle of his life story (5:23)
• Abram’s instantaneous obedience is amazing to think about (9:25)
• How did Abram have so much faith in God? (13:58)
• We have so much knowledge today and the ability to be so self-sufficient, we find it harder to trust God (16:32)
• The story of Ishmael reminds us that even if we mess up and “get it wrong” God will still accomplish His purposes through us (20:56)
• Abraham was not perfect, but he kept acting in faith (23:25)
• Abraham “stayed in the room” with God through all of his years of doubting and waiting (26:00)
• Ask yourself today: “God, what are you asking me to do? I’m just a normal person with a little bit of faith, trusting in a big God.” (32:50)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected].

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After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
    I am your shield,
    your very great reward.”
But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit[c] my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

What does living out our freedom in Christ look like day-to-day? Join Dot and Cara as they continue last week’s thought-provoking discussion on true freedom for Christ followers. This week, we look at John 8:31-36 to explore how we can walk in the freedom given to us through Christ. Dot and Cara challenge us to embrace and experience this freedom daily, guided by the Holy Spirit. Grab your coffee and join us for another enlightening episode!

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 

Episode recap:

• Start by writing down John 8:31-36 (0:14)
• We are continuing our conversation from last week about freedom (2:00)
• What does living out our freedom in Christ look like day-to-day? (5:10)
• If you are discontent, there is probably something out of balance in your life, which means you’re heading toward bondage (7:25)
• The Holy Spirit prompts us when we are moving toward enslavement (9:12)
• Dot challenges us to memorize Romans 6 (13:14)
• We don’t need to “get free” we need to walk in the freedom we have been given through Christ (14:30)
• Jesus said He came to set us free! (17:23)
• If it’s keeping you from living the life God wants you to live, you need to rethink it.  (19:26)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected].

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Scripture Verse: John 8:31-36
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

What does freedom truly mean for Christ followers? Today Dot and Cara look to Exodus 5:1-3 to discover why the Israelites were set free from enslavement under Egypt. As we celebrate Independence Day this week in America, Dot and Cara dive into a 2-part series challenging our notions of what true freedom looks like. Grab a cup of coffee and  join us for a thought-provoking chat- which will be continued next week.

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 

Episode recap:

• Start by writing down Exodus 5:1-3 (0:15)
• Happy Fourth of July! (1:45)
• Freedom is often misunderstood (4:36)
• In Exodus, the Israelites are set free in order to worship (7:18)
• Paul talks about being enslaved to Christ (8:36)
• We often think our freedom is based on outward circumstances, but in truth it comes from within (10:36)
• We sacrifice personal freedom out of love for others in many relationships (12:50)
• You’re going to serve something or someone, so who will it be? (20:09)
• Anything that enslaves robs us of who we truly are when we are free in Christ  (23:33)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected].

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“Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.”

In this episode, Dot and Cara explore Hebrews 12:1-2, discussing how the Enemy aims to distract us from keeping our eyes on Jesus. They share how even good things can be distractions and how the pursuit of knowledge can hinder our ability to rest in the Lord. They also address the difficulty of saying ‘no’ and how every ‘yes’ means a ‘no’ to something else. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join us as we pursue intimacy with God in today’s discussion! 

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 

Episode recap:

• Start by writing down Hebrews 12:1-2 (0:15)
• The enemy wants to keep our eyes focused on anything other than Jesus and His will for my life (3:33)
• Satan even tempts us with good things (5:04)
• The pursuit of knowledge is a distraction to resting in the Lord (9:20)
• We don’t always need to know ‘why,’ instead, we can ask God, ‘what now?’ (11:34)
• Not being able to say ‘no’ to things is another common distraction (13:02)
• God has called each of us for a purpose  (15:33)
• Every time you say ‘yes,’ you are also saying ‘no’ to something else (17:31)
• Satan desires to keep up from having intimacy with God  (25:54)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected].

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Scripture Verse: Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB)
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ]fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

In today’s episode, Dot and Cara discuss the profound and sometimes complex concept of God as our Good Father. Reflecting on Father's Day, they explore how our personal experiences with our earthly fathers can shape our perception of God as our Heavenly Father. They remind us not to project human imperfections onto God, and instead, embrace the truth of His unwavering goodness and love, guided by the Holy Spirit. Grab a cup of coffee and join us! 

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 

Episode recap:

• Start by writing down Matthew 6:7-9  (0:14)
• Today we’re talking about how we can view God as a good father, regardless of our relationship with our earthly father (1:06)
• The Holy Spirit helps us know God as a good father (3:08)
• In Matthew 6, Jesus chooses an unusual word, “Abba” to refer to God (5:53)
• Jesus wants us to understand the intimate relationship we can have with God (11:11)
• The ancient conception of God was that He was untouchable and distant (17:30)
• God doesn’t always give us what we ask for because it isn’t always good for us (22:22)
• God is the kind of father who is going to “stay in the room” with us (26:40)
• We have to be careful not to project our own image of a father onto God (31:32)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected].

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Scripture Verse: Matthew 6:7-9  (NIV)

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name…”

Today Dot and Cara dive into the practical aspects of forgiveness, grounded in Ephesians 3:16-20. They discuss how forgiveness is an act of obedience to God and not a one-size-fits-all process. Cara shares a personal prayer, emphasizing the importance of praying for a spirit of forgiveness early and often. They also remind listeners that forgiving doesn’t mean condoning wrongs and that forgiveness, like a muscle, gets easier with practice. Pull up a chair and join them for this heartfelt discussion.

Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 

Episode recap:

• Start by writing down Ephesians 3:16-20  (0:14)
• Today we’re talking about the practical, how-to side of forgiveness (2:08)
• Forgiveness is done out of obedience to God and for His glory (5:21)
• There’s not a one size fits all process for forgiveness (7:04)
• Cara’s prayer for forgiveness format from “Be Transformed” by John Robin Murphy (see below) (9:40)
• Pray for a spirit of forgiveness early and often (12:03)
• Forgiving does not mean what happened was not wrong (18:03)
• Ask the Lord for wisdom for your situation (20:21)
• We have to deal with spiritual issues with spiritual weapons (27:41)
• Like exercising a muscle, forgiveness gets easier with practice and time (31:21)

Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected].

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“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Cara’s Prayer from the book “Be Transformed” by John Robin Murphy: 

Heavenly Father, I forgive [Name]. I forgive [him or her] for: [list everything you can think of that caused the offense and how you suffered as a result of the behavior.] I ask that You forgive [name] as well. Father, I ask that I would lose sight of the offense, and if I am ever reminded of it, that I will dismiss that memory as an old, resolved conflict. Father I ask for the strength to simply forget the incident and move on with rebuilding the relationship as You lead me to do so. 

Father, please show me how to love [Name} the way You do. Father, show me how to turn my offense into concern for [Name’s] well-being. Father, I am moved to forgive [him or her] because I desire to be obedient to You and desire for You to be glorified. Father, I ask You to forgive me for not forgiving [Name] before now and remove from my heart any consequence or torment from not forgiving them in the past. 

Father, I confess that I will need Your help to live out this forgiveness and I ask You to give me strength to live true to this forgiveness. Father, please bless [Name’s] life in every way and heal [Name] of any emotional or physical wounds that cause [Name] suffering. (If you are not sure of the person’s salvation in Christ): Lord, I also pray for [Name’s ] salvation and ask that you would write [Name’s] name in the Book of Life and compel [Name] to seek Your salvation. 

I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.