Write this Down! with Dot Bowen

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

Even when we fall or face unimaginable circumstances, we are more than conquerors through Christ. In this episode, Dot and Cara wrap up our series on running the race marked out for us by talking about Dot’s experience of finishing the half marathon. They also reflect on the ways we can find hope in the midst of tragedies like the recent Nashville shooting and share some words of encouragement for anyone who’s struggling to trust God’s plan.
 

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down Romans 8:35-39 (0:12)
• The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in us (1:53)
• When you go through the unimaginable, God is with you (5:22)
• Dot’s experience of finishing the half marathon (10:31)
• It’s only through God that we are more than conquerors (16:05)
• Sometimes the biggest mistakes lead to the biggest lessons (24:34)
• The love of God keeps us moving forward (30:19)
• God has a purpose and a plan, even when we don’t see it (34:15)

Resources:

“The Race Marked Out for Us” by Dot Bowen

Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected]

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

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

Watch Write this Down! on YouTube

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 

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

Just like we need water every day to stay alive and healthy, we need the Holy Spirit’s consistent presence in our lives. In this episode, Dot and Cara compare the experience of the woman at the well in John 4 to Dot’s experience of running a half marathon. They talk about why it’s so important to let God satisfy our hearts’ desires, and they share practical advice for building intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
 

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down John 4:13-15 (0:12)
• Sometimes the thing we need most is not what we think it is (1:34)
• Only Jesus can satisfy the desires of our hearts (7:23)
• If you truly believed who God was, why would you worry? (11:20)
• Living water represents the power of the Holy Spirit (14:03)
• We need to prepare consistently, not just in hard moments (17:16)
• How to connect with the Holy Spirit (23:01)
   

Resources:

“The Race Marked Out for Us” by Dot Bowen
 

Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected]
 

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

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

Watch Write this Down! on YouTube

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 

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

In order to run the race marked out for us, we need to train with Scripture and prayer. In this episode, Dot and Cara continue to talk about the lessons Dot learned from running a half marathon. They explain why training is so important for our spiritual journeys and also discuss how these lessons apply to parenting. Grab your Bible and a journal and join us!
 

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down Hebrews 12:11 (0:12)
• It’s important to train for our races (1:18)
• Sometimes all we can do is keep going (4:45)
• Just like a race, our faith is a journey (9:23)
• We often worry about the destination but forget about the journey (14:37)
• Spiritual discipline and maturity come when you’re trained by the Holy Spirit (16:11)
• When our own strength isn’t enough, we can learn to cry out to God (23:24)
• Love is what makes someone a good parent (27:50)
• If you want to follow Jesus, know what He said and what He cares about (36:20)

Resources:

“The Race Marked Out for Us” by Dot Bowen

Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected]

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

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

Watch Write this Down! on YouTube

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 

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

What does it actually mean to run the race marked out for us? In this episode, Dot and Cara begin a new series about Hebrews 12:1 and Dot’s book, “The Race Marked Out for Us.” Dot shares the story of signing up for a half marathon without knowing what to expect, and she explains how the lessons she learned also apply to the experience of following Jesus. Pull up a chair and listen in!

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down Hebrews 12:1 (0:12)
• This week we’re kicking off a new series based on Dot’s book (1:44)
• Whatever season you’re in, we’re all running a race (8:16)
• We tend to think life will only be good when we start following Jesus (11:37)
• Sometimes our race is harder than we expect (28:16)
• We don’t get to choose our course (32:15)

Resources:

“The Race Marked Out for Us” by Dot Bowen

Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected]

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

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

Watch Write this Down! on YouTube

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 

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

How do we know whether a teaching is from God or from the world? In this episode, Dot and Cara talk about some of the mysteries expressed in 1 John and remind us that God is not a God of confusion. They also talk about what it means to be born again, and they share some practical tips for knowing God’s will and doing our best to glorify Him. Grab your Bible and a journal and join us!

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down 1 John 4:4-6 (0:12)
• Jesus was born of the flesh without sin (1:20)
• We were born into sinful flesh, but through Jesus we can be born again (7:21)
• God is not a God of confusion (13:34)
• Is a teaching leading you to God, or pushing you away from Him? (20:14)
• Are you motivated by the world’s principles, or by God’s kingdom? (24:51)
• God’s will is for us to glorify Him in all we do (28:59)
• Anything that is more important to us than God is an idol (34:44)

Resources:

Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected]

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

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

Watch Write this Down! on YouTube

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 

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

God loves us even when we sin, but sin also affects our intimacy with Him. In this episode, Dot and Cara talk through some of the more confusing messages in the book of 1 John. They explain how sin affects us, and they talk about the idea that Jesus is our advocate before God. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join the conversation!


Episode Recap
● Start by writing down 1 John 2:1-2 (0:13)
● 1 John can be confusing without context (1:27)
● When you know God loves you, you can handle certain harsh truths (5:26)
● What does it mean to have an advocate? (11:26)
● Sin separates us from intimacy with God (16:13)
● God loves non-believers, too (22:59)
● Our lifestyle should reflect our love for God (30:28)


Resources:
If you have a question or if you'd like to share what you're learning, send us an email - [email protected]

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook
 

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

Watch Write this Down! on YouTube

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 

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

What does it mean to experience fellowship with God? In this episode, Dot and Cara discuss this question, along with some of the other key ideas they find in the book of 1 John. They talk about the importance of telling what God has done in our lives, the difference between our experience and God’s truth, and much more. Pull up a chair and join us!

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down 1 John 1:5 (0:13)
• John focused on telling people about Jesus’ divinity (2:04)
• Eyewitness accounts are powerful (5:27)
• We’re called to tell people about what God has done in our lives (8:59)
• The New Testament writers focused on telling their stories, not on convincing people to believe (11:54)
• If you think you’re without sin, you’re deceiving yourself (14:41)
• God knows our hearts and sees when we struggle (23:10)
• Our experience and emotions do not shape God’s truth (27:54)
• Fellowship is a gift enjoyed by both us and God (35:44)

Resources:

“The Voice of the Heart” by Chip Dodd

Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected]

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

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

Watch Write this Down! on YouTube

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 

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

Prayer is one of the most important parts of our faith, and yet many of us struggle with it. Today, Dot and Cara wrestle with the question, “Why should we pray?” They also talk about some of the ways that we can build a more intimate and trusting relationship with God, even when we’re struggling. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join us!

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down Matthew 22:37-38 (0:13)
• “Why should I pray?” is a question for many believers (1:51)
• It’s important to be honest with God when we pray (9:34)
• There’s a difference between knowing God’s power and knowing His ways (12:17)
• Are you focused on spending time with God, or only on asking for things? (21:01)
• Intimacy requires us to be honest (28:30)
• God will reveal Himself if we ask for the ability to trust Him (34:48)

Resources:

The Papa Prayer by Larry Crabb

Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected]

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

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

Watch Write this Down! on YouTube

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 

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

When Moses was doubting his ability to go before the Egyptians, God told him, “I Am Who I Am.” In this episode, Dot and Cara talk about what this name of God means for our lives. They also explain how we can see Moses’ intimacy with God grow throughout Scripture, and they encourage us to seek God’s presence more than we seek His promises. Grab your Bible and a journal and listen in!

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down Exodus 3:13-15 (0:13)
• Moses didn’t understand how God could use him (2:12)
• Moses had a truly intimate relationship with God (7:25)
• Throughout the story, we get to see Moses’ faith grow (10:54)
• There’s a difference between doubting God and asking Him questions (15:05)
• We will never fulfill God’s purpose if we’re focused on our abilities (18:57)
• Don’t put your trust in the outcome, put your trust in God (23:02)
• The Israelites wanted miracles, but Moses wanted God’s presence (26:15)

Resources:

Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected]

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

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

Watch Write this Down! on YouTube

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 

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

So often, we try to explain God instead of letting God tell us who He is. In this episode, Dot and Cara answer a frequently asked question: “How do I build a more intimate relationship with God?” Dot explains how studying the names of God has helped her understand Him better, and they talk about some of the different ways God has revealed Himself in Scripture and in their own lives. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and listen in!

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down Proverbs 18:10 (0:12)
• We often focus more on the suffering we’re experiencing than on being righteous through it (0:58)
• You can’t love and trust someone unless you know them intimately (6:05)
• To better understand God, look at His names (9:47)
• God looks beyond our failures and weaknesses to see what we can be (13:08)
• Deep struggles can lead to deeper intimacy with God (17:31)
• God reveals through He is through His names (21:28)
• How can you trust God if you don’t know who He is? (30:37)
• To have intimacy with God is to know that He’s in control (32:17)
• God doesn’t want us to explain who He is, He wants to tell us who He is (37:18)

Resources:

Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected]

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

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

Watch Write this Down! on YouTube

Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook