Write this Down! with Dot Bowen

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Even when the cost of following God seems high, you never want to look back and wonder what could have happened if you’d obeyed Him. In this episode, Dot and Cara talk through the amazing examples of obedience we see in Esther and Mordecai. They also discuss the idea that we often can’t see God’s plan when we’re in the middle of a challenging situation, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t moving and changing everything in seemingly small moments. Grab a cup of coffee and listen along!

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down Esther 4:12-14 (0:12)
• God is not mentioned in Esther, but her story plays a central part in Jewish history (1:27)
• Esther had faith in the midst of an impossible situation (3:44)
• You can’t always see God’s hand when you’re in the middle of the story (9:25)
• In the end, Mordecai is rewarded for his commitment (10:34)
• The cost of taking action may be less than the cost of doing nothing at all (13:03)
• God can change history in the smallest of moments, even when we don’t know it (15:12)
• The themes of Esther’s story lead us right into Job (22:30)

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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 wants to use us to carry out His plans in the world, but that requires us to protect our hearts and minds from worldly distractions. In this episode, Dot and Cara reflect on the example Nehemiah set through his approach to rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. They discuss the idea that sometimes it’s healthy to build walls that protect us and show people that we’re focused on following Jesus. They also talk about the importance of standing firm in what God has called you to do in the midst of fear and criticism.

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down Nehemiah 2:17-18 (0:13)
• Some walls keep people out, but others are important for protecting yourself (1:24)
• How to know if a wall is healthy (4:14)
• The walls of Jerusalem were a symbol of God setting the Jewish people apart (6:38)
• We should live in a way that makes it clear that we’re following Jesus (11:50)
• Surround yourself with people who help you follow God more closely (13:57)
• Nehemiah fought fear and false accusations with prayer (21:25)
• God wants us to work with Him to carry out His plan of restoration (26:11)

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 God chooses to work through us, it’s not a reflection of how great we are, but rather how good and powerful He is. In this episode, Dot and Cara talk about the example David set for us when he prayed to God with humility and gratitude. They discuss the importance of embracing whatever calling God has given you — even if it feels small or insignificant — and Dot shares a story about the lessons she’s learned from watching cruise ships and fishing boats on the ocean.

Episode Recap
 

• Start by writing down 1 Chronicles 17:19-22 (0:13)
   
• 1 and 2 Chronicles cover the same time in history as 1 and 2 Kings, but from different perspectives (2:06)
   
• David sat before God with humility (5:43)
   
• Not everyone is called to be a cruise ship, it’s often small boats that feed people (10:50)
   
• There’s a difference between doubting yourself and asking “who am I that God would use me?” (16:58)
   
• It’s not what you do, it’s the fact that God has chosen you to do it (22:10)
   
• The things that feel huge for us aren’t hard for God (24:00)
   
• David reminds us that God wants to use us, and also to give God the glory (27:19)
   

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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! 

Have you ever wished God would just tell you exactly what His will for your life is? While you may not know all the details of your specific situation, God’s will for all of us is clear in Romans: to love Him and surrender our lives to Him. In this episode, Dot and Cara discuss what it means to become a living sacrifice to God. They talk about the different ways God calls us to love people — even when we don’t agree with their choices — and they explain how our actions can be an overflow of our relationship with God. Grab your Bible, pull up a chair, and join us!

Episode Recap
● Start by writing down Romans 12:1-6 (0:13)
● God’s will for us is simple (1:30)
● We may not have all the details, but we can glorify God wherever we are (9:03)
● When we seek God with all our hearts, He is glorified (14:24)
● You can love someone without agreeing with all the things they do (21:57)
● Doing godly things is not what makes us Christian; faith in Jesus does (26:17)
● Whatever is in you will always overflow (28:52)
● God asks us to give up our right to be right, so we can be close to Him (32:00)

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! 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  Psalms 139:13-14

In this episode, Dot and Cara take a break from discussing their Bible reading and discuss a topic weighing heavy on Dot’s heart, abortion. This episode is a bit different than most given the subject matter and heaviness on their hearts. Yet after watching the news one night, Dot couldn’t sleep and began to pray to ask God to heal our land. (2 Chronicles 7:14). We may not understand God’s ways, but even when we do not understand, we can pray to a God who does.

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! 

Elijah got to see God perform amazing miracles, but he still felt afraid and wondered if God’s provision was enough for him. In this episode, Dot and Cara talk about the parallels they notice between Elijah’s escape from Jezebel and the fears many of us experience in our own lives. They discuss the way that God cared for Elijah in the midst of his exhaustion and explain how just like Elijah, we can almost miss God’s presence if we’re only looking out for a major miracle. Grab a cup of coffee and listen in!

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down 1 Kings 19:1-3 (0:13)
• All throughout Kings we see stories of people serving God and then falling away (2:12)
• Elijah is an extremely important prophet and Old Testament figure (6:25)
• Even after seeing God do incredible miracles, Elijah ran away in fear (9:54)
• Words have more power than we often realize (12:08)
• God meets Elijah at his lowest point and takes care of him (16:32)
• When Elijah felt alone, God’s voice led him out (21:36)
• Sometimes when we’re looking for God to show His power, He shows up in the quiet instead (25:56)
• We should serve God because we love Him, not serve Him in order to love Him (29:20)

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 Solomon became king, he knew he’d need God’s wisdom to help him rule. In this episode, Dot and Cara talk about what it looks like to ask God for wisdom in our own lives, and then to have the faith to act while knowing God has given us what we need and He will accomplish His plans. They also explain how idolatry held many of Israel and Judah’s kings back from fully serving God, and they reflect on the ways idolatry can show up in all of our lives.

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down 1 Kings 3:7-10 (0:12)
• There were very few good kings in Israel and Judah (4:36)
• It’s easy to let other things become idols, even when we’re trying to follow God (7:51)
• Solomon knew he’d need God’s help to fill David’s shoes (18:05)
• When we ask for wisdom, we then need to trust that God has given it (20:43)
• Just because we’re not seeing the outcome we want doesn’t mean that we made the wrong decision (24:55)
• God’s plan cannot be thwarted (28:16)

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! 

Even though David made many mistakes, he also excelled at keeping his heart focused on God. In this episode, Dot and Cara explore what some of the key moments in David’s life can teach us about obedience, forgiveness, and respect for authority. They also compare David’s attitude to Saul’s, which was driven by anger, jealousy, and pride, and they discuss how holding onto bitterness prevents us from fully allowing God to take control of our circumstances.

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down 1 Samuel 24:3-4 (0:11)
• David’s heart and mind were focused on doing what God would want (1:38)
• It’s OK to feel afraid, but don’t let that stop you from following God’s instructions (6:54)
• David respected Saul’s authority even though he knew he’d be king one day (10:26)
• Forgiveness allows us to step back and let God can take care of things (15:11)
• The position of someone’s heart is more important than external behavior (19:01)
• We can’t force other people to change their perspectives (27:07)
• We win by focusing on God (29:11)

Resources:

“A Tale of Three Kings” by Gene Edwards

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 Hannah asked for a son, God gave her Samuel. When the Israelites asked for a king, God anointed Saul even though He knew there would be consequences. In this episode, Dot and Cara talk about the ways that our prayers intersect with God’s plans. They also discuss the lessons we can learn from David and Saul, including the importance of staying humble and keeping your heart focused on God.

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down 1 Samuel 2:1-2 (0:13)
• Israel wanted a king in spite of Samuel’s warnings (1:36)
• Hannah was desperate for a son and God honored her desire and faithfulness (6:34)
• God was setting the stage for the coming Messiah (10:39)
• God warned the Israelites but ultimately gave them what they asked for (11:38)
• There’s a difference between consequences and God forsaking us (13:36)
• The Israelites’ idea of freedom led to captivity (16:40)
• David made mistakes but his heart was focused on God (18:09)
• In his pride, Saul forgot that God made Him king (24:00)

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! 

The story of Ruth is ultimately a story about the commitment God makes to accomplishing His plans. In this episode, Dot and Cara talk about the book of Ruth and the way it points to Jesus as the kinsman redeemer who allows us to claim our inheritance from God. They also reflect on the meaning of Good Friday, which reminds us to have faith even when we’re grieving and don’t understand why life has turned out a certain way.

Episode Recap

• Start by writing down Ruth 4:13-14 (0:13)
• It’s easy to become bitter when life doesn’t turn out how you expected (1:58)
• Ruth is really a story about Jesus becoming our kinsman redeemer (5:33)
• God accomplished His plan even in the midst of terrible circumstances (11:10)
• Good Friday reminds us that the darkest times can lead to a miracle (22:19)
• We can take the next step in faith that God is working (24:55)

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