Now that Jesus has died on the cross for our sins, why should we care about the laws in the Old Testament? In this episode, Cara asks Dot a few of her burning questions about the Old Testament, the meaning of a sacrifice, and more. They explain how Jesus built upon the message of the Old Testament and take time to reflect on just how much He did for us. Grab your Bible and journal 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 RecapStart by writing down Matthew 5:17-19 (0:12)Why does the Old Testament still matter today? (1:28)There’s nothing we can do to make ourselves holy or clean (8:12)God takes holiness so seriously that He gave up His son (12:45)The Old Testament reminds us just how much Jesus did for us (17:03)Why did God need a sacrifice? (21:56)No one can love us like Jesus does (29:36)Resources:“The Cross of Christ” by John StottAre you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected] Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 

Is it wrong to feel afraid when we know we should be trusting God? In this episode, Dot and Cara answer a listener's question about fear and unbelief. They remind us that we can trust God to give us everything we need, and they share some words of encouragement for people who find themselves feeling afraid of the future. Pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee and join in on the conversation!Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! Start by writing down Luke 12:22-32 (0:12)Is fear unbelief? (1:42)So often our fear comes from wanting to be in control (4:39)God will make sure we have what we need (9:21)Sometimes fear is rooted in good things, but it still means we’re not trusting God (12:02)God understands our fear, but he doesn't want us to dwell on it (16:45)You don’t have the grace, power, or strength to walk through a day God has not asked you to live (19:01)Fear itself isn’t a sin, it’s about how you respond to it (23:05)Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected] Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 

Life is full of decisions, and it can sometimes feel impossible to know if you’re making the right one. In this episode, Dot and Cara talk about how we can know which path God wants us to take. They explain how the Holy Spirit can guide us to truth and encourage us to look to Scripture when we have questions about what God’s will might be. Grab your Bible and journal 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 RecapStart by writing down John 16:13-15 (0:13)The Holy Spirit’s job is to guide us into truth and show us God’s will (1:20)How do we discern which path God wants us to take? (3:44)The Holy Spirit helps us make sense of Scripture (5:43)What do you do when you’re confused by something in the Bible? (9:17)It’s not our job to find the path, just to trust God to show it to us (16:29)If you want to learn the will of God, start reading! (18:51)When you’re feeling unsure, take a pause and give God time to speak (21:26)The Holy Spirit can speak in many ways (24:54)Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected] 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 if God is speaking to us? In today’s episode, Dot and Cara answer this question by sharing some of the ways they respond when they think they might be hearing from God. They remind us to look to Scripture, surrender to whatever outcome God has planned, and trust Him to make Himself known to us. They also talk about what it means to glorify God in our lives. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join in on the conversation!Have a question for Dot that you would like answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] RecapStart by writing down John 10:3,27 (0:13)What does it actually mean to glorify God? (1:43)When you know the ways of God, you can follow Him more faithfully (6:56)Without the Holy Spirit, you can’t glorify God (11:43)Does the thing you’re hearing line up with Scripture? (16:11)We can be sad when God says no, but we still need to follow Him (24:04)Sometimes God speaks through others, but we have to be discerning (34:25)When you think God is saying something, write it down and bring it to Him (40:57) Resources:Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected] Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at [email protected] 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! If you have questions about faith, the Bible, or walking with the Lord, we want to help you answer them! In this episode, Dot and Cara tackle three listener questions about the Promised Land, numbers in the Bible, and relationships with unbelievers. They invite you to pull up a chair, listen in, and then pray and see what God has to say to you about these topics.Have a question for Dot that you would like answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected]. Episode RecapStart by writing down Galatians 3:7-9, 29 (0:12)Today we’re answering a few of your questions! (0:58)Why is the Promised Land so important? (3:24)What does the number 3 represent in the Bible? (10:48)Can you be in a relationship with a husband who doesn’t follow Jesus? (18:52)If you’re not married yet, is it OK to marry an unbeliever? (29:55) 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] Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 

Why do bad things happen to good people, even when we have faith? In this episode, Dot and Cara continue their series on the book of Joshua by answering this question that was posed at the recent Breathe Retreat. They remind us that it’s not our faith that causes victory and encourage us to look for the places where God is at work, even when the outcomes are different than we’d hoped. They also talk about the faith of Rahab and what it can teach us about putting our trust in the Lord. Grab your Bible and journal and join us!Episode RecapStart by writing down Joshua 1:7-8 (0:12)Today we’re answering some questions about Joshua (0:58)It’s not our faith and obedience, but Jesus that causes the victory (2:42)Maybe victory looks different than what you’re expecting (8:08)Even in bad times, God is still working (16:07)There’s so much we can learn from Rahab’s faith (20:13)Because of God’s grace, Rahab ended up in Jesus’ family line (29:25)Resources:Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected] Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

No matter how strong your relationship with God may be, you’ll still have battles to face throughout your life. In this episode, Dot and Cara discuss the story of Joshua leading the Israelites and what it teaches us about fighting our battles out of a place of faith. They remind us that God is always with us and always working to use our struggles for good. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join us! Episode RecapStart by writing down Joshua 4:2-5 (0:12)We’ll always have battles to face (1:34)God will send us reminders that He is with us (7:35)God can even use our struggles to show others how good He is (16:04)Don’t underestimate the importance of prayer in a battle (20:27)When God answers your prayers, make sure you obey (26:40)Rahab is a powerful example of how God rewards obedience (28:37) Resources:Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected] Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

If you find yourself wondering where God is working in your life, this episode is for you! Today, Dot and Cara talk about the way that God’s presence has shown up throughout history, from the Arc of the Covenant to Jesus to the Holy Spirit. They remind us that God’s presence is always with us and share some words of encouragement for keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus when you feel like you’re waiting on a miracle. Grab your Bible and journal and join in on the conversation! Episode RecapStart by writing down Joshua 3:3-5 (0:12)Sharing our words of the year (1:16)If you’re going to lead well, you need to know that God is leading you (3:30)Like the Arc of the Covenant, Jesus was a symbol of who God is (5:52)Because of the Holy Spirit, we now have God’s presence with us always (11:35)We don’t know what today holds, so we need to keep our eyes on the Lord (17:42)God’s not absent just because you aren’t seeing a miracle (23:24)When you see Him, go after Him (24:52) Resources:Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected] Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

When God calls us to do something, He’s not asking us to act in our own strength. Instead, He wants us to take the first step knowing that He will give us the strength and courage we need. In this episode, Dot and Cara begin a new series about Joshua. They also share their perspective on New Year’s Resolutions and encourage us to trust God to do something new in and through us this year. Pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee and join us for another year of “Write this Down!” Episode RecapStart by writing down Joshua 1:2-3 (0:12)What do New Year’s Resolutions have to do with our faith? (1:16)As Christians, we should be committed to the things we say we’ll do (6:33)Obeying God isn’t about checking items off a list, it’s about creating change (9:33)What would you do if God told you you couldn’t fail? (11:32)We can walk in victory because of Jesus, not because of our own strength (16:57)The more God asks of us, the more we should lean in (23:22)Sometimes all we need to do is take the first step (25:09) Resources:Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected] Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook

Sometimes we think we’re waiting on God, but we’re actually waiting on Him to deliver one specific outcome. In this episode, Dot and Cara reflect on what it means to trust God while we wait. They encourage us to find hope in the Christmas story and remind us that God’s timing is perfect, even when He doesn’t deliver the exact answer we were hoping for. Pull up a chair and join us for our final episode of 2023!Episode RecapStart by writing down John 11:2-6 (0:12) When we’re in a season of waiting, Advent reminds us there is hope (1:44) God’s timing is always intentional (5:11) Just because it’s not the outcome you wanted, doesn’t mean God’s not working (9:15) Are you waiting on the Lord, or waiting on one specific result? (14:51) God will always give us what is best (22:01) Resources:To access Cara's Advent Reading Plan, download the Cup of Joy Ministries App for iPhone or Android. Send us an email to let us know what you’re learning - [email protected] Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook