Write this Down! with Dot Bowen Podcast

Today Dot and Cara dig into Ruth chapter 2, exploring how God is always at work behind the scenes to redeem our stories. Through Naomi’s eyes, we see Ruth's faithfulness and God's timing begin to transform her bitterness into hope. This chapter reminds us that even when we can't see it, God is creating something new and good in our lives. Grab your Bible and be encouraged with 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 Ruth 2:8-11 (0:13)
• Ruth doesn’t yet see the hand of God at work (3:36)
• God is always at work in the details (5:55)
• Naomi starts to see that there can be good in this different  life (14:!8)
• God is a Creator, He always creates new things (22:18)
• God was faithful to Naomi (26:29)
• To walk with Jesus, we have to move forward, out of our past (29:39)

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 

Scripture Verse:  

Ruth 2:8-11 (ESV) “Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.”

Today Dot and Cara kick off a new series exploring the book of Ruth through Naomi’s eyes. Reflecting on Ruth 1:19-21, they discuss how grief, if left unchecked, can spiral into bitterness. They remind us that gratitude is a powerful tool that helps us move through grief and guards our hearts against bitterness. Pull up a chair and join this insightful 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! 

Episode recap:

• Start by writing down Ruth 1:19-21 (0:13)
• At some point in our lives, we can all relate to Naomi (3:03)
• Grieving is natural when life doesn’t turn out the way we expect (5:20)
• If we don’t deal with what’s in our hearts, we’re going to end up bitter (8:50)
• Bitter individuals are consumed by themselves (13:27)
• When you’re in a dark place, community helps (17:00)
• Naomi and Ruth both had a choice to make in their grief (21:04)
• Gratitude helps pull us through grief (28:25)
• In pain, it is difficult to see a way out of our difficult situations (33:06)
• Ruth is being the hands and feet of Jesus to Naomi (38:04)
• Ask God, “Am I bitter?” (41:44)

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 

Ruth 1:19-21 (ESV) “So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”

Inspired by a friend's question, today we’re exploring the complex concept of "the Kingdom of God." Reflecting on Matthew 6:31-34, Dot and Cara unpack the biblical meaning and implications of God's kingdom—both here and now, and in the future. Grab a cup of coffee and learn what it looks like to seek the Kingdom of God with 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 6:31-34 (0:13)
• What does the phrase “kingdom of God” mean? (3:38)
• The Kingdom of God was in the past, it can be in the present, and it will be in the future (9:49)
• We need to seek the things that matter to our King (12:36)
• We have a King who promises to take care of us (16:15)
• We can live victoriously in this present world because we have the King’s power (24:30)
• What does it look like practically to live out the Kingdom? (25:48)
• Through the Holy Spirit, the Kingdom exists in our lives (28:48)
• The Kingdom of God is when we allow our lives to be under the authority of Christ (32:00)

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 

Scripture Verse: Matthew 6:31-34 (ESV)
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Today Dot and Cara are talking about the impact the Church has on our faith journey. Reflecting on Hebrews 10:23-25, they discuss the importance of the Church (with a big “C.”)  and dig into the very real truth that many have walked away from faith because of hurt they experienced within a church. If you've wrestled with church hurt or doubts, grab a cup of coffee and join us as we explore this truth together. 

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 Hebrews 10:23-25 (0:13)
• Do most people who walk away from faith lack church involvement?  (3:22)
• There’s a distinction between Church (big C) and church (little c) (5:39)
• Community is vital to maintaining faith (7:10)
• We need people around us who are going the same direction we are (11:30)
• Being in community encourages our faith (18:43)
• If Jesus loves the Church, I want to love the Church too (21:52)
• We understand the idea of having a common passion with others (i.e. college football) - Church at its best is like that (23:33)
• We need people willing to speak hard truths to us (28:00)
• Jesus didn’t give up on the Church and neither should we (35:00)

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 

May can feel like a whirlwind of transitions—graduations, shifting schedules, and unexpected change. Today Dot and Cara talk honestly about the tension between longing for the past, trying to control the future, and learning to stay grounded in the present. Sharing Paul’s words in Philippians 3, they remind us that contentment isn’t found in control but in knowing Christ. Whether you’re overwhelmed by change or wishing for it, grab your Bible, turn to Philippians, and lean in with 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 Philippians 3:10-14 (0:14)
• May is a transitional month in a lot of ways (3:06)
• Some of us get caught living in and hoping for the past, while others try to live too much in the future (6:10)
• Whether you’re in transition, or longing for it, you have to trust the Lord (12:50)
• He’s going to give us manna for each day (17:35)
• In all of life, there’s a letting go of what we think we might have had (19:45)
• All we have is this moment, what are you going to do with it? (25:50)
• Transition often brings with it an uncertainty that we cannot control (27:50)
• At the end of your life, what is going to be important to you? (30:15)
• Even (especially) in our busiest seasons, don’t miss the main thing God has for you (33:00)
• Try looking at the season that you’re in with an eternal perspective (36:30)

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 

Scripture Verse:  

Philippians 3:10-14 (ESV)  “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”