Write this Down! with Dot Bowen Dot Bowen

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 hello@dotbowen.com.
Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 
Scripture Verse: Ephesians 3:16-20 (NIV)“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. 

In Part 2 of our forgiveness series, Cara and Dot explore the power of forgiveness by looking at Matthew 18:22-23. They discuss how anger and entitlement signal a lack of forgiveness and share ways to check your heart. Don’t miss Dot's compelling story at the end of the show highlighting the beauty of forgiveness. 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 recap:
Start by writing down Matthew 18:22-23  (0:14)Recap of last week’s episode (2:28)Anger and a sense of entitlement are symptoms of a lack of forgiveness (9:29)How can you check your heart to know if you’ve truly forgiven? (13:36)Anger subtly turns into bitterness if left unchecked (17:00)Demanding something from someone who does not see it is a symptom of unforgiveness (21:56)More symptoms of a lack of forgiveness (26:42)Forgiveness brings freedom (33:20)Dot shares a family story involving her parents’ deep forgiveness (39:02)God says forgive because He has a better plan for your life (45:58)
Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at hello@dotbowen.com.
Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 
Scripture Verse: Matthew 18:22-23 (NIV)
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.”

Today, Cara and Dot are kicking off a 3-part series on forgiveness. In this first conversation, they discuss the cost of forgiveness, the release it brings, and why it's a command for Christ followers. They explain why understanding forgiveness is crucial for followers of Jesus, as our salvation hinges on the fact that we have been forgiven. Grab a cup of coffee and join us as we dig into forgiveness, which has the power to change your life!


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 Luke 7:41-50  (0:14)Forgiveness has the power to change your life (3:58)As a follower of Jesus, you have to understand forgiveness because our salvation rests on the idea that we have been forgiven (5:45)Forgiveness is costly and it is commanded for Christ followers  (7:46)It is the release of the offender by the offended party (11:48)We can’t forgive others until we understand how much we’ve been forgiven (16:25)Being forgiven doesn’t mean you have no consequences (19:20)Forgiveness requires one person, relationship requires two (25:50)You have no excuse not to forgive (33:26)Forgiveness is a spiritual journey that requires the aid of the Spirit of God (39:00)
Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at hello@dotbowen.com.
Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 
Scripture Verse: Luke 7:41-50  (NIV)
“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

In this episode, Dot and Cara explore how God uses our circumstances to conform us to the image of Jesus. They discuss the instinct to run from pain and how trials reveal areas where we are not yet Christlike. They highlight the importance of being honest with God, diligently applying Scripture, and trusting that God never wastes time or our experiences. When we face difficult seasons, we can rest in the truth that God works all things together for His glory and our good. Pull up a chair and join us for this heartfelt 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 Romans 8: 28-30  (0:14)When pain comes, our first reaction is to run (1:58)God’s purpose is to conform us to the image of Jesus, through all our circumstances (6:12)Our circumstances reveal the areas of our lives where we are not yet Christlike (8:01)God uses seasons of our lives to prepare us for what He is going to do  (15:25)Resting and trusting the Lord is “enough” - we don’t have to strive (20:18)How can God use a season of depression? (22:42)Be honest with God while you wait (27:14)Search Scripture for Truth and be diligent to apply it daily (30:11)God doesn’t waste time and He doesn’t waste circumstances (33:53)
Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at hello@dotbowen.com.
Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 
Scripture Verse: Romans 8: 28-30 (NIV)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

Today Dot and Cara unpack a seeming contradiction: why are we told not to fear over and over in Scripture, but then commanded to “Fear the Lord”? By looking at the heart of what Jesus meant in Matthew 10:28, Dot explains the difference between these instructions and offers the beautiful encouragement that increasing our fear of the Lord will actually decrease our fear of man and of our circumstances. Settle in with a cup of coffee and join us for this quick 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 Matthew 10:28  (0:14)Throughout Scripture, we are told not to fear over and over, but we are told to fear the Lord - how is that different? (2:01)“Fear of the Lord” means to reverence God (3:04)Fear is the opposite of peace - at its root is worry in our lives (4:10)Jesus instructs us not to be afraid of man (5:05)“Fear of the Lord” means an awareness of the holiness and the power of God (7:00)As we become more aware (in awe) of our Father in heaven, we will lose our fear of anything else (11:00)
Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at hello@dotbowen.com.
Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 
Scripture Verse: Matthew 10:28
“And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Today we’re exploring the role of angels in Scripture, prompted by the question: do all angels have wings? We walk through the created purpose of angels and share examples of the different forms they take at different times throughout the Bible. Cara and Dot also reflect on the key difference between angels and humans. Grab a cup of coffee and join us for this 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 Hebrews 1:14  (0:14)Do all angels have wings? What do they look like? (1:31)Angels are spiritual creatures, but they can take on physical form (2:51)Culture tends to depict angels as peaceful, sweet beings (5:15)Angels will have whatever form God tells them to have (9:45)Angels are lower in rank than humans, God sent Jesus to die and redeem humans (12:45)
Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at hello@dotbowen.com.
Find Dot Bowen on Instagram and Facebook 
Scripture Verse: Hebrews 1:14
“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"