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Bible teacher, author and founder of Cup of Joy Ministries, Dot Bowen, teaches listeners what it truly looks like to know, love and follow Jesus. Each week, Dot invites you to sit down with her and her daughter, Cara, to have an authentic conversation about Biblical Scripture and God’s Truth. Their honest and thought provoking conversations are full of wit and wisdom which will have you diving deeper into God’s Word. Whether Dot is teaching, speaking or simply grabbing coffee with a dear fri ...
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In a season marked by uncertainty, Dot and Cara refocus today on the truth that Jesus is not up for election—He is King, sovereign over all. Drawing from 2 Chronicles 7:14-15, they discuss the responsibility we have as Christians to both pray and participate in the political process. Dot and Cara remind us that while we seek the best for our countr…
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Prayer is one of the most powerful ways we can connect with God because it aligns our hearts with His. In this episode, Dot shares practical tips to encourage your prayer life, from setting aside intentional time, to praying Scripture and journaling. She reminds us that prayer is about being honest and real with God, no matter where you are on your…
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What does it mean to have faith when we pray? Today Dot and Cara discuss the difference between faith and belief, reminding us that prayer isn’t about treating God like a vending machine, but about aligning our hearts with His will. Rooted in Mark 11:22-24, this conversation unpacks how prayer can change our perspective, deepen our relationship wit…
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Why should we pray? In this episode, Dot and Cara explore the discipline of prayer as a pathway to intimacy with God. They discuss the common barriers to prayer, why Jesus Himself sought prayer time, and how prayer is as simple as turning every thought into conversation with God. Whether you're a seasoned prayer warrior or struggling to make time t…
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What does it mean to know the heart of God? In today’s episode, Dot and Cara unpack the beauty of Matthew 11:28-29, where Jesus invites the weary to find rest in Him. They discuss how understanding God’s heart through His Word shapes how we walk through life’s challenges. Ultimately, God doesn’t just act out of love—He is love, and nothing can stop…
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What does it really mean to be a child of God? Dot and Cara explore this profound truth through Galatians 2:20, reflecting on the freedom it brings from shame over our past and fear of the future. Join us as we move from head knowledge to a deeper, heart-level understanding of living in this truth. Bring your Bible and coffee, and settle in for a c…
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Jacob’s life takes a dramatic turn when he wrestles with God in Genesis 32:24-28. In this episode, Dot and Cara unpack this transformative moment, reflecting on God’s ability to use even the most broken people for His purposes. Together, they reflect on how Jacob’s tenacity in never letting go, even in dark places, is a quality we can all learn fro…
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Paul was fiercely committed to his beliefs, even when he was wrong. In this episode, Dot and Cara explore how God transformed Paul’s passion on the road to Damascus and used him in unexpected ways. From his boldness in Romans to his tenderness in 2 Timothy, Paul’s life is a powerful example of living on mission. Settle in with a cup of coffee and j…
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Today we’re looking at the life of Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples. Dot shares why Peter’s impulsive nature is endearing to her, while Cara shares why he exasperates her! As they explore Peter's relationship with Jesus, we’re reminded that, regardless of our past or present sins, Jesus welcomes us with open arms. So grab your Bible, turn to …
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Join us as we dive into the story of Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus' closest disciples. We’ll explore her transformation from a woman healed of seven demons to a devoted follower who stood by Jesus in his darkest moments, including the crucifixion and resurrection. As we reflect on her intimate relationship with Jesus, we'll consider what it means to…
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In this episode, we are talking about one of the New Testament’s most unique characters: John the Baptist. Dot and Cara discuss the unusual circumstances of his birth, the confidence he had to be exactly who God called him to be, and his faithfulness in carrying out that calling, even when it cost him his life. We hope this conversation inspires yo…
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In this episode, we explore the story of Elijah — a man of great faith who, despite witnessing God's power, found himself overwhelmed by fear and doubt. Dot and Cara discuss how God met Elijah in his lowest moment, offering a gentle reminder of His presence in both the miraculous and in the quiet whispers. Pull up a chair and lean in with us as we …
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We all want to be people after God’s own heart like David. Today, Dot and Cara explore how David’s quickness to recognize and address his sins set an example for us in our own relationship with God. Although he is known as shepherd, warrior, and king, David’s life was characterized by humility, confession, and repentance. Pour yourself a cup of cof…
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Today we’re looking at the unique role Moses played in the deliverance of Israel. From birth, God placed a call on his life to rescue the Hebrew people, but Moses faced challenges and missteps in his early efforts. Cara and Dot discuss the transformation that occurred after Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush and the deep intimacy with Go…
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Join us this week as we take a look at the faith journey of Abraham. From God’s initial call to move through decades of ups and downs in Abraham’s obedience, we unpack how Abraham trusted God, even though his faith was far from perfect. Grab your coffee and discover the power of a little faith in a big God as we discuss Abraham’s pursuit of obedien…
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What does living out our freedom in Christ look like day-to-day? Join Dot and Cara as they continue last week’s thought-provoking discussion on true freedom for Christ followers. This week, we look at John 8:31-36 to explore how we can walk in the freedom given to us through Christ. Dot and Cara challenge us to embrace and experience this freedom d…
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What does freedom truly mean for Christ followers? Today Dot and Cara look to Exodus 5:1-3 to discover why the Israelites were set free from enslavement under Egypt. As we celebrate Independence Day this week in America, Dot and Cara dive into a 2-part series challenging our notions of what true freedom looks like. Grab a cup of coffee and join us …
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In this episode, Dot and Cara explore Hebrews 12:1-2, discussing how the Enemy aims to distract us from keeping our eyes on Jesus. They share how even good things can be distractions and how the pursuit of knowledge can hinder our ability to rest in the Lord. They also address the difficulty of saying ‘no’ and how every ‘yes’ means a ‘no’ to someth…
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In today’s episode, Dot and Cara discuss the profound and sometimes complex concept of God as our Good Father. Reflecting on Father's Day, they explore how our personal experiences with our earthly fathers can shape our perception of God as our Heavenly Father. They remind us not to project human imperfections onto God, and instead, embrace the tru…
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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 …
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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 jo…
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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…
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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 experi…
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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 actual…
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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…
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We’re back with another question from a listener’s child: why does God describe Himself as a jealous God? Isn’t jealousy bad? In this quick Q&A, Dot and Cara walk through the difference between holy intent and selfish motivation together and Dot shares encouragement that we don’t have to know all the answers, just the One who does. Pour yourself a …
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We’re tackling a fantastic question from a listener’s kid in today’s mini-episode: why did God create Satan? In this conversation Cara and Dot unpack the question behind the question and dive into good vs. evil, the angelic world, and true freedom. Pull up a chair and your cup of coffee and join us! Got a question about today’s episode or something…
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Grab the tissues - today we’re back with Cara's journey towards redemption in the second part of our story. Cara shares the moment when she finally got honest with God and discovered the true meaning of grace. This episode is a testament to God’s unwavering pursuit of our hearts and the power of prayer. Settle in with a cup of coffee and join us! G…
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This episode is unlike anything we’ve ever talked about before! Today we’re pulling back the curtain on our mother-daughter relationship. In this tender conversation we talk about the lies the enemy whispered to Cara during her high school years and how that set her up for the choices she made in college. Don’t miss next week when we share the seco…
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Today we’re looking at a beautiful story John records which takes place between Peter and Jesus after the Resurrection. The tenderness of Jesus during this pivotal moment leads to true restoration in Peter’s life and afterwards we see a different Peter in the New Testament. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join us! Got a question about today’s epi…
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Today we are wrapping up our 3 part Easter mini-series by talking about the morning Mary met the resurrected Jesus outside of the tomb. Cara and Dot focus on the intimacy of this encounter and how it shows the depth of Jesus’ love, not only for Mary but for each one of us. God longs to have an intimate relationship with you! So grab your Bible and …
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We’re back with the second episode in our 3 part mini-series leading up to Easter. Today we’re looking at a somewhat unusual verse as we talk about what Jesus may have been doing on the Saturday after his death. No matter what Jesus was doing on that day, we can know for sure that He was at work for our good. If you are sitting in the “in-between” …
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Kick off a 3 part mini-series leading up to Easter with us! In today’s episode, Dot and Cara explore Good Friday, specifically the moment Jesus cried out, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” as he hung on the Cross. They discuss the true loneliness Jesus experienced on the Cross, and reflect on the fact that we are never alone as children of God. Grab …
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Have you ever wondered what was on Jesus's heart before He went to the cross? And what does the name "High Priestly Prayer" mean? Dot and Cara explore these questions and more as we begin counting down the days to Easter. Discover the depth of John 17 and the beautiful connection Jesus shared with the Father through prayer. Grab your Bible and a jo…
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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 fo…
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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 …
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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 you…
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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 wh…
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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…
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Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 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’…
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Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 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 b…
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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 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 Spi…
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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 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 serie…
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Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! 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 Christm…
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Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! Isaiah prophesied that God would send us a wonderful counselor, and those words were fulfilled in the life and death of Jesus. In this episode, Dot and Cara continue their Advent series by talking about what it means to know that God is…
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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 Christmas story is the story of a God who loved us so much that He became human just to be with us. In this episode, Dot and Cara welcome the Advent season by reflecting on the reason why Jesus came to earth and reminding us of just…
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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 keep ourselves from being paralyzed by fear, especially when it feels like there’s so much to be afraid of? In this episode, Dot and Cara talk about what it means to be strong and courageous in the face of fear. They acknowled…
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Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! Happy Thanksgiving from us to you! In this episode, Dot and Cara discuss Paul’s teaching about giving thanks in all circumstances. They acknowledge how the holidays can be a challenging time for many people and share some words of encou…
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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 we want to follow God’s plan for our lives, we need to let go of our expectations and our resistance to change. In this episode, Dot and Cara reflect on one of the biggest lessons they’re learning in this season: the principle of let…
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Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show? Let us know! Wherever you are, you can trust that the Good Shepherd has gone before you, and He also walks behind you as a source of strength and protection. In this episode, Dot and Cara wrap up their study of Psalm 23 by talking about the peace th…
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