Join The Journey

In today’s bonus episode, Emma Dotter gives an overview of the book of Song of Solomon. The big idea being this: God’s idea for relationships is always best. In a world explaining who to love and how to love, Song of Solomon teaches believers what love in the marriage context should look like, and shows how God’s love for the church is compared to that of a marriage relationship.     Additional Sc...

From tabernacle now to temple, the dwelling place of the God’s presence is now being permanently made. But even more amazing than that, believers today are seen as God’s temple? How is this possible? In today’s episode, Emma Dotter unpacks details about the progression of God’s presence from the tabernacle, to the temple, to in believers.     Additional Scriptures referenced in this podcast:  2 Sa...

The gift of wisdom that Solomon got resulted in the people he led living in safety. How are we using our gifts? Not in a way to build up ourselves, but in a way to point others to knowing something “greater”, which is the gospel of Jesus. Today, Emma Dotter and today’s devotion writer, Kristen Baker (aka KB) unpack how Solomon’s wise decision to ask for wisdom is something we can do today.     Add...

Through Emma Dotter’s own personal story from high school, we see the power of Solomon’s request for wisdom. Solomon’s stunning humility in asking for wisdom resulted in life change for not only himself, but also for other people. By reminding God of his own past acts, believers have a pledge of him to come through on present needs.     James 1:2-8, “If any of you lacks wisdom.”    Grab a NEW Join...

The death of King David was the end of an era in the book of 1 Kings, but the faithfulness of God is continually seen through God working in Solomon. Emma Dotter is joined with the author of today’s devo, LK Ortiz as they dive into Solomon’s reign being established.     Grab a NEW Join The Journey Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7TCKPR1/ref=sr_1_14crid=3MDHUUF0FW85G&keywords=join+the+jou...

A king is promised to the line of David, but jumping into 1 Kings 1, we do not have a king selected. How is God’s promise to be fulfilled? Should the people of Israel take action, or wait on God’s timing, or both? Today we hear a vulnerable and honest discussion from Emma Dotter and today’s demo writer Ivan Gonzalez.     Scriptures Referenced in today’s podcast:  2 Samuel 7:13, “He shall build a h...

The key word of the book of 1 Kings is division. Talk about seeing it everywhere! Separation of the nation of Israel into Israel and Judah,  the temple being built, and new evil kings at every turn, the book of 1 Kings is full of application for the modern-day believer and challenges for us as we read it today.     Additional Scriptures  Luke 7:14-15  8:52-56  Acts 9:40  Acts 20:9-12  1 Corinthian...

Can God cause harm? Can he “relent”? And can people, like David in this passage, plea to take the harm of others? How does harm, wrath, ownership of sin, punishment, and conditional and unconditional responses all collide? In today’s podcast, Emma Dotter dives head—first into two deep questions seen in 2 Samuel 24.     Does God change his mind: https://www.gotquestions.org/God-change-mind.html    ...

What is David’s immediate response to the Israelites, post famine, war, and abandonment? When circumstances get worse and worse? He goes to glorify God, despite what he could have responded with. This chapter is a reminder of God’s sovereignty. Emma Dotter is joined by today’s devo writer and faithful Watermark member Matt Galvin.    The song, “Tis so Sweet” linked here:  https://music.apple.com/u...

In today’s episode, Will McIlroy is joined by Blake Broekemier, Watermark Student, to talk through 2 Samuel 20-21 and how "you get to choose your actions and not your consequences." They also address how David extends love towards Saul through his burial.    Blake's episode on Watermark Students Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-should-christians-respond-to-mass-shootings/id151987...

In today’s episode, Emma Dotter is joined by Jelani Rainey, Student Volunteer at the South Dallas campus, as they unpack how believers are called to be, “Situationally aware so that we can respond accordingly.” Jelani explains to listeners how the three characters in our chapters reveal their situational awareness, lack there of, and the grace that some are willing to give.     If you want to hear...

Oftentimes criticism can leave believers wounded and confused; but in today’s podcast we see three principles for believers about criticism. In this episode, Emma Dotter and Lucina Thompson walk us through 2 Samuel 16-17, teaching that leadership matters, how you give criticism matters and how to respond to criticism matters.     Scripture referenced in today’s episode:  James 3:10, “Out of the sa...

Are there areas in your life that you are actively living away from God’s plan? In this episode, Emma Dotter and Makaila Swank walk us through 2 Samuel 14-15, teaching that when we live life out of God’s ideal plan for us, things get messed up.    Scripture referenced in today’s episode:  Matthew 28:19-20 – we are called to baptize other believers    Listen to Makaila's other episodes!  https://po...

2 Samuel 12 shows that Solomon’s birth brought so much healing and redemption for David and Bathsheba; but going into 2 Samuel 13, we see only chaos, poor decisions, and lack of ownership. Emma Dotter is joined by one of our courageous hope leader’s Grace Brwoer in discussing Tamar’s rape, the murder of Amnon, and David’s lack of approaching the situation.     Scriptures Referenced in this passage...

The natural consequences of sin can leave people questioning the sovereignty and kindness of God. This is explored through the adultery of David and the tragic death of his child. Today’s podcast has Emma Dotter with her friend and leader of “The Eden Project”, Nathan Wagnon.    Learn more about “The Eden Project” here: theedenproject.com     Scriptures Referenced in Today’s Passage:  1 Corinthian...

Radical grace, covenant keeping-loyalty, and a connection that everyone can relate to are all read in 2 Samuel 8-9. In today’s podcast, Emma Dotter survey’s the how the grace that David gives to Mephibosheth, Johnathan’s son was in defiance of all expectations. We hear how as believers we too can give such radical grace.      Additional Scriptures from the podcast:   1 Peter 2:4-5,9- “You are a ch...

The faithfulness of a believer is seen in the way they are tested, and in today’s episode listeners learn how David’s tested faith was evidence of his relationship with God. This faithfulness is why God chooses to not only “covenant” with him, but secure his kingdom through Jesus. Emma Dotter is joined with her friend and leader of “The Eden Project”, Nathan Wagnon.     Learn more about “The Eden...

2 Samuel shows us three different moves in the life of David: David’s triumphs, David’s transgressions, and David’s troubles. God will establish a dynasty through David; and God will have his line be king forever! But we also see that the forgiveness of sin does not mean that the troubles and consequences go away. Tune in today as we have Ben Krejci, from the Watermark Production Team, as he gives...

Why did God strike Uzzah dead for touching the Ark of the Lord? Christy Chermak, Executive Director of Watermark Health, is joined by Jesse Collins and Jack Thurman to talk through an interpretive challenge and also what it looks to celebrate the Lord's goodness!    This week Watermark Health is taking over the Join The Journey podcast to celebrate 10 years of WMH!    Additional Resources:    Got...

How do understand the Lord striking down the Philistine army? Christy Chermak, Executive Director of Watermark Health, is joined by Taylor Barnette and Anthony Anderson to talk through an interpretive challenge and how we see the Lord goin before us.    This week Watermark Health is taking over the Join The Journey podcast to celebrate 10 years of WMH!    Additional Resources:    Serve with Waterm...

David's response to Ish-bosheth's murder shows where his heart is. Christy Chermak, Executive Director of Watermark Health, is joined by Rachel Butterfield to talk through David's trust in the Lord and living counter cultural.    This week Watermark Health is taking over the Join The Journey podcast to celebrate 10 years of WMH!    Additional Resources:    Serve with Watermark Health: https://www....

As we transiton from Saul to David's kingship, we get to learn some leadership lessons. Christy Chermak, Executive Director of Watermark Health, is joined by Arnie Kneckt and Samantha Parsons to talk through 2 Samuel 2-3.    This week Watermark Health is taking over the Join The Journey podcast to celebrate 10 years of WMH!    Additional Resources:    Serve with Watermark Health: https://www.water...

This week Watermark Health is taking over the Join The Journey podcast to celebrate 10 years of WMH!    Christy Chermak, Executive Director of Watermark Health, is joined by Bethany Moss to talk about David lamenting the death of Saul and how to process grief.    Additional Resources:    Serve with Watermark Health: https://www.watermark.org/health    Watermark Health: https://www.watermarkhealth....

The Psalms! What are they? Why are they important? How can we better study them? Emma Dotter is joined with Watermark Worship Leader Jon Abel as he explains that the Psalms give us permission to pour out our hearts to God. These passages are not sugar-coated, but raw emotion before the Lord, and reading them allows us to into the journal of people who followed God before us.     Additional Scriptu...

“Apart from me I can do everything” is the way Saul lived his life, even until the end. How does this sobering end to the life of Saul apply to the life of a believer today? Emma Dotter is joined with one of Watermark’s Men’s Community Directors, Bo Towns, to unpack the end of Saul’s life, and how dependence on God is essential to living life to the full.      Scriptures Referenced in this passage...