Podcast appearances and mentions of Jean E Syswerda

Listen today to hear all about Genesis chapter 16. We will basically go from verse 1 to verse 16, breaking down the story of Hagar and "the God who sees". *I have recently read the Hagar section from the following books: - Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler & Jean E. Syswerda (This one is a daily devotional book. One week of devotion for each woman) -Women of the Bible by Sue Poorman Richards and Lawrence O. Richards (This one is an exhaustive list of every woman mentioned in the Bible, whether named or not.) -Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler (This is a daily devotional book also. One name per week.) ***Praying the Names of God is the outline for this study you and I are doing together. I am using it's Table of Contents as my list of names. I will not do ALL of them. I also will specifically tell you when I use something from Ann Spangler's research. (which at this point, I haven't used this as a resource for content.) blueletterbible.org was a resource for this episode.

Tamar has always fascinated me, her little story is tucked away neatly between Joseph’s betrayal by his brothers and the beginning of his servitude in Egypt. She was a woman who had great courage, doing the unthinkable to attain what was rightfully hers, a child. Tamar was unafraid to reach for her tomorrow and she has much to teach us about claiming the promises of God. Here are links to two books that were a great help to me and offered a unique perspective in this unusual story. A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda

How do we handle chaos around us? What do we do when it seems the world has gone astray, when everyone is going their own way, when no one seems to know which way to turn?  In today’s world of chaos and confusion, what do you do? Where do you turn? How do you find the answers? In today’s episode of All God’s Women we take a look at Deborah, a woman who became the voice of calm in her world of chaos.We find Deborah’s story in the book of Judges. If you’re looking for an uplifting read, the book of Judges is probably not for you. It’s a gory book filled with vile behaviors. It covers a time period much like modern days.Judges opens with the death of Joshua and explains how the Israelites failed to follow God’s instructions to defeat the enemy nations but instead chose to intermingle, to intermarry, and to intertwine with the pagans. They lost sight of who they were, and God allowed them to become oppressed by their enemies.  For over 200 years, the children of Israel followed a pattern. They did evil in the sight of the Lord. He gave them over to their enemies. They cried out to God for mercy. He raised up Judges to deliver them, and while they listened to the judges, they experienced times of peace. But once the judge died, they’d go back to their old ways, behaving even more corruptly than before. In the midst of the chaos and terror, lived a housewife named Deborah, an unassuming woman, married to an obscure man. But Deborah was a prophetess. God spoke to her and she listened. And she shared what He said to those around her.In today’s world of chaos and confusion, God needs calm women and men to stand strong, to remain steadfast in their faith, to keep their eyes focused on Him, and to be willing to serve Him however asks. Scripture Background Judges 4-5 Additional Reading Portraits of Bible Women by George Matheson Wicked Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler The Unique World of Women by Eugenia Price The Modern Reader’s Bible A Woman God Can Use by Alice Mathews Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda Every Woman in the Bible by Sue and Larry Richard All the Women of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer All of the Women of the Bible by Edith Deen  The Woman’s Study Bible

We’ve all heard of Rahab. She’s one of the bad girls of the Old Testament, a harlot, a prostitute in a pagan city. Many Christians find it disturbing that this woman of ill repute is included in Jesus’ genealogy. They argue that surely she was merely an innkeeper. But that’s not what the Bible tells us. The word used to describe her can only mean one thing, and it’s not an innkeeper.  So why her? Why did God not only use her to help save the Hebrews but then go on to include her in the lineage of His son? Rahab may have made a mess of her past, but because of where she was, she was in a position to offer safety to the spies. Not only was her home a hub of information and a place to slip in without notice, but it was strategically placed on top of the city walls so that the spies could exit the city undetected.  Please note, God didn’t wait until Rahab had her life cleaned up before He used her. He met her where she was at. Then He immediately gave her an assignment to test her faith. Would she place the red cord on her window or would she dismiss it as silly? Would she follow the rules that said that she and her family must remain inside if they wanted to be kept safe? How tempting it might have been to sneak outside to see what was going on around them. But they stayed where God told them to stay. And then, that glorious moment when the dust was settling around them and the roar of the Israelites could be heard as they stormed the city. How wonderful it must have been to hear that knock on the door and have the Hebrew spies escort Rahab and her family to safety.  Rahab stepped out in faith. She risked everything she’d held dear in the past to take a chance on an unknown future. And God rewarded her for her faith with an amazing future.Background Scripture  Joshua 2 Joshua 6 Matthew 1:5 Hebrews 11:31 James 2:25 For Further Study Twelve Extraordinary Women by John Macarthur Wicked Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler God Speaks to Women Today by Eugenia Price Fearless by Angela Donadio A Woman God Can Use by Alice Mathews Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda Every Woman in the Bible by Sue and Larry Richard All the Women of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer All of the Women of the Bible by Edith Deen  All the Women of the Bible by M.L. del Mastro The Woman’s Study Bible

I’m sure that in Jochobed’s plans for her son’s life, she never imagined co-parenting with an Egyptian princess, but look at how God used each of these women to impact his life. Jochobed provided the spiritual training,  teaching him the ways of our Lord. But Pharaoh’s daughter also helped mold him, providing him a quality education and influence. God knew that Moses needed more than just one Hebrew mom. He needed the influence of both women in order to fulfill the mighty task God had in store for him. How often do we think we know what our children need, when in reality, we have no clue? Fortunately for Moses, Jochobed was strong in her faith and trusted God with her beloved son. She allowed God to work in ways that made no sense to her, but took life day by day in obedience to Him even when that meant handing him over to a pagan princess. We, too, need to trust Him even when we don’t understand what He’s doing.Just a note of clarification. last week I introduced voice actors and guest experts. I thought it would add to this podcast, but I’ve been blessed with a number of painfully honest friends and listeners who have confirmed what I suspected as I recorded and edited last week’s episode. The consensus is unanimous. It didn’t work. Apparently, people much prefer my solo style storytelling verses breaking it up with other people. So this week, we’re  back to the original format. Scripture Background Exodus 2:1-10 Helpful Resources Fearless by Angela Donadio Mothers of the Bible by Dena Dyer When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams by Jill Eileen Smith God Speaks to Women Today by Eugenia Price Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda All of the Women of the Bible by Edith Dean All the Women of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer The Woman’s Study Bible

How do you react when life takes a turn in an unexpected and unwanted direction? When all your best laid plans are suddenly discarded, and the new normal is nothing like what you’d planned? Do you accept the new life, making the most of what you’ve been given, or do you resist, fighting it with every ounce of your being? Are you clamorous or contented? In today’s episode of All God’s Women we look at Rachel and Leah, two sisters, caught up in a web of deceit by their father’s scheme, forced to live the rest of their lives as sister wives. Both were victims, but one moved on and made the best of a bad situation, and one remained a victim for the remainder of her days.Scripture ReferencesGenesis 29 Genesis 30:1-20 Genesis 31: 1-35 Genesis 35: 16-20 Helpful Resources Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda Mothers of the Bible by Dena Dyer When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams by Jill Eileen Smith Every Woman in the Bible by Sue and Larry Richard All the Women of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer All of the Women of the Bible by Edith Deen  All the Women of the Bible by M.L. del Mastro