Joanne
@graceandpeacejo.bsky.social
Author, singer, pastor, amateur archaeologist
I excavate women's stories from the Bible and retell them on YouTube--"Grace and Peace Joanne"
And I write commentary from a decidedly egalitarian point of view on www.graceandpeacejoanne.com
I excavate women's stories from the Bible and retell them on YouTube--"Grace and Peace Joanne"
And I write commentary from a decidedly egalitarian point of view on www.graceandpeacejoanne.com
It is through such stories as Lydia’s that the scriptures convey the dignity God settled on women in first century Palestine, and on Lydia. In keeping with the Lord’s example, the…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2026/01/28/pastor-in-philippi-lydia/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2026/01/28/pastor-in-philippi-lydia/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
January 28, 2026 at 7:00 AM
It is through such stories as Lydia’s that the scriptures convey the dignity God settled on women in first century Palestine, and on Lydia. In keeping with the Lord’s example, the…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2026/01/28/pastor-in-philippi-lydia/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2026/01/28/pastor-in-philippi-lydia/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
Delilah: Philistine Power
Was Delilah really a seductress who toyed with the trusting Samson’s heart, and finally succeeded in deceiving him? Was Samson really just a sweet,…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2026/01/21/delilah-philistine-power/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
Was Delilah really a seductress who toyed with the trusting Samson’s heart, and finally succeeded in deceiving him? Was Samson really just a sweet,…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2026/01/21/delilah-philistine-power/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
January 21, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Delilah: Philistine Power
Was Delilah really a seductress who toyed with the trusting Samson’s heart, and finally succeeded in deceiving him? Was Samson really just a sweet,…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2026/01/21/delilah-philistine-power/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
Was Delilah really a seductress who toyed with the trusting Samson’s heart, and finally succeeded in deceiving him? Was Samson really just a sweet,…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2026/01/21/delilah-philistine-power/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
She has been cast as a villain in Job's ordeal. Of the five people who speak with him, four are theologizing friends who who defend God's character and attributes while insisting Job…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2026/01/14/challenge-god-wife-of-job/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2026/01/14/challenge-god-wife-of-job/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
January 14, 2026 at 7:00 AM
She has been cast as a villain in Job's ordeal. Of the five people who speak with him, four are theologizing friends who who defend God's character and attributes while insisting Job…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2026/01/14/challenge-god-wife-of-job/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2026/01/14/challenge-god-wife-of-job/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
Turning Back: Wife of Lot
Raised in the verdant Valley of Siddim amid a time of peace and prosperity of every kind, she was living her dream.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/31/matriarch-of-the-ark-wife-of-noah/
Raised in the verdant Valley of Siddim amid a time of peace and prosperity of every kind, she was living her dream.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/31/matriarch-of-the-ark-wife-of-noah/
December 31, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Turning Back: Wife of Lot
Raised in the verdant Valley of Siddim amid a time of peace and prosperity of every kind, she was living her dream.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/31/matriarch-of-the-ark-wife-of-noah/
Raised in the verdant Valley of Siddim amid a time of peace and prosperity of every kind, she was living her dream.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/31/matriarch-of-the-ark-wife-of-noah/
Jesus was not a normal human baby. Unlike other human beings, Jesus chose to come into the world, even though he knew his purpose would be to suffer and die as a sacrifice.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/24/self-sanctioning-sacrifice-excerpt-from-advent-for-the-broken-hearted/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/24/self-sanctioning-sacrifice-excerpt-from-advent-for-the-broken-hearted/
December 24, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Jesus was not a normal human baby. Unlike other human beings, Jesus chose to come into the world, even though he knew his purpose would be to suffer and die as a sacrifice.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/24/self-sanctioning-sacrifice-excerpt-from-advent-for-the-broken-hearted/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/24/self-sanctioning-sacrifice-excerpt-from-advent-for-the-broken-hearted/
A shadowy figure, she is never mentioned by name, though she is spoken of five times throughout the Flood account and specifically included in God’s instructions to Noah.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/01/01/matriarch-of-the-ark-wife-of-noah/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/01/01/matriarch-of-the-ark-wife-of-noah/
December 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
A shadowy figure, she is never mentioned by name, though she is spoken of five times throughout the Flood account and specifically included in God’s instructions to Noah.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/01/01/matriarch-of-the-ark-wife-of-noah/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/01/01/matriarch-of-the-ark-wife-of-noah/
Whichever way they turned, the people found themselves without recourse, being bled dry by their own countrymen.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/17/mighty-magnificat-excerpt-from-advent-for-the-broken-hearted/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/17/mighty-magnificat-excerpt-from-advent-for-the-broken-hearted/
December 17, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Whichever way they turned, the people found themselves without recourse, being bled dry by their own countrymen.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/17/mighty-magnificat-excerpt-from-advent-for-the-broken-hearted/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/17/mighty-magnificat-excerpt-from-advent-for-the-broken-hearted/
Steve Chong is a pastor in Australia, and a student together with me in Portland Seminary's Doctor of Ministry program in Semiotics. In our program, we read lots of deep and heady books, then comment on them to…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/10/passions-of-the-christ-by-f-scott-spencer/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/10/passions-of-the-christ-by-f-scott-spencer/
December 10, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Steve Chong is a pastor in Australia, and a student together with me in Portland Seminary's Doctor of Ministry program in Semiotics. In our program, we read lots of deep and heady books, then comment on them to…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/10/passions-of-the-christ-by-f-scott-spencer/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/10/passions-of-the-christ-by-f-scott-spencer/
I was already intrigued by and warmly disposed to reading a book about Jesus’s emotional life. Clearly he had one, being, as it were, fully human, and though ancient texts do not spend nearly the time modern…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/03/passions-of-the-christ-by-f-scott-spencer-2/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/03/passions-of-the-christ-by-f-scott-spencer-2/
December 3, 2025 at 7:01 AM
I was already intrigued by and warmly disposed to reading a book about Jesus’s emotional life. Clearly he had one, being, as it were, fully human, and though ancient texts do not spend nearly the time modern…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/03/passions-of-the-christ-by-f-scott-spencer-2/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/12/03/passions-of-the-christ-by-f-scott-spencer-2/
This devotional was adapted from a service that Mari wrote in 2023, created to honor the thrum of sorrow and loss that undulates beneath the largely cheerful Christmas songs sung throughout November and December.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/28/advent-for-the-broken-hearted/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/28/advent-for-the-broken-hearted/
November 28, 2025 at 8:43 PM
This devotional was adapted from a service that Mari wrote in 2023, created to honor the thrum of sorrow and loss that undulates beneath the largely cheerful Christmas songs sung throughout November and December.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/28/advent-for-the-broken-hearted/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/28/advent-for-the-broken-hearted/
Trey Harris is a pastor in North Carolina, and a student together with me in Portland Seminary's Doctor of Ministry program in Semiotics. In our program, we read lots of deep and heady…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/19/guest-post-seeing-creation-as-ongoing-revelation-by-trey-harris/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/19/guest-post-seeing-creation-as-ongoing-revelation-by-trey-harris/
November 19, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Trey Harris is a pastor in North Carolina, and a student together with me in Portland Seminary's Doctor of Ministry program in Semiotics. In our program, we read lots of deep and heady…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/19/guest-post-seeing-creation-as-ongoing-revelation-by-trey-harris/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/19/guest-post-seeing-creation-as-ongoing-revelation-by-trey-harris/
A few months ago, a member of our church told us something of his God story. Though his story and mine are not the same, what he talked about touched a chord within me. I could hear its thrum as I listened intently not just…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/12/still-singing-by-matt-divens/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/12/still-singing-by-matt-divens/
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
A few months ago, a member of our church told us something of his God story. Though his story and mine are not the same, what he talked about touched a chord within me. I could hear its thrum as I listened intently not just…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/12/still-singing-by-matt-divens/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/12/still-singing-by-matt-divens/
The discussion of pain, that sharing is a precondition for dignity and hope, that we mistake suffering as failure rather than a means of grace, and that our sorrows are hallowed by God, “who enters fully into…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/05/van-gogh-has-a-broken-heart-by-russ-ramsey/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/05/van-gogh-has-a-broken-heart-by-russ-ramsey/
November 5, 2025 at 7:01 AM
The discussion of pain, that sharing is a precondition for dignity and hope, that we mistake suffering as failure rather than a means of grace, and that our sorrows are hallowed by God, “who enters fully into…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/05/van-gogh-has-a-broken-heart-by-russ-ramsey/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/11/05/van-gogh-has-a-broken-heart-by-russ-ramsey/
“Telos” is a Greek word meaning “consummation,” which positions it as apposite to eschatology, which studies those things which will occur at the end of time.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/29/telos-by-leonard-sweet-and-len-wilson/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/29/telos-by-leonard-sweet-and-len-wilson/
October 29, 2025 at 6:00 AM
“Telos” is a Greek word meaning “consummation,” which positions it as apposite to eschatology, which studies those things which will occur at the end of time.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/29/telos-by-leonard-sweet-and-len-wilson/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/29/telos-by-leonard-sweet-and-len-wilson/
Early on I came to trust the order of our book selections, as each builds on the ones that come before. Church Going lives up to that trust. I found this narrative delightful, enjoyable, and informative. Again, as I read…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/22/church-going-by-andrew-ziminski/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/22/church-going-by-andrew-ziminski/
October 22, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Early on I came to trust the order of our book selections, as each builds on the ones that come before. Church Going lives up to that trust. I found this narrative delightful, enjoyable, and informative. Again, as I read…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/22/church-going-by-andrew-ziminski/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/22/church-going-by-andrew-ziminski/
Though I never have had that home-church-for-centuries experience, I find myself wishing I had experienced what that must have been like.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/15/parish-church-treasures-by-john-goodall/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/15/parish-church-treasures-by-john-goodall/
October 15, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Though I never have had that home-church-for-centuries experience, I find myself wishing I had experienced what that must have been like.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/15/parish-church-treasures-by-john-goodall/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/15/parish-church-treasures-by-john-goodall/
So, this was a fascinating book, and I really enjoyed reading it. I’ve never made English archaeology my study, though I (like everyone else) went through my Arthurian phase and read The Crystal Cave, Mary…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/08/a-history-of-english-churches-by-matthew-byrne/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/08/a-history-of-english-churches-by-matthew-byrne/
October 8, 2025 at 6:00 AM
So, this was a fascinating book, and I really enjoyed reading it. I’ve never made English archaeology my study, though I (like everyone else) went through my Arthurian phase and read The Crystal Cave, Mary…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/08/a-history-of-english-churches-by-matthew-byrne/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/08/a-history-of-english-churches-by-matthew-byrne/
Throughout this book, the authors refer to the tribe of Issachar’s contribution to Israel’s strength.
"Of Issachar, those who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, two…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/01/contextual-intelligence-by-leonard-sweet-and-michael-beck/
"Of Issachar, those who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, two…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/01/contextual-intelligence-by-leonard-sweet-and-michael-beck/
October 1, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Throughout this book, the authors refer to the tribe of Issachar’s contribution to Israel’s strength.
"Of Issachar, those who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, two…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/01/contextual-intelligence-by-leonard-sweet-and-michael-beck/
"Of Issachar, those who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, two…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/10/01/contextual-intelligence-by-leonard-sweet-and-michael-beck/
For the monk, everything, all things, if beautiful were worthy of sculpting into something praiseworthy for God, and as a means to draw ever deeper into God’s mysteries. We may also take…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/24/the-love-of-learning-and-the-desire-for-god-by-jean-leclerq/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/24/the-love-of-learning-and-the-desire-for-god-by-jean-leclerq/
September 24, 2025 at 6:00 AM
For the monk, everything, all things, if beautiful were worthy of sculpting into something praiseworthy for God, and as a means to draw ever deeper into God’s mysteries. We may also take…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/24/the-love-of-learning-and-the-desire-for-god-by-jean-leclerq/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/24/the-love-of-learning-and-the-desire-for-god-by-jean-leclerq/
Control the story, control reality itself. Control the story, and you hold the master key to all forms of power
Leonard Sweet, Decoding the Divine: Unveiling the Sacred Through Semiotics, 181
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/17/decoding-the-divine-by-leonard-sweet/
Leonard Sweet, Decoding the Divine: Unveiling the Sacred Through Semiotics, 181
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/17/decoding-the-divine-by-leonard-sweet/
September 17, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Control the story, control reality itself. Control the story, and you hold the master key to all forms of power
Leonard Sweet, Decoding the Divine: Unveiling the Sacred Through Semiotics, 181
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/17/decoding-the-divine-by-leonard-sweet/
Leonard Sweet, Decoding the Divine: Unveiling the Sacred Through Semiotics, 181
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/17/decoding-the-divine-by-leonard-sweet/
Will AI be a shortcut that sidesteps hope in becoming ever more like Christ, mastering the ability God gives us? Or is AI an electronic messiah which will do our hard work for us?
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/10/ai-and-the-church-by-jason-moore/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/10/ai-and-the-church-by-jason-moore/
September 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Will AI be a shortcut that sidesteps hope in becoming ever more like Christ, mastering the ability God gives us? Or is AI an electronic messiah which will do our hard work for us?
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/10/ai-and-the-church-by-jason-moore/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/10/ai-and-the-church-by-jason-moore/
Lewis goes deep with such heady scholars as Karl Barth (1886–1968), Jürgen Moltmann (1926–2024), and Eberhard Jüngel (1934–2021) ... as a rule, I find theoretical theology too … theoretical. I have always…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/03/between-cross-and-resurrection-by-alan-e-lewis/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/03/between-cross-and-resurrection-by-alan-e-lewis/
September 3, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Lewis goes deep with such heady scholars as Karl Barth (1886–1968), Jürgen Moltmann (1926–2024), and Eberhard Jüngel (1934–2021) ... as a rule, I find theoretical theology too … theoretical. I have always…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/03/between-cross-and-resurrection-by-alan-e-lewis/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/09/03/between-cross-and-resurrection-by-alan-e-lewis/
Sweet's discourse on growing new is refreshingly lifegiving and entirely counter-cultural. "Third Agers tell the stories of Jesus in ways that synthesize all and resonate with all, give voice to the oppressed,…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/27/the-well-played-life-by-leonard-sweet/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/27/the-well-played-life-by-leonard-sweet/
August 27, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Sweet's discourse on growing new is refreshingly lifegiving and entirely counter-cultural. "Third Agers tell the stories of Jesus in ways that synthesize all and resonate with all, give voice to the oppressed,…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/27/the-well-played-life-by-leonard-sweet/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/27/the-well-played-life-by-leonard-sweet/
According to J.D. Payne, we should not only be regularly reforming how we understand scripture, we should be regularly reforming our practices as the Church, particularly in how we do missions.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/20/apostolic-imagination-by-j-d-payne/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/20/apostolic-imagination-by-j-d-payne/
August 20, 2025 at 6:03 AM
According to J.D. Payne, we should not only be regularly reforming how we understand scripture, we should be regularly reforming our practices as the Church, particularly in how we do missions.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/20/apostolic-imagination-by-j-d-payne/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/20/apostolic-imagination-by-j-d-payne/
To me, this is the heart and soul of Designer Jesus. Let us see if we can out-love Jesus. Golden coin—“This is the greatest commandment. It has two sides, but it is all one” (p. 457).
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/13/designer-jesus-by-leonard-sweet/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/13/designer-jesus-by-leonard-sweet/
August 13, 2025 at 6:01 AM
To me, this is the heart and soul of Designer Jesus. Let us see if we can out-love Jesus. Golden coin—“This is the greatest commandment. It has two sides, but it is all one” (p. 457).
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/13/designer-jesus-by-leonard-sweet/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/13/designer-jesus-by-leonard-sweet/