March 12th, 2021
by Denee Bowers
by Denee Bowers

Friday, March 12
Exodus 33-34
I have a couple of friends who I have known for years, but don’t see all that often anymore. We live in different cities and juggle busy lives, so we don’t talk as often as we once did. When we do reconnect, though, we get deep in a hurry. We talk for hours and cover every topic under the sun.
I bring this up, because this is how Moses and God’s conversation in these two chapters feels to me. Things were busy, what with leading a nation through the wilderness and being the God of the universe. We see things go seriously off the rails with the golden calf. The time had come for Moses and God to reconnect just like friends who have gone a little too long between checking in.
Now I don’t have many friends who only show me their backside, lest I fall over dead at the sight of their face. We can relate to parts of this conversation, though. God acknowledges the pre-existing relationship with Moses. There is a trust built on intimate knowledge of one another. Moses challenges God, asking a few questions I’m not sure I’d be bold enough to pose. God is even willing to forgive Moses, and the people of Israel he represents, and reestablish their covenant relationship.
At the end of this incredible conversation we get a glimpse of how a one-on-one with God can impact a person. Much like the lightness and joy that can come from catching up with a good friend, Moses is described as shining. His face is glowing and everyone can see it.
The trust, honesty, comfort, and grace we see between Moses and God may have been exclusive during the time of Exodus, but it is open to anyone today. Moses was the first mediator between God and the people, but he wasn’t the last. Eventually Jesus would come to serve as our gateway to God. With Jesus comes an invitation to our own close relationship with God.
I pray that your relationship with God can look like a close friendship. I hope you can find time to catch up and connect. And I hope that afterwards your face will shine for everyone to see.
Exodus 33-34
I have a couple of friends who I have known for years, but don’t see all that often anymore. We live in different cities and juggle busy lives, so we don’t talk as often as we once did. When we do reconnect, though, we get deep in a hurry. We talk for hours and cover every topic under the sun.
I bring this up, because this is how Moses and God’s conversation in these two chapters feels to me. Things were busy, what with leading a nation through the wilderness and being the God of the universe. We see things go seriously off the rails with the golden calf. The time had come for Moses and God to reconnect just like friends who have gone a little too long between checking in.
Now I don’t have many friends who only show me their backside, lest I fall over dead at the sight of their face. We can relate to parts of this conversation, though. God acknowledges the pre-existing relationship with Moses. There is a trust built on intimate knowledge of one another. Moses challenges God, asking a few questions I’m not sure I’d be bold enough to pose. God is even willing to forgive Moses, and the people of Israel he represents, and reestablish their covenant relationship.
At the end of this incredible conversation we get a glimpse of how a one-on-one with God can impact a person. Much like the lightness and joy that can come from catching up with a good friend, Moses is described as shining. His face is glowing and everyone can see it.
The trust, honesty, comfort, and grace we see between Moses and God may have been exclusive during the time of Exodus, but it is open to anyone today. Moses was the first mediator between God and the people, but he wasn’t the last. Eventually Jesus would come to serve as our gateway to God. With Jesus comes an invitation to our own close relationship with God.
I pray that your relationship with God can look like a close friendship. I hope you can find time to catch up and connect. And I hope that afterwards your face will shine for everyone to see.
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Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22I Feel Sorry for Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 23Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4i flipped a table once | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 24Ain’t Got Nothin’ | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 25Spring Forward in Faith // M-Note 3.29.25Visio Divina | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 26Everlasting Joy Sealed in Your Heart | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 27
April
Sometimes Joy is Simply Doing Your Best | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 28An Unexpected Gift of Spring | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 29When Joy Flows Freely | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 30Easter Challenge // M-Note 4.5.25Joy Even When It Rains | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 31Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 5Joy Entwined with Loss | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 32When Betrayal is Part of the Plan | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 33Healing From Disappointment | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 34Betraying Others is Betraying Yourself | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 35A Sarcastic Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 36Have Compassion for Yourself | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 37Another Easter Challenge // M-Note 4.12.25A Disappointing Disciple | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 38When We Disappoint Others | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 39Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 6The Belief of Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 40The Value of Praise | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 41Through the Eyes of Those Who Knew Him | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 42Feeling Called Out | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 43Where Was Judas? | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Maundy ThursdayEaster Discussion GuideEasterSTL @The Factory Pro-Tips // M-Note 4.18.25Today is Not the End of the Story | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Good FridayThe Burning Pain of Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Holy SaturdayHe is Risen | 2025 Lenten Devotional | EasterMuch to Celebrate Post-Easter // M-Note 4.26.25CoreGroup Guide | We Just Click - Part 1
May
Come to Egypt with Me // M-Note 5.3.25CoreGroup Guide | We Just Click - Part 2Celebrating Our Mozambique Partnership // M-Note 5.10.25CoreGroup Guide | We Just Click - Part 3What Season Are YOU In? // M-Note 5.17.2025CoreGroup Guide | We Just Click - Part 4Serving Our City // M-Note 5.23.25Self-Reflection Guide | Multiply - Part 1Congratulations to Own Own Martin Leathers // M-Note 5.31.25Self-Reflection Guide | Multiply - Part 2
2024
January
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