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
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/
... for pastors, their glory is not in their accomplishments nor even in their lives but rather in their investment in the church and in Christ, what will live into eternity (p. 162). Yi called it when he told pastors to…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/06/faithful-disobedience-by-wang-yi/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/06/faithful-disobedience-by-wang-yi/
August 6, 2025 at 6:00 AM
... for pastors, their glory is not in their accomplishments nor even in their lives but rather in their investment in the church and in Christ, what will live into eternity (p. 162). Yi called it when he told pastors to…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/06/faithful-disobedience-by-wang-yi/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/08/06/faithful-disobedience-by-wang-yi/
It is the culture of the staff, I am learning from his book, that has made the difference, and I think that is a direct corollary to churches. Relationships are hard but simple, relationships are everything,…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/30/unreasonable-hospitality-by-will-guidara/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/30/unreasonable-hospitality-by-will-guidara/
July 30, 2025 at 6:00 AM
It is the culture of the staff, I am learning from his book, that has made the difference, and I think that is a direct corollary to churches. Relationships are hard but simple, relationships are everything,…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/30/unreasonable-hospitality-by-will-guidara/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/30/unreasonable-hospitality-by-will-guidara/
This book, taken as a whole with all its many conversations and observations laid next to each other in mindful contextualization, brings meaning. It is experiential, becoming its own metaphor for the fractals and diversity…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/23/jesus-human-by-leonard-sweet/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/23/jesus-human-by-leonard-sweet/
July 23, 2025 at 6:01 AM
This book, taken as a whole with all its many conversations and observations laid next to each other in mindful contextualization, brings meaning. It is experiential, becoming its own metaphor for the fractals and diversity…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/23/jesus-human-by-leonard-sweet/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/23/jesus-human-by-leonard-sweet/
"The Patient Ferment of the Early Church," by Alan Kreider graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/16/t...
"The Patient Ferment of the Early Church," Alan Kreider
Patience
Habitus (reflexive bodily behavior),the development of habits based upon the teachings and worship of the church
Catechesis and worship,involving personal mentors and discipling
The fermen...
graceandpeacejoanne.com
July 16, 2025 at 12:53 PM
"The Patient Ferment of the Early Church," by Alan Kreider graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/16/t...
It is not religion and reason that go together, but religion and relationship—atoms alone do not make up the universe, but rather atoms in relationship with each other, held together by the weak force.
Leonard Sweet, So…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/09/so-beautiful-by-leonard-sweet/
Leonard Sweet, So…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/09/so-beautiful-by-leonard-sweet/
July 9, 2025 at 6:00 AM
It is not religion and reason that go together, but religion and relationship—atoms alone do not make up the universe, but rather atoms in relationship with each other, held together by the weak force.
Leonard Sweet, So…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/09/so-beautiful-by-leonard-sweet/
Leonard Sweet, So…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/09/so-beautiful-by-leonard-sweet/
Stories sweep us up and out, stories help our hearts and minds to focus. When we are thoroughly in the "now" of a story, we long to risk the next step, to write the next chapter, and follow where this story is…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/02/changing-signs-of-truth-by-crystal-downing/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/02/changing-signs-of-truth-by-crystal-downing/
July 2, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Stories sweep us up and out, stories help our hearts and minds to focus. When we are thoroughly in the "now" of a story, we long to risk the next step, to write the next chapter, and follow where this story is…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/02/changing-signs-of-truth-by-crystal-downing/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/07/02/changing-signs-of-truth-by-crystal-downing/
In the following post, Brad ruminates on wisdom garnered from Jean Leclerq's The Love of Learning and The Desire for God: A Study of Monastic Culture
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/06/18/guest-post-on-textual-mastication-and-being-a-sommelier-of-the-scriptures/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/06/18/guest-post-on-textual-mastication-and-being-a-sommelier-of-the-scriptures/
June 18, 2025 at 6:03 AM
In the following post, Brad ruminates on wisdom garnered from Jean Leclerq's The Love of Learning and The Desire for God: A Study of Monastic Culture
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/06/18/guest-post-on-textual-mastication-and-being-a-sommelier-of-the-scriptures/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/06/18/guest-post-on-textual-mastication-and-being-a-sommelier-of-the-scriptures/
The deeper the relationship with the Lord, the more you and I will find peace in our thoughts about ourselves, our satisfaction in life, our general happiness and our ability to weather distress.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/06/11/another-happy-choice-hard-work/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/06/11/another-happy-choice-hard-work/
June 11, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The deeper the relationship with the Lord, the more you and I will find peace in our thoughts about ourselves, our satisfaction in life, our general happiness and our ability to weather distress.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/06/11/another-happy-choice-hard-work/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/06/11/another-happy-choice-hard-work/
It is important for you and me to know what we believe and keep integrity with those beliefs while at the same time show grace and generosity of spirit towards others who do not see things the way you or I might.…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/06/04/happiness-ninth-choice-truthfulness/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/06/04/happiness-ninth-choice-truthfulness/
June 4, 2025 at 6:00 AM
It is important for you and me to know what we believe and keep integrity with those beliefs while at the same time show grace and generosity of spirit towards others who do not see things the way you or I might.…
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/06/04/happiness-ninth-choice-truthfulness/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/06/04/happiness-ninth-choice-truthfulness/
God gives each person something to share, something uniquely ours to give, a portion that enriches the earth and the world, and if we hold back, others are impoverished by the lack of all the goodness we have to give.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/05/28/happiness-eighth-choice-generosity/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/05/28/happiness-eighth-choice-generosity/
May 28, 2025 at 6:00 AM
God gives each person something to share, something uniquely ours to give, a portion that enriches the earth and the world, and if we hold back, others are impoverished by the lack of all the goodness we have to give.
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/05/28/happiness-eighth-choice-generosity/
https://graceandpeacejoanne.com/2025/05/28/happiness-eighth-choice-generosity/