Her Story

Joanne Guarnieri Hagemeyer

Her Story with Grace and Peace Joanne, LLC, seeks to retell the stories of women who were divinely called and empowered to do great things.

Many of them rose to the occasion, and a few very famously did not.

Often, the tragedies and triumphs in their lives are missed, their accounts sidelined, and their portrayals given from perspectives that dismiss the honor and dignity they deserve.

Excavating their narratives from millennia of obfuscation, we now meet the freshly restored, valiant, vivid, and sometimes villainous women of the Bible.

Her Story offers a deep appreciation for God’s work and call in and through women in the scriptures and encourages you and me to take practical steps towards recognition and support of women in all levels and varieties of ministry and spiritual leadership today.

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Season 1, The Dawn of Time: Eve, Part 1

Her Story

06/28/23 • 23 min

#Eve #AdamandEve #Genesis2-3 #Genesis2 #Genesis3 #Serpent #GardenofEden #TreeoftheKnowledgeofGoodandEvil
Eve’s story is perhaps the most iconic for all women, as she is the first of us, the one from whom all of us have come, and her story becomes, in a certain sense, the source of our stories as well.
First, we will lift back the mists of time and watch as God brought forth humanity as the Lord’s crowning act of all creation. Then we will enter into paradise, as it were, the birthplace of Eve, see the Serpent’s seduction, watch how the whole world changes, and conclude with Eve’s great losses and yet also her hope in God’s promised future Deliverer.
Eve’s story is iconic, it is epic, and to tell it well, needs two talks, following this outline of six divisions.
I Created in the Image of God, Genesis 1
II Communing in the Light of God, Genesis 2
III Calamity in the Garden of God, Genesis 3
To see the YouTube presentation, click "Eve, Part I"

Brought to you by Grace and Peace Joanne, LLC
Grace and Peace Joanne on YouTube
Each podcast is designed to offer background scholarship on the topic, including setting, culture, original language, and archaeology, as well as a theological study.
Grace and Peace, Joanne Website
Biblical exegesis from an equalitarian point of view
Books by Joanne
"Broken, Searching, Trusted, Powerful"
"Love Feast"
Forty Freebies
If you would like a set of forty Bible studies on Women in the Bible, complete with fifteen study questions, commentary, a bibliograp...

06/28/23 • 23 min

"Her Story" By Grace and Peace, Joanne LLC

Her Story

06/26/23 • 1 min

Her Story with Grace and Peace Joanne seeks to retell the stories of women who were divinely called and empowered to do great things.

Many of them rose to the occasion, and a few very famously did not.

Often, the tragedies and triumphs in their lives are missed, their accounts sidelined, and their portrayals given from perspectives that dismiss the honor and dignity they deserve.

Excavating their narratives from millennia of obfuscation, we now meet the freshly restored, valiant, vivid, and sometimes villainous women of the Bible.

Subscribe to Her Story with Grace and Peace Joanne, and meet a woman from the Bible each week.

06/26/23 • 1 min

Season 1, The Dawn of Time: Wife of Job

Her Story

07/12/23 • 22 min

#Book of Job #Job #Wife of Job #Old Testament #Bible #Bible Study #Bless #Curse
Was she a villainess or a heroine? It is one of those questions theologians, Hebrew scholars, and Bible commentators have lined up for on both sides.
When I first taught the book of Job, I was squarely on one side of this question. But, over the years, learning Hebrew, reading a wider selection of scholarly works, my positioned has been changed, and I share all that research in this twenty minute talk.
As an aside, the week I was to prepare this multimedia presentation, I also experienced a string of unfortunate incidents. The recording of the talk has noise issues I had to dampen, my computer then had a sudden and catastrophic event–probably the hard drive, it is still in the shop. My files, which I had arranged to be protected in the cloud, have continued to be unavailable, with the cloud providers servers down. My husband and I both drove a significant distance, two days in a row, to receive the first of our COVID vaccinations and I had an adverse reaction.
None of these things compare with the ordeal Job and his wife endured. However, there are echoes there, for me, and each of the lessons I saw in their story are truths I found I needed to immediately apply to my own life of faith. All of a sudden, Job’s wife was becoming a personal friend.
May it be you gain as much as I did from her story!
I Blessings and Bitter Blows, Job 1
Earthly ordeals can have heavenly purposes
II Blaspheme and Berate? Job 2
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer (Romans 12:12)
III Beseech and Embolden? Job 2
Draw near to God and God will draw near to you (James 4:8)
IV Rebirth, Job 40-42
Mature faith is found in intimacy with God
To see the YouTube presentation, click "Wife of Job"

07/12/23 • 22 min

Season 1, The Dawn of Time: Wife of Noah

Her Story

07/19/23 • 22 min

#Naamah #Noah #NoahsFlood #NoahsArk #TheGreatDeluge #Ham #Shem #Japheth #Antediluvian
Imaginations have been gripped for thousands of years by the story of Noah. How long ago did this neolithic family live? What was the scope of the cataclysmic deluge described in their story? Was the building of the ark, the gathering of animals two-by-two, the repopulation of earth with only eight people allegory?
Metaphor?
Was it literal?
Tribes in New Guinea, India, Brazil, China, Norway, Mexico, and North American First Nation peoples all have a flood story. Each story tells of a favored family (several stories mention eight people specifically) who survived on a boat, two-thirds of the stories attribute the disaster to humankind’s wickedness, and over half end with the survivors landing on a mountain.
To date, anthropologists have collected between 250 to 300 such flood stories from various cultures. (“World Flood Myths,” Ark Encounter),
What is God teaching through such an iconic story?
What are we to come away with, regardless of how we interpret the ancient evidence for a world-wide or more regional flood?
The story of Noah is unsurprisingly centered around the man Noah.
But who was Noah’s wife?
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.
There is an epilogue to this epic. And though Noah’s wife is not mentioned, it doesn’t mean she was absent. It is the sad but inevitable story of Noah’s decline, of dissension in his family that ended in a curse of which repercussions would be felt for a thousand of years and more in Israel’s history.
I God’s Covenant, Genesis 6
II God’s Conservation, Genesis 7
III God’s Re-Creation, Genesis 8
IV Consecution, Genesis 9-10
To see the YouTube presentation, click "Wife of Noah"

07/19/23 • 22 min

Season 2, Time of the Matriarchs: Sarah

Her Story

07/26/23 • 22 min

#Sarah #Abraham #BibleStudy #Genesis #Bible #BrokenSearchingTrustedPowerful
Sarah’s character and faith were going to be put through several severe tests over the course of her marriage, trials that would include long years of travel, homelessness, risk to her life and to her honor, turmoil in her home, even internal soul-searching.
As middle age became old age, the heavy burden of truth bowed both Sarah’s shoulders and her will. Finally, she capitulated to the Law of Ur-Nammu’s clause, and offered her husband a surrogate to have their child. Yet God had so much more planned for Sarah!
In a jaw-dropping twist to the tale, the Lord infused new vitality and whole new chapters into what would have ordinarily been the last, golden years of Sarah’s story. From barren to birthing nations, from contentious to courtly, at ninety years old, Sarah’s life had only just begun.
I Background on Sarah
II Betrayal of Marriage Vows
III Bad Decisions
IV Baby Isaac
Through Sarah’s story we remember that our culture and law does not look to God but to earth for answers. Often, living out our faith will look foolish and impractical through the eyes of our culture. But Faith in God requires resisting cultural and social pressures.
Often fear is what drives us to be faithless—fear that is translated into self-protective ways. Often, faith will require us to live out integrity and fidelity even though it feels unsafe, trusting that God will prevail and be glorified in the end. Faith in God requires faithfulness to God and to others and Faith in God requires trusting God, God’s word, God’s timing, and God’s ways, God’s character and attributes, who God is, God’s love and faithfulness.
Finally, Sarah and Abraham both learned that The Lord values and honors every person who puts their faith in God.
To see the YouTube presentation, click "Sarah"

07/26/23 • 22 min

Season 2, Time of the Matriarchs: BONUS, The Example of Sarah, 1 Peter 3

Her Story

08/02/23 • 18 min

#1Peter3 #Hupotasso #AbrahamandSarah #ChristianWives #ChristianHusbands
Peter enjoined Christian wives married to men who did not share their faith to live in a [Godfearing] pure manner of life in the same way Jesus did, using Jesus’ life as the example for their own. By doing so, their husbands—who were not believing or obeying the Word (logos) might be won over without a word.
Peter offered some practical ways to live honorably, by making their transformed life their chief “adornment” rather than their jewels, fine clothing, and costly hair styles. Now, Peter would point to Sarah, the founding matriarch of the Jewish people, as a fine example of what he was seeking to describe.
Peter then turned to Christian husbands married to unbelieving ways and told them to do all "in the same way" Peter had instructed Christian wives.
In researching this post, I turned to the insightful work of Bruce C. E. Fleming in his book “Familiar Leadership Heresies Uncovered.” He also provides a deep dive into these verses in workshops found on the YouTube channel Tru316 Project Genesis 3:16 and beyond.
To see the YouTube presentation, click "1 Peter 3, Example of Sarah"

08/02/23 • 18 min

Season 2, Time of the Matriarchs: Hagar

Her Story

08/09/23 • 23 min

#Hagar #BibleStudy #Ishmael #Genesis #Bible #BrokenSearchingTrustedPowerful
It is hard for many of us to understand what it means to be taken from our home, friends, and family against our will, to become enslaved, and to have no rights at all, not even over our own bodies.
But there surely was a time in your life, and in mine, when we felt trapped in some way, when we felt powerless, or isolated, unknown and uncared for. All of these elements go into Hagar’s story.
Ancient Jewish commentators add that Hagar was given to Sarah as her personal handmaid. She became a part of Abraham and Sarah’s household when they were sojourning in Egypt, as Pharaoh paid a handsome bride price for the privilege of marrying Sarah.
Some also contend she was a daughter of Pharaoh. However, it seems neither Sarah nor Abraham ever bothered to learn her name. Hagar’s name is actually a composite word in Hebrew. “Ha” means “the” in Hebrew, and “gar” means “resident alien.”
In the writing of Hagar’s story, the narrator wove in several harbingers of the Exodus to come. Pharaoh sent Abraham away, never wanting to see him again. Hagar was part of a great treasure given by Pharaoh and taken in the flight from Egypt. She was enslaved by foreigners, and when Sarah abused her, the same words are used as the description of the Hebrews’ enslavement in Egypt, four centuries later.
I Pregnancy, Genesis 16:1-6
II Prophecy, Genesis 16:7-15
III Parting of Ways, Genesis 21:8-14
IV Redemption, Genesis 21:15-21
V Epilogue
Several ancient Jewish theologians contended Hagar was actually the Keturah Abraham married when Sarah died, that Abraham sought her out, and by her had several more sons.
There is no way to know if this is true, the Bible does not say. But the implication is one of honor, for Hagar is remembered as a matriarch by Arabic peoples, and is much loved by many African American Christians as well, who see their own history in her story of enslavement, sexual abuse, and ultimate liberation. For God did take special interest in Hagar, gave her unique privileges, and freed her to live out the great destiny God had specially prepared for her and her son.
To see the YouTube presentation, click "Hagar"

08/09/23 • 23 min

Season 2, Time of the Matriarchs: Wife of Lot

Her Story

08/16/23 • 22 min

#BibleStudy #WifeofLot #PillarofSalt #Lot #Genesis #Sodom #Gomorrah #SodomandGomorrah #Bible #BrokenSearchingTrustedPowerful
The story of Lot’s wife is famous, retold countless times, important life lessons are drawn from the tragedies she experienced and the fateful decision she made in the last hour of her life. And even though we never learn her name, we only have a glimpse of who she was, there is still much we can find out.
We begin by watching two wealthy men, one elderly, one young and virile, looking out over the cities of the plain, located near what is today the Dead Sea in southernmost end of Israel. During the Middle Bronze Age, the approximate time Abraham would have arrived with all his flocks, herds, hundreds of servants and warriors, and his family, this is a fertile valley, with fresh running rivers and springs, a robust agriculture and rich forests.
Behind them is arid high country, scrub brush, rocky foothills. Below them is the lush Valley of Siddim, or salt, verdant pasturelands, and prosperous settlements. The elder speaks, “You choose, for the Lord has given it all.” The younger man purses his lips, weighing his options. Surely his uncle realizes what he is offering.
Lot’s eyes finally rest on Sodom, the jewel of the plain, its magnificent walls with their generous and well-fortified gates. Within it is a well-planned lattice of streets, fine homes, and palace and temple complex rivalling all the other cities, including Gomorrah. He slowly nods his head, realizing in his heart he has made a decision.
Arrayed around them, the shepherds and herdsmen of both men wait with anticipation. Lot raises his arm and points towards the sea with its cities, and gives a short nod in Sodom’s direction. “I choose the plain, uncle.” And the elder Abraham agrees, watching with regret and sorrow the son of his dead brother depart.
He turns back, his shoulders sagging a little. May God watch over that young one, he prays.
Each podcast is designed to offer background scholarship on the topic, including setting, culture, original language, and archaeology, as well as a theological study.
To see the YouTube presentation, click on "Wife of Lot"

08/16/23 • 22 min

Season 2, Time of the Matriarchs: Leah

Her Story

08/23/23 • 23 min

#Leah #BibleStudy #Jacob #Rachel #Genesis #Bible #BrokenSearchingTrustedPowerful
Leah was married to a man who didn’t love her, who even felt he had been defrauded and manipulated into marrying her. No matter how many babies Leah had, she continued to live in the enveloping shadow of the woman her husband did love, and favored. Her situation left her despondent.
As Leah stood at the edge of the precipice, powerless, bereft, broken, and alone, with despair yawning below, she was presented with an inner choice. Would she allow despair's gravity to pull her in, or would she look up to find God at work even in this dark and awful place?
. . . . .
Jacob had arrived, unexpectedly and unannounced, a young, handsome, and penniless stranger—well actually, he knew he was family, but no one else did, at first.
Probably remembering the way his mother Rebekah had been discovered by his grandfather’s trusted servant, sensing he was near the family’s homestead, and certainly thirsty and hungry after his long journey, Jacob headed for the local well.
After talking with some local shepherds, Jacob knew his uncle Laban’s home was nearby . . . and then he saw Rachel. Love at first sight! He wept, he kissed her, and so our story begins.
To see the YouTube presentation, click on "Leah"

08/23/23 • 23 min

Season 1, The Dawn of Time: Eve, Part 2

Her Story

07/05/23 • 23 min

#Eve #AdamandEve #Genesis3 #Genesis4 #Cain #CainandAbel #MaryMagdalene #MaryofMagdala #TheMagdalene
As the narrative of her creation, union with Adam, the disastrous circumstances of the Serpent’s deception, and the breakdown of all that Eve held dear is translated and interpreted down through the millennia, our own stories today are shaped. To get Eve’s story right is to lay a firm foundation for all the other stories of women—and men—in the scriptures.
There is some very new teaching in here–for me. I have been learning a lot from Bruce and Joy Fleming, and their most recent book, The Book of Eden.
Jesus has freed us, we are no longer enslaved to sin and corruption, to the fear of death or the fear of each other, either. Women have been rightfully restored to the blessing and commission God has given to all humanity. Let us now reflect that truth, and live as equals in the liberty of love Jesus holds out to us.
Eve, Part 1 covered
I Created in the Image of God, Genesis 1
God created people with a purpose to love and glorify the Lord
II Communing in the Light of God, Genesis 2
God is glorified when God’s purpose for human union is followed
III Calamity in the Garden of God, Genesis 3
Part of the process of maturing includes willing cooperation with God and the free choice of love and commitment to God.
Now, Eve Par 2 will cover
IV Cast Out from the Garden of God, Genesis 3
God answers those who call upon the Lord
V Cain and the Children of Eve, Genesis 4
Though sin carries lasting consequences, God provides hope in the Savior
VI Christ and the Course of Eve’s Story, Gospel of John
Jesus has fully restored women and men from the rupture in Genesis 3
To see the YouTube presentation, click "Eve, Part II"

07/05/23 • 23 min

FAQ

How many episodes does Her Story have?

Her Story currently has 25 episodes available.

What topics does Her Story cover?

The podcast is about Christianity, Religion & Spirituality and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Her Story?

The episode title 'Season 1, The Dawn of Time: Eve, Part 1' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Her Story?

The average episode length on Her Story is 21 minutes.

How often are episodes of Her Story released?

Episodes of Her Story are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Her Story?

The first episode of Her Story was released on Jun 26, 2023.

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