Gospel Spice | Awaken Delight in God through faith in Jesus Christ

Stephanie here! I'm welcoming you into a conversation where we kick off talking about the Olympic games. My guest, Vera Schmitz, used to train to go to the Olympics. She'll tell us how that worked out, and how the Lord led her in a very different way with her sister Natalie to be the cofounder of Dwell Differently. It's a truly vibrant online community, committed to memorizing God's Word together...

Hope is a transformative force, capable of providing comfort and strength amidst life's challenges. The Bible says much about the impact of hope on the heart, shedding light on the intricate relationship between hope and the human spirit. So today I invite you deep into the nuances from Scripture in French to spark fresh hope, and reignite embers of disappointed hope for you. French offers subtle...

Today I welcome Holley Gerth, who advocates for pursuing hope in the midst of pain and grief. We need to recognize the need to grieve losses, big and small – including losses of our dreams, and losses in relationships. Peace stems from surrendering to God's will, rather than fixating on specific outcomes. So, we ask: how do we transition from controlling outcomes, to finding peace in God? We discu...

Through the lens of the French language in our current series, I invite you today to explore the concept of the "parole" of Christ and its significance in the Christian faith. This uniquely French perspective sheds light on the depth of freedom offered through Christ's sacrifice, especially when you combine it with the gratitude expressed through the word "merci." Note | You are invited to go deep...

What if an ancient prayer book proved the most relevant and up-to-date tool to embrace intimacy with God in completely fresh ways? As we race to work in the morning, have coffee with a friend, or fall into bed exhausted, we want to feel God's presence, to sink into his grace. Yet too often he feels aloof, absent. Our prayers feel trivial. But as Julie Lane-Gay discovered, the Book of Common Prayer...

Bonjour! Stephanie here. There is nothing quite as mesmerizing as the worth of God – the very word “worship” comes from the ancient English worth-ship and recognizes the ultimate worth of God. So today I invite you down the lane of another French word which, I pray, will allow you to enter fresh, deep worship. That French word is “Valeur.” So, drawing from the biblical concept of intrinsic worth,...

There are books we should all have a copy of, to give to our beloved ones in need. Today's conversation is about such a book. It is a whimsical, poetic, God-centric little marvel of a book, so pretty and giftable. It will encourage your loved one who is going through a rough time. It can be for you, too, but I suspect it will find its way in your tool belt of go-to books to equip those around you...

Today we continue diving deep into our trials and testings, and how God invites us to change our perspective, so that we will more readily experience His, rather than our own! Epreuve – a French word that encompasses the essence of proving, testing, and trials. In the context of spiritual growth and Christian faith, Epreuve delves into the very core of our relationship with God. This word carries...

Stephanie here! I had the most delightful encounter today with Summer Joy Gross. Let me tell you about her through reading a sample of the book we're going to talk about. It's called The Emmanuel Promise, and it's a book that I lingered over. I took time. As you know, I read several books a week to decide which ones I'm going to have on the show. And this one, I just couldn't, read it quick. I jus...

As we continue our exploration of Scripture through the French language and culture, I invite you today into one of the more difficult and complex words – Epreuve, in the context of faith. Together, we are beckoned by this word to embrace trials and tests as opportunities for growth and refinement in our spiritual journey. Note | You are invited to go deeper by using our extensive digital book tha...

Stephanie Rousselle interviews Mary DeMuth about her experiences in France. Mary shares insights into her cultural immersion, spiritual challenges, and the nuances of living and ministering in France. Mary's experiences in France offer actionable lessons about faith, culture, and the power of embracing conversational nuances that have unfortunately gone missing in much of the American landscape th...

In a world filled with challenges and trials, many of us seek to find joy in life, a deep sense of contentment and delight that transcends circumstances. But where can we find this true joy, this joie de vivre, in the midst of life's ups and downs? Today I invite you into the biblical concept of joy, exploring how it is intimately connected to pursuing the ultimate prize in Christ. Join us as we j...

Bonjour, Stephanie here! Have you ever tried to connect the Old Testament to the New to find Jesus there in fresh ways? How can we experience Christ in the pages of the Old Testament in ways that are exciting, fresh, inspiring – a far cry from stale or boring? And, how can we cultivate habits, tricks and tips that make it easier for us to spot Jesus throughout the narrative of the Old Testament? H...

Bonjour! Stephanie here. I invite you through this new Gospel Spice series to embrace the French language and culture for a fresh explosion of faith! Join me to experience the beauty of Scripture in French, transcending linguistic barriers to explore the depths of faith and intimacy with God. Journey with me through Scripture, in French, even if you are completely unfamiliar with the language. Thi...

The world is a very different place from what it was just a few years ago. Today’s post-everything world is arguably more divisive, political, indifferent, and impatient than ever. While many believe that the best course of action is to find a way back to how things used to be, is that actually the best way forward? Stephanie welcomes Pastor Daniel Im to discuss his upcoming book, The Discipleship...

I cannot believe that this is our last episode traipsing together through the gospel of Matthew. Did you count? I did. We spent 33 episodes together. What a journey! The Gospel of Matthew has been teaching us the life of Jesus from a culturally relevant perspective. Matthew uses "show, don't tell" moments to convey essential cultural clues. We've explored how Jesus' teachings impacted the people o...

Welcome to this conversation with two people who really inspire me, Andi Ashworth and Charlie Peacock. They provide ample hope from further down the road - having accumulated decades of wisdom in the public square as Nashville music producing influencers. Dare I say - few people have influenced our generation through music more powerfully than they have. I read their book, meaningfully titled “Why...

We are almost wrapping up our time together with Matthew. Can I say this is bittersweet for me? So, following from last week, I invite you to continue our intriguing journey into the world of Jesus’ parables! Last week, we laid the foundation by understanding the purpose of parables - fulfilling prophecy, focusing on individuals with faith, and describing the kingdom of God. In Matthew 13, Jesus b...

Bonjour! Stephanie here. How do we overcome anxiety, and embrace peace? More than ever, our daily life seems to fight us on this quest. Do you, like so many of us, see anxiety as an incentive to perform? Or a proof of how much you care? Or is anxiety simply an unwelcome shadow over your days, bringing with it clenched teeth and an upset stomach? Today is an invitation to step into a life character...

Welcome on Gospel Spice! I could not be happier to have you with me today as we dive deep into the parables of Jesus, asking His help to understand His message to us today. Parables have always been a powerful tool used by rabbis to reinforce conventional wisdom. But when Jesus sits down and starts speaking in parables, he adds a sprinkle of mystique that captivates His audience. Matthew 13:1-3 te...

Bonjour! Stephanie here. I think today is the first time that I am welcoming an author on the show to talk about a memoir. I don't think I've ever done memoirs, but this one just gripped my heart. I just had to share it with you. I met Lisa-Jo Baker a few years ago at a friend's party. I was mesmerized by her story, her depth, her intelligence. She has serious brain power, but also kindness, thoug...

Why did Jesus make the offer of Messiah to a generation He knew would reject Him? It's a burning question, and today, we're diving deep into Matthew 12 to unravel this mystery. Get ready for a mind-blowing ride! Let's start with a personal story. I recently reached out to a loved one, eager to share my faith in Jesus. I knew the possibility of rejection was high, but my heart was sincere. Just lik...

What do you know of the Ascension? How important does it seem to you? Stephanie says, " Ascension has become one of my most cherished treasures, because it speaks of a hope that is certain, and a future that is glorious. First, Ascension means that a human body is present in the Throne Room of God right now – that is Jesus Christ today. His incarnation made Jesus a member of humanity; His Ascensio...

I am so glad you are with us today on Gospel Spice. Join us as we dive into the transformative power of Jesus and the mosaic of people forming the Kingdom of Heaven! Let's explore the rich tapestry of stories in the Gospel of Matthew and discover the incredible ways each person adds their unique flavor of mint.  Last week, we met a leper, a gentile centurion, and a bold woman who challenged the ru...

I had the joy to engage in a heartfelt conversation with my dear friend Kara Swanson, discussing the importance of grace, self-awareness, and the transformative power of storytelling. Through her personal journey and the characters she breathes life into in her fiction books, Kara intricately weaves together themes of resilience, healing, and the significance of self-awareness in shaping our perso...