The French Press with Emily Downs

What if the things we’re chasing aren’t actually the things that will satisfy us? The perfect home. The perfect body. The perfect life. The version of ourselves we think will finally make us enough. In this episode of The French Press, we’re talking about the “glamorous lies” we believe — and how God gently invites us to trade them for something real. Because what matters most isn’t what people se...

Welcome back to The French Press with Emily Downs . If you have been following along recently, you know that we have been exploring the vital topic of soul care. In this episode, I am sharing my reflections fresh from attending a three-day, fully immersive Soul Care conference. To be completely honest, I initially felt so overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and the depth of the experien...

We spend a lot of time wanting God to simply remove the hard things. And honestly? I still feel that way sometimes. But throughout Scripture, we see that God often does something deeper in the middle of the suffering instead of immediately taking it away. We talk through the story of the blind man in Mark 8 who was healed in two stages and how that mirrors our own spiritual growth. Sometimes we’re...

This week we’re diving back into  Soul Care  by Dr. Rob Reimer and unpacking the powerful idea of sinful family patterns—the habits, wounds, struggles, and strongholds that seem to repeat themselves, generation after generation. Sometimes we think time heals old wounds, but often the things left unaddressed don’t disappear; they simply go underground and show up later in different ways. I kept com...

Repentance isn’t about shame, it’s about freedom. In this episode, I share how coming into alignment with God brings healing, breaks cycles, and releases the weight we were never meant to carry. When we stay out of alignment through sin, wounds, or even hidden struggles, those things don’t just disappear. They linger, grow, and eventually show up in our relationships, our thoughts, and our behavio...

We spend so much of life building sandcastles - things that look important but won’t actually last. In this episode, I’m unpacking what it means to do real soul work and why so many of us are walking around with cracks in our foundation without even realizing it. Join me as we name the three big lies that shape our identity. What you build on matters. Castles will crumble, but a life built on Chri...

Any good gardener knows you can't just pull the leaves off the the top of a weed, it will grow back almost immediately. Unwanted plants in our flowerbeds need to be dug out by the roots. This is also true when it comes to the soil of our souls. We are hoping to grow the fruits of the Spirit but often find ugly weeds popping up when we are stressed or tired. It feels easier to manage our behavi...

In second Samuel God told David to move quickly when he heard a rustling in the mulberry trees. This was a supernatural act and David's job was to respond quickly. There is a wonderful picture here for us today; when God is stirring you to move forward, don't hesitate, He is with you. David won that battle because he listened for the rustling in the trees. Are you listening?  Books mention...

Our souls need tending. The Bible has a lot to say about the soul. David in the Psalms often talked to his soul. He encouraged it to look to the Lord in times of trouble. There is great mystery surrounding our inner beings. Soul. Spirit. Heart. On this episode, we wade into the inner working of our souls. Paul tells us there is a war waging inside of us. Are you being a good steward of your soul? ...

Little Women is one of my favorite stories. A novel worth re-reading in different stages of life. The March sisters make for a fascinating case study of the different ways we struggle in our hearts. Join me as we look at this wonderful classic. What's the history behind Louisa May Alcott writing this famous book, and how is it still relevant today? Books mentioned in this episode: Little Women...

Have you ever wondered why most books and movies follow a similar narrative? Join me as we explore the epic story arc of the Bible and see that as humans, made in God's image, we are so often retelling this awe-inspiring plot. You will never look at your favorite stories the same way. God has put the echo of a story in our hearts and it is full of lore, danger, evil and good. There is a bigger...

We were all born into an epic story. The narrative started long before we showed up on the scene. Most of us spend part of our life trying to figure out what happened and where we are at in the story right now. Thankfully, God gave us a guide book. The Bible tells us where we came from and where we are going. Are you looking at a map trying to figure out where you are in this timeline? Join me in...

Sometimes we focus too much on the task itself, like a young child walking with a cup of coffee, if we freeze up with every step it will jostle what's inside. When we pay attention to where we are going (eternity) we will walk with a natural gait and not spill the coffee. How do we keep our eyes on the Lord? In this episode, we dig deeper into how a Christian reaches perfection, or do they?  B...

At Christmastime we strive to make everything feel special. In the novella, The Romance of Christmas Cards, the author mentions the transformation of plain packages into those that are beribboned and behollied. We transform our homes for this season, but do we transform our hearts? Join me in a conversation about two classic Christmas stories of reconciliation, forgiveness and sacrifice. Let's...

Psalm 23 teaches that the Lord sets a table for us- even in the desert. He overwhelms us with hospitality. As Christians, we are set apart to Him, separate, no longer common, but holy. Like Abigail in 1 Samuel, we can come to a situation not only bearing gifts, but sweet words, bringing peace and encouragement. The Bible teaches that we are anointed with oil and our cup runneth over. Because of th...

Do you feel like you were cast in the wrong part? Surely someone more qualified or more loving or more "Christian" would be better leading this ministry, raising these kids, or talking to that person. We feel like God messed up when He cast our roll. Yet, He knows our short-comings and our weaknesses and He has chosen us to represent Him in the places we have been cast. We take a deeper...

Pearls are formed when an irritant or a sharp grain of sand gets inside an oyster shell. The same is true for us spiritually, the things that feel so painful to go through can actually be the catalyst to forming Pearls of Wisdom in our lives. Are we willing to step into other people's suffering and, alternatively, allow others into ours? How is the terrain of our heart? As we examine the parab...

The world fractures us and all too often we get stuck in these broken spots. In this episode we take about what John Eldredge calls, "young places." When we encounter sharp people or hardships, sometimes we act out of these fractured or immature places. Like stained glass, God puts us back together to make a beautiful mosaic: beautiful in our brokenness.  The prayer book I mention is cal...

Often, we need help getting started. We need someone to set us up on the right path. I would never have attempted embroidery if a friend had not threaded the needle and started the stitches. Who could we help get started on the path of growing in the Lord? God offers refuge in His love; he helps us to forgive and move forward. Any progress is still progress, like an inchworm, you keep moving towar...

Elijah experienced great miracles, and still he ran in fear and hid in a cave of despair. Even as Christians, who read our bibles, pray, and go to church, we can find ourselves in isolation, believing the lies of the enemy, just like the great prophet. Yet, God provided for Elijah, just like he does for us today. The Lord is in the small whispers of encouragement. He sends friends and speaks truth...

Psalm 23 may be the most familiar of all of David's writings. Sometimes the words lose their meaning when we have heard them our whole lives. Let's take a deeper look at this remarkable piece of poetry. Are you feeling in want? Are you tired and weary? Lost? Join me as we look at the life of this former shepherd and anointed king. There is so much for us in The Word as God's love rushe...

There's something really special about a pillow fort. It's a little escape from the world. When life turns up the heat and the world seems too big and scary, like children we want to crawl into a safe, soft environment. The Lord is our secret place, he says come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened. Like our childhood pillow forts, we can feel safe and secure inside the heart of the...

In this episode we talk about baptism. What does it mean? why did Christ need to get baptized and why do we? After Jesus fasted he was taken by the spirit of the Lord to be tempted in the desert where we draw an interesting contrast with Eve being tempted in the garden. Why does God allow testing? Could it be for our good? Sometimes the truth gets tangled up in lies are we willing to do the work t...

Jonathan, in 1 Samuel, trusts God to fight a battle even though the odds were against him. This account reminds us that God can use few to defeat many. The Lord doesn’t need favorable conditions to accomplish His purpose in your life. Nor do we have to go it alone. Jonathan had an armor bearer who went into battle alongside him. Let's look at the role of this unnamed man who plays such a signi...

The Bible is so rich in spiritual wisdom, even the "boring" parts astound me under the right teaching. Join me as we look at the genealogy of Matthew-and so much more! These lists of names are promises, are hope, are proof that God has a plan (has always had a plan). Sometimes life feels like a prolonged winter, yet we have the promise of Springtime. New growth always blooms. If we are w...