The French Press with Emily Downs

Sea glass starts out as a broken piece of glass-- something people avoid bc they might get hurt. Sharp bits of glass that make it into the sea get tossed about in the waves until they turn into something beautiful. The rough edges are made soft and lovely and people collect sea glass because it brings them joy. The storms of life toss us about but the redemptive work of God can smooth us into eye-...

Paul in Philippians tells us to pray about anything and everything. In this episode, we look at the prayers of Hannah in 1 Samuel and examine where we are putting our trust. What we dwell on forms who we are and how we process life. When we narrow in on our struggles we forget we serve a God who is bigger than anything we face. What stops you from going to Him with anything and everything? Books m...

There is a heavenly exchange that takes place in a Christian's life; where we trade death for life, dark for light, and bitter for sweet. This supernatural exchange can take place because Christ Jesus was willing to give up His crown of gold for one of thorns. Join me in this episode where we talk about the nearness of God and how it changes everything. Books mentioned in this episode: Dwell o...

The Bible tells us to rejoice always. Always! This is a hard saying, how do live this out? Let's discuss what Paul means in Philippians (by the way he is writing this from a jail cell). Surely, Paul understands suffering. Moses didn't think he had anything to offer God after 40 years in the desert and God said to him, "What is in your hand?" Like Moses, we need to look down and s...

What is faith? Sometimes we overuse words and they lose their meaning. While faith is invisible, we can see it take shape. It looks like building an ark, like stepping into a lion's den and even making arrangements for your bones to enter a promised land your eyes will never see. Faith is believing in something you can't hold in your hands, it's a promise not yet beheld in the temporal...

When we experience a shaking up in our lives it can feel scary and overwhelming. In this episode, we talk about the ways God can use these times of sifting. Jesus told Peter he would pray for him, not to be delivered of his trials, but to be strengthened through them. Sometimes God allows us to go through the storms. Listen as we discuss the reasons the Lord allows shaking in our lives. We can be...

Rejection is often a part of life. We didn't get the job, make the team, or receive an invite. Some of us deal with much deeper rejection perhaps by a parent, spouse, or trusted friend. How do we deal with these devastating realities? It's easy to get defensive or build up a wall of protection. If we are walking with God we have the assurance that no matter what happens in this lifetime we...

When life is hard we tend to forget God's goodness. In the Bible, Samuel knew the people would need a reminder of when The Lord rescued them from trouble. The prophet selected a stone and gave it a name. Was this biblical evidence of pet rocks? I find this narrative both odd and intriguing. Join me in this episode as we talk about a stone named Ebenezer. Books mentioned in this episode: 1 Samu...

Have you ever felt invisible? Does it feel like nobody sees your suffering? Not even God? Hagar in Genesis felt the same way when God met her in the desert. I felt like I was reading this story with new eyes. There were some revelations for me in this Old Testament narrative. Join me as we look at God's compassion and Hagar's obedient reaction to an unexpected U-turn. Books mentioned in this episo...

The Bible often refers to us as sheep, and like these skittish animals, we need a shepherd. In this week's episode, we look at James Herriot's story of an orphan lamb set in the hills of England. If you are feeling a little lost or abandoned by not only those in your life but perhaps by God himself, this true story reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Like a farmer who knows his flo...

Psalm 30 teaches us that after a night of weeping joy comes in the morning. For many last year was difficult and now we stand at the start of a new year. How do we have hope after prolonged trials? David teaches us in his Psalm that these hardships are temporary in the light of eternity. What can we let go of this year? Unforgiveness? Anger? Bitterness? We don't want to take hurts and disappointme...

This is The French Press one year anniversary, and it didn't go as planned. I found myself recording from my bed because I was in no shape to record in my usual spot (my closet). I had my notes all ready to go but was really too sick to record, yet the story I planned to talk about wouldn't leave me alone (or more likely the Holy Spirit). The whole experience reminded me of the Christmas story its...

Did you know Christmas stories are considered their own genre? The repeated themes of reconciliation, forgiveness and selflessness are echoes of what Christ has done for us. The wealthy magi brought expensive gifts where the lowly shepards only brought worship and praise. No matter what you have to offer, you can bring glory to God by sharing what you have with others this Christmas season. Refere...

Color Drenching Your Life: Discover the transformative power of saturating your life with God's Word. Sometimes we treat our faith as a hobby when really it should be coloring every part of our lives. Join me in a cup of conversation about how to shape our lives around our beliefs and not the other way around.  Books mentioned in the episode: Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer Deuteronomy 

Moses didn't get to enter the promise land, but God had one last assignment for him before he left this earth. We don't always get the "job" we want. Moses asked God if he could go into the land with the Israelites and God said no. Has God said no to something you desperately wanted? Maybe something you have worked towards? Have you watched others walk into that very thing you asked for? What was...

Mary Shelly's Frankenstein is a classic that has stood the test of time, partially because its themes still hold true today. We will discuss the culture of the Romantic period which shaped not only Shelly's life, but also her famous novel. As Christians we can learn from the cautionary tale of Frankenstein and the life of Shelly. How far is too far? Why has God, in His wisdom placed guardrails aro...

We all put our hope someplace. It's tempting to rely on man or ourselves. The Bible tells us to put our hope in Christ. As we mature in our walk with God we don't want to get stuck in sour grapes as 1st Clement (an early church father) warns us, but push through to ripe fruit. We end with a harrowing story of triumph during wartime, witnessing God work through impossible obstacles to show He is th...

Are we willing to clear out the jungle in our hearts to make room for God? We are finishing up A Star in the Jungle and the Ecuadorian people wanted to be able to go out and tell others about Jesus, but first they needed to clear out a section of the jungle for the plane to land. It was hard work, but they were willing, not only to put the time in, but some would even give up their lives so their...

Do you ever think of yourself as a translator? As Christians it is our mission to reveal God's love and mysteries to a lost world. Just like Rachel Saint made it her life's goal to translate the Bible to a tribe in Ecuadore we are to communicate the Gospel to those in our mission field. What if the Lord asks you to be a poured-out offering? Books mentioned in this episode: A Star in the Ju...

Do you find yourself running late? Or maybe you can make it on time to places but you find yourself running behind spiritually? Do you feel like you should be further ahead or of learned that lesson already? We will look at the life of Peter and see that God meets us where we are running behind and pushes us ahead. Books mentioned in this episode: Ask Me Anything, Lord by Heather C. King Last of t...

Life is just the dash between our birth and death. What will we do with it? Are we will to be poured out for the Lord and others? Are we willing show agape type love to others (although imperfectly) are we willing to be hurt in the process? Or will we build up a wall of protection and keep others out because they might hurt us? Jesus spent His life so we could have life eternal. The apostles were...

We all have a nook of shame where we relocate all our random stuff that we don't want anyone else to see. Instead of sorting and purging we store and hide. Yet God wants us to bring to light the junk we keep hidden in our hearts so we can heal and help others. Our sufferings. Our shame. Our brokenness. God can use it all to draw others to Him and we are the imperfect vessels if we are willing to u...

The Bible tells us that the "gold" we are to seek is that which has gone through fire. Why? Because it has been refined, made pure and softend. When we walk through trials we are molded into Ambassadors of Christ. The dross is burned out and the Lord is able to use in ways we weren't capable of before. Sin, bitterness, anger, offence hardened us from hearing from the Lord. It's a hard way to look...

When we feel hunger pangs do we reach for what is best to nourish our bodies or what is most convenient or perhaps even something not good for us. Spiritually, we want to eat of the fruit of the Spirit. The world offers us immediate gratification or a quick sugar rush, yet our souls crave something deeper. In this episode we talk about what we desire and the freedom (yes freedom) of self control.

In this episode we learn more about 17th century Holland from the children's classic Hans Brinker. Have you heard of tulip mania? As humans we so often chase after earthly rewards instead of heavenly. In Numbers we see how God took Aaron's rod and had it miraculously produce blossom and even almonds. Where in our lives is the Lord producing fruit? This is our testimony to His goodness. And finally...