The French Press with Emily Downs

Pruning can seem like a harsh and even violent act to those who don't understand what the gardener knows - that pruning, sometimes aggressively, is necessary for the plant to yield fruit. It seems counterintuitive, but removing even flowering branches can build up the plant stronger and healthier than it was before. John 15 tells us that God is the gardener of our lives and we must abide in Him to...

Are you afraid to make mistakes? Do you find yourself saving things so you can keep them nice? I have a box of unused journals in storage. Yet, what does the Lord ask us to do with our gifts and talents, with our knowledge, with our very lives? Use them!

Jesus says that He is the bread of life. We often want to find answers and satisfaction in other places ... although these things may fill us temporarily, Jesus is the only lasting answer. This is a hard saying that even the disciples struggled with at times, yet Peter said "To whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life?" I think of his words often when I'm struggling and want to run to...

John the Baptist, referring to Jesus, said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." This is an unpopular concept today. You don't often see tee-shirts and journals with this emblazoned on the front. As Christians, we want to glorify God and not ourselves. In this episode, we look at a man who started a movement and talk about what to do when God doesn't fix our problems. John's words are a great...

Sometimes, it's easier to see other people's talents than it is to see our own. Not sure what your spiritual gifts are? Try asking people around you how you could use your gifting to serve the Lord. They might see something you dont! In return, tell others what you think their spiritual gifts might be and how they could use them for the kingdom.

In Luke, Jesus sent the disciples to collect a tied-up donkey. But, they have an obvious concern. What if the animal's owner asks why they are taking the donkey? Jesus's answer has always struck me. Just tell him the Lord has need of it. Simple as that. What if the Lord has need of something of ours? Will we untie it?

Sometimes the more we have the more closed off we become to the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit. Our days are so full, our lives so busy, so much to take care of that we forget to leave our doors open for those in need. In the book Mrs. Mike, our main character experiences the simple hospitality of desolate Canada where people have so little yet are willing to readily share out of their lack,...

Are you Available to be used by God? Do you leave the door unlocked for Him to use your gifts/time/material possessions. Books mentioned: The Cruelest Mile by Gay & Laney Sailsbury Mrs. Mike by Benedict & Nancy Freedman Correction: The quiz I mentioned by Charels Schulz is in fact not his work, although it's so wildly thought to be so that The Charels Schulz Museum gets regular calls a...

What does a real Valentine look like?

How does the Holy Spirit move in our lives? Sometimes, it's a stirring in our hearts. Exodus paints a beautiful picture of how God moves His people to join in the work of the kingdom. We usually don't feel equipped, yet he calls us where we are and offers us a chance to use our gifts for a higher purpose.

So often when we try to make everyone happy, we end up making nobody happy. So as Christians, what is the goal? The world tells us to make ourselves happy - but is that biblical? Yet, is it our job to make others happy? Nobody, not even God, can make everybody happy. So instead, we should be presenting to an audience of one. The ultimate one - God. TheDemitasseDrafts

In my quest to find more joy in life I realized that I needed to first deal with my negative thought patterns. What does the Bible have to teach us about the battle in our minds when it comes enjoying the good things God has for us? Joy is much deeper than happiness, but sometimes we have to fight for it. Much like when house training a puppy, we need to put those negative thoughts (often lies) ou...

This bestselling ghost story has a lesson to teach us all that goes beyond the holiday season. One of my favorite aspects of The Christmas Carol is the ideas that we shouldn't wait for Christmas to treat each other with kindness. The "Christmas Spirit" is for the whole year round. Check out my website: https://thedemitassedrafts.com/

Not just for Christmas, A Christmas Carol, will "haunt" you all year long. I know the story, but like most adaptations, so much is lost. This book is rich with what the spirit of Christmas is actually about, but it is not limited to the holidays. I found myself underlining and pondering so many insights that I will use often to hopefully ward off any specters of regret. https://thedemita...

First episode. I'm taking my leap of faith on this ... I have felt a call to start a podcast, and well, here it is - mistakes and all. Today, I discuss working past our fears of failure and maybe pride? Join me as we talk about getting started. https://thedemitassedrafts.com/