The French Press

By Emily Downs

Need a spot of encouragement? Looking for a good book? Join me on the French Press for cups of conversation about faith, pages I've dog-eared, and the life in-between.

Check out my website: The Demita... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about The French Press:

How many episodes does The French Press have?

The podcast currently has 57 episodes available.

The French Press episodes:

July 09, 2024 17 Hunger Pangs
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.
...more
41min
June 25, 2024 16 Tulip Mania
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 I introduce a new book An Instrument in the Redeemer’s Hands where we examine our hearts from which our words and actions flow.
...more
43min
June 04, 2024 15 The Good Gardener
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 become more like Christ. In this episode we will take a look at Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates and how his dilemma relates to the choices we face, and in Laura Story's book, When God Doesn't Fix it, how surrendering our dreams may just guide us to real growth. You can also read about how we can find joy in the little things (even a piece of fruit) in this blog post I mention in the episode: https://thedemitassedrafts.com/blog-1/2023/12/6/have-a-very-orange-christmas
...more
43min
May 20, 2024 14 Pristine Journals
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!
...more
32min
May 07, 2024 13 The Hidden Manna
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 other things besides the Lord ...
...more
28min
April 23, 2024 12 I Must Decrease
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 reminder as we journey through life that we want more of God and less of us.
...more
36min
April 09, 2024 11 Name That Baby
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.
...more
33min
March 26, 2024 10 The Tied-Up Donkey
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?
...more
25min
March 12, 2024 09 Closed off Mansions
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, in contrast to a city where she stops by a mansion to ask for a drink of water and is turned away.

It is not a question of what we have, but how we are willing to let the Lord use our lives.

...more
31min
February 27, 2024 08 Open Cabins
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 asking about this, so I'm not the first, nor I'm sure the last, to think he wrote this this piece.
Snoopy would have never made this mistake
...more
32min

FAQs about The French Press:

How many episodes does The French Press have?

The podcast currently has 57 episodes available.