The French Press with Emily Downs

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 Demitasse Drafts

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S4 · E74
Tuesday · 1 hr 17 min
74 Make the Connection
Instead of planning out our own lives and casually asking God to sprinkle a blessing over them, what does it look like to truly ask, "God, what are You already doing, and how do You want me to adjust my life to join You?" From Elijah calling Elisha away from his plow to Simeon and Anna waiting lifetimes in the temple, we explore how God calls us out of our defaults, why we must stick around to connect the dots after we pray, and how spiritual maturity often feels like a trip to the chiropractor as we attempt to aline with Christ. Books Mentioned in this episode: Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God by Henry T. Blackaby, Richard Blackaby, and Claude V. King Tea Time Discipleship by Sally Clarkson Soul Care by Rob Reimer
S4 · E73
October 27 · 1 hr 12 min
73 When the Power Goes Out
I’m recording in the semi-dark with sideways rain, gale warnings on Lake Michigan, and a dead power grid. I can't help but think of how life's sudden storms take us by surprise. In this episode, we chat about what happens when our spiritual power goes out, how God trains our endurance through the hard seasons, and why slow-cooked faith in an instant-microwave culture produces something that truly nourishes. Books mentioned in this episode: Experiencing God by Blackaby Waking up to the Goodness of God by Susie Larson
S4 · E72
October 13 · 1 hr 10 min
72 Do You Have A Pour Spout?
In this episode, I step out of my comfort zone—talking about books and theology—to share some personal stories from the "life in between." Right in the middle of our chaotic move, I attended a retreat that turned into a powerful object lesson on God's personal, practical love, the necessity of community, and what it means to live a poured-out life. A midnight crisis in a bunk bed taught me first hand how God provides exactly what we need when we feel fragile. And how He builds a "pour spout" into our lives so we can bless others. Books mentioned in this episode: Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby The Gospel of John
S4 · E71
September 29 · 1 hr 15 min
71 Uncredited
Welcome back! I'm recording this episode from a completely new spot - we unexpectedly moved to a beautiful rental house right on the beach of Lake Michigan. While I am so grateful for this stunning space, the move has brought up some deep reflections on the temporary nature of life, the concept of stewardship, and how we handle major transitions. In this episode, I share stories about our pets (including our anxious dog Scout and a "Lazarus" fish), dive into the story of Moses, and share a personal moment of conviction about wanting credit versus embracing the humbling role of an "unnamed servant". Books Mentioned in this Episode: Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God by Henry T. Blackaby, Richard Blackaby, and Claude V. King Exodus 3 & 4 Philippians 2:5–8
S3 · E70
September 15 · 1 hr 4 min
70 Wild Card
How do we handle the bad cards we have been dealt without losing the game? Let's take an honest look at the stewardship of our minds. The person who talks to you the most every single day is you, and so much of our daily thought life runs on autopilot—just like driving a car or making a morning cup of coffee. But what happens when those background thoughts are holding us back, or when we hesitate to call sin what it actually is? We’re breaking down how to rework those mental habits, why forgiveness is the ultimate key to living an abundant life. The hardships in our lives are wildcards in the hands of a loving God, He can play them anyway He wants! God's redemption wins everytime. Books mentioned in this episode: More than Redemption: A Theology of Christian Counseling by J. E. Adams Soul Care by Rob Reimer 2 Samuel
S4 · E69
September 1 · 1 hr 16 min
69 What is normal?
In this episode we're taking a close look at what it actually means to be human. We often rely on our culture to tell us what’s "normal," but culture is constantly shifting—and honestly, a lot of what the world calls normal comes out of brokenness. We will examine human nature and what it looks like to let God reshape our hearts to His standard rather than our own. Growth is messy and we all experience "theological puberty"—how we grow in uneven spurts—and why time doesn't actually heal all wounds unless we bring them to Jesus. Books mentioned in this episode; A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption by J.E. Adams Tea Time Discipleship by Sally Clarkson Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp
S4 · E68
August 11 · 1 hr 21 min
68 Tornado Warning
CORRECTION: We screwed up the difference between a watch and warning numerous times in this episode. Hopefully that doesn't hinder the message too much. We will try to do better with our weather-related metaphors in the future, but honestly, we're still confused, so it's not looking good. In this upcoming discussion, we’re digging deep into the world of soul care—what it actually means, why it matters for you and future generations, and how to spot the heavy "ingredients" brewing in your life before they turn into a full-blown tornado. We’re chatting about everything from King David’s grief to epigenetics, navigating a "civil war" in our hearts, and learning how to step into true freedom through Christ. Grab your notebook, because this one is packed with truth! Brought up a landmark case study from Jay Adams' book about a devastating flood where a Bible school lost many loved ones. I couldn't recall the location details during recording, but that study was based on the 1972 Black Hills Flood in Rapid City, South Dakota. It highlighted how believers grounded in faith processed tragedy with an anchor of hope that shocked secular researchers. Books Mentioned in This Episode: A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption by Jay E. Adams Soul Care by Rob Reimer Sacred Marriage and Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas A More Excellent Way: Be in Health / The Spiritual Roots of Disease by Henry W. Wright Waking Up to the Goodness of God by Susie Larson 2 Samuel
S4 · E67
July 28 · 1 hr 20 min
67 The Costly Offering
In this episode, we’re diving back into our ongoing conversation about soul care and what it really means to walk closely with the Lord. We often crave safety, baseline comfort, and an easy, orderly life, but kingdom work is rarely convenient or cheap. Using the story of the widow’s mites, the life and failures of Peter, and insights on the counsel of God, we examine how answering God's call requires us to risk beyond our comfort zone, embrace sacrifice, and bring something truly unique to a broken world Books mentioned in this episode: A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption by Jay E. Adams Soul Care by Dr. Rob Reimer Psalm 1 Gospel of Mark Gospel of John
July 14 · 1 hr 20 min
66 Lord Over The Flies
In this episode, we are getting vulnerable about the beautiful, chaotic, and deeply sacrificial reality of doing kingdom ministry. We are stripping away the "Instagram-perfect" version of faith and diving into what it actually looks like to live a life of joyful, grateful dependence on God. I talk about why we have to stop reading our messy circumstances like tea leaves, the true cost (and immense beauty) of showing up for deep friendships, and how a devastating story in 2 Samuel gives us one of the most stunning foreshadowings of Jesus' love for us.It’s messy, it’s honest, and it’s a reminder that God uses us exactly as we are—flaws and all. Stream the full episode now! Books Mentioned • A Theology of Christian Counseling: More Than Redemption by J.E. Adams • The Soul Care Book (and the Soul Care Ministry principles) • Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas • Tea Time Discipleship: Sharing Faith One Cup at a Time by Sally Clarkson • 2 Samuel
S4 · E65
June 30 · 1 hr 7 min
65 Glamorous Lies
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 see. It’s what God is doing in our hearts. Books mentioned: Soul Care — Dr. Rob Reimer Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls — Gary Thomas 90 Days with Christian Classics
S4 · E64
June 16 · 1 hr 9 min
64 Wounds & Warfare
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 experience that I considered not mentioning it on the podcast at all. However, I felt a strong prompting from the Holy Spirit to share this journey with you. In this season, my goal is to move away from "safe," comfortable topics and instead confront the more complex, challenging areas of our spiritual walk. Today, we are discussing soul wounds—those unhealed spaces of past trauma, sin, or unforgiveness that cause us to metaphorically bleed into our daily lives, ministries, and relationships. We will talk about how true sanctification requires more than just cosmetic fixes or painting over our issues; it demands a deep, radical renovation of the inner life. True healing can only be achieved through the tenderness of Jesus, and quite often, our moments of deepest desperation become the exact platform God uses for our spiritual breakthrough. Books Mentioned: Soul Care: 7 Principles for Resiliency and New Life by Dr. Rob Reimer Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On: Trusting God in the Tough Times by Stormie Omartian The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas
S4 · E63
June 2 · 1 hr 17 min
63 Fix Your Eyes
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 only “seeing trees walking.” We can see something God is doing, but not clearly yet. Books mentioned in this episode: Soul Care by Dr. Rob Reimer Gospel of Mark
S4 · E62
May 19 · 1 hr 19 min
62 Riptide Warning
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 coming back to this image from the book of a riptide. You can be swimming along, feeling completely fine, and suddenly realize you're being pulled somewhere you never intended to go. Family patterns can work like that. We tell ourselves, I’ll never become like that, and then years later we realize we’re standing in the very place we swore we'd avoid. Books mentioned in this episode • Soul Care — Dr. Rob Reimer • Sacred Parenting — Gary Thomas • Sacred Marriage — Gary Thomas • My Brilliant Career — Miles Franklin • 2 Samuel
S4 · E61
May 5 · 1 hr 18 min
61 After the Rain
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 behaviors. God invites us into restoration and ultimately relationship with Him. Repentance offers us freedom from bondage. Books Mentioned: Soul Care - Dr. Rob Reimer Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands - Paul Tripp Experiencing Jesus Really - John Eldredge Sacred Parenting - Gary Thomas Scripture References: 2 Samuel 11-12 (David & Bathsheba; repentance) Psalm 51 (David’s repentance prayer) Psalm 32:3-4 (effects of unconfessed sin) Romans 5:6-8 (Christ died for us while we were sinners) Mark 6 (faith, dependence on God)
S3 · E60
April 21 · 1 hr 17 min
60 Crumbling Castles
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 Christ will last. Books mentioned in this episode: • Soul Care by Dr. Rob Reimer • Waking Up to the Goodness of God by Susie Larson • My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin
S3 · E59
April 7 · 1 hr 16 min
59 Pulling Weeds
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 behaviors than get out a shovel and start digging around in our hearts. Join me as we discuss what it looks like to make real, lasting changes in our lives. Books mentioned: Soul Care: 7 Transformational Principles for a Healthy Soul — Dr. Rob Reimer Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands — Paul Tripp Tea Time Discipleship — Sally Clarkson Bible Verses & Books Referenced: Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trust in the Lord, not your own understanding Galatians 6:7 — You reap what you sow Psalms (various) — David speaking to his soul James 5:16 — Confess your sins to one another 2 Samuel (life of David) — Honest portrayal of sin, struggle, and repentance
S3 · E58
March 24 · 1 hr 16 min
58 A Rustling in the Mulberry Trees
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 mentioned on this episode: 1 & 2 Samuel
S3 · E57
March 10 · 1 hr 12 min
57 Soul Care
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? Books mentioned in this episode: Instruments in the Redeemer's Hand by Paul David Tripp Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Teaching of Tim and Elaine Russo Relational Impact Ministries
S3 · E56
February 24 · 1 hr 18 min
56 Little Women: A Case Study
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 by Louisa May Alcott Instruments in the Redeemer's Hand by Paul David Tripp Resource: Biblical Counseling Training, San Antonio, TX https://share.google/5K1IetOSSBc7gw3Xr
S3 · E54
January 27 · 1 hr 15 min
54 You are Here
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 this episode as we look at The Greatest Story Ever Told, one in which we ourselves have been given a role. Books mentioned in this episode: Epic by John Eldredge Tea Time Discipleship by Sally Clarkson

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