What do you know of the Ascension? How important does it seem to you? Stephanie says, "Ascension has become one of my most cherished treasures, because it speaks of a hope that is certain, and a future that is glorious. First, Ascension means that a human body is present in the Throne Room of God right now – that is Jesus Christ today. His incarnation made Jesus a member of humanity; His Ascension made His membership permanent. I cannot wrap my head around this, but one thing I can do is fall on my face to worship in awe and wonder." It all started with an invitation to write an article about ..read more

I am so glad you are with us today on Gospel Spice. Join us as we dive into the transformative power of Jesus and the mosaic of people forming the Kingdom of Heaven! Let's explore the rich tapestry of stories in the Gospel of Matthew and discover the incredible ways each person adds their unique flavor of mint.  Last week, we met a leper, a gentile centurion, and a bold woman who challenged the rulers. Now, we're introduced to Matthew himself, a former tax collector who boldly declares Jesus as Messiah. I invite you to join me and witness Matthew's gutsy conversion story. It is moving, te ..read more

I had the joy to engage in a heartfelt conversation with my dear friend Kara Swanson, discussing the importance of grace, self-awareness, and the transformative power of storytelling. Through her personal journey and the characters she breathes life into in her fiction books, Kara intricately weaves together themes of resilience, healing, and the significance of self-awareness in shaping our personal narrative towards deeper faith. Her commitment to guiding and empowering young writers also reflects her own journey of finding purpose and connection. Kara beautifully articulates the power of st ..read more

Did you know that mint isn't just for freshening your breath or adding flavor to your food? There are over 600 types of mint, and each one has its own unique flavor profile, ranging from pineapple to chocolate to lavender. Mint truly is a multitasker in the world of spices. Just like the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, who come from all walks of life. Mint needs a humid soil to produce richly scented leaves. Similarly, we need Jesus, the water of life, to bring flavor and meaning to our lives. Without Him, we're just flavorless grass. Let's be like mint and embrace the diverse flavors withi ..read more

Bonjour! Stephanie here. Obviously, I love every single guest I welcome on the show because otherwise, I wouldn't welcome them. And I read every single book. But once in a while, there's one that makes you pause, take a deep breath, and ponder deeply. This is what happened when I read “The Wood Between the Worlds” by Brian Zahnd. Just take a moment and ponder the title itself – I know I keep coming back to its profound poetry. It's about the Cross: Jesus and the Cross, the meanings of the Cross. Brian opens his book with these words: “I dare to write about God, which is admittedly an audacious ..read more

Last week, we witnessed a powerful moment in history - the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. As we stood on that holy mountain with Peter, James, and John, we were immersed in the glory of God. But there's so much more to this incredible event. Let's dive deeper into the significance of the transfiguration. In Exodus, we see Moses encountering God on the mountain and coming down with a radiant face. But when Jesus is transfigured, His glory shines even brighter, revealing that the glory is not from without, but from within. Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness. Matthew's account of th ..read more

Have you ever experienced a meal so extraordinary, it leaves an indelible mark on your memory? A French-style 8 or 10 course dinner, each dish a tiny masterpiece that lingers on your tongue? Well, today we're going to savor a different kind of feast, the Transfiguration of Jesus. Join me as we explore this captivating story through a culinary lens. ?️ Course 1: The Hors d'oeuvre ?️ Our appetizer is found in Matthew 16:15, where Jesus poses a profound question: "Who do you say that I am?" This sets the stage for the miracles and masterpieces that follow, leading up to the ultimate entree of the ..read more

Bonjour! Today I welcome my dear friend, team member, and regular Gospel Spice Podcast guest Ros Evans to ponder the statement we start with: Heaven is closer than we realize.  How does this statement hit you? I ask Ros the same question, and then we engage in a conversation about the presence of God in our lives and God’s invitation to us as believers, to bring heaven to Earth in small, transitional ways until He establishes Heaven on Earth. We invite you to embrace the mystery of heaven, engage in dynamic worship and co-creation with God, and actively participate in being the hands ..read more

I welcome my new friend Lina Abujamra who invites us on a compelling journey through the ups and downs of faith, the role of suffering, and the unfathomable depths of God's grace. One of my favorite quotes from her book exemplifies this. She says, “mercy is never deserved, but always desired, and the key to unlocking it is simply to receive it.” Amen! She also adds, “God loves us not because we believe it, but despite the fact that we don’t.” Amen again!! As I reflect on our conversation, here’s the main takeaway: Lina reminded me of the unfathomable-but-so-true depth of grace amidst the chaos ..read more

Welcome to a special episode of Gospel Spice, where today we spend time in the glorious subject of the Resurrection. We're continuing our exploration of Easter Sunday, this time shifting our focus from the cross to the powerful event that happened on the other side. As we enter into the beauty and wonder of the Resurrection, ask the Holy Spirit to prepare you to be moved by the significance of Christ's sacrifice and the hope that it brings. We'll explore the spiritual resurrection that took place before Jesus' physical death, understanding how it paved the way for his triumphant resurrection o ..read more