Gospel Spice | Awaken Delight in God through faith in Jesus Christ

We live in a world that tells us we can be anything we want. But is that even something we should wish for? What if our greatest freedom came, not from choosing who we are, but from embracing the fullness of who God made us to be? And what if God has wired us to be our freest, best selves when we become who Jesus says we are in Him? Finally, what if it took one another to discover more fully who we are in Christ, and who He is in us?In today’s and next week’s episodes, Stephanie explores how the lives of Adam and Eve, the first humans, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, serve as unexpected companions in the story of Scripture. Their experiences help us answer Jesus’s central question: "Who do you say that I am?" Together, they offer distinct perspectives that deepen our understanding of who Christ is and who we are in Him.This is Part 1 of this teaching. Part 2 will be available next week! Scroll to the bottom of these shownotes for application questions relevant to Part 1 of this teaching. Here’s more:Both Adam and Eve and Mary faced a common enemy—the serpent, the epitome of evil and deception. For Adam and Eve, the serpent was literal; for Mary, it manifested in cultural pressures and theological misunderstandings about the Messiah. We, too, face our own serpents today—temptations and misunderstandings that threaten our faith.They also were witnesses to God’s grace through forms of incarnation. Adam and Eve experienced creation, while Mary witnessed the birth of Jesus, God made flesh. Both sets of experiences pointed to the unfolding of God’s salvation story.Death and Resurrection: Adam and Eve endured the first human death—Abel’s murder—a result of their choice and the entrance of evil. Mary witnessed her son’s crucifixion, the ultimate act of innocent suffering, completing the cycle begun by Abel. Jesus’s death is portrayed as the "last death," closing the loop and offering resurrection life.Choice and Consequence: Adam and Eve chose rebellion, not foreseeing its consequences. Mary chose surrender, trusting God’s goodness even amidst uncertainty. We are reminded: we control our actions, not their outcomes.Creation and Incarnation: Adam and Eve were created but not born, bearing no belly buttons—a symbol of their unique origin. Jesus was born but not created, affirming his eternal existence. Mary bridges the two, being both a descendant of Adam and the mother of her Creator.Passing on Humanity and Sin: Adam and Eve pass on a nature of dust—sin and rebellion. Mary, as Jesus’s mother, passes on humanity, not sinlessness (contrary to some traditions), proving salvation is by grace, not works.Second Adam: Paul equates Jesus and Adam, stating Jesus is the "life-giving spirit." Mary becomes a vessel of grace, not its source, just as Adam and Eve are vessels of sin, not its origin.Garden Parallels: Adam and Eve’s failure in Eden contrasts with Jesus’s victory in Gethsemane. Where Adam was silent, Jesus faced his trials alone, faithfully surrendering.Tree of Life: Adam and Eve chose the tree of knowledge, bringing death. Jesus—born to die—offers access to the tree of life, opening paradise to believers, reversing the curse.Blessing and Curse: Mary receives both blessing and curse, echoing Adam and Eve’s experience. Yet her surrender transforms curse into blessing—her obedience stands in contrast to Adam and Eve’s blame-shifting.Conclusion | Scripture invites us to gaze at Jesus, the bridge between Old and New Testaments. Our identity is found only by answering, "Who do you say that I am?" Like Mary, we are called to surrender, transforming uncertainty into destiny. Our lives are blessed when rooted in Christ—the source of life, hope, and redemption.APPLICATION QUESTIONSHere are some questions for your time in Scripture this week, following in the footsteps of this conversation:1.      How does the question Jesus asks in the Gospels, "Who do you say that I am?" resonate with you personally after hearing this lesson?2.      In what ways does comparing Old Testament and New Testament figures, like Adam & Eve with Mary, help you gain a deeper understanding of Jesus?3.      What common enemy did Adam and Eve and Mary face, and how does that relate to the adversities or "serpents" we encounter today?4.      How do the experiences of loss—like Adam and Eve grieving Abel and Mary witnessing Jesus's death—shape our perspective on suffering and hope?5.      Discuss the differences between Adam and Eve's initial response to God's command and Mary's surrender to God's will. What lessons can we draw for our own lives?Feel free to use these questions for group discussion, personal reflection, or in your quiet time through the week!GO DEEPERWalk alongside unexpected companions from Scripture who have discovered freedom in their God-given identity. They have dared to answer Jesus' question to them, "Who do you say that I AM?" and, in the process, have heard Him answer their own question to Him - "Jesus, who do YOU say that I am?"Consider our full Gospel Spice Course, UNEXPECTED COMPANIONS, available at https://www.gospelspice.com/unexpected Use coupon code HEART for 25% off this course and every course on Gospel Spice at https://www.gospelspice.com/store Imagine a conversation between, for example, Jacob and Peter about Jesus Christ. And then, imagine joining in the conversation to share your own perspective! We will approach the pages of Scripture each week by comparing and contrasting one person from the Old Testament with one person from the New Testament in order to draw parallels from their lives and experiences that we can then apply to our own lives. Of course, the Old Testament person has never technically met Jesus, but the pages of the Old Testament are replete with prophecies and types of Christ to point us to Him. So, with each session, we are inviting an unexpected pair of biblical heroes around a coffee date, and we let them chat about their own personal life experience and how it reveals God. We will find that our own experience of Jesus Christ will echo theirs in more ways than one! By the end of our time together, we will be able to give a fuller answer to Jesus’ question to each one of us—“who do you say that I AM?” We will also be able to hear His answer to our own question to Him—”Jesus, who do You say that I am?”We are intentionally choosing unexpected pairs from Scripture – someone from the Old Testament and someone from the New Testament that you may never before have thought to pair up. It will keep things spicy and interesting! Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Jennifer Tucker joins Stephanie Rousselle to share her journey with prayer, mental health, and the integration of body, soul, and spirit. Jenn Tucker’s story, interwoven through her three books—Breath as Prayer, Present in Prayer, and Prayer in Motion—offers practical wisdom for deepening connection with God amid life’s hardships.NOTE! We’re giving away a full set of Jenn’s 3 books (Breath as Prayer, Present in Prayer, and Prayer in Motion) as well as 2 copies of “Prayer in Motion”. To enter, it’s simple! Go to gospelspice.com/jenntucker and follow the simple prompt.Jenn begins by describing her upbringing in faith, where prayer was a checklist item—something to do in order to be a “good Christian”. When life became dark and difficult, this formulaic approach unraveled. Even with faithful churchgoing, parental duties, and ticking all the boxes, Jenn struggled with anxiety and depression, compounded by shame for feeling that way.She slowly discovered that faith is not about perfect performance or checking off tasks, but about honest, vulnerable communion with God. Freedom begins with releasing the guilt and shame attached to struggles with anxiety, fear, or broken expectations.When her daughter faced severe anxiety and panic attacks, Jenn  was forced to confront her own pain. The loss of control and the inability to “fix” things broke down years of self-sufficiency. Through “breath prayers”—simple, repeated prayers aligned with breathing—she found tethering to God possible even in crisis, when no other words would come. When you’re overwhelmed, practice breath prayers or silent contemplation. Let your prayers be honest expressions of pain, confusion, and need. God’s invitation is to commune with Him, not perform for Him.After enduring trauma and depression, Jenn discovered that both stillness and movement were vital for healing. He book Present in Prayer explores deep stillness and meditation on Scripture, fostering rootedness in God’s presence.Yet, healing also required physical movement. Jenn learned to listen to her body, recognizing that gentle motion—walking, stretching—helped lift depression’s weight, reconnecting her to hope. We are body, soul, and spirit. Movement can be prayerful—a way to invite God into every step, reminding us of His presence and goodness. Attending to your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs honors God’s holistic design.Jenn details simple grounding practices using the senses for moments of anxiety or distress: naming things you can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. These help anchor us in the present and open us to God’s nearness. Even when bodies fail or senses are lost, God’s presence remains, and hope is available—sometimes through pivoting to find new joys in brokenness. Use your senses to regain awareness of God’s gifts, even in difficulty. Hunt for glimpses of goodness, fix your gaze on hope, and trust that your wholeness in Christ is not limited by present suffering.Jenn’s journey teaches that prayer is communion, not performance; that movement and stillness are both sacred; and that hope is sustained by trusting God’s presence through all circumstances. Every breath, every step, every struggle, and every joy can become a prayer—reminding us that God is with us, always.Remember! We’re giving away a full set of Jenn’s 3 books (Breath as Prayer, Present in Prayer, and Prayer in Motion) as well as 2 copies of “Prayer in Motion”. To enter, it’s simple! Go to gospelspice.com/jenntucker and follow the simple prompt.MORE ABOUT “PRAYER IN MOTION”Move Your Body. Quiet Your Mind. Reconnect with God.What if prayer felt less like a routine and more like a rhythm—something that flows through all the moments of your day and movements of your body?In Prayer in Motion, author and artist Jennifer Tucker invites you to experience prayer in a fresh, embodied way—where movement becomes worship, and your physical self is embraced as part of your spiritual journey.With warmth and gentle wisdom, Jennifer offers a path to deeper peace, joy, and connection through simple practices that unite body and soul. You’ll be encouraged to slow down, create sacred space, and engage in meaningful somatic movement—from stretching and breathing to dancing, drawing, and resting.Prayer in Motion offers:·         Thoughtful reflections on the biblical connection between body and spirit·         Helpful guides for creating daily prayer rhythms that keep you anchored to God as you move through your day·         Practical tools for mindful movement and embodied prayer·         Creative somatic exercises that promote rest, release, and restoration·         Encouragement to embrace your body as a beautiful, God-created giftWhether you're feeling disconnected, stressed, or just longing to experience God in a new way, Prayer in Motion gently leads you toward wholeness—helping you reclaim joy, deepen faith, and find peace one intentional movement at a time.Let this be your invitation to move with purpose, pray with presence, and worship God with your whole being.Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Leslie Bosserman shares powerful insights drawn from her new book, "Emotional Endurance." With Stephanie, she explores her personal journey, the necessity of emotional endurance, and practical strategies for developing this crucial skill set from a Christian perspective.  NOTE | We are giving away 3 copies of Leslie's book, "Emotional Endurance." Sign up at https://www.gospelspice.com/lesliebossermangiveaway today! Leslie Bosserman defines emotional endurance as a “dynamic inner capacity to keep going and rise above your circumstances as you deal with life’s stresses and challenges”. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution but a set of skills and tools that can be developed and customized to each person’s needs, rooted deeply in faith, self-awareness, and lived experience.Emotional endurance is a lifelong journey—dynamic, adaptable, and deeply rooted in our walk with God. Leslie offers a hopeful, practical, and theologically rich path for us to develop greater endurance in the face of life’s challenges.Leslie’s journey began with a drastic life change: after only four weeks of marriage, Leslie and her husband moved to the Middle East to serve with a non-profit—an experience that profoundly shaped her understanding of endurance, faith, and the necessity of resilience in unfamiliar and challenging environments. Through cultural adaptation, crisis, and change, she learned the importance of inner strength, flexibility, and spiritual grounding.Leslie organizes emotional endurance into six alliterative principles, each with actionable skills:1.      Fortitude to Fail: Embracing failure as a necessary step in growth; learning that God has designed us for recovery and redemption, not perfection.2.      Resilience to Rise: Applying the science of resilience to rise above difficulties, using setbacks as opportunities for persistence and learning.3.      Hope to Heal: Building sustainable hope, even in times of discouragement, by integrating psychological research and Christian theology.4.      Courage to Change: Leaning into bravery to accept the need for change and transformation in alignment with God’s purposes.5.      Energy to Engage: Managing one’s energy—both physical and spiritual—to avoid burnout and remain engaged in life’s calling.6.      Purpose to Persevere: Connecting daily actions to a deeper sense of purpose and legacy, fueling perseverance in long-term challenges.Leslie Bosserman breaks each principle into three actionable skills, allowing for a customized, non-linear journey. This approach encourages small, manageable steps rather than overwhelming change. For example, an essential first step Leslie Bosserman recommends is developing margin—the space between your “load” (responsibilities and stresses) and your “power” (resources and capacity). When margin is lacking, growth and endurance become even more difficult. Cultivating healthy margins means intentionally reducing overload and creating space for God’s work in and through us.Another example is the key difference between a fixed mindset (believing abilities and circumstances are static) and a growth mindset (seeing challenges as opportunities to learn). As Stephanie says, we are “half-baked masterpieces”—in progress, growing, and continually shaped by God.By focusing on small, intentional steps and embracing both faith and self-awareness, anyone can begin building the resilience necessary to live out their God-given purpose.MORE ABOUT “EMOTIONAL ENDURANCE”Learn how to come back stronger and keep going when you experience setbacks and disappointment.Why do some people bounce back from adversity while others stay stuck? We all face stress and setbacks, but not everyone recovers the same way. What makes the difference? Executive leadership coach, educator, and TEDx speaker Leslie M. Bosserman has spent decades helping people answer that question. Through research, experience, and her own personal journey, she’s identified the key: emotional endurance.In Emotional Endurance, you’ll develop the mindset and skills to face life’s hardest moments and come out stronger, wiser, and more grounded. Based in psychological research and biblical truth, this practical and hope-filled guide offers a framework for building resilience that lasts. Soon you won’t just survive adversity; you’ll bounce back stronger with the skills to keep going.Emotional Endurance offers practical tools and transformational results, including how todevelop inner strength and grit through six core principles and eighteen actionable skills;recover from failure, turn it into a source of strength, and use it to fuel your growth;build resilience that lasts beyond a single crisis;access hope to heal from emotional wounds;replace fear and paralysis with courage and clarity;learn to manage your energy by anticipating what drains you and making space for what restores you; andfind strength to endure challenges by standing firm in your clearly defined purpose.This book is a perfect gift for anyone going through a difficult season, friends facing burnout or transition, graduates stepping into uncertain futures, small groups or book clubs focused on personal growth, or leadership retreats and team-building sessions.Real strength isn’t about avoiding hard things. It’s about moving forward with emotional steadiness when life gets tough. Emotional Endurance equips you with the mindset and resilience to keep going, keep growing, and come out stronger on the other side. Your bounce-back starts here.MORE ABOUT LESLIE BOSSERMANLeslie M. Bosserman, M.Ed., CPCC is an Executive Coach and Lifestyle Strategist for innovators and creative professionals leading dynamic and diverse teams. After working for a decade in higher education and student development, Leslie launched Lead With Intention® – a boutique coaching and consulting practice that specializes in leadership coaching, customized training, and organizational strategy for clients and their teams around the world. She collaborates with a range of creative professionals from entrepreneurs launching their startups to executive leaders at Fortune 500 Companies. Leslie is committed to enhancing her local community and co-created and launched The Makers Place™ with her husband, Joel. As the regions first coworking space with onsite childcare, this innovative multi-use space supports parents who need a professional workspace along with flexible childcare options. She also currently works as the Director and Site Supervisor of Mini Makers™ Preschool. Leslie has also served locally on the leadership team for TEDxSacramento as the Event Coordinator and volunteered as a coach for emerging female leaders through The Women's Impact Alliance (formerly The Coaching Fellowship). She has been a featured speaker at TEDxEustis with over 1.3 million views! Before becoming a Professional Coach, Leslie worked at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she taught leadership and diversity classes as well as ran a campus-wide Leadership Certificate Program for over 500 students, faculty, and staff members. She also has worked professionally in residential life and academic research at UCLA and in Public Affairs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under the U.S. Department of Energy. Before becoming a Professional Coach, Leslie worked at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she taught leadership and diversity classes as well as ran a campus-wide Leadership Certificate Program for over 500 students, faculty, and staff members. She also has worked professionally in residential life and academic research at UCLA and in Public Affairs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under the U.S. Department of Energy. Leslie loves to travel and explore new places and has visited over 30 countries as well as living abroad in the Middle East for a year where she volunteered at local schools with her husband, Joel. She is an avid artist who also enjoys karaoke, cooking ethnic food, supporting local coffee shops, and practicing yoga. Leslie lives in Northern California with her husband and three children, and travels internationally for coaching, organizational trainings, and retreat facilitation.https://www.lesliembosserman.com/ https://leadwithintention.com/ Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!