Practically Christian Podcast

Josh and Debbie

Practically Christian Podcast is all about taking the deep truths of the gospel and bringing them down to earth. Join Josh and Debbie as they move beyond head-knowledge to offer real, practical application for your everyday life. With a blend of theological insight, counseling, and education—and a wealth of experience from the military, law enforcement, banking, and ministry—this husband-and-wife team looks at the world through a Christian perspective. Discover how the gospel of Jesus bears down on all you are and all you do, equipping you to live a life that creates an impact and changes your community. New episodes are released bi-weekly! Follow Mission Sent on Facebook and Instagram, or visit us online at missionsent.org. Keywords: ChristianPractical ApplicationGospelTheologyBible StudyChristian LivingMarriageCommunity ImpactFaithDiscipleshipHusband and WifeMinistryMission

  1. Jul 17

    What If Your Weakness Is Your Witness

    Send us Fan Mail Your feed might look peaceful, but your life feels loud. That gap is where comparison, envy, and quiet shame grow, especially when we start believing everyone else has it together and we are the only ones struggling. We get real about what happens when Christians hide the hard parts and only show the polished parts, then wonder why we feel stuck and alone. We start with a simple story from our week: a boat trim pump that “should’ve been a quick fix” turns into delays, extra cost, and a whole lot of stress. It becomes the perfect example of what people never see behind the photos of fish, sunsets, and fun trips. When we compare our real life to someone else’s highlight reel, we will always feel like we are losing, and that mindset can pull us into resentment, burnout, and even doubt about God’s care. From there, we bring it back to practical Christian living and Scripture, including Paul’s “jars of clay” in 2 Corinthians 4. Weakness isn’t a disqualifier; it’s often the place where God’s strength shows up most clearly. We talk about what honesty looks like without oversharing, why transparency matters for spiritual growth, and how sharing one real struggle with a trusted friend or small group can change everything. If you’ve been carrying a private mess and calling it “fine,” come listen. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one area where you’re ready to stop pretending? https://www.missionsent.org/

  2. Jun 8

    Drill Sergeant Or Shepherd

    Send us Fan Mail The fastest way to learn who you really are as a dad is to ask the people who live with you. So we did exactly that. Josh and Debbie bring JT, Kayla, and Gabby into the room for a Father’s Day roundtable that is funny, uncomfortable, and surprisingly practical if you care about real Christian parenting, not just good intentions.  We unpack two very different parenting instincts: the drill sergeant who uses intensity to stop behavior now, and the shepherd who uses relationship to shape character over time. Along the way we talk about “command presence,” a scary family car crash, and why a stern voice can get attention but also create distance if it becomes the default. JT reflects on discipline as a teen, what correction feels like in the moment, and what actually helped long-term.  Then Kayla and Gabby share how daughters experience the “dad voice,” why emotions can turn a quick correction into days of stress, and what kinds of conversations actually lead to growth. We also get honest about discipline versus punishment, why kids are resilient even when parents miss the mark, and the core principle we keep coming back to: your influence rises and falls on the relationship you build when nothing is “wrong.”  If you’re a dad who wants to lead with clarity, protect without controlling, and raise kids who can function well when you’re not around, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a parent friend, and leave a review so more families can find it. When you think about your own home, do you default to drill sergeant or shepherd? https://www.missionsent.org/

    Drill Sergeant Or Shepherd
  3. May 14

    Bad Weeks, Broken Gear, And A God Who Comforts

    Send us Fan Mail Bad weeks have a way of stripping off the polite version of our faith. When the equipment fails, the schedule slips, your health takes a hit, and you’re staring at the ceiling thinking, I can’t take much more, what do you do with that moment spiritually? Josh shows up with an honest, short solo message from the Practically Christian Podcast, because real life got messy and the usual plan did not survive the week. We sit in the tension between what sounds comforting and what is actually true. That old line “God will never give you a mountain you can’t climb” feels inspiring until you read 2 Corinthians 1, where Paul admits he was burdened beyond his strength and felt like he had received the sentence of death. Instead of pretending believers are always strong, Paul points to a better foundation: God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, and sometimes affliction exposes the limits of self-reliance so we learn to depend on “the God who raises the dead.” From there, we connect the dots to Philippians 4:13, not as a slogan for effortless wins, but as a promise of strength through Christ in every circumstance, whether you have plenty or barely enough. We also talk about the quiet role of pride, how it keeps us from asking for help, and why God often puts people in our lives as part of his care. You’ll leave with a simple, practical challenge for hard days: stop, take a breath, and reach out. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, listen now, then subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the encouragement. What’s one area where you need to ask for help this week? https://www.missionsent.org/

  4. Apr 7

    Leave the Shore: Paddling out past Anxiety

    Send us Fan Mail Fear is loud, persuasive, and weirdly logical when it’s talking you out of the very things that would help you grow. Josh is joined by Kayla for a candid, funny, and surprisingly deep conversation about fear, anxiety, and the kind of pressure that hits teens hardest: rejection, embarrassment, and getting labeled by other people. We start with the fear of being outcast and why it can feel so crippling even when you can “find your people” online, then we pull that thread into what fear does to your choices day after day.  From there we get practical through stories. Surfing big waves with a lot of fear in the background. Paddleboarding in Florida water where you can’t see the bottom and your mind fills in the blanks with gators and worst-case scenarios. Those moments expose what anxiety often is: a stack of scary outcomes plus a belief that you cannot handle them. We also talk parenting and why kids need safe, guided chances to face hard things now, because life won’t always offer a soft landing later.  We take a Christian perspective on overcoming fear by reframing faith as more than agreement. Faith becomes movement: “because I believe, I will.” Fear becomes the opposite: “because I don’t believe, I won’t.” That shift changes how you handle stage fright, social pressure, fear of conflict, and fear of being seen as “that Christian.” If you want tools for overcoming fear, reducing anxiety, and building courage in everyday life, this one will meet you where you are.  Subscribe, share this with someone who’s been stuck, and leave a review. Then message us what fear you’re tackling in the next two weeks and how you pushed through it. https://www.missionsent.org/

    Leave the Shore: Paddling out past Anxiety
  5. Mar 2

    Beggars Telling Beggars Where to Find Bread: Faith on the Front Lines

    Send us Fan Mail The Rundown: In this episode, Josh sits down with Jared Altic, a veteran police chaplain and host of the Hey Chaplain podcast. They dive deep into the often-overlooked world of law enforcement chaplaincy—from delivering death notifications to supporting officers who see the worst of humanity. They discuss the theology of trauma, why a "safe" childhood isn't a spiritual disadvantage, and how the church can move beyond shallow support to truly partner with their local police departments. 3 Key Takeaways: 1. The "Beggars Telling Beggars" Mindset: Jared and Josh discuss why the church isn’t a country club for the perfect, but a hospital for the broken. Effective ministry (and parenting!) requires the humility to admit we are all just "beggars telling other beggars where to find bread."2. Resilience vs. Calluses: We often think we need a gritty testimony to be tough. Jared breaks down the ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) score and explains why a safe, loving upbringing isn't a weakness—it’s the foundation for the resilience needed to help others in crisis.3. Practical Support > Cookies: Want to support your local police? Stop guessing. Jared challenges listeners to move beyond dropping off cookies (which often get thrown away!) and instead ask the department what they actually need. Whether it’s funding a vest, a radio, or daycare for a single mom in uniform, true support solves real problems.Links & Resources: Check out Jared's Podcast: https://heychaplain.buzzsprout.com/Mentioned in this episode: Jimmy Carr on "Low Stakes" living vs. Fatherhood.Scripture Reference: "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44) – Loving the unlovable cop.https://www.missionsent.org/

    Beggars Telling Beggars Where to Find Bread: Faith on the Front Lines
5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Practically Christian Podcast is all about taking the deep truths of the gospel and bringing them down to earth. Join Josh and Debbie as they move beyond head-knowledge to offer real, practical application for your everyday life. With a blend of theological insight, counseling, and education—and a wealth of experience from the military, law enforcement, banking, and ministry—this husband-and-wife team looks at the world through a Christian perspective. Discover how the gospel of Jesus bears down on all you are and all you do, equipping you to live a life that creates an impact and changes your community. New episodes are released bi-weekly! Follow Mission Sent on Facebook and Instagram, or visit us online at missionsent.org. Keywords: ChristianPractical ApplicationGospelTheologyBible StudyChristian LivingMarriageCommunity ImpactFaithDiscipleshipHusband and WifeMinistryMission