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. 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/

    8 min
  2. Leave the Shore: Paddling out past Anxiety

    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/

    22 min
  3. Beggars Telling Beggars Where to Find Bread: Faith on the Front Lines

    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/

    47 min
  4. From Lent To Wilderness: Finding Faith When God Feels Silent

    FEB 16

    From Lent To Wilderness: Finding Faith When God Feels Silent

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Josh and Debbie brave the elements—literally. With the office heater broken, we’re recording outside in the Florida "cold" to talk about a different kind of chill: The Wilderness Phase. We often think spiritual dryness is a punishment or a sign that God has left the building. But what if the wilderness isn't about abandonment? What if it’s about preparation? Just as Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, sometimes God strips away the noise and comforts to get us ready for the mission ahead. We also breakdown the upcoming season of Lent, the real meaning of Shrove Tuesday (it’s more than just pancakes), and why "following your heart" is terrible advice when you're lost in the woods. In This Episode: The "Icebox" Studio: Why we are recording outside and how distraction works.Theology of the Wild: The difference between wandering due to a lack of faith (Israel) vs. wandering for training (Jesus).Counseling Corner: Distinguishing between "Spiritual Dryness" and clinical depression.The "Shrove" Strategy: How to "clear the deck" of your heart before Lent begins.The Challenge: The Pancake Summit. Before Ash Wednesday, sit down for a meal with your family (phones away!). Ask this question: "What is the one thing distracting us from God right now?" Action Step: Pick Your Fast. Don't just pick something convenient. Choose one thing to "kill" for the next 40 days. Whether it's social media, sugar, or TV—pick a sacrifice that will actually cost you something, and use that space to seek God. https://www.missionsent.org/

    31 min
  5. Win The Fight By Changing The Rules

    FEB 2

    Win The Fight By Changing The Rules

    Send us Fan Mail Arguments don’t wreck relationships—bad rules do. We sat down to unpack a counterintuitive promise: you can “win” every fight by changing what winning means. Instead of louder voices and sharper comebacks, we build a simple, repeatable framework that turns conflict into connection, whether you’re married, parenting, or navigating tough moments at work. We start by swapping pride for purpose. Borrowing the logic of rules of engagement, we set boundaries that keep the relationship safe: when to talk, when to pause, and where the hard conversations happen. You’ll hear why a demilitarized zone—a consistent, private space—reduces shame and performative arguing, and how banning the words never and always stops character attacks before they start. We also explore why only a few hills deserve a fight and how aligning on end goals keeps you moving toward a shared future rather than short‑term wins. Then we get practical. We break down a de‑escalation continuum you can use tonight: start with curiosity, keep it private, escalate slowly, and agree on a timed pause when tempers spike. There’s a quick tour of the brain science behind anger—why the prefrontal cortex goes quiet and the limbic system takes over—and how sleep, movement, and clear reconvene times restore logic and empathy. Throughout, we anchor the conversation in faith and humility, showing how restraint is strength and how peacemaking protects intimacy. Ready to rewrite the script on conflict? Grab our free Rules of Engagement at missionscent.org/church under Resources, put them on the table with your spouse or family, and try them this week. If this helped, subscribe, share with a friend who argues about everything, and leave a review to help others find the show. https://www.missionsent.org/

    27 min
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

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