The Practical Theism Podcast

Keith Nester shares his amazing insight through many different topics and aspects of his faith journey!

Sean Hussey of Cold Brews and Catholic Truths shares some insight!

Keith Nester shares his amazing insight through many different topics and aspects of his faith journey!

Sean Hussey of Cold Brews and Catholic Truths shares some insight!

Satan, The Devil, Hades, The Evil One, El Diablo - the prince of darkness goes by many names, but there is one truth that presides in the life of a believer: He attacks us the closer we draw into the light. But How exactly does the devil attack people? Is it physical? Is it mental? How do we know when we are being spiritually attacked? Dave Brunsman dives into helping us understand this.

What are the corporal and spiritual works of mercy that the Catholic Church talks about? Are they derived from Scripture? Father Leo Patalinghug jumps into these questions, how we see these lived out in the life of the church in today's podcast episode.   

See more of Father Leo's work at: https://platinggrace.com/  

Join the Plating Grace Academy at: https://academy.platinggrace.com/

Chad Torgenson found his calling as a Spiritual Director with a focus on Ignatian Spirituality. What exactly is a spiritual director? Do you need one? When should you seek one out? These are some of the questions we dove in to ask Chad!  

See more of Chad's work at: https://wakingupcatholic.com/ 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3hfw4kBOgNDWuvQvn0XijA 

Get Chad's Book at: https://wakingupcatholic.com/waking-up-catholic-book/

The Christian faith says that God has a plan for your life. That doesn't mean it is easy to follow that plan! Travis "T-Rev" Carter jumps into action gear showing how listening and stepping with God's plan can open dramatic new opportunities for you.   

Find T-Rev on the following places! https://twitter.com/trevmusic https://www.instagram.com/trevmusic

The Cancel Culture has seen a massive rise over the past year. Dave Brunsman dives into a discussion about what the cancel culture is, where we are seeing it today, and how we address it from a Christian perspective.

Saint John Paul II encouraged young creatives to take an active role in evangelization with the new media. Nobody has done this more effectively than Spirit Juice Studios. From working with big names like Bishop Robert Barron to working with local parishes and the USCCB, Spirit Juice Studios is using their talents to spread the gospel. In today's podcast, Rob Kaczmark, owner and founder of Spirit Juice Studios talks about creative evangelization in 2021.   

See more of Spirit Juice Studios Work here! https://www.spiritjuicestudios.com/ 

Spirit Juice Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6zyBe0R9fLOBmv7bu_VW_A

Some Christians seem to have joy, others not so much. Is the Gospel message of Christianity intended to produce joy in the believer? Find out what Father Leo Patalinghug of Plating Grace ministries gives his perspective on this perplexing proposition!  

See more of Father Leo's work at: https://platinggrace.com/ 

Join the Plating Grace Academy at: https://academy.platinggrace.com/

Why can't Catholics and Protestant Christians get along? While there are a LOT of agreements and disagreements, they seem to stem back to this ONE thing. Canadian Catholic Musician and apologist Chris Bray dives into this 1 thing with us today! Learn about it, how to discuss it, and how to move past it to continue the dialogue.   

See more of Chris' work at: https://www.chrisbraymusic.com/ 

All That Catholic Stuff Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKQ7P0TW6_QZC7ozcgxOEYQ 

Hear Chris' Music: https://www.chrisbraymusic.com/music

Ignatian Spirituality is a discipline in the spiritual life pioneered by Saint Ignatius of Loyola. This is one discipline that I have personally found very practical applications to daily life and I think everyone should consider trying it to continually renew the inner self. Chad Torgenson of Directional Faith walks us through Ignatian Spirituality in today's Podcast!  

See more of Chad's work at: 

https://wakingupcatholic.com/ 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3hfw4kBOgNDWuvQvn0XijA 

Get Chad's Book at: https://wakingupcatholic.com/waking-up-catholic-book/

Travis "T-Rev" Carter has a story that is enough to break any person down. From the loss of his mother in a brutal death, Travis comes out the other side as a strong believer that God had a plan. Why? Find out. 

Travis "T-Rev" Carter has a story that is enough to break any person down. From the loss of his mother in a brutal death, Travis comes out the other side as a strong believer that God had a plan. Why? Find out.   Find T-Rev on the following places! https://twitter.com/trevmusic https://www.instagram.com/trevmusic

Many religious skeptics claim that all religion is intended to make good people. Is that right?

Should Christians get involved in Politics? Louie Luepke dives into his thoughts on the topic.   

Follow us on our Facebook Page! https://www.facebook.com/practicaltheism

Follow Josh on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/joshyyred/ 

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Is Jesus Relevant today in 2021? There are many secular belief systems that want to keep Jesus and religion in particular out of the public square. But with all of the turmoil going on today, is that really what we need? Or, perhaps, is it possible we need Jesus now more than ever before?  

Follow us on our Facebook Page! https://www.facebook.com/practicaltheism

Follow Josh on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/joshyyred/

www.practicaltheism.com

With pew research studies showing that there is an increase in the number of the "nones" or the non religiously affiliated, Josh dives into why people are leaving Christianity with RCIA Director Dave Brunsman. Not only that, they discuss what Christians can do to bring people back into the faith through Love.

Jesus commits his spirit to God the father in his last words before he dies. The veil breaks in two. He quotes yet another psalm. Oh and we are supposed to consume the lamb?

Watch it on Youtube! https://youtu.be/EMdpevle7RE

Th 5th and 6th last saying of Jesus is what we are covering today when he comments, quotes and fulfills the Psalm in saying "I Thirst". After taking a sip of soured wine, he claims "It is finished". But what exactly was finished? Let's explore a possibility!

Watch on Youtube! https://youtu.be/5ssAvIu5TsY

Taking a look at Jesus' words on the cross, Eli Eli Lama Sabachtani. What did Jesus mean by it? Also, did God REALLY separate himself from Jesus at this point on the cross?

Watch on Youtube! https://youtu.be/29yYTM9HegQ

In Jesus' declaration of Mary as "woman", Jesus was not being anti women  or masagionistic in any way. Rather, he was guiding us to a fundamental connection between Mary and Eve in the garden.

Watch on Youtube! https://youtu.be/zP4ZWT6QRC4

Panic is swarming the globe around the current pandemic that is plaguing our world. It is important as Christians to put the pandemic into perspective and to seek how God is looking to work with YOU through it.

While hanging on the cross, Jesus bore the sin of humanity. He uttered 7 last sayings thought, which present keen insight into truths about God, Christ, and the fulfilment of the covenant. In John 23:34, we see the first of these sayings, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do".

Watch on Youtube! https://youtu.be/NkztY-LhJNM

A lot of new age thinking has this idea that we are God. We are God in our life. I think there is a fundamental misunderstanding of what and who Christians say God is. Is the true "good news" the one of me myself and I? Or is it something deeper?

In today's gospel reading from John 8, we see that keeping the words of Christ produces life not death. When we are the follower of someone, we make a daily decision to heed their advice and follow their teaching. There is something more with Christ though and the commands that he makes. Following truth, is the deepest desire of the heart, but when we rest in that, we find ultimate peace and fullfillment.

In reflecting on the gospel for today, I had a number of thoughts to share about the "Word" of God, how it is not confined to Scripture alone and that our conforming to the Word is what discipleship and sonship is all about. If we are sons and daughters of the covenant family, then as Jesus says, we need to do the work of the Father! Very interesting reflection today! Enjoy.

Jesus made very clear identifications with himself as God when seen through a Jewish lens. In looking at the Gospel reading today from John chapter 8, we see how Jesus is using the old testament scriptures and the Jewish tradition to share with his followers his true identity and also point forward to his crucifixion.

When Jesus sees the men who want to stone the woman caught in adultery in John chapter 8, we see his radical justice at work. He condemns the men who want to judge the woman, pointing to the reality that it is God that judges us, but then the story takes a turn that we might not expect, but it reflects God's justice and his transcended mercy for us all.

The big problem with humanity is our nature. We have a tendency to place all of our focus on the things and goods of this world that cannot ultimately satisfy the soul. But rather, the move that Christianity makes is to place ultimate worship on God, the creator, the ground and sustainer for all of creation. As an infinite good, he ultimately can satisfy the longings of the soul.

Faith is an adventure that is lived out through life! Do you see your faith that way? It can completely transform how you approach your daily life. 

I just finished Bishop Barron's book "To light a fire on the Earth" which dives into a bit more of a personal space interview style with Bishop Robert Barron. I found the book to be enlightening, learning more about one of my favorite evangelists, and definitely helped me gain more focus and clarity in my own journey. Highly recommended!

My journey back tot he Catholic Church was marked by a lot of things, but primarily it was marked by an intellectual journey. I was fascinated by the Catholic Intellectual tradition and it made sense of Christianity to me in a way that the faith never had before. I started to see the world through a different lens, the lens of the true Jesus, the true God, that is love and that transformed my thinking. This is the part of my testimony where God's Grace so invaded my life to transform it. While I don't go into all of the doctrinal things that I went through on my faith journey in this video, I hope you enjoy it non the less!

In part 2 of my journey, I talk about my time away from the Catholic Church. After making rounds to different non catholic churches and other christian faith traditions, I started to see that not everything was as it seemed. There were inconsistencies in some of the doctrines verses what I was reading in Scripture and this led to even more confusion. Things such as what is the Eucharist? What role do works play in salvation? Do we really go by the bible alone? Do I need to get rebaptized? All of these experiences led to the moment, which we will get to in part 3, which set me ablaze in my journey for Christ.

My testimony is a journey through and through. It is pretty lengthy, so I am breaking it into 3 parts. Stay tuned for more!

I had the opportunity to do my first public talk at The Sower service at St. Clare's in Canyon Country this past week. It was such a great experience! I spoke on What is your identity in Christ? How do you go about seeking out your purpose as a Christian? I hope that you enjoy it!

Setting goals for the new year is hands down one of the best things that you can do for yourself. Even better, set measurable actions that you can accomplish every week and month and make THOSE the barometer of your success!