Jesus-Centric Life

Grace is a gift from God—freely given, deeply needed, and often hard to fully receive. Yet many people still live weighed down by guilt, shame, striving, or the feeling that they must earn what God has already given. This episode explores what it means to truly live in the freedom of grace and how that freedom changes the way we see God, ourselves, and others.

In a world quick to react and easy to offend, what would it look like for Christians to live with deeper grace, humility, and a steadiness rooted in Christ? In this episode of Jesus-Centric Life, Pastor Josh and Donna discuss what it means to have hearts that are less reactive, more forgiving, and shaped by the grace we ourselves have received.

More and more, we live with the mindset of “I can handle it” or “I’ve got this.” But what happens when self-reliance slowly replaces dependence on God? In this episode we will unpack the subtle lie of self-sufficiency, and how true strength is found not in carrying life alone—but in learning to fully rely on Christ.

The voting continues, and with it come important questions about the future direction of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. In this special edition of Jesus Centric Life, Pastor Josh, Donna, and Thomas provide an update on the latest presidential election results, explain what has happened so far, and discuss what the next round of voting means for congregations, pastors, and members across the S...

In this episode of Jesus-Centric Life, Pastor Josh and Donna explore one of discipleship’s most important questions: How do we define spiritual maturity—and how do we invite people toward it? Together, they unpack what Scripture says about maturity in Christ, the marks of a growing disciple, and how churches can create clear pathways for deeper faith.

In this special edition of Jesus Centric Life, Pastor Josh and Donna provide an update on the current state of the LCMS as it moves through another election season. Together, they discuss key issues facing the Synod, the opportunities and challenges ahead, the importance of leadership, and how decisions made at the national level can impact local congregations. 

You’re not alone if you’ve wrestled with faith—or even been tempted to walk away from it. In this episode, Pastor Josh and Donna step into the real concerns many unbelievers carry. Not to dismiss them, but to understand them. Because behind every objection is often a story, an experience, or a question that deserves to be heard.

In this episode of Jesus-Centric Life, Pastor Josh and Donna sit down with Mindy Chapman to talk about the shift that happens when kids are grown, and life looks different—exploring what it means to stay rooted in church, find renewed purpose, and embrace the significance of this next season.

In this episode of Jesus-Centric Life, Pastor Josh and Donna sit down with Dave and Sheri Himmelburg to share their journey through the tragic loss of their son, Sean. With honesty and courage, they talk about grief, faith, and what it looks like to keep holding onto God in the middle of unimaginable pain. 

Pastor Josh and Donna talk with Harold Benecke about the reality of parenting adult children with different faith journeys. With honesty and grace, they explore the tension, the questions, and how to hold onto hope when the story isn’t what you expected.

In this episode of Jesus Centric Life, Pastor Josh and Donna sit down with Kathy Boye as she shares her story of walking through an intense and uncertain season where nothing was in her control. With honesty and depth, she reflects on what it looked like to live in the unknown, how her faith was tested, and where she experienced God in the middle of it all.

Faith and family often sound like they should fit together naturally—but many parents discover it’s harder than they expected. In this episode of Jesus Centric Life, Sarah and Josh Krepel join the conversation to talk honestly about the challenges of raising a family in faith, the pressures families face today, and the tension between what we hope for spiritually and what real life actually looks...

Many people wonder if God has one perfect plan for their life—or if they might somehow miss it. In this episode of Jesus Centric Life, Pastor Josh and Donna explore what Scripture actually says about God’s will, our choices, and how faith guides us through life’s decisions.

Spiritual growth rarely happens in dramatic moments. More often, God shapes us slowly through ordinary days, small decisions, and quiet movements of His Spirit. What are the subtle ways God transforms our hearts over time? Join Pastor Josh and Donna in a conversation about patience, trust, and learning to recognize the quiet work of God in our lives.

Waiting is one of the hardest parts of faith. We live in a world that values speed and immediate answers, yet throughout Scripture, God often works through seasons of waiting. In this episode of Jesus Centric Life, Pastor Josh and Donna explore why waiting can be a powerful spiritual discipline and how God uses these seasons to shape our faith, trust, and dependence on Him.

Online conversations can quickly turn harsh, divisive, and unkind. In this episode, we discuss what it means to reflect Christ in a digital world. How do we speak truth, show grace, and represent Jesus well in the middle of heated online conversations? This discussion challenges us to think about how our words—both in person and online—can reflect the heart of Christ.

Christians are often told to “just be nice,” but is niceness really the same as Christlikeness? In this episode of Jesus Centric Life, we explore the difference between being respectful and living in truth and love the way Jesus did. Together, we will unpack how following Christ sometimes calls us beyond comfort, beyond approval, and into a faith that is both gracious and courageous.

There are seasons when prayer feels difficult—when the words are hard to find, the emotions feel distant, and God seems quiet. In this episode of Jesus Centric Life, Pastor Josh and Donna talk honestly about how to pray when your heart feels numb. Through Scripture and real-life experience, they explore how God meets us even in spiritual dryness and remind us that even numb prayers are heard.

Prayer is one of the most important parts of the Christian life, yet it’s often the least understood and least practiced. In this episode of Jesus Centric Life, join us as we take a deep dive into what prayer really is, why it matters, and how it shapes our relationship with God. From when to pray and how to pray, to why prayer is a discipline that strengthens faith, this conversation invites list...

In this episode, Pastor Josh gets real and honest about the hard truth that leaders will disappoint—and even Jesus did. Drawing from the Gospel of Mark 1:31–38, this conversation explores why disappointing others is often part of faithful leadership and how leaders can resist tying their worth to approval. Instead, we’re invited to ground our identity, confidence, and value in Christ—not in whethe...

In this episode, Pastor Josh and Donna have an honest conversation about the pluses and minuses of being part of a synod, focusing on the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. They explore the value of shared theology, accountability, and mission—while also naming the real struggles that come with structure and synodical life. It’s a thoughtful, grace-filled discussion for anyone wrestling with what it...

In this episode of Jesus Centric Life, Pastor Josh and Donna explore what integrity looks like when faith moves beyond words and into obedience. Together, they wrestle with the quiet, unseen choices that shape our walk with Jesus, the cost of doing the right thing when no one is watching, and how integrity is ultimately formed through trust, surrender, and grace. This conversation invites leaders...

In this episode of Jesus Centric Life, Pastor Josh and Donna wrestle with the honest, aching question many believers carry but rarely say out loud: Will God show up for me? When it feels like God is moving powerfully in everyone else’s story but yours, doubt, disappointment, and comparison can creep in. Together, they explore the truth of who God is, what His presence really looks like, and how fa...

Jesus rarely gave straight answers. Instead, He asked questions—questions that challenged assumptions, exposed hearts, and invited transformation. In this episode, we explore how Jesus used questions to shape people more deeply than explanations ever could, and what that means for how we grow in faith, disciple others, and lead with wisdom today.

Jesus healed many—but not all. This episode wrestles honestly with the uncomfortable reality that some experienced healing while others walked away still suffering. We’ll explore what Scripture reveals about God’s purposes, how to hold faith and disappointment together, and how to trust Jesus when healing doesn’t come the way we hoped or prayed for.