Resident Strangers

“Everything happens for a reason.” Is that actually true?

This week, the conversation on suffering continues as Steve, Rich, and Sarah share personal experiences of being comforted and supported in the midst of suffering. Rich emphatically reminds us that when we belong to Christ, we are designed to be in Christ together.

Steve points to 2 Corinthians 1, where Paul describes the cycle of experiencing affliction and then using what we’ve received from God to comfort others in their suffering. It all comes back to finding true comfort and healing in Christ. God’s grace is sufficient for all of it, but sometimes, that grace is felt moment by moment.

It’s easy to “future trip” and become overwhelmed by what might come in seasons of suffering. Instead, we’re called to take hold of God’s grace right now and settle into the truth that His grace is always sufficient.

This is also where the community of Christ becomes incredibly practical. But as Steve points out, the moment of crisis is usually not when community is built. That’s why it’s so important to cultivate community now, to find your people and invest in relationships that will be there through every season: joy, sadness, transition, suffering, and everything in between.

Rich and Steve also caution against the phrase, “Everything happens for a reason,” and the pressure we can feel to have just the right thing to say when someone we love is suffering. We live in a fallen world, and sometimes the best thing we can do is simply be present, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Ultimately, we don’t have to have all the answers. We can simply love, comfort, show up, and point one another back to Christ.

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There’s a massive misunderstanding in America about what the Bible actually says about Christians and suffering. Over the next three weeks, Steve, Rich, and Sarah are diving into this difficult but important topic.

Steve begins by addressing a belief many Christians hold tightly to: that walking with Jesus means life will always, always, always be great and that hardship and suffering won't be part of the Christian experience. Much of this thinking is rooted in the prosperity gospel. While following Jesus is absolutely the best way to live, it doesn’t mean Christians are exempt from the pain and brokenness of a fallen world. Unfortunately, suffering is part of the human experience.

Steve and Rich emphasize the importance of viewing suffering through the lens of Scripture rather than through a particular theological system or personal expectation. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 4, Steve reminds us that no matter what we face in this life, Christ is with us. In fact, it is often through suffering that Christians have the opportunity to live out a powerful testimony of hope, endurance, and faith in Christ.

And then comes the age-old question: Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God allow terrible things to happen?

Listen in as the conversation begins to unpack these difficult questions and be encouraged wherever you may find yourself today. Join us next week as the conversation continues.

Check out Episodes 63 & 64 of Resident Strangers on suffering (audio only)

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Steve, Rich, and Sarah are back from their two-week summer break and ready to jump into the fall! 

Today, they’re tackling a topic that can feel a little murky, even for Christians: witchcraft and the occult. While it may seem like something from the fringes of culture, witchcraft and practices like astrology and tarot have become increasingly common, with some people even incorporating them into their personal identity.

The Bible is very clear in its warnings against witchcraft and the occult, describing these practices as something that can slowly draw people in. Steve points out that what starts as something seemingly innocent or harmless can easily lead to something much deeper.

So, what does this actually look like for Christians? Should we read our horoscopes? Play with Ouija boards? Practice yoga? Watch shows featuring characters with supernatural abilities? The crew works through these questions and brings the conversation down to a practical, everyday level.

Rich reminds us that in Jesus, we have access to all the supernatural power we could ever need. The struggle comes when we’re called to surrender every part of ourselves, including the things we may look to for power, guidance, or protection outside of Him. Steve also helps clarify what kind of power Satan and demons actually have and where their limits are.

As we head into the fall and the holidays that often bring these themes to the forefront, we hope this conversation brings some clarity, challenges your thinking, and gives you plenty to consider!

Episode 13 on Halloween (audio only)

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

This week on Resident Strangers, Sarah asks Steve and Rich to tackle the topic of modern-day prophecy.

Defining prophecy isn't always as straightforward as it seems, even in Scripture. Before diving in, the crew makes it clear that they are not cessationists; they believe the spiritual gifts did not cease after the New Testament.

Throughout the Bible, prophecy takes different forms. Sometimes it's the foretelling of future events, like the prophecies fulfilled in Christ's birth or the visions of Revelation. Other times, it involves God revealing something that was previously hidden. Today, many people also claim to receive fresh prophetic words from God. Steve and Rich share some of their own experiences, some of them admittedly unusual, while pointing back to what Scripture teaches.

Looking at passages like Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12-14, they discuss the gift of prophecy in the early church, recognizing that believers at that time did not yet have the completed Word of God. So, should prophecy today be considered normative or miraculous?

One thing is certain: any modern claim to prophecy must be tested against Scripture. God will never reveal something that contradicts His Word. It's also important to ask whether a prophecy has actually come to pass. If God has truly spoken, what He says will prove true.

Rich also offers an important reminder: modern prophetic experiences should never be elevated above the ordinary Christian life. As 1 Corinthians 14:3 says, "The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." That standard alone helps us evaluate much of what is labeled as prophecy today.

Steve, Rich, and Sarah are taking a two-week summer break and look forward to being back with you on August 4th! In the meantime, catch up on any episodes you may have missed, revisit your favorites, share the podcast with a friend, and leave a review. See you in August!

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

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Questions or comments? Email [email protected] 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

This episode wraps up our summer series, What Does the Bible Say About ___?, as we conclude our discussion on Christians and Israel.

Rich kicks things off with two important questions, one theological and one following up on something Steve mentioned: Is the modern nation-state of Israel the same Israel that God made promises to throughout Scripture? And is dispensationalism something Christians should hold to?

As the conversation unfolds, Sarah touches on our natural desire to belong and be part of something bigger than ourselves. While there's nothing inherently wrong with that, it becomes a problem when our identity is found in a movement rather than in Christ.

The discussion then returns to the original question: How should Christians view and support Israel today? In short, supporting Israel does not mean endorsing everything the nation does. We live in a fallen world, and while we can pray for and desire God's blessing on a nation, we should also recognize that no earthly government is perfect. It's okay to acknowledge injustice, inconsistency, or wrongdoing wherever it exists. That's why praying for peace is so important. Not only for Israel, but for the United States as well.

The episode also explores the difference between political analysis and biblical theology. In today's world, it's tempting to reduce every issue to "good guys" versus "bad guys," but reality is often much more complex. And honestly, hasn't it always been?

We hope you've enjoyed these last eight weeks as we've wrestled through some challenging topics and what the Bible says about them. What would you like us to talk about next?

Check out Episode 86 (audio only) of Resident Strangers where replacement theology is discussed 

Steve's sermon on this topic from February 2026

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

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Questions or comments? Email [email protected] 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Even more so than when we first covered this topic over a year ago, this week's conversation is a timely and weighty one. In the final topic of our What Does the Bible Say About ____? series, Steve, Rich, and Sarah discuss what the Bible says about Christians and Israel.

This is a complex topic because it touches theology, history, politics, and current events. One of the biggest challenges is that people often use the word Israel to mean very different things. Are they referring to the Jewish people? The modern nation of Israel? Its government? Or some combination of all three? Before meaningful conversations can happen, it's important to understand what we actually mean.

In this episode, Steve and Rich help clarify the relationship between the Israel we read about in Scripture and the modern nation of Israel. They unpack key passages like Genesis 12 and 15, explaining God's covenant with Abraham and the family history that shapes the biblical story of Israel. While God's promises to Israel appear throughout Scripture, an important question remains: How should Christians understand those promises today?

The Jewish people have a unique history that traces back to Abraham nearly 4,000 years ago, but does that mean Christians should support everything the modern nation of Israel does? How should believers think biblically about the current events and conflicts involving Israel?

Join us as we thoughtfully wrestle with these questions and more. Be sure you're subscribed so you don't miss this important conversation continuing next week!

Check out Episode 86 (audio only) of Resident Strangers where replacement theology is discussed 

Steve's sermon on this topic from February 2026

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Before continuing last week's conversation, Steve, Rich, and Sarah take a few minutes to share favorite Fourth of July memories and reflect on America's upcoming 250th anniversary.

Picking up where they left off, the team revisits the topic of Christian nationalism. Steve offers this definition: a political and ideological movement that seeks to closely fuse Christianity with national identity, government, and public life. The conversation explores why America's founders did not clearly establish the nation as officially Christian and how their desire for religious freedom may have shaped that decision.

The crew emphasizes that while Christians can appreciate and engage in their nation, their ultimate allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. The primary mission of the Church is not to make a nation Christian, but to make Christ known. As Rich points out, America's deepest problem is not political, it is spiritual.

The episode also addresses the division politics can create, even among believers, and the importance of having thoughtful conversations rooted in grace and truth. Sarah shares how both idolizing and demonizing political figures can harm the witness of Christ and create confusion on where allegiances lie. Throughout it all, the reminder is clear: God can use anything, even politics, but Christians must keep the main thing the main thing. And the main thing is Jesus.

Up next week: What Does The Bible Say About Christians and Israel? 

Check out Episode 53 (audio only) of Resident Strangers where Independence Day is discussed 🇺🇸 🎧 

Steve's sermon on this topic from January 2026

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Summer is in full swing, and this week’s episode of What Does the Bible Say About ___? tackles a timely and sensitive topic: Christian nationalism.

Steve notes that over the past decade, this issue has drawn some of the strongest criticism from all sides, and even the term itself tends to create division. Sarah shares that it’s especially personal for her, as her college experience at a Christian university was significantly shaped by this conversation.

As the discussion begins, Steve reminds us that Christianity must be able to speak across every culture, country, and era, not just one nation or political system. The Bible wasn’t written solely for American Christians, but for the global church.

He also cautions that Christian nationalism becomes dangerous when it blends the gospel with a specific political ideology, implying that certain beliefs about laws or politics determine whether someone can truly be a Christian. When extra requirements are added to the gospel, it moves away from biblical truth.

Steve suggests this confusion may even contribute to the rise of the “nones”; those who claim no religious affiliation. Rich adds that many people, including Christians, tend to pick sides so quickly and strongly that meaningful conversation becomes difficult, especially in an age where algorithms often shape what we believe and how we think.

There’s a lot packed into this 26-minute conversation, and it continues next week. Be sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!

Steve's sermon on this topic from January 2026

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

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Questions or comments? Email [email protected] 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

The word toxic has become a cultural buzzword, especially when conversations turn to masculinity and increasingly, femininity as well.

This week on Resident Strangers, the discussion continues as Steve, Rich, and Sarah explore what the Bible says about masculinity and femininity. Rich points out that even some of the men and women we encounter in Scripture aren't always intended to be models for us to follow. Understanding the difference between passages that are descriptive and those that are prescriptive is essential.

When the topic of "toxic" gender roles comes up, Steve suggests a more helpful phrase: destructive exaggeration. He unpacks what biblical headship actually means, challenging the misconception that it's about control or unchecked authority. Together, the team explores the dynamics between men and women and what true, God-honoring partnership looks like.

Sarah reflects on how these tensions play out in today's culture, where both men and women can be tempted to elevate themselves over one another. Ultimately, the conversation returns to the root issue: sin has distorted God's good design.

The episode also revisits the story of Adam and Eve, with Steve highlighting that blame often falls solely on Eve while Adam's failure to protect and lead faithfully is overlooked.

This is a thoughtful, balanced conversation that wrestles honestly with a complex topic. Give it a listen and let us know what you think! Next week's topic: Christian Nationalism.

Steve's sermon on this topic from January 2026

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

The summer series What Does the Bible Say About ______? continues this week as the crew dives into the topic of masculinity and femininity. When Desert Springs chose this topic for a sermon series in January, Steve admitted he was unsure what people specifically wanted to know. There was just a strong sense that it needed to be discussed.

The conversation begins in Genesis 1 and 2, where God created humanity. Male and female were both made in God’s image, uniquely designed to reflect Him. Rich explains that while God is not biological, our maleness and femaleness are part of His intentional design and carry purpose.

The crew also talks about how culture can sometimes twist these distinctions, either viewing them as unequal or denying differences altogether. But the reality is that men and women are distinct, and those differences are good! Sarah encourages listeners to take a higher view of these distinctions without getting caught up in rigid expectations of what men and women “should” do day to day.

This is a lighter conversation about God’s design for men and women, but stay tuned as next week Steve, Rich, and Sarah will tackle some of the more difficult and “toxic” issues surrounding this topic.

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.