Happy New Year and welcome back to Resident Strangers!

A new year naturally invites reflection and a longing for something new. Steve opens the conversation by emphasizing the importance of spiritual self-examination, reminding us how easy it is to let life simply happen to us rather than living with intention. He points to 1 Kings 19, where God asks Elijah, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” This is a question that can still challenge us today.

Rich agrees, sharing how vital it is to be intentional as life unfolds. He even reflects on how, before recording this episode, he asked God to help clear away distractions as he steps into the new year. Together, they talk about the importance of recognizing changing seasons, being mindful of what God has already done and attentive to what He may be preparing to do next. Perhaps the focus shouldn’t be so much on the end goal, but on faithfully taking the steps along the way.

This conversation is full of thoughtful insight as we begin a new year. Be sure to join us next week as we dive into the discussion of the God of the Old and New Testament.

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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.

Merry Christmas from Resident Strangers! This is our final episode of 2025, but don’t worry, Steve, Rich, and Sarah are already working on and planning great conversations for January and the start of 2026.

The crew kicks things off with Christmas excitement (and, of course, a little friendly teasing of Rich, longtime listeners know why! 🎄). In the middle of the laughter, Steve offers some timely pastoral wisdom: don’t miss the season you’re in. It’s easy to get lost in nostalgia or jump ahead to future holidays and completely overlook what God is doing right now.

Rich reflects on what it must have been like for God’s people waiting for the Messiah. expecting political upheaval yet receiving a baby in a manger. It’s a reminder that God still works in surprising ways, often in places we least expect. It’s an encouraging conversation to close out the year!

Resident Strangers will be on break until January 6, 2026. In the meantime, catch up on any episodes you missed and don’t forget you can watch on YouTube! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

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Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

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 on January 6th as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.

With Thanksgiving just days away, the Resident Strangers crew sat down to reflect on the themes of gratitude and thankfulness. After swapping their own Thanksgiving plans, the conversation shifted toward what it truly means to live with a thankful heart.

Rich shared that growing and maturing in Christ is deeply tied to learning contentment, that gratitude is, in many ways, the opposite of selfishness. Sometimes all it takes is stepping back and gaining a fresh perspective to rekindle a spirit of thankfulness.

Steve pointed to Psalm 50:23 and Psalm 100 as reminders that thanksgiving and worship go hand in hand. The New Testament echoes this as well when Paul famously calls believers to be thankful in all circumstances in Philippians. There’s something powerful about refusing to let our circumstances define our gratitude.

Rich also admitted that the more he intentionally focuses on what he can be grateful for, the less miserable he becomes. Gratitude really does matter whether it’s for something as simple as a warm cup of coffee or as meaningful as the love of family. Every bit of thankfulness counts, touches God’s heart, and ultimately shapes our own.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Resident Strangers team!

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Sign up for the Resident Strangers email list

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

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 next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.