This week, a new mini-series begins on Resident Strangers. Over the next eight weeks, Steve, Rich, and Sarah will explore some of the most searched and challenging topics people are asking about online, approaching each one through the lens of Scripture. Each topic will be covered over two weeks, and our hope is that this series will both encourage and challenge us as we head into the summer.

To begin, the team tackles a difficult and deeply sensitive subject: suicide. Steve, Rich, and Sarah approach this conversation with great care, recognizing the weight and complexity surrounding it. In recent years, suicide rates and struggles with despair have become an increasing concern for many. Steve shares thoughts and statistics while reflecting on the lingering sense of hopelessness some have experienced since 2020.

Rich also shares a deeply personal story about losing a friend from his church community to suicide in the 1990s. His emotion is evident as the pain of that loss remains very real, and together the team acknowledges the unique and layered grief that accompanies death by suicide.

The conversation also turns toward spiritual realities, as Steve speaks about the reality of spiritual warfare and the importance of taking every thought captive, especially in seasons of struggle. Throughout the discussion, one message remains clear: leaning on the Lord, grounding ourselves in His Word, and staying connected to His people is vital. We invite you to join us again next week as the conversation continues, and Scripture is examined more closely in relation to this important topic.

Text or call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Ryan Risselman's testimony on The Stories Collective podcast, Episode 53

*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Care & Support ministries at Desert Springs (local counselor referrals at the bottom of the page)

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To kick off this week’s conversation, Sarah asks returning guest Trevor Schalow what first sparked his interest in studying topics like the Nephilim. Trevor shares how experiences his older brother had growing up in Show Low, Arizona revealed to him that many Christians don’t know how to process paranormal or supernatural experiences. Because these topics can feel unsettling or strange, believers often avoid engaging with them altogether or overlook the supernatural depth woven throughout Scripture.

As the conversation continues, Steve reflects on his experience as a pastor and how hesitant many people are to wrestle with certain spiritual realities, even those found in the Gospel accounts. Trevor revisits last week’s discussion on the Nephilim and points to additional biblical passages worth exploring, including the historical Jewish belief that the spirits of the Nephilim became what we know as demons in Jesus’ day. The group also discusses the Joshua Campaign in the Old Testament and whether certain events may point to deeper connections to the demonic realm.

Throughout the episode, Trevor argues that if something in Scripture seems weird, it’s probably important. Steve emphasizes the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on Christ while exploring difficult topics, a perspective Sarah and Trevor wholeheartedly agree with. The conversation closes by discussing how spiritual oppression often carries a deviant or sexual component. There’s a lot packed into this 30-minute episode, so you may want to listen twice!

Angels Elect & Evil by C. Fred Dickason

The Bondage Breaker by Neil T. Anderson

Michael Heiser's YouTube Channel

Interested in the classes Trevor teaches at Desert Springs? Send him an email at trevor@dscchurch.com

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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.

Special guest Trevor Schalow joins Steve and Sarah for a conversation you won’t want to miss as they dive into the mysterious topic of the Nephilim. This is a subject that’s been gaining a lot of traction in today’s culture. While the discussion is fascinating, Steve makes it clear from the start: this isn’t a “line in the sand” theological issue. Faithful believers have landed in different places on this, and the goal is to explore, not divide.

Before jumping in, Trevor shares his heart behind studying topics like this. Rather than being a distraction, the “stranger” passages in Scripture have actually deepened his passion for the Bible and strengthened his desire to know God more fully.

Steve then lays the foundation by defining key terms from Genesis, “sons of God,” “daughters of men,” used to describe The Nephilim. These figures described before the flood are often associated with great size or strength. This raises a compelling question: could the Nephilim have been part of the reason for the flood?

From there, the conversation clearly walks through three primary viewpoints:

1. The Sethite View (Most Common)
The “sons of God” are the godly line of Seth, and the “daughters of men” are the ungodly line of Cain or corrupt humanity. The Nephilim are human offspring from these unions, with no supernatural element.

2. The Divine Ruler View
The “sons of God” are powerful Kings or human rulers who abused their authority and took multiple wives. Like the Sethite view, this perspective remains naturalistic.

3. The Supernatural View
The “sons of God” are angelic beings who left their domain and had relations with human women, producing offspring described as giants. Steve and Trevor both lean toward this view, pointing to Genesis, New Testament passages, and ancient accounts, highlighting a more active spiritual realm.

As the conversation unfolds, Trevor highlights how easy it is for modern readers to underestimate the role of the supernatural in Scripture, not just in this story, but throughout the Bible and even in how we understand the world today.

There’s far more in this episode than can be captured here, so be sure to listen in, take notes, and come back next week ready to keep exploring the conversation around the Nephilim.

Resources Trevor recommends:

The Unseen Realm by Michael S. Heiser

Michael Heiser's YouTube Channel

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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.

Was the apostle Paul the first to deal with something like cancel culture? The idea of “canceling” people has exploded, especially online over the last decade but it’s not entirely new. As Steve, Rich, and Sarah talk it through, Steve points to Paul addressing public correction, particularly when it comes to elders. But even that looked very different back then as the “public” was much smaller and more local. Today, things can spiral far beyond the local church, especially when well-known pastors or leaders are called out on a large scale.

Steve notes that applying biblical instruction to today’s culture, especially in this area, isn’t always straightforward. Rich highlights a consistent thread in Scripture: redemption, reconciliation, and restoration. Steve adds that repentance has to be part of that conversation too. Failure shouldn’t shock us but there is a Christlike way to respond to it.

Passages like Matthew 18 are key when thinking about this, and Steve also points to Proverbs 26:17, which offers a strong warning about getting involved in conflict that isn’t ours to carry. It’s a needed reminder in a culture that’s quick to weigh in on everything. Sarah brings up a real tension: what do we do when leaders fall and then return to influence, sometimes without clear consequences? Rich and Steve help draw a distinction between redemption and reinstatement. They’re not always the same, and that’s where things can get complicated.

At the end of the day, these are messy situations. That’s why it’s so important to stay grounded in Scripture, surrounded by wise community, and led by God—not driven by the court of public opinion. The role of the local church really matters here.

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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.

Some things in Scripture are clear and non-negotiable. Others aren’t directly addressed and can feel more open-ended. Have you ever had a friend feel strongly about an issue that didn’t seem like a big deal to you, especially in your faith?

The Bible gives clear direction on many things, but some areas can be harder to sort through. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we’re reminded: “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.” Tension often comes when a personal conviction, something between someone and the Lord. gets applied to everyone else. As Steve puts it, many of these aren’t sin issues as much as they are wisdom issues, shaped by individual personalities and experiences.

It’s important to remember that we’re each responsible for our own walk with the Lord. Sarah raises a thoughtful question: what about things mentioned in Scripture that may not apply in the same way today? Rich points us back to the heart of it all, following Jesus and being transformed daily, rather than just trying to check boxes. Steve echoes that, encouraging us to keep drawing closer to God.

Ultimately, these conversations should lead us to seek God’s wisdom more deeply. The group touches on topics like alcohol, parenting, homeschooling, and even hair length and ask an important question: as we grow in wisdom, could our perspectives change?

We hope this conversation encouraged you, and we’re looking forward to next week!

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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, we continue the conversation from our previous episode on Sodom and Gomorrah. Rich opens with a powerful reminder from 1 Corinthians: “Bad company corrupts good character.” The truth is, what we surround ourselves with shapes us, often more than we realize. That reality is clearly seen in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah and becomes a key theme in today's discussion.

From there, we explore what it looks like to thoughtfully and faithfully engage with the world, even in its most broken places. Sarah reflects on something her high school teacher used to say: “There’s nothing new under the sun.” It’s a reminder that while sin may look different across generations, the brokenness of the world isn’t new. Scripture shows us that humanity has always wrestled with the same deep issues.

So how should Christians live in a fallen world? That’s the heart behind this podcast, to wrestle with that question together. Steve emphasizes that it starts with our own walk with Christ. Before looking outward, we must first examine our own hearts. But that doesn’t mean withdrawing from the world. Instead, we’re called to engage it intentionally and purposefully. As Jesus says in Matthew 10, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

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Are there stories in the Bible that feel strange, unsettling, or even a little uncomfortable?

This week, Steve, Rich, and Sarah dive into one of the most infamous accounts in the Old Testament: Sodom and Gomorrah. Sarah jokingly notes that this story didn’t quite make it into her son’s storybook Bible and for those familiar with it, that probably comes as no surprise.

Rich walks through the narrative, carefully outlining the events found in Genesis 18–19, while Steve adds helpful historical and cultural context along the way. One key insight Rich highlights is that God was not only addressing the wickedness of these cities, but also using these events to teach Abraham something significant about His character and justice.

Steve also points out that Jesus later references Sodom and Gomorrah during His ministry in the Gospels, showing that this wasn’t just an isolated moment in history but that it carried lasting meaning. Together, they explain how the practices in these cities reflected deeply pagan and destructive patterns of sin that had reached a breaking point.

This episode offers a thoughtful overview of why God responded the way He did and how these events fit into the broader biblical story. Steve closes with a word of encouragement, helping connect this difficult passage to our lives today.

And next week, the conversation continues as the team explores how Christians should understand and respond to events like this in today’s current 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.

What would it take to convince your own siblings that you are God?

Robby Lashua is back in the studio with Sarah and Steve for a special Easter episode. With his background in apologetics, Robby brings a compelling and thoughtful perspective on the resurrection. From the empty tomb and the transformed lives of the disciples to the historical reality of the crucifixion and Paul’s dramatic conversion, the evidence points powerfully to the risen Christ.

But one often-overlooked piece of the story is the conversion of Jesus’ own brothers. During His ministry, they didn’t believe in Him as Savior. They weren’t part of His following, despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teaching. They weren’t even present at His death. In fact, Scripture suggests there was a strong dislike for their brother.

So, what changed? How did they go from disbelief to devotion after the resurrection? James, Jesus’ brother, would eventually become a leader in the early church and even give his life for his faith.

Robby leads a rich conversation around this remarkable transformation, offering practical apologetics and fresh insight into the resurrection. Steve adds additional context that highlights why the resurrection remains central to the Christian faith. We hope this episode encourages you and prepares your heart as you celebrate Easter this weekend!

Go back to Episodes 90-99 for daily Passion Week devotionals from the Resident Strangers team

Celebrate Easter at Desert Springs in Goodyear

Celebrate Easter at Palmcroft Church in North Phoenix (where Robby pastors)

For links to the books Robby recommends in the episode email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com 📖

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