Are you ready to trade your New Year’s resolutions for spiritual growth?

Host Curtis Chang and teacher and writer John Mark Comer dive into the transformative journey of spiritual reset to start the new year. Discover practical insights on community, the importance of Sabbath, and how to navigate the distractions of modern life, all aimed at nurturing a deeper spiritual hunger and fostering genuine connection with God and others.

Download our free January Reset Guide

Send your Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

Referenced in This Episode:

• The Way of the Ascetics (pdf) by Tito Colliender

• How Philip Rieff’s Three Worlds Help Us Understand Cultural Change by Carl R. Trueman

• On the Road with Saint Augustine with James K.A. Smith & Elizabeth Bruenig (video conversation)

• Dopamine Nation by Anna Lempke, MD

• How Principles from the Casino Were Applied to Your Cell Phone by Dr. Liraz Margalit

• We Are Free When We Forget Ourselves by Joshua Luke Smith

• Sabbath is the Climax of Living by Marva Dawn

• The Sabbath (pdf) by Abraham Heschel

• General Examen of Conscience by Ignatious of Loyola

• The Wheel and the Cross: Three Views on Suffering

• Anything could happen, at any moment (and when it does, you'll cope) by Oliver Burkeman

• The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen

• More about John Ortberg

• The Phases of the Great Awakenings

• A Beginner's Guide to Lectio Divina

• Read Psalm 1

More From John Mark Comer:

• John Mark Comer’s website HERE

• Get your copy of Practicing the Way

• Read this preview of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

• Follow john mark comer on instagram

Resetting our relationship to alcohol

Host Curtis Chang and author Ericka Andersen mark Ericka’s fourth year of sobriety by asking a thought-provoking question: How’s your relationship with alcohol? Together, they explore the challenges of alcohol dependency, why it might be time to reevaluate your connection to drinking, and how to lovingly support others on the same journey. Using the metaphor of alcohol as a “person” woven into our memories and social experiences, they explore the grief that can accompany “breaking up” with alcohol and how the Spirit of God’s still, small voice is sometimes drowned out by cocktail hour. If you’ve ever questioned whether your life might be better without alcohol, this episode offers practical insights and gentle encouragement to take a closer look.

Download our free January reset guide https://bit.ly/4gBXjiW

Send your Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

Resources or references mentioned in this episode:

• Ericka's 10 Tools to Find Freedom From Alcohol

• We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life by Laura McKowen

• Detox.net’s complete drinking habits study

• Washington D.C. has the highest percentage of heavy drinkers

• When a church leader confesses a substance abuse problem (an interview)

• This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness by Annie Grace

• The Luckiest Club: online sobriety support community

More From Ericka Andersen:

• Follow Ericka on Instagram HERE

• Read ericka’s Substack HERE

• Check out Ericka’s website: HERE

• Ericka’s Wall Street Journal piece about Binge Drinking

What can you expect from 2025?

From abuses of power to the health of millions, host Curtis Chang and “founding friend” David French explore five pivotal stories that will shape how tax dollars are spent, how immigration is addressed, and how governance unfolds in the coming year. The original Good Faith duo challenges listeners to remain steadfast in protecting the vulnerable and speaking the truth. Offering insights on issues impacting America and the world, they encourage reflection and action. As the new year approaches, David urges listeners to pray not necessarily for specific policy outcomes but for wisdom, the courage to oppose evil, and a resolute commitment to justice.

David’s Top 5:

5. January 6 pardons

4. What if RFK Jr. is confirmed?

3. What is the Republican stance on abortion?

2. Are mass deportations really coming?

1. The evolving situation in Ukraine

Make a year-end tax deductible gift to Redeeming Babel: https://redeemingbabel.org/donate/

Send your Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org

Resources or references mentioned in this episode:

• A Brief History of Post-World War II Asylum Law

• Presidential Pardon Power

• The Constitution of the United States (1787)

• Statement from U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) on his vote to impeach

• The Federalist Papers No. 51 (The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments)

• The Federalist Papers No. 76 (the Appointing Power of the Executive)

• From John Adams to Massachusetts Militia, 11 October 1798 (letter)

• Job 21:7-17 “Why do the wicked prosper?”

• Karl Barth and True Practical Theology (blog post)

• Kash Patel’s ”enemies list”

• Abortion measures in Florida

More From David French:

• Read David French’s opinion pieces HERE

• Follow David French on Threads