Saturday Strands

Here are some loose strands for continuing to think about the new year:

Old Advice for a New Year – Cassie Achermann (TGC)
Throughout the centuries, pastors and theologians have used the opportunity of the new year to encourage believers. Let’s listen to their advice for the year ahead.

New Year’s Goal-Setting for People with Actual Lives – Joe Carter (TGC)
What we need isn’t a better to-do list but a better grid for making wise decisions across every domain of life, whether we’re planning our fitness goals or our prayer habits. Such a grid should work for anyone, in any season, pursuing faithfulness in any calling.

5 Habits for Better Prayer in 2026 – Blake Glosson (TGC)
Consider five habits or mindsets that can enrich your extended times of prayer.

The Resolution We Rarely Make – Erik Raymond
As you look ahead to a new year—with fresh goals and good intentions—hear again the invitation of Jesus. He does not offer a program of self-improvement, but a path of self-denial. It’s the path of life.

Flashback: Everlasting Significance
Everyone is searching for significance….

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping God with your local church!

Saturday Strands

Here are some loose strands for our growth:

Never Too Busy to Pray – Scott Hubbard (DG)
God wants us to run and build and work in this world, but not apart from prayer. Jesus knew as much. So, though busy, though sought out, though needed, though weighed down by a world of urgent responsibility, Jesus prayed. Will we?

10 Ways to Fracture Your Church – Conrad Mbewe (Crossway)
Although I have given ten ways to fracture a church, there are many more. This is only a sample. Often you will find that it is a combination of these causes that finally lead to the fragmentation. To arrest a possible breakup, you need to talk about the threat before the root of bitterness grows. Deal with it quickly. Like cancer, it must be handled as soon as it is discovered because any delay only allows the cancer to grow.

In the School of Contentment – Doug Eaton (Fight of Faith)
It is easy to boast when things are good, but the believer must often be trained by many hardships to make contentment a reality.

Have You Lost the Ability to Think Deeply? – Lydia Kinne (TGC)
Our society desperately needs more people who can think wisely, discern clearly, and guide the next generation in God’s truth. It sounds like a big task, but it can start with something as small as turning off the TV and picking up a good book.

Flashback: Everlasting Significance
Don’t seek lasting significance in the temporary. Only an eternal God can give you lasting significance. He gives us an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping God with your local church!