Happy New Year!
Everything listed below was helpful, encouraging, or inspiring to me during the month of December. I hope it blesses you.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
—Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
1. Modesty Requires Looking Away
Some things, in fact, many things, are not ours to look at. As followers of Jesus, we must concern ourselves with the few things God has given us responsibility for.
Jeremy Writebol believes that the church’s mission during the Advent season is to “be the presence that the lonely, lost, waiting world is so eager to receive. Show them their Savior through your love, by the way you honor them, give them dignity, listen to their stories, and hear their hurts.”
3. Unpacking “New Year, New Me”
“This New Year’s Day, let’s not settle for ‘New year, new me.’ Let’s not settle for self-will and self-help and self-control. Let’s not settle for quick fixes and superficial changes because New Year’s resolutions will not satisfy or sustain if they are rooted in ourselves.”
Where should we turn when we need to hear from God? How can we best discern his voice? This article answers these questions.
5. Patience in the Season of Advent… and Beyond
Perhaps you rushed through the Advent season. I did, as well. Suzanne Nicholson wrote some words about the importance of patience, particularly in light of the One who was, the One who is, and the One who is to come.
6. I Know Why You Exist. Do You?
Well…do you? I loved this reflection from Sam Storms.
Daniel Seabaugh 
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