Happy New Year!

With the new school season and football just around the corner, this is the time of year of new beginnings. My brother has always felt that this should be considered the beginning of the new year rather than January 1st since the transition between summer and the fall schedule is filled with so many changes and new possibilities.

Schools and football programs will focus on the fundamentals which will hopefully help the students and players to have a strong foundation throughout the year/season. All of this has led me to rethink what the fundamentals are for Christian discipleship during this "new year."
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Here are a few thoughts on what these fundamentals are:

• A return to a more consistent pattern of weekly worship attendance.
• A daily spiritual growth plan that includes reading of scripture/prayer. Many resources for this including "The Upper Room" devotional and "The Daily Office." Find something that works and use it each day.
• Regular participation in a class/small group that encourages Christian growth and accountability.
• Intentional hands on serving in a ministry area where we put our faith into practice.

Of course, there are more fundamentals, but if I had to focus on just a few, these would be at the top. As I get ready to reconvene my small group which includes study, prayer, sharing, and accountability, I think my brother had it right.

Happy New Year! May this be a new year of Christian growth and transformation.

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