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What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. James 4:1,2

In the Book of James, there is much written about Christian conduct and character, especially as it pertains to relationships within the Body of Christ. We all can struggle with selfishness. But we must realize that our desire to look inward and take care of our own interests often comes at the expense of building up the Body. If we have competing desires (following the world or following God), we eventually come to a place which James terms "adulterous and hostile" to the Lord. The remedy is to seek a humble heart, a heart which God blesses and honors. With the backdrop of James 4:1-12 today, we dive into a topic that focuses on Him, not us.

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I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:4

As we close out the first month of 2026, one goal we must have for this year is to find community. The church is a great place to start and we should be plugged into the local church. But even further, who are the people who help guide and encourage you and to whom you guide and encourage also? This episode focuses on how God helps us in "finding our tribe," how we must also limit access with certain people, and that we must look for opportunities to pour into the generations that follow us. As we find our tribe, we find those who God will use to continue to shape and mold us. It's an essential part of our walk in the Lord, as there are no "Lone Ranger Christians."

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Regarding resolutions we make at New Year's, the data isn't great. 25% of people default on their plans in the first week. By the end of the first month, 64% percent are no longer keeping their resolutions. And the data is clear: on average resolutions only last about 4 months...it's hard to keep our promises to ourselves.

But as we think about spiritual goals each year, what is the best way to achieve them? Today's "Let's Talk About It..." episode considers the question, "What if we stopped calling them 'resolutions' and made them 'commitments'?" This subtle change in wording helps us to think of anything we do (spiritually-speaking) as something we want to commit to...not just for a season, but for life. Reading the Bible, being in prayer, fasting, going to church...these are all things we don't just do for awhile and then quit. They are things we keep going after. We can modify and tweak as we go. And we need accountability along the way. But we stay committed and that commitment sees us through beyond just a few months!

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And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Luke 5:10

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. John 21:3

From Peter's first call as a disciple to the end of John (chapter 21), we see a return to the thing he was doing before Jesus found him: fishing. It may have been a return to what was comfortable for him and the other disciples. It might have been finding something familiar amidst the disillusionment. Or it might have been just not knowing where to go after he (Peter) denied Christ. For whatever reason, Peter returns to the nets. But when are called by Christ, we are not to return to what He calls us from...whether a life of sin or to step into a new calling. Today's episode sets a tone for 2026: don't go back to the nets. What God has begun in you, continue to walk in it. Let Him guide and direct your path. Move closer to Him this year!

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This last Christmas podcast and last podcast of the year is actually a throwback to a blog written in 2018 (of the same title). This episode poses the question: what if the heart, mind, and attitude of Christmas was something we pressed into and actually lived year round? We can be dismayed and depressed when the presents are over. When the trimmings are taken down. When January hits. But if our emotions are just based upon physical things, we miss the point entirely. Christmas IS a message we can take and live out throughout the year. Jesus came once and is coming again! Christmas reminds us that we must be ready for His Second Coming.

Article referenced in this episode: How December 25 Became Christmas

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This is a special "Christmas Edition" of the Hymns That I Love series. This episode features the hymn O Little Town Of Bethlehem. Written and published in the 1860s, there is a rich history to this song...a history that begins with a visit to the Holy Land for a Christmas Eve service. Pastor Phillips Brooks and his organist, Lewis Redner, collaborated to combine lyrics and melody. The song was originally used as a children's choir piece for a Christmas Eve service. Little did Brooks and Redner know, hundreds of years later the song would still be sung and popular with modern audiences.

Listen to Derek's Christmas album "GLORIA!" on Spotify (includes O Little Town Of Bethlehem)

Derek's Hymns Playlist On YouTube

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As we wrap up 2025 and start thinking about 2026, it is a natural time of the year to look at goals, priorities, and overall direction in life. As Christians, we must do this evaluation through the lens of Scripture. As we hear God's heart, how does it move us forward into next year? Where does He want us to focus? Certainly evangelism and preaching the Gospel are top priorities. We are also called to dream big dreams with Him and ask that He helps us as we step out and fulfill those callings. Today's episode gives us some concrete steps to take as we wind down 2025 and put our focus on 2026.

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Thanksgiving is the subject of this week's episode (part of the "Let's Talk About It..." series). As we think about thankfulness, how do we develop the sort of spirit that the Biblical writers had; an attitude that was thankful in all circumstances despite the difficulties they faced? We know some of hardship, maybe persecution, and pushback in our world. The New Testament writers knew of it all too well. Yet they were encouraged to say, "Be thankful." Our challenge in today's (shorter) episode is to take on that same mindset and to even be joyful when we face tough things in life.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4