January 6th, 2024
by Matt Miofsky
by Matt Miofsky

As we head into a new year I reviewed my resolutions from last year. One of them was to write a devotional book. I did it! The other I utterly failed to do. Honestly, I never even started it! This highlights something that is true for most of us. It is easy to want to change; it is harder to actually sustain change in our lives. But, God wants us to change not only at the beginning of a new year…everyday God prompts us to grow and develop. However, we have to do our part to help God in that work. Scripture actually has a lot of practical wisdom about how we turn our desire to change into a reality. And, I want to talk about it.
So, this weekend, I am starting a new series Clean Slate: New Habits for a New Year. I am not going to tell you what you need to change in your life. I bet you already know what you want to work on. Instead, I am going to teach principles and habits that help us sustain change in our lives - turning that desire into reality. I know this is a series that will be relevant and helpful whether you are a religious person or not. Many of our friends also want to start the new year differently. This is a great time to invite someone you know to join you. This series will be especially relevant for any of our friends that are contemplating changes in their own life. You can check out more about the series and share it here.
Christmas Eve was incredible and I want to thank all of you that worshiped at one of our 14 in person services or online. This weekend, I will be celebrating some highlights from the week as well as sharing the total of our Christmas Eve offering. Trust me; you will want to be there in person! It is going to be a fun Sunday, and I can’t wait to start the new year off with you in church.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. I want to thank so many of you that have picked up a copy of my new book The Methodist Book of Prayer. If you are wanting to connect with God more regularly this year, or start a daily devotional habit, pick up a copy and start it up. This is why I wrote it! If you have been using it, I would love for you to leave a review on Amazon to help spread the word about this resource.
So, this weekend, I am starting a new series Clean Slate: New Habits for a New Year. I am not going to tell you what you need to change in your life. I bet you already know what you want to work on. Instead, I am going to teach principles and habits that help us sustain change in our lives - turning that desire into reality. I know this is a series that will be relevant and helpful whether you are a religious person or not. Many of our friends also want to start the new year differently. This is a great time to invite someone you know to join you. This series will be especially relevant for any of our friends that are contemplating changes in their own life. You can check out more about the series and share it here.
Christmas Eve was incredible and I want to thank all of you that worshiped at one of our 14 in person services or online. This weekend, I will be celebrating some highlights from the week as well as sharing the total of our Christmas Eve offering. Trust me; you will want to be there in person! It is going to be a fun Sunday, and I can’t wait to start the new year off with you in church.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. I want to thank so many of you that have picked up a copy of my new book The Methodist Book of Prayer. If you are wanting to connect with God more regularly this year, or start a daily devotional habit, pick up a copy and start it up. This is why I wrote it! If you have been using it, I would love for you to leave a review on Amazon to help spread the word about this resource.
Posted in M-Note
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Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
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