2026 Here We Go!

The Sunday Night Check-In for January 4, 2026

I know, it’s the fourth, but it’s the first Sunday Night Check-in for the year! Happy New Year! Hope Remains begins the year with 765 subscribers (will the elusive 1,000 ever be a reality? Who knows.) That’s 12 from India, 18 from Nigeria, 20 from Canada, 45 from the UK, and 595 from the US! I have a 36% open rate, which means that over 60% of the emails sent out as newsletters are not opened! Just think what they’re missing! But you know what? I appreciate YOU for spending a few minutes with me right now. That’s all that counts to me.

I spent some time this afternoon putting some finishing touches on my next book. It will be a little bit before it is ready, but I really like it and hope some other readers will as well. More on that later!

I’m excited about some new posts here at Hope Remains. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays watch for devotional posts from the book of Colossians. I do not have a set number in mind, just three per week until we have made our way through that amazing letter! So, watch for the first post tomorrow!

FORSYTHE

At Forsythe Church of Christ this morning the message was from the first chapter of John. Four Paths of Discipleship was the subject as we studied the first disciples of Jesus. (Notes HERE.) Next week we move into chapter two, wherein Jesus’ mother gives him that look and he does what she says (at least that’s how I imagine it!). Doug White begins his study of Angels on Wednesday night this week. If you are local, you should come visit sometime and see what we are about!

READING

Though I had a goal of 100 books in 2025, I only hit 75. I’m not disappointed in that. I did go ahead and post a 100-book goal on GoodReads for this year. I have already finished three shorter books that I enjoyed. One was by Clayton Thorne (a pen-name of an author friend, I’m not sure I can reveal his real name!). His first effort at a Hallmark-like romance novella was A Mountie for Christmas. It’s not my typical genre, but I was happy to read it for him. I also read John Greco’s 21/Jesus: Old Testament: A Devotional for Busy People. I read his other one on the New Testament last year. Good, quick, encouraging devotionals. In addition, I read The Christmas Confession: An Emily Graham Holiday Thriller by Larry A. Winters. This one was more in my interest, and for a short book, it was a fast-paced and interesting one! I noticed I had another Larry A. Winters book already on my Kindle. I will check that out soon! I am almost through with a few more. In our Bible reading program, we are in Genesis (surprise!).

Although many Substacks have paid subscriptions, my posts are always free! I do have a Hope Remains Gift Registry if you’d like to show some appreciation! Check it out HERE if you are interested. If not, I still love ya!

LISTENING

Zach Williams’ If God Lives Here

WATCHING

I watched two excellent spy thrillers this past week. One of them was a little slower than I would have liked, but it was complex and unpredictable. A Spy Among Friends is on the MGM+ streaming service. Set in 1963 England, two old friends are conflicted as one of them has been a double agent for the KGB and has defected to Russia. You have to watch this one closely! Also, I loved The Copenhagen Test on the Peacock streaming service. If everything you saw and heard was sent out on a wifi signal and you worked for an intelligence agency, what would happen if the wrong people hacked into your mind? I may watch this one a second time! I hope there is a sequel. And while I’m on the spy theme, I noticed that one of my favorite movies is back in streaming rotation. Gary Oldman is fantastic in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

POLL

We didn’t have a poll last week. For today’s poll I’m picking out four top resolutions people make at this time of year. Which one tops your list?

SUBSTACKERY

• Chris Anselmo shares Four ways I’m Being Kinder to Myself in 2026.

• Chris Harper leaves no doubt how he feels about it: To Hell With Resolutions!

• J. R. Heinbigner, on the other hand, writes What I’m Doubling Down On in 2026 (And Why I’m Letting Everything Else Go)

• Stephen Miranda is keeping his eyes open to see where God leads him in Living For God’s Purpose.

• Margaret offers some beautiful Quiet Resolutions.

• H. R. Boldwood offers some humor with A Zombie’s New Year’s Resolutions

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One of my resolutions is not really a resolution. It is to continue to write books that bring people encouragement, hope, and joy. This is the most recent cover I’ve worked on … we’ll see if it’s the final edition… coming sometime in late January!

This night owl has done his work. If you read this far, bless you! Take care, friends. Work hard, smile often, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you now more than ever! I’ll see you in the morning with the first post from the Colossians series!

John E. Dobbs Amazon Author Page