Before Thanksgiving… can I ask you something important?

Thanksgiving's almost here, and I am super grateful, especially for you. Another year of

passionately chasing after Jesus together. And what a year it's been. We’ve cried over our kids who’ve walked away. We’ve also been astonished at how overreporting success damages the cause of Christ, especially in evangelism and discipleship.

In June, when we were on the verge of running out of funds, we nearly shut down and went through the heartbreak of closing GOtandem. Then, a few weeks ago, we watched Jamaica get hammered and asked if you could help pull them back from the edge. You did. In fact, you showed up in a bigger way than Nigel (BTTB Jamaica) and I ever dreamed of.

Whether you've been with me every step, or you're just now catching your breath and checking back in—thank you. Our hunger to strive to know God better together, regardless of the circumstances, is certainly amazing. All that to say, it matters more than you may ever realize. And when you write to me to share what's really going on, it doesn't just inform our work; it keeps my head and heart planted in the arms of Jesus as we navigate our spiritual fitness together.

Now, as we look toward 2026, I want to ask you a simple question: How can I, along with the crew at BTTB, help you stay connected to Jesus and the Bible in the coming year? I'm not interested in simple cookie-cutter answers. Remember, we are researchers and know text analysis like the back of our hand. I want to know what's true for you, right where you're standing today. What in your life keeps falling apart, no matter how many times you try? Is it prayer? Does it feel like you're talking to the ceiling? Staying in Scripture? You want to take time for it, but life keeps getting in the way? Finding even five minutes of quiet feels impossible? Or maybe it's bigger than that. Maybe there's a spiritual battle you keep losing, something that pulls you away from Jesus over and over, and you're tired of pretending it's not there.

If you’ll reply and let me know, I’ll listen. We’ll analyze, and in the weeks ahead, I’ll do my best to send you what might actually help, either in these Sunday emails or we can discuss it in our Spiritually Fit Today daily micro-podcast.  (And if you aren’t into writing an email, call my private research number, 1-800-811-2387, and let me hear what you have to say.)

Here’s why I’m asking: you’re not alone if you’ve had some great spiritual intentions that never really turned into action. It’s something us researchers actually have a name for—the intention-action gap. It’s the space between what we want to do and what we actually end up doing. Long before research gave this a name, the Bible referred to it, saying, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41)

It’s not a failure of faith. It’s not laziness. It’s just how we’re wired. Life gets in the way. Routines shift. Distractions multiply. And before we know it, the things we wanted most—daily prayer, time in the Word, spiritual peace—get crowded out by everything else. And remarkably, research shows that adding more head knowledge simply doesn’t solve the problem and may even make it worse.

The good news is we don’t have to stay stuck in that gap. God has given us His grace, and He’s also provided practical tools to help us cross it. That’s what I want to focus on with you in 2026. We’re going to take what Scripture teaches, and we’re going to pair it with what research shows actually works. Things like building in small environmental cues, reshaping routines, and tracking simple habits—practices that, over time, turn good intentions into daily life. All with the ultimate goal of absorbing Scripture daily and growing into a spiritually fit disciple-maker.

We’ll keep it all doable. We’ll keep it real. And I’ll be right here in your inbox, walking with you through it all.

But first—I’d love to hear from you. Just email arnie.cole@backtothebible.org or call, 1-800-811-2387, and tell me what gets in the way for you. What’s one area of your spiritual life you wish felt more consistent? You don’t have to write a novel. Just a sentence or two is enough. I’ll read every response. And more importantly, I’ll pray for you and use what you share to shape how Back to the Bible serves you in 2026.

Again, thank you for being part of this journey. You’re not a name on a list, you’re part of a community of people hungry for God. And I’m honored to walk alongside you.

Wishing you a peaceful, grace-filled Thanksgiving,

P.S. This coming week, not only be sure to join me and Dr. Rob Rhodes on Spiritually Fit Today podcast. But also keep an eye on comedian Reno Collier and the very first episode of his podcast Alive & Sober! You won’t want to miss this!