Five on Friday: May 2, 2025

 

Five things from the week that I pray inspires or encourages you!

1. Bible I Am Exploring

I came across clip of a pastor preaching, and in his sermon he said he was going to read from the "Y'all" version of the Bible. My initial thoughts were, this is probably an attempt at southern humor, but surprisingly the pastor read the text in all seriousness and the text communicated his point. I had to investigate and discovered the Y'All Bible Version website (yallversion.com); it's a real thing! According to the introduction, "The goal of Y’all Version (YALL) is to reclaim the Bible as an ancient text written not just for you, the individual, but for y’all, the community of faith in the one true God, whose name is YHWH." It started out as website, but has developed into a unique translation of the Bible that notes where the "you" singular and the "you" plural are used, as well as a few other features such as using "YHWH" as the name for God in the Old Testament. I purchased a paper copy and though I'm just beginning to explore it, I'm enjoying the read. 

2. Song I Am Listening To

"a lil Church (nobody’s too lost)" by Toby Mac. Mac is an award winning singer, song-writer and producer who seems to become more reflective with age. The song speaks to me through the chorus, 

"I could use a little church right now

Love to have a little family around

I've been feelin' so overwhelmed

I could use a little church right now" 

He goes on in the third verse to talk about what the Church is - not a building with pews and parking lots, but rather the Church is people who are the hands and feet of Jesus. The song is catchy and the lyrics are encouraging, and I am loving it!

3. Verse I Am Meditating on

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

This is another 'oldie-but-goodie" verse. I memorized it years ago and God still uses it to encourage me, especially when things get tough. The context is interesting; Jeremiah lives in Jerusalem during the first part of the Babylonian Exile, but this verse is part of a letter that he writes to Jews who had been removed from Jerusalem and exiled to Babylon. They were anticipating that the exile wouldn't last long they would be home soon. But Jeremiah writes to tell them that would not be the case - they were going to be there for the next 70 years. Probably not the news they wanted to here, but in the midst of it Jeremiah tells them that God wasn't finished with them yet, and His plan was to give them a future and a hope. It is a good reminder of the old adage that "Life is hard, but God is good."

4. Book I'm Reading

Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung. The book is about developing and maintaining some margins and balance in your life so that in all of the "busyness" of life, you don't lose your mind, health, family or anything else that is important to. DeYoung is a pastor, author, blogger, conference speaker, father and more. He states up front that he is not writing this book as someone who has it all figured out. Rather, he is writing this to help him figure it out. 

I'm only a couple of chapters in, but the line that has stuck with is, "When our lives are frantic and frenzied, we are more prone to anxiety, resentment, impatience, and irritability." (p.26) Busyness isn't just a "problem" it can be dangerous to your soul and your relationships. 

5. Dad Joke I'm Digging

Why don't crabs volunteer? 

                         Because they're "shellfish." (selfish)  😂😂😂

Blessings! have a great weekend!!!

Read my previous blog posts here - https://revglm.blogspot.com/

Jesus Said, "Follow Me"

 

(Almost) every Monday I text a couple of groups of men. I call it "encouragement" because I figure that is what most of them (and I) need on a Monday morning. Many of these guys pour themselves out for their families, and their jobs during the week and their church on the weekends, and I want to try to pour a little back into them. 

I am also trying to be more disciplined in writing and blogging; so to kill-two-birds-with-one-stone so to speak, here is the Monday Morning Encouragement for this week: 

Good Monday morning men. A little encouragement from the Lord's word this morning. 

Yesterday we studied John 21:15-19, where Jesus forgave Peter and restored his faith. At the end of v.19 it says, John 21:19 NLT ... Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” These were the same words Jesus used when He first called Peter to be His disciple. Those two words (follow Me) reveal Jesus' love and grace. They are an invitation to a relationship, or in this case a continuing relationship. Jesus wanted Peter to continue in a relationship with Him, and stay close to Him. 

Sometimes when I sin and fail, I think the Lord is so disappointed in me that He wouldn't want to even be around me, much less want me to identify with Him. Nothing could be further from the truth. The problem with my thinking is that I focus more on myself and my failure than I do on Jesus and His grace. He reminds me that His grace is greater than any and all sin I have committed. Though there may be consequences for my sin and failure, one thing that never happens is that Jesus gives up on me and distances Himself from me. On the contrary, He comes to me, like He did Peter, and restores me and says, "Keep following Me." 

Jesus wants us to stay close to Him even when we have failed. What an amazing Savior!

Love you guys. Praying you have a blessed week!

If you'd like to be added to a text group (guys only 😉) you can comment on this post (only I will see it) and I will reach out to you to get your number (or just text me if you already have my number).

And sometime today, out loud and on purpose, praise the Lord! (DD)