FIVE on FRIDAY - July 25, 2025

  

 Five things that have inspired and encouraged me this week:

1. BIBLE PASSAGE I'M FOCUSING ON

"Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”  Luke 21:27-28 NLT

I've been preaching through the Gospel of Luke since November of 2021. We've taken some breaks along the way and done some different sermon series, but we're still plugging away in Luke. These verses come from a section I will be preaching this coming Sunday, Luke 21:5-28. These two verses from that section have intrigued me so I want to spend a little more time meditating on and studying them. 

2. BOOK I'M READING

WIN THE DAY: 7 Habits to Help You Stress Less& Accomplish More

This is my second time through this book. (I'm listening to it on the Libby App as well as following along in a hard copy.) Batterson always inspires and challenges me, and this book is no different. He combines an emphasis on faith, prayer, and obedience with practical tools and common-sense applications to help the ordinary person serve and honor an extraordinary God with his/her life. 

Batterson shares a lot of his own life's journey in learning how to make the most of every day and moment that God gives. He has made some life-changing, sacrificial decisions, and overcome some incredibly difficult circumstances. He uses his story to inspire and encourage others in their quest to honor God and live out their God-given calling. 

It is a great read!

3. GAME I HAVE DOWNLOADED

Bible Word Puzzle - Word Games

I rarely play games on my phone. I have an addictive nature and I can easily get lost in a digital game world for hours, so I generally don't download games anymore. That being said, I came across an add for this game and it piqued my interest, so I thought I would give it a try. The game combines Bible trivia questions, with word formation puzzles and it sprinkles Bible verses throughout the game.  

The game page says, "[Bible Word] is a word connect game that you will learn Bible words, unlock Bible verses, pass Bible quiz and solve Bible puzzles with friends. Bible Word Puzzle starts as an easy word game but gets difficult as playing more word puzzle and Bible quiz challenges." 

So far I've enjoyed it and I have limited myself to only playing once or twice a week. 

4. QUOTE I AM PONDERING 

"I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." - Charles Spurgeon

This quote is actually a chapter header in Batterson's Win The Day Book. Spurgeon was the long-time pastor of the modern world's first mega-church, the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London England. Despite being known, even in his day as the "Prince of Preachers" Spurgeon suffered a great deal emotionally and spiritually. He often fell into depression and would be unable to preach for weeks at a time. 

Over the years Spurgeon learned to cope with his bouts of depression by drawing deeper into his relationship with the Lord. He came to see the "waves" as gifts that caused him to rely more fully on Jesus; thus the quote! To "kiss the wave" is to embrace the hardships and challenges we face as gifts that drive us to Jesus. 

5. FRIDAY FUNNY!

Everyone who grew up in the 1970's and 1980's will get this one:

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