FIVE on FRIDAY - August 8, 2025

    

 Five things that have inspired and encouraged me this week:

1. BIBLE PASSAGE I'M FOCUSING ON

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 NIV

The Apostle Paul was being warned about going to Jerusalem; he would be walking into a dangerous and difficult situation. Paul heard and understood the warnings, but something greater than his own life drove him forward. He had to go to Jerusalem. Paul was a man who knew who He was and knew what he was and what his God-given call in life was - to declare the Good News (Gospel) of God's amazing grace. He would let nothing, even his own safety, deter him from doing the work God had called him to. 

This is the statement of a man who was fully devoted to following Jesus!

2. BOOK I'M READING

Men Don't Run In the Rain: A Son's Reflections on Life, Faith, and an Iconic Father, by Rick Burgess

I heard the author, Rick Burgess, on a podcast recently talking about this book. When I heard him describe his dad, Bill Burgess, it reminded me of my own dad, and many others I came to know growing up. Rick shares the important and powerful life lessons he learned from his father, and iconic college football, and a genuinely good man. 

3. EMAIL NEWSLETTER I AM READING

1440  Email Newsletter

1440 has become my 'go-to" source for national and local news. So far, it has been about as unbiased in their coverage of events as I have been able to find. They report the news, and they offer interesting bits of information of things I probably would have never known about. They cover everything from national and international politics, to business, sports, culture, history and more. I really enjoy this newsletter. 

4. QUOTE I AM PONDERING 

"You can't out-train a bad diet." Ted Naiman

This quote is on the whiteboard of the classroom of my Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyle class (HEAL) that I am taking at UT. It bothered me at first because I've always thought I could eat what I wanted and burn it off through extra exercise. Of course, my health track record should have told me I was wrong. 

The quote comes from Ted Naiman, a Family Medicine physician and a health and fitness author. He is living proof that he knows what he is talking about! What you eat is just as important as how much you eat; it is quality over quantity that makes the difference. 

5. FRIDAY FUNNY!

Get it? 

Thanks for checking out Five on Friday. Read my other posts at my website. 

HOPE FOR THE STRUGGLER

HOPE FOR THE STRUGGLER

I'm reading a daily devotional book called "Stand Firm Day by Day: Let Nothing Move You: A Men's Devotional" by Walk Thru the Bible. Each morning it gives a Scripture and a short commentary and application on the verse. Monday morning's verse is/was: 

 “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” Romans 7:8

The Apostle Paul is writing about the struggle of the heart for those who are following Jesus. Paul had been following Christ for a couple of decades when he wrote this. He was being used of God in mighty ways: missionary, evangelist, church-planter, pastor, disciple-maker, and writer of Scripture. In spite of all of his successes,  he was still battling the flesh, and sometimes the flesh won. 

Paul is amazingly transparent here: though he desires to do what is right, his sinful nature still fights against him. It’s a reminder that even the most faithful are not immune the struggle. Paul’s words are about the conflict between wanting to live a holy life and falling short again and again. And for us "ordinary folk" who are trying to follow Jesus, it’s usually not that we aren't trying to live godly lives, it’s that, in our own strength, we simply cannot overcome sin. 

This realization shouldn't lead to despair but rather dependence on God. God never asked us to be perfect in ourselves. Instead, He offers us the power of the Holy Spirit to live differently. At the end of the chapter, Paul says, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom 7:24-25) 

And He will deliver us as well. 

Are you tired from trying to do what’s right and continually falling short? Lean on God’s grace and strength to bring you through the battle and walk in victory over not only the flesh, but the enemy also. Look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of your faith, and your will experience the victory in your struggles.