FIVE on FRIDAY - July 11, 2025

 

It has been a couple of weeks since I've done one of these. I didn't have as much time on the computer as I thought I would while we were in Alaska. So here are Five things that have inspired and encouraged me this week:

1. BIBLE VERSE I'M WORKING ON

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

This verse was our theme verse for the Alaska Mission Team. In the book of Galatians, Paul is defending the gospel of grace against those who wanted to pull the believers in Galatia into a "hybrid" type of Christianity where faith in Jesus was important, but keeping the law and the Jewish rituals such as circumcision, were essential for salvation. Paul reminded the followers of Jesus that because of grace, they were not only free from sin, but also of religious trappings and rituals. But then he also reminded them that their freedom in Christ didn't mean they could live anyway they wanted to, but instead they were to use their freedom to humbly serve one another. (We just finished a study of Galatians on Wednesday nights, so its fresh in my mind. 

We had a portion of this verse printed on the back of our Alaska Mission shirts, and when we arrived at the mission house in Tok, Alaska one of the canisters on the kitchen counter had the verse on it as well (picture above). It was just one of the ways God affirmed our mission work while we were there. 

It's a great verse to quote, but a hard verse to live out - but I'm working on it. 

2. BOOK I'VE READ

The Power of a Praying Husband, Stormie Omartian

Two things I am working to improve in my life - praying and being a good husband. I've had this book on my shelf for a number of years but had never read it. The travel for the Alaska trip was a great opportunity to read. 

Omartian is a best-selling author, and her "The Power of a Praying" series has over 32 million books sold worldwide. In the "Praying Husband" she offers insight from the perspective of a wife, but also includes testimonies from her husband Michael as well as other husbands and pastors. The book provides very practical encouragement in praying for numerous areas of a wife's life and ministry. 

Omartian has a powerful testimony. Coming from an abusive childhood situation and suffering mental and emotional issues from her trauma, she now ministers to people worldwide through her writings and as a highly sought-after public speaker. God has done a remarkable work in her life and marriage, and is now using her to serve others. 
 

3. PODCAST I AM LISTENING TO 

Broke to Awoke, by Britnie Turner and Jeremy Newsome

I've been listening to this podcast for sometime now. The original title of the podcast was "Broke to Woke" but because of recent negative connotations with the word "woke", the hosts made a slight change to the title. Honestly, I think they were just tired of defending their use of the word woke. 

The podcast is hosted by Britnie Turner, an award-winning entrepreneur based in Nashville. She is the founder and CEO of Aerial Group, a Tennessee-based social enterprise company that provides real estate development, media production, education, motivational speaking, disaster relief, nation development, and other non-profit work. Her passion is seeing children and women set free from human trafficking and slavery, but she is also heavily involved in disaster relief worldwide, and personal development for individuals and companies that want to be a force for good in the world. 

The co-host is Jerremy Newsome, a best-selling author, and world-renowned educator on finance, investment strategy, and the markets. He is the founder and CEO of Real Life Trading, a stock market and wealth building education company. 

Both Turner and Newsome are serious followers of Jesus and their podcast focuses on their personal journeys from humble beginnings to entrepreneurial success. The podcast explores how to overcome setbacks, adopt a positive mindset, and become a "force for good" in the world. I highly recommend it! 

4. QUOTE I AM PONDERING 

"And, I just put my boots on, and I went out there, and I figured it out. So I want to encourage you. When things go wrong, put your boots on and get out there, and figure it out…" Britnie Turner

In a podcast interview with Joe Mccall, Turner talked about the challenges she faced when getting into real estate developing. At one point, after moving to Nashville, she lived in her car for about 9 months. Everything that could go wrong, did. But she didn't give up, she stayed determined and learned how to work through the problems. It made her tougher, wiser and successful. Now she is teaching these things to others. 

No matter what you do in life, there are going to be problems. Things are going to go wrong. But as the above quote says, when things go wrong, put your boots on and get out there and figure it out! I love it!

5. DAD JOKE I'M DIGGING

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

FIVE ON FRIDAY - May 16, 2025

 

Here are the things that have had my attention this week. Thanks for reading!

1. Verse I've been memorizing

"Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer." Romans 12:12 CSB

This verse is actually the verse I picked to not only memorize, but to seek to truly live out this year. I am a natural pessimist and a recovering "chronic worrier." It isn't hard for me to get focused on problems and then escalate to discouragement. I prayerfully chose this verse to help me be intentional about being disciplined to rejoice. It also reminds me to be patient and to be persistent in prayer (another area that I am working to improve in this year). 

2. Book I have been reading

THE GRASSHOPPER MYTH

This is a ministry book written by pastor Karl Vaters. He's the author of five books on church leadership. Karl also hosts a bi-weekly podcast, The Church Lobby: Conversations on Faith & Ministry, featuring interviews about topics that concern pastors, especially those who minister in a small church context. He has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience.

Having read about half of this book, I already wish it had been available 30 years ago. Vaters powerfully combines his personal narrative of struggle and revelation of his place in kingdom work with essential, practical ministry principles aimed at uplifting those in smaller church congregations. I'm excited to read the rest!

3. Quote I have been pondering

“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” 

I came across this quote by Pablo Picasso in Matthew Dicks' book "Someday Is Today." The quote encapsulates the urgency of pursuing dreams and taking action now. I'm also a recovering procrastinator and quotes like this remind me of the importance of "doing now" what needs or should be done according to my values and desires. 

4. Podcast I have been listening to 

I've been listening to The Art of Manliness hosted by Brett McKay off and on for a few years. According to the site, "The Art of Manliness Podcast is a podcast that aims to help men become better men." I've found a lot of good stuff on the podcast over the years. 

A recent, helpful episode I listened is Podcast #955: The Power of NEAT — Move a Little to Lose a Lot; McKay interviews Dr. James Levine, a professor, a co-director of the Mayo Clinic’s Obesity Solutions Initiative, and the inventor of the Treadmill Desk (yes, it's a real thing). They discuss how regular, simple movement during the day can help lose and keep off extra pounds. Since I am participating in the Healthy Eating and Activity Lab study at the University of Tennessee, the topic appealed to me. The episode is pretty entertaining and very informative. 

5. Song I am listening to

I can't get enough of Josiah Queen's My Promise Land ... seriously, K-Love plays it at least once an hour. But it is a great song, and it is at least partially based on Moses' words to the Lord in Exodus 33. After the Israelites had sinned against God, He threatens to send them to the "Promise Land" without His presence. Moses then intercedes for the Israelites, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here." (33:15). Moses and the people understood that the land God had promised to them would mean nothing without the Lord's presence there. God is our Promise Land!

Bonus: Dad Joke I Am Digging 

Thanks again for reading. Have and awesome weekend!