A Time For Every Matter, Focused Prayer, Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People, Doubting Your Doubts, The Urgency of Discipleship, It Matters What We Sing, and "What An Awesome God"
In This Issue... Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, Quotes by Dr. George Harris and RC Sproul, Observations by Michael Kelley, Alistair Begg, and Editorial Team, Plus Song by Phil Wickham and Rich Mullins
Photo by David Guion
Welcome to this issue of one24worship - Because worship is a daily lifestyle, one 24-hour day at a time, not just a weekly event.
The one24worship Newsletter is a weekly offering of inspiration, ideas, and insights landing in your email inbox every Thursday... 1-2-4: one verse/passage, two quotes, and four observations at a time.
PROXIMITY and PRESENCE are PRIORITY
This week is a week of Memorial Services.
Tomorrow afternoon, along with my Pastor presiding, I’m scheduled to sing and lead a prayer at the Memorial Service of a wonderful Christian man.
Yesterday, my Pastor conducted both the service and then the graveside at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery of another wonderful Christian man.
And this past Monday, I accompanied my Pastor (and his wife) as he spoke at a Celebration of Life Memorial Service in San Antonio of a wonderful Christian lady.
The service on Monday was held for Lynda Harris, the wife of Dr. George Harris, the now retired and long-time Pastor of the former Castle Hills First Baptist in San Antonio.
At the service, Jeff Harris, George and Lynda’s youngest son spoke and his presentation was filled with touching remembrances. Of course, for those who knew Lynda well, it was not surprising (or out of place) that Jeff included some humorous accounts from her well-lived life.
One comment that Jeff made while speaking of his mother’s love for family caused me to “inconspicuously” pull out my cell phone and type in a five-word sentence he said…
“Proximity and presence are priority.”
I’ve been pondering this phrase all week. “Proximity and presence are priority.”
Jeff said that when it came to being together with her family, Lynda emphasized proximity and presence as the priority over activity or destination.
What a beautiful description. The same principle can be applied in our lives.
With our personal relationship with the Lord.
With our own family relationships.
And in our relationships within the family of God.
“Proximity and presence are priority.”
Our one24worship Verse/Passage today is a reminder that our lives are lived in seasons and within the arrow of time. There’s a time to be born and there’s a time to die.
So, as in this life and the life to come, let’s ponder how we might make proximity and presence our relational priority.
Enjoy!
David
Please take a moment to share today’s edition of The one24worship Newsletter. Thank you.
One Verse/Passage
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 ESV
Two Quotes
Dr. George Harris
“When we pray focused on our problems or on ourselves we will not generate faith, but when we focus on God and the fact that He can do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, we demonstrate our faith in the only One who has the answers.” George Harris
[Source: George H. Harris, The Power of Prevailing Prayer: Learning to Pray with Confidence, (George H. Harris, Published by George H. Harris, © 2017, page 88.)]
R.C. Sproul
“When asked ‘Why do bad things happen to good people?’ RC Sproul responded with ‘That only happened once. And He volunteered.’” R.C. Sproul
[Source: Lawanna Busby St. Clair, GenImpact Newsletter for April 2025]
Four Observations
1. Instead of Doubting God, Try Doubting Your Doubts - by Michael Kelley at MichaelKelley.co
Excerpt: “…there may be all kinds of reasons for you to doubt today. But perhaps you might consider the object of your doubt. Instead of doubting the Lord and His trustworthiness, perhaps it’s your own doubt that cannot be trusted. After all – who has a better track record? The Lord or our own selves?” 👉 Read More…
2. No Turning Back: The Urgency of Discipleship - by Alistair Begg at TruthForLife.org
Excerpt: “Genuine Christian discipleship leaves no room for excuse, no room for compromise, and no room for half-heartedness . We must guard against feeling a surge of emotion and supposing that to be as good as actually setting out on the path of obedience.” 👉 Read More…
3. FOR WORSHIP LEADERS: It Matters What We Sing: Why Truth in Worship Lyrics Endures - by Editorial Team at WorshipLeader.com
Excerpt: “It matters what we sing at church. Because it will be what we are singing that people will remember for the rest of their lives. The songs had better say something more than just how we feel about God.” 👉 Read More…
I’d love to hear your thoughts about today’s newsletter. Please feel free to leave a comment. Thank you.
4. SONG “What An Awesome God” by Jonathan Smith, Phil Wickham, and Richard Mullins
If you ask me (and nobody has), I think Rich would approve. 😀 😉 dg
VERSE ONE & CHORUS
VERSE God is great Give Him all the praise / Hallelujah, Name above all Names / Fire in His eyes Healing in His veins / Everywhere His glory on display
Take a look at those stars / He can Name them all / Before His throne every knee falls / The demons have to run / The angels have to praise / Even the wind and waves obey
CHORUS Our God is an awesome God / He reigns from heaven above / With wisdom power and love / Our God is an awesome God!
Our God is an awesome God / He reigns from heaven above / With wisdom power and love / Our God is an awesome God!
Jonathan Smith | Phil Wickham | Richard Mullins
© 2025 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing; Be Essential Songs; Cashagamble Jet Music; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs
Until next week,
David Guion
P.S.
Sermon Notes (250423) on IG
“As we live as living sacrifices, we come alive!” James Crown referring to an NT Wright quote regarding Romans 12:1-5
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