If Anyone Thirsts, A Broken Spirit & A Yielded Heart, Full on the Inside, 5 Ways to Relax, Mercy Multiplied, Campus Connections, and "Joy to the World/The King is Coming"
In This Issue... John 7:37-38, Quotes from Dave Busby, Article by Carey Nieuwhof, Press Release via PRNewswire, Free Resource from Barry St. Clair, Plus Christmas Song from Christy Nockels
Photo by David Guion
Welcome to this issue of one24worship - a weekly offering of inspiration, ideas, and insights... 1-2-4: one verse/passage, two quotes, and four observations at a time.
As Christmas approaches and schedules fill with events and activities, there's a subtle temptation to neglect intentional moments to reflect and replenish. I call this practice “being mindful of maintaining margin.” And, to be honest, I must admit that I’m often less “mindful” than I’d prefer!
I bet you can relate! 😉
Over the past weekend, I was freshly reminded of the importance of taking time to intentionally slow down, reflect, and replenish.
When setting personal boundaries, it’s crucial to be aware that practicing “being mindful of maintaining margin” may not always align with the expectations of others, especially during this time of year. And I believe it is important to keep the needs of others in view, too.
However, as a one24worshipper, it’s vital for each of us to personally and prayerfully set the limits of our “margin” for each 24-hour day.
Today, I encourage you to seek to take some time intentionally to slow down, reflect, and replenish. And, Lord willing, may this edition of one24worship assist you in “being mindful of maintaining margin” during this Christmas season.
Enjoy!
one24worship - Because worship is a daily lifestyle, not just a weekly event.
One Verse/Passage
“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”’” John 7:37-38 ESV
Two Quotes
Dave Busby was born seventy-three years ago today, December 7, 1950 and he passed away twenty-six years ago this month from complications of cystic fibrosis. He was, as his widow, Lawanna Busby St. Clair describes him, “a man whose sole passion in life was to challenge young people to become radical followers of Jesus Christ. He devoted every ounce of his energy to help them experience intimacy with Him.”1
So, on what would have been Dave’s 75th birthday today, both of the one24worship Two Quotes this week are attributed to him. dg
Dave Busby
“When God sees a broken heart, one that is yielded to Him, He ‘does not despise.’ He is attracted. He is drawn to a broken spirit and a yielded heart because they indicate vulnerability. When we are vulnerable, we allow God to mold us. By giving Him access to the innermost workings of our hearts we free Him to do great things in and through us.” Dave Busby
[Source: Paul Fleischmann, Better Together: Discovering the Dynamic Results of Cooperation, (Paul Fleischmann, Published by HigherLife Publishing & Marketing, Inc., 2014), pgs 125-126]
“When I am filled with Jesus on the inside, the pull of the outside greatly decreases. […] When I am full of Jesus, a life of compromise is less of a problem for me.” Dave Busby
[Source: Dave Busby, Stunned by His Mercy, Staggered by His Grace: A Collection of Dave Busby Messages in the Twenty-fifth Year of His Death, (Dave Busby - Author, Lawanna Busby St. Clair - Editor, 2022), pg 117]
For additional Dave Busby resources, please visit DaveBusby.com.
Four Observations
5 Ways to Relax on Your Christmas Break (Driven Person Edition) - Article by Carey Nieuwhof at Biblical Leadership
Excerpt: “I know people who can just take time off easily… who don't worry, are never tempted to check email, easily shut down social media for a week, and who find a hammock easily. I'm just not one of them. And if you've read this far, chances are you aren't either.”
Mercy Multiplied Celebrates 40 Years of Ministry and Thousands of Lives Transformed - Press Release from Missions Box website
Mercy Multiplied is a ministry that I have personally supported and believe its a ministry you may want to know about. dg
Excerpt: “Celebrating 40 years of ministry, Mercy Multiplied—a vision birthed when Founder and President Nancy Alcorn launched a single residential home in 1983 to share the hope of Christ with women in need—has now grown to include six locations throughout the United States and abroad. In addition to the Residential Programs, the ministry’s Outpatient Programs and respected resources, including the popular Keys to Freedom discipleship study, have impacted thousands from all walks of life.”
FREE Resource for STUDENT MINISTRY LEADERS - Campus Connections: A Field Guide for Campus Ministry - Free Digital Book by Barry St. Clair of East West
Excerpt from Barry St. Clair’s November 2023 Newsletter: “My longtime youth ministry friends encouraged me to rewrite my ‘ancient and out-of-date’ Penetrating the Campus book (circa 1995). No present day ‘field guide for campus ministry’ with a biblical basis and practical applications existed. We changed the title to Campus Connections and rewrote it in digital format with 35 articles as a free download.”
A Christmas SONG from Christy Nockels’ “A Thrill of Hope” Album - YouTube: Joy to the World / The King Is Coming
This is one of my favorite renditions of the classic Christmas carol written by Isaac Watts. Included in my 24 Christmas Songs for 2023 Playlist on Spotify. dg
ENDING
“And the King is coming / Open up your eyes to see it / Open up your ears to hear it / The King is coming / Open up your minds, believe it / Open up your heart, receive Him.”
℗ 2016 Keepers Branch Records / Released on: 2016-11-04
👉 If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it with friends! Thank you.
Until next week,
David Guion
P.S.
Sermon Notes Sunday (231203) on Instagram
“It’s amazing how God forgives and we don’t!” Brother Butch Ikels
Current one24worship Poll
Many people take notes during the message at church. Some use a physical handout provided by the church. Others take out their phone and jot some notes down. Of course, there are plenty of mobile apps, too. Still others are “old school” (like me) and bring a journal to write in or a note pad to write on.
So, if you take sermon notes during church, what’s your #1 challenge? Or, to put it another way, if you could solve the #1 problem you have related to taking sermon notes during church, what might that solution look like?
If you’d like to participate in the Current one24worship Poll, please email your response to Current one24worship Poll.
Thank you!
Disclaimer
No affiliate links are contained in this newsletter.
Dave Busby, Stunned by His Mercy, Staggered by His Grace: A Collection of Dave Busby Messages in the Twenty-fifth Year of His Death, (Dave Busby - Author, Lawanna Busby St. Clair - Editor, 2022), pg 1