As The Waters

Habakkuk 2:14 says, “For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the LORD.“ As image bearers of Christ, we are like little ‘glory’ carriers—where we walk, where we live
and where we work, we are ambassadors of Christ to the world. Wherever we are every day, there is God, ready to move and make a difference.

Did you know your light shined so brightly? Did you know we get to participate in the promise of Habakkuk 2:14, that the earth will be filled with an awareness of God’s glory?

Lord, that You would saturate our souls with an awareness of Your continual presence that we
may saturate the world!

Listen to “As the Waters” online.

As the Waters
By Leah Carolan
As Your glory reigned over creation
So my heart longs to be reigned by You
As Your Spirit danced with the waters
So my Spirit longs to dance with You
Awaken my heart to this intimacy
Let this wild love run so freely
As the waters cover the sea
Let my heart be filled
With the knowledge of the Glory of God
As the waters cover the sea
Let my heart be filled
With the knowledge of Your Glory
Let Your glory fall like rain (awaken my heart)
Let Your glory fall like rain
That’s pouring down into my heart

~ Leah Carolan
Director of Worship & Media

Dwell in Me

By Robert D. Wells; © 1995 Tennessee Music & Printing Company (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) CCLI License # 648382

In the center of my heart
there is a place
that’s reserved for Christ,
the Savior,
Lord of grace.
There is no other master
worthy of this place.
Rule my life,
reign in my heart,
dwell in me.
Dwell in me.
Dwell in me.
Let my heart be Your throne room.
Dwell in me.
In prayer and praise and service
I give myself to Thee,
God of Heaven,
Lord of my life.
Dwell in me.
Other interests often cloud
my mind and days,
cares of life come crashing
through in many ways.
But Lord, within my heart,
I hold You close always.
Now and ever,
You are master.
Dwell in me.

As we continue in this season of dwelling in the Word, may Jesus come and dwell in each one of us as Savior, Lord and Master. There truly is none other worthy of our hearts.

Leah
Director of Worship and Media

He Is Risen!

Dwelling with Jesus, the Risen One.

Apr 1: Celebrate Resurrection!
Easter Services: 8:30, 9:45, and 11 AM
Apr 8: Dwelling with the Risen Jesus.

Intentionality:
Living on Mission on Purpose

Dwelling with Jesus, the Head of the Church. On
mission, on purpose with Jesus—a study of Acts.

Apr 15: Empowered for Mission. Acts 1:1-8
Apr 22: Missional Community. Acts 1:9-14
Apr 29: Missional Leadership. Acts 1:15-26
May 6: Missional Impact. Acts 2:1-13

Marked.

Marked.

When we first came up with the title for this Lenten series I was especially moved by the word, “Marked”. Enough that I’ve been lingering on it for over a month and reflecting on what this could mean. We are each marked with life. The good, the bad,
the ugly. But I think those places where suffering has marked us are the places where God can do the coolest work. Suffering sucks. Don’t get me wrong! But it can produce a harvest of good when God gets involved and we let Him do what He does best.

Have you ever had the moment where you meet someone and they share a part of their story that matches a part of your story—and suddenly the two of you are friends for life because of the suffering you have shared together? That doesn’t happen to me
when I share good stuff. I am bonded with others through the bad stuff. It’s like a deep brotherhood/sisterhood suddenly takes place in a communal suffering narrative.

I think we have the same communal suffering with Jesus. He took on the largest, biggest, baddest, worst imaginable suffering ever. He understands our story. He understands our struggles. We share together in suffering and a brotherhood happens. He
gets it. We are bonded in friendship for life. It is good to be marked.

It is GOOD to be marked.

We enter into the suffering of Christ this season because it is good to be marked. Come, let us draw closer to the heart of God.

Leah Carolan
Director of Worship and Media

Have you ever had a testimony burning in your heart that you just couldn’t help but share?

I’ve been pondering victory and my identity in Christ a lot lately. I shared a few Sundays ago how for years I would ask God for victory in certain areas of my life and used multiple versions of the same type of prayer for years. “God, help me with this thing!” was the gist of it.

And then it dawned on me that was asking for something that God had already given me! As a follower of Jesus, I have certain rights and blessings already established. I didn’t need to keep asking for them—they are already mine in Jesus! I needed to STAND on them.

So my prayer changed. No longer “God, can I have this thing…” It became “God, I stand on Your Word and declare that I have victory already in Jesus!”. Even when I wasn’t feeling it. That became my prayer. And I continue to pray it until I truly believe it!

When I’m feeling down, I now pray, “I have a glorious hope in Christ Jesus!” whether I feel it or not. When the finances are tight, I praise Jesus for His great provision. Because He has already provided whether I can see it or not.

When I’m tempted, I often will say out loud, “I am victorious in Jesus!” or “I am a victor!” (This is usually me in front of the refrigerator). And yes, I really do say it out loud. Sometimes my kids think I’m nutty. I don’t care. I know who I am! I know my identity! And I won’t let doubt take that from me. I no longer whine before the throne of the Most High God—I commune with Him in all the benefits and joys of being a Beloved Daughter.

Do YOU know who you are in Christ?

~ Leah
Director of Worship & Media