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Palm Sunday Prayer

Sunday is Palm Sunday. Here is the prayer we are using Sunday.

Dear God,

It’s Palm Sunday. 

Jesus arrived to a defiant city on a donkey to people shouting “Hosanna.”

   Enter my disobedient heart.

   Replace my pride with humility.

   Release me. Rescue me.

Form in me a deep desire to trust You more fully.

   Give me a faithful obedience to follow You whenever and wherever.

Forge in me the strength to listen to and respond to Your voice.

   May I say “yes” to Your plans and promises.

   May I say “no” to the competing shallow securities of this world.

Eliminate prideful attitudes that separate me from community with others 

   and distance me from closeness and intimacy with You.
Eradicate my behavior of constantly comparing myself with others 

   and teach me that my worth and value in life is a gift from You.

Rescue me from the double standard of singing “Hosanna” in worship 

   and shouting “crucify him” at work, with friends, and even at home.

Release me from the hypocrisy of worshipping You with my words at church

   but denying You with my actions in the community.

Prevent me from holding on to habits that are harmful to me and hurtful to others.

   Let the destructive parts of my life die and disappear.

Prepare me for resurrection and new life that comes as a gift from You. 

   Let reconstruction begin and make me alive again!

You entered a holy city to people waving palm branches and waiting for a King.

Enter my life to make me holy, victorious, and obedient to the King of all Kings.

Amen.

David Being Interviewed By a Kentucky News Station

So, David and Amber went to the UK game in Des Moines tonight. The kid always ends up on television some how and tonight was no exception. A station in eastern Kentucky interviewed him and he was happy to share his story.

Seven Mile Miracle - It is Finished

A sermon based on the three last words Jesus spoke before his death: "It is Finished." We looked at how Jesus finished strong and how we can finish strong as well.

An Update from the Building Team

I have some news from the building team. The team has been working closely with our architect, BCDM, since January. We close all our meetings by praying together. And before that the last item for discussion is: What do we need to communicate to the congregation? Here are the communication items from this week’s meeting.

1. The primary task of our meetings and discussions has been developing and finalizing the schematic design of the building. The master plan gave us a general picture. The schematic design will provide the details. It has been a great process so far and I’m excited for you to see the results. We are hoping to have the schematic design completed by May 1st.

2. The team will be interviewing three construction companies the next month. Are firms are local and come highly recommended. The interviews should be complete by mid-April and we are aiming to have the construction company hired by May 1st. 

3. The team is considering two options for our phase one construction. The two options are nearly identical with two exceptions: Option 2 has a larger gathering area and a large group area for children. Many in the church felt these two items were critical for the future success of The Water’s Edge. Your building team has listened. Both options will be priced. Costs and benefits will be considered. Our church leadership is committed to not going in to debt to a degree that our ministries will be adversely impacted. 

4. The most common question the team is getting is: “When will we break ground?” At this time, the building team does not know when we will break ground. We are hoping to have a response to this question by May 1st. Currently the team is working on zoning and other permits with the city of Omaha, finishing the schematic design, and finalizing a loan with our lender.

5. We are also hearing the question: “Will Pastor Craig’s sabbatical slow down the building process?” At this time, my renewal leave shouldn’t have any effect on the timeline for the building project. We are working hard to complete many items by May 1st, so my sabbatical might actually help expedite things a bit!

What can you do?

1. Pray. Pray hard and often. This is an amazing project and will be a blessing to us and out city. 

2. Keep your pledge current for the From the Ground Up Campaign. If you haven’t made a pledge yet, I would be happy to talk to you! Additional gifts at this point would be a huge blessing.

3. Ask questions and share ideas. Ron Christensen, our business administrator, is a great resource. Any of the eight people on the building team are happy to listen and respond. I always welcome conversations too!

The best is yet to come…

Craig

Distracted

A prayer for all those who are distracted.

Dear God,

I’m distracted.

Distracted by comparison.
Distracted by worry.


Connected to computers and cell phones.
Connected to calendars and chores.

Disconnected from others.
Disconnected from You.

Let me sit at Your feet.
Become my one true and holy passion.

Amen.

#PrayersFromTheWatersEdge

Spring

Perseverance doesn't make noise or draw attention to itself.
It is most likely a gentle whisper that says:
Keep trying until you break through and blossom.