February 18, 2026
Happy Wednesday, everyone!
I hope all of you are able to get outside today, at least for a short time, to experience the 60ish temps and possibility of sunshine. After what seems like forever in the cold and ice, I am really looking forward to Spring! I know, I know, it’s still a long way off – but I am looking forward to it, nevertheless. I have enjoyed the long evenings, extra time with my fireplace and a blanket, and I love my flannel shirts as much as the next person, but I am so ready to throw my windows open and catch a fresh breeze. I am looking forward to flower season and putting new plants in my garden and on my porch to enjoy during the longer, warmer days. Most of all, I am longing to tell my grandsons, “Let’s go play outside!” I didn’t realize what a blessing that was until experiencing the “too cold for toddlers” temperatures over the past 4 weeks.
That changeover from winter to spring is a good allegory for our worship songs this week. We will be singing Victory in Jesus (#426 in our hymn book), You’ve Already Won (by Shane & Shane), Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) (by Chris Tomlin), and What a Beautiful Name (from Hillsong Worship) this Sunday, and I didn’t realize it during my planning/prepping, but the themes of freedom, victory and new life run right through those four songs. I love it when God does that! It reminds me that He is still sovereign, and that He is interested in the intimate details of His children’s lives, right down to the songs they sing when they worship Him. Pastor Doug will be preaching on the Gerasene Demoniac (you know, the crazy guy screaming in the tombs because he had a whole legion of demons in his spirit?) and God just picked the four most perfect songs to help us prepare our hearts for the message from God he will be sharing as well. If you want a sneak peek, check out Mark 5:1-20 before Sunday morning.
Don’t be surprised that God cares so deeply about being intimately involved in our lives. We were made in His image and for His pleasure (Genesis 1:26-27, Revelation 4:11). He knows the number of hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7 ) and the number of days each of our lives will contain were written in His book even before we were born (Psalm 139:16)! When He planned the songs we would sing this Sunday, He knew in intimate detail who of His children would be here to hear those exact songs. He knows the struggles we are walking through; He understands the sadness and depression and anxiety to which we are prone, and He wants to break through those chains and bring us into a life of freedom and fruitfulness and dare I say it, JOY! The joy of the Lord is the strength we need to overcome any trouble (see Nehemiah 8:10), and Jesus, the One who overcame those troubles on the cross, has promised NEVER to leave us, NEVER to forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5-6). The victory is ours, we have only to accept it by faith and live in the understanding of it until we actually experience it. And don’t forget – God’s amazing and limitless grace is available to all who have need of it (Hebrews 4:16). Thank you, Lord!
See you on Sunday for worship!
Careen
Worship Songs for February 22:
Victory in Jesus – Guy Penrod – https://youtu.be/D3xlq2L0hcs?si=UYZEZ-v-JkMCSbd1
You’ve Already Won – Shane & Shane – https://youtu.be/sJOghIVI3Mc?si=hPH-cn6QJTJXcGw-
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) – Chris Tomlin – https://youtu.be/Jbe7OruLk8I?si=F19dgEVvEZX4qcM8
What a Beautiful Name – Hillsong Worship (Brooke Ligertwood) – https://youtu.be/nQWFzMvCfLE?si=Kfmr2PaSvay4pzei