This Sunday’s Anthem

Here is a recording of our anthem for Sunday in case you want to refresh your memory before Sunday! Great job last night! Remember to watch me for the swells and be diligent about the syncopation. This song has a lot of repeats, but I will remind you when we are going to the second ending!

Look forward to leading with you in worship on Sunday!

Amazed

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July 31 devotional

Dear Friends,


Beautiful words to live by.  I like the fact that when I’m having trouble being in communion with my Lord, I find no condemnation.  Only patience and forgiveness.  May you find time today and every day to be with Him.  Peace Friends!  See you tonight!


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Trust Me in the depths of your being.  It is there that I live in constant communion with you.  When you feel flustered and frazzled on the outside, do not get upset with yourself.  You are only human, and the swirl of events going on all around you will sometimes feel overwhelming.  Rather than scolding yourself for your humanness, remind yourself that I am both with you and within you.

I am with you at all times,
 encouraging and supportive rather than condemning.  I know that deep within you, where I live, My Peace is your continual experience.  Slow down your pace of living for a time.  Quiet your mind in My Presence.  Then you will be able to hear Me bestowing the resurrection blessing: Peace Be with you.


Colossians 1:27  27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Matthew 28:20  
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

John 20:19  
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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July 29 Devotional

Feeling a slight “tug”?  Read on.  See you Wednesday friends!  Hugs, Scott

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Come To Me Continually.  I am meant to be the Center of Your consciousness, the Anchor of your soul.  Your mind will wander from Me, but the question is how far you allow it to wander.  An anchor on a short rope lets a boat drift only slightly before the taut line tugs the boat back toward the center.  Similarly, as you drift away from Me, My Spirit within you gives a tug, prompting you to return to Me.  As you become increasingly attuned to My Presence, the length of rope on your soul’s Anchor is shortened.  You wander only a short distance before feeling that inner tug–telling you to return to your true Center in Me.

Hebrews 6:19  19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

1 John 2:28  28And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

Matthew 22:37  37Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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AA miles for Italy trip

I spent a lot of time on the computer working on getting our miles with AA for the Italy trip.
Here’s the scoop if you wan to pass it along to others:
 
AA.com
AAdvantage tab (sign in)
My Account
stay on “AAdvantage Account tab”
at bottom of this tab under “Mileage Activity” (under total) is “request credit”.

All our airline codes were all “01”.
The tour company sent out ticket numbers on the roster and is on the bottom of all our ticket stubs.
Each of our ticket numbers remained the same for DFW to LHR, LHR to FLR, and VCE to MAD.
**However, each of our ticket numbers from MAD to DFW went up one digit. (go figure.) This might not apply to those that got their MAD to DFW tickets when they checked in in Venice.

 
Airline Flight Date Flight Origin Destination Cabin
American Airlines 2013-06-14 80 DFW LHR Coach

 
Airline Flight Date Flight Origin Destination Cabin
British Airways 2013-06-15 6356 LHR FLR Coach

 
Airline Flight Date Flight Origin Destination Cabin
Iberia 2013-06-24 5525 VCE MAD Coach

 
Airline Flight Date Flight Origin Destination Cabin
American Airlines 2013-06-24 37 MAD DFW Coach

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July 25 devotional

Dear Friends,

We have a dove perched underneath the overhang of our sanctuary that seems to have taken up residence there.  I first heard the dove yesterday and it’s still there today.  I’m not sure if it means anything, but hearing it made me smile.  It reminded me of Bible verses and the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus “as a dove” after His baptism.  Perhaps the Holy Spirit is upon us even as I write this.  I’d certainly like to think so.  May you be open to see, feel and encounter God today in whatever form He presents Himself.  Be blessed!  Hugs and Love, Scott

As You Listen to birds calling to one another, hear also My Love-call to you.  I speak to you continually: through sights, sounds, thoughts, impressions, Scripture.  There is no limit to the variety of ways I can communicate with you.  Your part is to be attentive to My messages, in whatever form they come.  When you set out to find Me in a day, you discover that the world is vibrantly alive with My Presence.  You can find Me not only in beauty and bird calls, but also in tragedy and faces filled with grief.  I can take the deepest sorrow and weave it into a pattern for good.

Search for Me and My messages, as you go through this day.  You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with you whole being.

John 10:27  27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Romans 8:28 (AMP) 
28 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Jeremiah 29:13  
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling by Sarah Young


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July 24 devotional

Dear Friends,


I often talk to others about having “an attitude of gratitude” in all things.  It’s true!  It’s a beautiful thing to watch when you give thanks for the good things and see positives instead of negatives.  This takes practice  because it’s not how the world reacts to difficult situations. The media perpetuates this negative sentiment.  Guard yourself and stay on the positive path with Christ as your pilot.  Peace, Scott


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Thankfulness Opens The Door to My Presence.  Though I am always with you, I have gone to great measures to preserve your freedom of choice.  I have placed a door between you and Me, and I have empowered you to open or close that door.  There are many ways to open it, but a grateful attitude is one of the most effective.

Thankfulness is built on a substructure of trust.  When thankful words stick in your throat, you need to check up on your foundation of trust.  When thankfulness flows freely from your heart and lips, let your gratitude draw you closer to Me.  I want you to learn the art of giving thanks in all circumstances.  See how many times you can thank Me daily; this will awaken your awareness to a multitude of blessings.  I will also cushion the impact of trials when they come against you.  Practice My Presence by practicing the discipline of thankfulness.

Psalm 100:4   4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

1 Thessalonians 5:18  
18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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July 23 devotional

Dear People of Light!


I love the images of light shining in the darkness and living in the Spirit.  It can be a difficult task, for there are many that would snuff out your light if given the chance.  The tools used to do this include negative comments, gossip, manipulation and jealously.  Put on the strong armor of faith and stand firm in your convictions.  Let your light shine so that all will know Christ through you as they witness Christ at work in you.  Peace Friends!  Can’t wait to get back to Wednesday night rehearsals.  I’ve missed you all!

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I Am The Light Of The World.  Men crawl through their lives cursing the darkness, but all the while I am shining brightly.  I desire each of My followers to be a Light-bearer.  The Holy Spirit who lives in you can shine from your face, making Me visible to people around you.  Ask My Spirit to live through you, as you wend your way through this day.  Hold My hand in joyful trust, for I never leave your side.  The Light of My Presence is shining upon you. Brighten up the world by reflecting who I am.

John 8:12  12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:14-16  
14″You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Exodus 3:14  
14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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July 21 devotional

Ah.  Rest!  Our Creator rested on the seventh day.  God models rest for us.  Not that He needed rest, but, by design, He knew we would need times of rest and relaxation.  I hope and pray that you’ve found time to do that this summer.  Soon, we’ll all be back together again to sing, play and lead in worship.  What an honor!  May God bless you and yours as you bask in His glory and goodness.  Peace and Love, Scott

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Rest In My Presence when you need refreshment.  Resting is not necessarily idleness, as people often perceive it.  When you relax in My company, you are demonstrating trust in Me.  Trust is a rich word, laden with meaning and direction for your life.  I want you to lean on, trust, and be confident in Me.  When you lean on Me for support, I delight in your trusting confidence.

Many people turn away from Me when they are exhausted.  They associate Me with duty and diligence, so they try to hide from My Presence when they need a break from work.  How this saddens Me!  As I spoke through My prophet Isaiah: In returning to Me and resting in Me you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength.

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July 18 devotional

Dear Friends,


What a comfort to know we’re not alone–ever!  I think many go through life trying to fill an empty hole in their heart that can only be filled by God.  It’s in our very DNA, this longing for acceptance, wholeness and peace that can only be found in a relationship with our Creator.  My heart is heavy that many young people attempt to escape their reality with drugs and alcohol.  It’s an easy trap that many fall into as they search for meaning and purpose.  I was one of the millions who watched “Glee” when it first came out.  An unknown Cory Monteith was an instant star and quickly had fame and fortune.  He, like many other famous stars, couldn’t escape who he was.  I’m not judging and I don’t pretend to understand what it’s like to be a “star”.  But, I do know that simply being a child of God and loved unconditionally is enough for me to have peace and joy in this life regardless of my circumstances and situation.  I wish this for all of humanity, as Christ did too.  So, continue the good work begun in you as you spread the Good News of Christ’s love for all. “And lo, I am with you always.”…..

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I Am Nearer 

than you think, richly present in all your moments.  You are connected to Me by Love-bonds that nothing can sever.  However, you may sometimes feel alone, because your union with Me is invisible.  Ask Me to open your eyes, so that you can find Me everywhere.  The more aware of My Presence, the safer you feel.  This is not some sort of escape from reality; it is tuning in to ultimate reality.  I am far more Real than the world can see, hear, and touch.  Faith is the confirmation of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.

Acts 17:27-28 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)
 1NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling by Sarah Young


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July 17 devotional

Dear Friends,


Are you too busy to read this devotional?  Are you too busy to spend a little quiet time with God?  I know how difficult it can be to make time for God.  But, it should be my highest priority.  May God bless you today and every day as you make time for Him.  Peace, Scott

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Come Away With Me for a while.  The world, with its nonstop demands, can be put on hold.  Most people put Me on hold, rationalizing that someday they will find time to focus on Me.  But the longer people push Me into the background of their lives, the harder it is for them to find Me.

You live among people who glorify busyness; they have made time a tyrant that controls their lives.  Even those who know Me as Savior tend to march to the tempo of the world.  They have bought into the illusion that more is always better: more meetings, more programs, more activity.

I have called you to follow Me on a solitary path, making time alone with Me your highest priority and deepest Joy.  It is a pathway largely unappreciated and often despised.  However, you have chosen the better thing, which will never be taken away from you.  Moreover, as you walk close to Me, I can bless others through you.

Song Of Songs 2:13  13 The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.   Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”

Luke 10:42 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” 

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young


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