Italy Travel Tips

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May 28 Devotional

Dear Friends,

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the presence of God?  Have you ever felt like you were lighter than air and at any moment, you would just float away?  Have you ever just wept tears of joy after being in His presence?  Those of you that have are blessed beyond measure.  It’s almost indescribable isn’t it?  Those of you who have not, keep searching and keep trying.  Open up yourself.  Be vulnerable.  God will meet you there.  And don’t be afraid, for His power is great and He is greatly to be praised!  I live for those moments, for in those moments, we get a sense of eternity with God.  Be blessed friends.  Hugs and Love, Scott
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Let Me Anoint You with My Presence.  I am King of kings and Lord of lords, dwelling in unapproachable Light.  When you draw near to Me, I respond by coming closer to you.  As My Presence envelops you, you may feel overwhelmed by My Power and Glory.  This is a form of worship: sensing your smallness in comparison to My Greatness.Man has tended to make himself the measure of all things, But man’s measure is too tiny to comprehend My majestic vastness.  That is why most people do not see Me at all, even though they live and move and have their being in Me.Enjoy the radiant beauty of My Presence.  Declare My glorious Being to the world!

1 Timothy 6:15-16 15 For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. 16 He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

James 4:8 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

Acts 17:28 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

Psalm 145:3-6  3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. 4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. 5 I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. 6 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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May 27 Devotional

Dear Friends,

You’ve heard it said, “You are what you eat.” What this devotional suggests is ‘you are what you wear’.  First thing in the morning, before the day begins, begin with clothing yourself with the Holy Spirit and His robe of righteousness.  Then, you will indeed be ready to face any challenges that come your way. Your Holy Outfit will look like fruits of the Spirit, topped of with faith, hope and love.  Be blessed this Memorial Day as we all take a moment and say “thank you” to those who gave their all.  Indeed, we will never forget.  Peace and Love, Scott
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Seek My Face at the beginning of your day.  This practice enables you to “put Me on” and “wear Me” throughout the day.  Most people put on clothes soon after arising from bed.  Similarly, the sooner you “put Me on” by communicating with Me, the better prepared you are for whatever comes your way.

To “wear Me” is essentially to have My mind; to think My thoughts.  Ask the Holy Spirit to control your thinking: be transformed by this renewal within you.  Thus you are well equipped to face the people and situations I bring your way.  Clothing your mind in Me is your best preparation for each day.  This discipline brings Joy and Peace to you and those around you.

Psalm 27:8 8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

 Romans 13:14 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Colossians 3:1212 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young

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May 23 Devotional

Dear Friends,

Make every day a treasure hunt!  So often we’re unaware of the treasures that are all around us.  Treasure each moment, even if it is a treasure disguised as a trial.  As I was watching the news this morning, a couple who had lost their 9 year old daughter in the devastation caused by the tornado in Oklahoma, were recalling the last time they saw their little girl.  On Monday, they took lunch to their daughter at school.  Little did they know that that would be the last time they saw her.  Treasure those moments with friends, loved ones and each other.  I treasure each and every one of you dear friends.  See you Sunday as we celebrate all the many blessings we have and those that sacrificed so much to give us the freedoms we enjoy today.  Red, White and Blue are our colors!  Peace and Love, Scott
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Approach Each New Day with desire to find Me.  Before you get out of bed, I have already been working to prepare the path that will get you through this day.  There are hidden treasures strategically placed along the way.  Some of the treasures are trials, designed to shake you free from earth-shackles.  Others are blessings that reveal My Presence: sunshine, flowers, birds, friendships, answered prayers.  I have not abandoned this sin-wracked world; I am still richly present in it.

Search for deep treasures as you go through this day.  You will find Me all along the way.

Colossians 2:2-3 2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that theymay have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that theymay know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Isaiah 33:6 6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
Daily Devotionals from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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May 22 Devotional

Dear Friends,

The first line of today’s devotional is challenging to me.  When things don’t go well, I tend to resist, get mad and do everything in my power to change the outcome.  It’s really about control isn’t it?  Who’s really in control?  God, of course!  So, if we have regrets, this devotional would suggest that we don’t trust God.  It’s very human to be sad and disappointed, but regretful and resentful are negative emotions that pull us away from God and erode our faith in Him.  Focus on the positive and rejoice in the fact that God is indeed in control.  That gives me comfort for sure!  Be blessed today friends as you bless others.  Love, Scott
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When Things Don’t Go as you would like, accept it immediately.  If you indulge in feelings of regret, they can easily spill over the line into resentment.  Remember that I am sovereign over your circumstances, and humble yourself under My mighty hand.  Rejoice in what I am doing in your life, even though it is beyond your understanding.

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  In Me you have everything you need, both for this life and for the life yet to come.  Don’t let the impact of the world shatter your thinking or draw you away from focusing on Me.  The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on Me, no matter what is going on around you.  When I am central in your thinking, you are able to view circumstances from My perspective.

1 Peter 5:6 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

 John 14:6  6Jesus answ
ered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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May 21 Devotional

Dear Friends,

In the midst of the storms of life, both literally and figuratively, God brings us peace and hope.  Our prayers continue to be with those affected by the resent tornadoes, including those that have lost loved ones.  One can’t help be feel anxious, helpless and, at times, hopeless.  Trust in God, the creator of the universe and who gave us His all, Jesus Christ.  Be at peace beloved.  See you tomorrow.  Hugs and Love, Scott
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I, The Creator Of The Universe, am with you and for you.  What more could you need?  When you feel some lack, it is because you are not connecting with Me at a deep level.  I offer abundant Life; your part is to trust Me, refusing to worry about anything.
It is not so much adverse events that make you anxious as it is your thoughts about those events.  Your mind engages in trying to take control of a situation, to bring about the result you desire.  Your thoughts close in on the problem like ravenous wolves.  Determined to make things go your way, you forget that I am in charge of your life.  The only remedy is to switch your focus from the problem to My Presence.  Stop all your striving, and watch to see what I will do. I am the Lord!

Romans 8:31-32 31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

 Micah 7:7 7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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May 20 Devotional

Dear Friends,

What a glorious weekend we had!  Celebrating the birthday of the Church (Pentecost) and baptizing over 60 individuals from age 8 to 96 was a fitting way to cap our festivities.  Among those baptized where Avery Rainey (Brittany’s baby girl and granddaughter of Belinda Curtis) and our very own alto Teresa Eckersly. This will be one Pentecost I’ll never forget!  This devotional is also perfectly timed on the heels of a great sermon by pastor Mike.  In today’s “what’s best for me” world, many relationships (marriages, friendships, work, etc.)have been sacrificed on the alter of a person’s perceived happiness.  Repentance is indeed hard work and does involve a two-step process:  acknowledging our sin and then stopping doing or saying what you’re doing or saying that is wrong.  It’s easy to get stuck with part one of repentance.  Grace is freely given, but the work is just beginning!  We have to do our part as an act of gratitude and faithfulness to God for His amazing grace.  May you be blessed today and every day until we meet again.  Peace and Love, Scott
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When Your Sins Weigh Heavily upon you, come to Me.  Confess your wrongdoing, which I know all about before you say a word.  Stay in the Light of My Presence, receiving forgiveness, cleansing, and healing.  Remember that I have clothed you in My righteousness, so nothing can separate you from Me.  Whenever you stumble or fall, I am there to help you up.

Man’s tendency is to hide from his sin,  seeking refuge in the darkness.  There he indulges in self-pity, denial, self-righteousness, blaming, and hatred.  But I am the Light of the world,and My illumination decimates the darkness.  Come close to Me and let My Light envelop you, driving out darkness and permeating you with Peace.

1 John 1:7 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

 Isaiah 61:10  10I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

 John 8:12 12When Jesusspoke 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.”

Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
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Orchestra Agenda

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