Category Archives: Spirit on the A’s

Love and Tolerance for Others

Love and Tolerance for Others
Pastor Cathy Hanus, Certified Holistic Health Coach
All Are Welcome at Our Table !

Introduction

Health and Wellness
Spirit Health and Wellness, Is. 38:16.

Presentation
Love and Tolerance for Others
Love and tolerance for others is our code. – ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 84.
I have found that I have to forgive others in all situations to maintain any real spiritual progress. The vital importance of forgiving may not be obvious to me at first sight, but my studies tell me that every great spiritual teacher has insisted strongly upon it.
I must forgive injuries, not just in words, or as a matter of form, but in my heart. I do this not for the other persons’ sake, but for my own sake. Resentment, anger, or a desire to see someone punished, are things that rot my soul. Such things fasten my troubles to me with chains. They tie me to other problems that have nothing to do with my original problem. – Daily Reflections. © 1990. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services.

AA. Into Action p.84.
Step Ten discussion.

Simple Gut Heal Meal
Simple Gut Heal Meal

Meal
Healing the Gut
Organic Broccoli
Organic Cauliflower
Organic Pine nut based Hummus
Organic Vegetable crackers

Song
What the World Needs Now
Jackie DeShannon
https://youtu.be/YUaxVQPohlU

What the World Needs Now

Prayer

Thank you, God, for the body of believers who are called to serve you, who are proclaiming the Good News to all who will hear. From those who minister across the country to the men, women, and youth here at home, send us out to be a light in the dark. Send us out to speak life. Send us out to extend grace and mercy. Send us out to feed the hungry, to befriend the lonely, to find the lost. Open the doors of this church and fill it with the broken, the angry, the hurting. Let them find forgiveness and comfort here in the presence of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen. – adapted from community prayer by Jennie McChargue.

Peace and Joy! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus and the Spirit of Peace Missional Community.

Love One Another

Love One Another for the Missional Community

All Are Welcome to Join Spirit of Peace in its mission to serve the community in ministry sharing resources and concern in helping one another.
Chat Bench allows for confidential discussion of topical interest and fellowship between people.
Spirit Health and Wellness is an activity that presents a health topic, discusses nutrition found in foods and shares healthy food and fellowship with one another.
Community Garden introduces growing foods from plant starts through harvest life cycle.
Recovery Circle allows for interested people in a group setting to engage readings and reflections that support the spirit within us.
Community Activities and Events scheduled about once every month allow for fun and entertainment.
Church services allow for regular structured formal Christian worship.

Love One Another
Love One Another, John 13:34-35.

Scripture
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35.

Prayer
Dear Lord thank you for the opportunity to practice your command in the community. Our time and our efforts come together to fulfill your command that we should love one another as you loved us.

Peace and Joy! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus and the Spirit of Peace Missional Community.

Stand Strong in the Face of Adversity

Stand Strong in the Face of Adversity 

Burdens into Blessings
Burdens into Blessings

Reflection Prayer 

In reading this list of five guiding principles, please reflect upon the Words of Satisfaction stated in Scripture found in Matthew 7:7; Ask, and It Will Be Given. Ask, and it will be given to you; Seek, and you will find; Knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matt. 7:7). 

As the Holy Spirit within each of us guides us through each day; If we listen we will hear, Jesus is waiting to hear our prayers asking Him for these good things that we want in life, including the strength to face adversity. – Pastor Michael Hanus, Spirit of Peace. 

Matt. 7:7.
Matt. 7:7.

Mental toughness 

Contrary to popular belief, mental toughness is not something you are born with. It is not a luck of the draw sort of thing. That means that everyone can work to improve their fortitude with a little practice and mindfulness when life starts going sideways. Research backs this up. Since the 1960’s, groups like the Beck Institute have pioneered Cognitive Therapy in the hopes of helping people stop negative “automatic thoughts” that impaired their views of themselves, the world, and the future. And the results are clear: everyone can change the way they think and develop mental toughness. 

Five tips for developing your mental toughness in a positive way. 

Set Your Expectations 

Mental toughness is not about avoiding conflict. While you can not control every aspect of your life, you can control how you will react. Act like you have everything under control, and no one will think otherwise. You might wind up even fooling yourself. Know that time is finite and there’s only so much you can do in a certain period of time. By setting realistic expectations for what you can achieve in a given amount of time, you are laying a groundwork for measurable performance and success. 

Strengthen SelfControl 

Do not let your emotions get the best of you. Whether things are going crazy at work or you feel the urge to find comfort in sweets after a trying day, take a moment to step back from the situation. By stepping out of the present, stressful moment and putting it in larger perspective, you can give every crisis its context and respond with a level-headed calmness. By delaying gratification, whether in the form of a cupcake or yelling at someone, you are helping yourself to see difficulty as a setback rather than an insurmountable problem. 

Focus on Yourself 

No matter what you do, you are never going to please everyone. Mentally tough people have mastered the art of focusing on impressing themselves. Love the ensemble you put on but maybe other people can not appreciate your sense of style? Well, those haters are going to hate. They do not matter. You should surround yourself with people who can appreciate you for who you are and the unique traits you have to offer, especially since these people are likely ones you can count on when you feel that your mental toughness is starting to get a little weak. Similarly, do not get down in the dumps by envying other people or being jealous of their success. If you see someone who is doing things with their life you want to achieve too, focus on how you can get there yourself, rather than how that other person reached their goals so easily. 

Silence the Negative Talk 

Whether it is expressing envy over someone else’s success or using negative words to describe yourself, your words have immense power to shape your worldview. Do not let that glass-half-empty viewpoint dominate your thoughts. When you make the effort to see the positive in everything, you will find it was there all along. When you find aspects of yourself or your life that you would like to change, focus on how you can do that and set measurable goals rather than sitting back and accepting your present as your life’s course. Become your biggest advocate and believe in yourself. Others will follow your lead and believe in you too! 

Taylor Swift Shake it Off

Let It Go 

Elsa in Frozen (Disney) had it right. Do not let the past bring you down or be deadweight on your path to success. Everyone has suffered failures and setbacks, but it is the people who learn from their mistakes or face adversity with a measured approach that come up on top. Do not let your past dictate what your present and future should look like. There is no point in lamenting something you can not possibly change. But the present and future is only what you choose to make of it. Make it something amazing! That commitment to the present will build mental toughness in no time.

Elsa Let It Go

Improving your mental toughness takes mindfulness and commitment. It is not easy, but the payoff and rewards are immense. Take charge of your life and withstand adversity like a pro!  – adapted from Paige Turner, theautismsite 

Peace and Joy! in Seeking the Greater Good Within You! 

Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus, Spirit of Peace 

Sovereign Intervention

Sovereign Intervention in Our Lives

God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. Exodus 2:25. 

Barbara grew up under the care of the British government in the 1960s, but when she turned sixteen, she and her newborn son, Simon, became homeless. The state was no longer obligated to provide for her at that age. Barbara wrote to the Queen of England for help and received a response! The Queen compassionately arranged for Barbara to be given a house of her own.

The Queen of England had the right resources to help Barbara, and her compassionate assistance can be seen as a small picture of God’s help. The King of heaven knows all of our needs and sovereignly works out His plans in our lives. As He does, however, He longs for us to come to Him, sharing our needs and other concerns, as part of our loving relationship with Him.

The Israelites brought their need for deliverance to God. They were suffering under the burden of Egyptian slavery and cried out for help. He heard them and remembered His promise: “God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.” Exodus 2:25. He instructed Moses to bring liberty to His people and declared that He would once again release them “into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Exodus 3:8. 

Our King loves it when we come to Him! He wisely provides what we need, not necessarily what we want. Let us rest in His sovereign, loving provision. – Ruth O’Reilly-Smith. Daily Bread. 

Discussion: 

Why is it important for us to bring our needs to God in prayer? 

Focus 

Connect with God 

How can you learn to rest in God’s provision, whatever that may be?

Acceptance 

Peace 

Serenity 

Serenity Prayer 

Serenity Prayer
Serenity Prayer

Reinhold Niebuhr (1934). 

God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as Jesus did, This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it, Trusting that You will make all things right, If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen. 

Sovereign  Burning Lights 

Chris Tomlin (2013). 

Sovereign

Closing Prayer: 

Loving God, thank You that I can bring my needs to You. Help me to be content in whatever paths and provisions You choose. Amen. 

May Your Spiritual Connectivity with Our Sovereign Lord Bring You Serenity and Acceptance.
Peace and Joy! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus

Freedom Fellowship

Fellowship of Freedom 

If only men were granted absolute liberty, and were compelled to obey no one, they would then voluntarily associate themselves in the common interest. – AS BILL SEES IT, p. 50. 

When I no longer live under the dictates of another or of alcohol, I live in a new freedom. When I release the past and all the excess baggage I have carried for so very long, I come to know freedom. I have been introduced into a life and a fellowship of freedom. The Steps are a “recommended” way of finding a new life, there are no commands or dictates in A.A. I am free to serve from desire rather than decree. There is the understanding that I will benefit from the growth of other members and I take what I learn and bring it back to the group. The “common welfare” finds room to grow in the society of personal freedom. – Daily Reflection. © 1990. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. 

Freedom Fellowship
Freedom Fellowship

Reflection genesis: 

Tradition Two. 

AA. Twelve Traditions. 

For our group purpose there is one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern. 

Discussion: 

One Ultimate Authority 

Responsibility 

Being God 

Discuss no need to fix 

Choices v Told 

Freedom to choose 

Dominance v Subservience 

Getting along with others 

 Follow the Rules 

Dont tell me what to do 

Building character 

Good Old Days 

 AA. Big Book. 

Twelve and Twelve 

 Principles 

Quitting drinking easy compared to dealing with the  -Isms 

Alcoholism > no conscience, 

 Sobriety > find the Higher Power 

Freedom 

Pharrell Williams 

Peace and Joy!  Pastor Michael. SpiritofPeace.us 

Family obligations

Family Obligations 

A spiritual life which does not include family obligations may not be so perfect after all. – ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 129. 

I can be doing great in the program, applying it at meetings, at work, and in service activities, and find that things have gone to pieces at home. I expect my loved ones to understand, but they cannot. I expect them to see and value my progress, but they do not, unless I show them. Do I neglect their needs and desires for my attention and concern? When I am around them, am I irritable or boring? Are my “amends” a mumbled “Sorry,” or do they take the form of patience and tolerance? Do I preach to them, trying to reform or “fix” them? Have I ever really cleaned house with them? “The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it.” Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 83. – Daily Reflections. © 1990. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. 

Family Obligations
Family Obligations

Topic Discussion Worksheet 

AA. Big Book. Chapter 9. The Family Afterward. 

Experiencing freedom from guilt. 

Appears like this Reflection engages proactively working Steps Eight and Nine. 

Step Eight. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 

Step Nine. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Family. 

Dysfunction. 

Praying for a Miracle. 

Al-Anon 

Many family members of alcoholics get stuck at Step Three. 

Step Three. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 

We Are Family 

Sister Sledge 

How to Love Your (Dysfunctional) Family Well 

(and Every Family Is Dysfunctional). 

Be Present. 

Share Yourself. 

Welcome the Stranger. 

Engage in Dialogue, Not Debate. 

Practice Self-Care. 

 – Kale Uzzel. St. Louis Metro Baptist Assn. 

 

May the Lord Bless Your Paths in This World!

Peace and Joy! Pastor Michael Hanus. Spirit of Peace.