Tag Archives: devotion

Got Cruciferous

Got Cruciferous Vegetables?
Pastor Cathy Hanus Holistic Health Coach
All Are Welcome at Our Table

This last sunset we saw a hard frost, 26 degrees F., frosting everything exposed in the vegetable garden and some plants that were covered hoping to evade the damage the hard frost brings.

Autumn Frost Prayer

How glorious Your paint box, Lord, and the copper, gold, rust and amber You color Your creation. I listen to the crunch of an apple and hear the music of autumn. O, taste and see. How innumerable the seeds in a pumpkin, as wondrous as Your thoughts. But why do I never notice Your acorns until they fall from the tree? Marching bands, homecoming floats, tail-gating picnics and touchdowns,
we give thanks for these. The last of the corn and the first frost, they come with the harvest moon. But guard us, Lord, from the first cough and the first cold. For your mercies extend farther than any shooting star that drops from the sky. We dig out our woolens and parkas and warm up by the fire. Soon with turkey and stuffing and the sweetest yams, we will give our best Thanksgiving to You. – adapted from Rick Hamlin, Guideposts.

Presentation:
Cruciferous vegetables.
Cruciferous vegetables are among a winter cold crop group withstanding reasonable chill that includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and radishes. Cruciferous is a classification for members of the mustard family, from the Latin cruciferae meaning “cross bearing,” as the four petals resemble a cross.
Cruciferous vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients lower inflammation and reduce the risk of developing cancers. Cruciferous vegetables are rich in fiber and low in calories, this will help you feel satisfied without overeating.

Meal:
For our meal today, we selected fresh Cruciferous vegetables from the garden. They all survived last nights hard frost under a cloth cover.
You will see we are dining on broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and radishes; all steamed in a stainless steel pot for two minutes.
For variety in nutrients and color, we added in fresh sweet potatoes, carrots, asparagus, apples and pears; all picked fresh from the garden.

Fellowship:
Today we discuss initial plans for our annual Free Thanksgiving Day Community Meal.

Exercise:
Today we stretch with Pastor Michael Hanus, practicing yoga on mats.

Autumn
Vivaldi
https://youtu.be/sgh5xjjgS_A

Steamed Cruciferous Vegetable Medley
Steamed Cruciferous Vegetable Medley

Closing Prayer:
Thankfulness.
Dear Jesus, we are thankful for all you have given us. You stood with us in recovery from the spring flooding in March, loved and healed us as we did our best to start plants from seed in weather that suddenly went from frost and wet to hot and dry, watched over us through some violent summer storms, brought us a bountiful harvest of garden fresh fruits and vegetables, and sustain us as we thankfully gather and eat your bountiful harvest. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

Got Daikon

Got Daikon?
Pastor Cathy Hanus Holistic Health Coach
All Are Welcome at Our Table

Autumn Prayer

Comfort Me in Suffering
Loving God, I pray that you will comfort me in my suffering, lend skill to the hands of my healers, and bless the means used for my cure. Give me such confidence in the power of your grace, that even when I am afraid, I may put my whole trust in you; through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blessed Assurance
Fanny Crosby (1873).
https://youtu.be/rDeiy9-t2GE

Health Wellness Nutrition Presentation
Daikon Radish
Daikon, (“great root” Jp), Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus Bailey, brassica family, is a mild-flavored winter radish usually characterized by fast-growing leaves and a long, white, napiform root.
This summer, I am turning out an excellent healthy crop of Daikon. It is a large versatile crop used for root and green top harvest; eaten raw or prepared in various ways.
This harvested member of the brassica family is best known for its anti-inflammatory effects after it is eaten raw or prepared in various healthy ways.
Today, We prepare the Daikon we freshly harvest by slicing it into suitable French fry pieces and cooking it in coconut oil; air frying would be another excellent possibility.
It has a taste quite similar to a French fry along with a mild peppery taste for our culinary selected cultivar.
We use the fresh Daikon tops in a tossed salad with fresh garden heirloom tomatoes, carrots, red pepper slices and balsam vinegarette dressing.
We steam red beans, kohlrabi, and ripe black olives to accompany our Daikon.
We prepare a mix of fresh apple, cherry, raspberry and pear sauce for dessert, with mild green tea.

Got Daikon Culinary Experience

  • Art of Mindfulness
    At Fellowship today we discuss the Art of Mindfulness. Mindfulness is described as the state of being aware of something or
    a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, as a therapeutic technique.
    We present mindfulness technique, role play and practice its applications, and visit over the experience and its value in our daily lives.

Autumn Closing Prayer:

When I must go, dear God, please let it be, A golden autumn day; when red leaves fall,
When purple grapes in shining clusters hang, And bittersweet glows bright against the wall,
When o’er the barren fields and russet meads, Their last farewells the crickets cry.
Let me make my silent journey, When the homing birds fly south across the sky.
When I must go, dear God, please let me go, As silently as autumn rain,
As still as lacy shadows ‘neath the willow trees, As calm as is the moon above the hill.
So let me go, and may there be no grief, When life is done and I must say goodbye.
I will take my leave with flowers and falling leaf, And lie in peaceful sleep beneath the sky.

  • Anonymous

Parting Blessing:
May the Peace of God which Surpasses All Understanding, Guard Your Hearts and Minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:7.

Peace and Joy! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus. SpiritofPeace.us

Community Church Service

Valley Days Community Church Service

All Are Welcome!

Valley Days Community Church Service
Valley Days Community Church Service

Sunday August 25th 10:00 am

During “rescheduled” Valley Days Car Show Registration

Light Meal and Fellowship about 11:00 or so following the Service.

Valley Vets Memorial Park 227 N Spruce St, Valley, NE

Contact: Pastors Michael & Cathy Hanus, SpiritofPeace.us minister@spiritofpeace.us 402-541-7019

Peace and Joy!

community church service

Valley Days Community Church Service

All Are Welcome!

Valley Days Community Church Service
Valley Days Community Church Service

Sunday August 11th 10:30 am

Light Meal & Ice Cream Social Fellowship about 11:15 or so following the Service.

Valley Vets Memorial Park 227 N Spruce St, Valley, NE

Contact: Pastors Michael & Cathy Hanus, SpiritofPeace.us minister@spiritofpeace.us 402-541-7019

Peace and Joy!

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

Farro and Gut Health

Farro and Gut Health 

Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach 

Springtime Luncheon
Springtime Luncheon

Opening Prayer 

Springtime luncheon 

Blessed be the Earth for providing us this food

Blessed be the Sun for helping it to grow

Blessed be the Wind and Birds for carrying its seed

Blessed be the Rain for the water’s loving flow.

Blessed be the hands that helped prepare this meal,

May those hands and our hands, bodies too, be well and quick to heal.

Blessed be our friends, our families, and all of our loved ones.

Blessed be our mother earth, our father sky and sun. Amen. 

 – Christian Prayer, Wanderlust. 

Presentation 

Gut regulation of the body 

 Microbiome care 

  Unhealthy bacteria, cancer cells feed on sugar 

  Healthy bacteria feed on ketones 

   Energy 

Stress 

Inflammation 

Gut – Brain messaging 

Probiotic role 

Vitamin B 

 Absorb vitamins from dietary foods or take proper supplements 

Farro 

Ancient Grain, derivative of wheat from Mesopotamia 

nutritious, fiber, antioxidants, protein, weight loss friendly

sufficient carbs for standard diabetic diet 

Chia Seed and yogurt topping 

Hemp Hearts, Omega 3, fiber 

Meal 

Strawberries 

Mango, Papaya 

Farro, steamed 

Chicken, braised 

 Coconut oil 

Spaghetti squash 

Broccoli 

Beverage 

Ginger Tea 

Activity 

Planning Community Garden 

Heirloom vegetables 

Flowers for vases 

Closing Prayer 

As we come together at this special time, let us pause a moment to appreciate the opportunity for good company and to thank all those past and present whose efforts have made this event possible. 

We reap the fruits of our society, our country, and our civilization, and take joy in the bounties of nature on this happy occasion. 

Let us also wish that, some day, all people on Earth may enjoy the same good fortune that we share. 

 – Red Bank, Wanderlust. 

Valley Flood 2019 Health Wellness

Post Valley Flood 2019 Health Wellness
Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach

Post Valley Flood 2019 Health Wellness, Spirit of Peace

Opening Prayer and Lesson
Flood Prayer, Martin Luther

Almighty and eternal God, according to Your strict judgment You condemned the unbelieving world through the flood, yet according to Your great mercy You preserved believing Noah and his family, eight souls in all. You drowned hard-hearted Pharaoh and all his host in the Red Sea, yet led Your people Israel through the water on dry ground, prefiguring this washing of Your Holy Baptism. Through the Baptism in the Jordan of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, You sanctified and instituted all waters to be a blessed flood, and a lavish washing away of sin. We pray that You would behold (name) according to Your boundless mercy and bless him with true faith by the Holy Spirit that through this saving flood all sin in him which has been inherited from Adam and which he himself has committed since would be drowned and die. Grant that he be kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Christian Church, being separated from the multitude of unbelievers and serving Your name at all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope, so that, with all believers in Your promise, he would be declared worthy of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Three things that Luther’s Flood Prayer teaches us about Holy Baptism:

First, Holy Baptism drowns sin. Just as the flood drowned the evil and violent people in Noah’s day, and Pharaoh and his army were drowned in the Red Sea, so all sin in you is drowned and put to death. This includes both the original sin you inherit from Adam along with all the sins that you have ever committed. This drowning is not something that happens only at your baptism, but every time you confess your sins you are drowning them again. Luther says in the Small Catechism, “What does such baptizing with water indicate? It indicates that that Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die, with all sins and evil desires.”

Second, Holy Baptism saves you. Noah and his family had a new life after the flood. The Israelites were set free from death and slavery in Egypt through the Red Sea. You have a new life in Holy Baptism. This is a pure gift of God because of His grace and mercy. In Holy Baptism you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who creates faith for you to trust in God and His gifts. The Holy Spirit will also keep you safe in the church until our Lord returns, just as He kept Noah and His family safe in the ark.

Third, Baptism leads to a life of service and praise. Luther prays that the one being baptized would serve God “all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope.” In baptism you are made a member of God’s holy priesthood and called to a life of service to Him. The sacrifices you offer are not the blood of sacrificial animals but the sacrifice of praise to God and acts of love towards your neighbor. This is the life to which you are called through your baptism.

That is just the tip of the iceberg. There is much more about baptism here in this prayer to meditate on throughout our life. In fact, you do not have to pray this prayer solely at baptisms. You can continue to pray this prayer for yourself as you give thanks for your baptism and pray that God keep you in true faith through His Holy Spirit, and you can use this prayer to pray for all of God’s baptized people. – Rev. Dr. Mark Birkholz. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oak Lawn, IL.

Opening Hymn

Living Hope
Phil Wickham
https://youtu.be/9f2FXxDVO6w

Health and Wellness Presentation

Managing Physical and Emotional Stressors with Nutrition

  • Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach

Meal

Fresh fruit

Ham

Assorted Prepared and Raw Fresh Vegetables

Fresh fruit Dessert

Bug Out Bag BOB Presentation
BOB
Go Bag

Exemplary Bug Out Bag. You may choose to keep specialized personal items you keep ready to go.

A Bug-Out Bag or BOB is a portable kit that normally contains the items one would require to survive for 72 hours when evacuating from a disaster.

Discussion.

Exercise

All Are Welcome to Exercise with Pastor Michael!

Just 10 Minutes of Exercise a Week May Be Enough to Extend Your Life, Study Says; But more is better.

Exercising for just 10 minutes a week is linked to a longer life, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Several recent studies have found that even low-intensity exercise, done for a short amount of time, can have a meaningful impact on health. Still, the idea that exercising for 10 minutes a week, less time than it takes to watch a TV show, do a load of laundry or make a pot of pasta, may be enough to increase your lifespan is novel. It is also somewhat controversial, since the federal physical activity guidelines recommend getting at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise or 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week.
http://time.com/5553504/exercise-to-live-longer/

Citation
Beneficial associations of low and large doses of leisure time physical activity with all-cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality: a national cohort study of 88,140 US adults. – British Journal of Sports Medicine https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2019/02/26/bjsports-2018-099254

Chris Tomlin
Our God
https://youtu.be/O5d_gm9zrnY

Closing Prayer

Compassionate God, source of all comfort; We pray for the people whose lives have devastated by rain and flood.
Bring them comfort, we pray. Protect the vulnerable. Strengthen the weak. Keep at bay the spread of disease. Have mercy on all those working to rescue the stranded and to feed the hungry. May our response to their suffering be generous and bring you praise.
We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. – Christian Aid.

Go in Peace to Serve the Lord.
Amen.

Movie Season Celebration

Another Movie Season Celebration is upon us! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus, along with our Missional Ministry Staff, have the fellowship sharing desire to kick off another Movie Season Celebration! We are blessed to have generous resources to gather dozens of youth and adults every Movie Season from Valley and surrounding communities for a movie and lively fellowship at a meal nearby. If you are new to this Celebration and would like to join us, you are invited. Do not be shy, just contact us for a mutually available time. Spirit.Peace@outlook.com Feel free to call, leave a message and text 402-541-7019

Pastor Michael invites youth and adults to accompany him to movie theaters in the community for movie viewing, light meals, fellowship and lively discussion.

Dinner and a Movie at the Theater

“MMM”s: movie meet-ups, meals and mingling are a great way to enjoy the passing of time, energize our spirits and enjoy life.

If you have an interest in this activity in the missional community, please contact us at: Spirit.Peace@outlook.com

Free Health Wellness proper balance

Proper Balance Lunch n Learn

Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach 

Opening Prayer 

Dear Heavenly Father,

There has to be more to more to life than just my work and duties.  I am a responsible person and most of the time I feel very guilty for wanting to step back and actually enjoy the pleasures of life. So, to avoid this guilt, I do not choose activities that incite this guilt. Doing this has made me very stressed and unhappy.

I have such a hard time finding that proper balance.  I need your wisdom and discernment of what to say: “No.” to so I will have more time for things I need to say: “Yes!” to.

Can you open my eyes to see what I am missing and how I need to fill in those areas?  Please show me what I need to omit from my schedule, too.

Help me to relax and really enjoy my downtime.  And in this relaxed state, I want to hear your still and quiet voice.  I have noticed that when things are crazy and hectic, I can not hear your voice. 

I can also see that in this busy-ness, I am losing my ground because I am not connecting with you like I should be.

Lord, I love you and you are all that I need. Help me to depend on you more and myself less.

When my life is over, I do not want to have any regrets that I did not spend time with the people who mattered most, especially YOU. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.” – Julia Shalom Jordan. Shalom be with You. May 21, 2013. 

Presentation 

Create Your Energy Roadmap 

Discuss the Circle of Life. 

Complications 

 ADHD. 

Food solutions: 

 Lower carbs 

 Increase Omega 3 fatty acid 

 Fish 

 Flaxseed 

Proper Balance Lunch n Learn

Meal 

Appetizer

 Celery 

 Natural ground peanut butter 

Braised Chicken 

Coconut oil 

Poultry seasonings 

Broccoli, green 

Brussels Sprouts, green 

Cauliflower, white 

Green Beans, green 

Sweet Potato, orange 

Vegetable seasonings 

Dessert 

Table grapes, red 

Crisp Apple slices 

Exercise 

Light Exercise Following a Meal Has Tremendous Impact on Triglyceride Levels. 

Many studies have demonstrated that the timing of meals and exercise is important for glycogen loading, muscle building and improved nutrient uptake and utilization by the body.  These studies have shown that even a single bout of exercise can change the body’s hormonal response that in turn positively affects nutrient metabolism in skeletal muscle, liver and even adipose (fat) tissue. 

 – Karen Hughes. MS. Cooper Institute. 

Reference: 

Aoi, W. (2013). Combined light exercise after meal intake suppresses postprandial serum triglyceride. Medicine & Science In Sports & Exercise, 45(2), 245 – 252. 

Exercise engaged:

We do our standard post meal light theraband muscle stretches Basic workout while seated. 

Closing Song:

Lives in the Balance 

Jackson Browne 

Closing Prayer 

Lord, help me to create a balanced life.

Help me to take time to enjoy life, 

to be a person full of gratitude.

Help me take time to love, 

to extend my hand in service to those around me.

Lord, remind me to take time to learn, 

to be disciplined and accountable.

Help me to make a difference in the 

small and big moments of my life.

Lord, help me to keep smiling, 

to be happy, and to try to be myself. 

Lord, infuse me with your spirit 

so I can create a life of balance, 

moderation, and simplicity.

And whatever my challenge, 

let it be an occasion to deepen my life’s purpose. Amen. 

 – Susan Burke. Notre Dame Prayer Book. Ave Maria.