Tag Archives: prayer

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!

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

Give Thanks for Community

Give Thanks Prayers Over Community 

Gratitude 

Dear Lord, Thank you for Your amazing power and work in our lives, Thank you for Your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that You are able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for Your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that You are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for Your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Please forgive us for when we do not thank You enough, for who You are, for all that You do, for all that you give. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on You afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with Your peace and joy. We Love You and we need You, this day and every day. We give You praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy. In Jesus Christs Name, Thank You. Amen. 

 – adapted from Crosswalk.com 

How Can We Pray for You Today?
How Can We Pray for You Today?

Prayers over and for the Missional Community 

In our offering basket today, each and every one of us has placed written examples of 

1. Demonstration that our Community is Broken and in Need of Healing; and 

2. Demonstration that God is at work within our Missional Community today. 

Pray for families. Families are a crucial social presence, and they can weather some significant challenges. Pray for the parents, aunts, grandparents, uncles, cousins, siblings, children, and all family members in our community. 

Heavenly Father, we ask for Your presence in families in our Missional Community. We pray for strength and understanding between the marriages in our community. We ask for loving, strong bonds between the children, teenagers, adults, and grandparents. We pray that each branch of the family would demonstrate love for one another. 

– adapted from fcsministries.org 

Pray for relationships between neighbors. Healthy relationships between neighbors create a loving and compassionate community, Pray that neighbors will learn from each other’s differences and find common ground in the community. 

God Almighty, we ask for healthy, thriving relationships between neighbors. We pray different cultures will be able to understand and care for one another in our community. We pray that the diversity of your people will be celebrated by all neighbors, just as you affirm and love each one of us. 

– adapted from fcsministries.org 

Pray for schools. Pray that schools will be a place of positive influence for students in the community. We hope to see schools that contribute to the social fabric of the Missional Community and equip our adults and children to achieve and thrive. 

Father, we pray for the Community teachers and school administration staff who devote their days to shepherding our students. Please be present as these leaders make impactful decisions. We ask for guidance and patience for the parent volunteers as they serve our community schools. We pray that our schools will be a safe, positive community for our students. 

– adapted from fcsministries.org 

Pray for local churches. Churches in the community are too often disconnected from the communities in which the physical building resides. We hope to see congregations committed to serving the residents and representing the hands and feet of Jesus. 

Lord God, we pray for your guidance for our local pastor and ministers as they nurture Your congregation and seek to serve those around them. We pray congregations will welcome neighbors with open arms. We hope for residents to find a place to experience community with the body of Christ as they grow spiritually. 

– adapted from fcsministries.org 

Pray for safety and peace. A community where all residents feel welcomed and safe is one we strive to create. Pray God would allow our neighbors to find safety in their living situations. 

God, our Prince of Peace, we ask for your presence in the streets and homes of our community. We pray for local law enforcement, for their safety and wisdom and compassion in all circumstances. We pray your comfort for those who have experienced violence, and we ask your protection for all our neighbors.  

– adapted from fcsministries.org 

Pray for local politicians and leaders. Many communities experience marginalization when important decisions are being made. Pray for community voices to be heard in matters that impact them at all political levels.

Father, we ask you to give our political leaders wisdom make decisions affecting our community. We pray they will be thoughtful in their decisions and listen to the voices of the community. We pray for courage to stand up for our community and to live with grace and dignity in our community. 

– adapted from fcsministries.org 

Pray for residents. Pray for each neighbor by their name. Pray that your neighbors and residents of the community will know Jesus more deeply in their lives and have the opportunity to flourish as a community. 

God, we ask for a flourishing community, where neighbors learn to love each other and come to know Jesus. We pray that we can be good stewards of Your love to each one of our neighbors. We ask that You help us to learn from our community, and it may be a place where all are welcomed. Amen. 

 – adapted from fcsministries.org 

Supplications: 

Peace to All who are present here. Amen. 

Peace to this Missional Community, in the Lords Name We Pray. Amen.  

Inspiring Peace Songs 

Inspiring Peace Songs

This articulated service has ended. Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord. Amen. 

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.

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.