Walk with the Lord

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Ps. 37:23.

A small pamphlet I received from a friend was titled, “An Attempt to Share the Story of 86 Years of Relationship with the Lord.” In it, he notes key people and events in his journey of faith over nearly nine decades. What seems to be ordinary choices at the time – memorizing Bible verses, meeting for prayer with others, telling his neighbors about Jesus – becomes turning points that change the direction of his life. It was fascinating to read how the Lord’s hand guides and encourages him.

The psalmist writes, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” Ps. 37:23. The passage continues with a beautiful description of the Lord’s faithful care for everyone who wants to walk with Him. “The law of his Lord is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.” Ps. 37:31.

Each of us could create a record of the Lord’s leading and faithfulness, reflecting on the Lord’s guidance – the people, places, and experiences that are landmarks on our pathway of faith. Every remembrance of the Lord’s goodness encourages us to keep walking with Him and to thank someone who influenced us for good. The Lord guides and guards all who walk with Him. David McCasland. Daily Bread.

Psalm 37 song – Rachel Sauls

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your faithfulness to us is unfailing. Thank You for leading, guiding, and providing so many spiritual encouragers and mentors. Bless those today who have helped us so much. You are heading in the right direction when you walk with the Lord.  Amen.

INSIGHT: The psalms of David speak so powerfully and realistically to us because they are records of his own experience – his own trials and hardship. We often like to focus on phrases like the one found in Ps. 37:23, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.” But the reality comes in Ps. 37:24, “Though he may stumble, he will not fall.” We will stumble even when we delight in the Lord, but we will not fall because He upholds us.

Do Not Be Afraid Reflection  for the Community

Everyone is Welcome!

It is I; do not be afraid. John 6:20.

Be Not Afraid
John Michael Talbot

– performed by Josh Groban

You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst. You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way. You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand. You shall see the face of God and live.

Prayer:
In your compassionate love, O God, you nourish us with the words of life and bread of blessing. Grant that Jesus may calm our fears and move our hearts to praise your goodness by sharing our bread with others. Amen.

As We Gather the Steadfast Love of the Lord

Maranatha Singers

AS WE GATHER MAY YOUR SPIRIT WORK WITHIN US

AS WE GATHER MAY WE GLORIFY YOUR NAME

KNOWING WELL THAT AS OUR HEARTS BEGIN TO WORSHIP

WE’LL BE BLEST BECAUSE WE CAME.

Prayer:
Sustainer of the hungry, like a mother you long to feed your children until each is satisfied. Turn our eyes to you alone, that, aware of our own deepest longings, we will reach out with Christ to feed others with the miracle of your love.  Amen.

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.

Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!
Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!

Contact Us with Special Requests!

Friday Evenings in the Park

Family Activities, Food, Fun!

– List is Growing! – Mix in Your Suggestions!

most Friday evenings – about 6:00 pm until done.

Valley City Park Large Pavilion, 400 West Vass Street

– sponsored by Spirit of Peace

Pastors Michael & Cathy Hanus – Visit with Pastor!

Spirit.Peace@outlook.com blog.peacelcmc.org

Connect with Your Spirit! Check the blog! Contact Pastor!

Step 11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with GOD as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will, and the power to carry that out. AA.org. 
Step 11 suggests prayer and meditation. We shouldn’t be shy in this matter of prayer. Better men than we are using it constantly. It works, if we have the proper attitude and work at it. -A.A. Big Book p.85-86.  
Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light or food the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we likewise deprive our minds, our emotions and our intuitions of vitally needed support. As the body can fail its purpose for lack of nourishment, so can the soul. We all need the light of God’s reality, the nourishment of His strength, and the atmosphere of His grace. To an amazing extent the facts of A.A. life confirm this ageless truth. – Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 97-98. 
Step 11 provides daily spiritual maintenance. As recovering persons, we may use our support groups and recovery literature as springboards toward spiritual and emotional growth. We will probably reach a level, though, at which we hunger for an even deeper contact and communication with God…
If we have had little or no experience with prayer, we should probably begin in a simple fashion. That means putting aside perfectionistic concerns about praying “the right way.” We should pray simply and forthrightly to God as a loving Father, not worrying about what we should and should not say.
Over time, as we become comfortable with God, we will talk with Him as with a trusted friend. He will be the Person with whom we can conduct our daily inventories of grief and confession issues. And we will begin to sense His answers to our prayers… – Serenity, A Companion for Twelve Step Recovery, p. 72, 73. 
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14. 
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” Col. 3:16. 

Veni Creator Spiritus Holy Gifts 

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,

and in our hearts take up Thy rest;

come with Thy grace and heav’nly aid,

To fill the hearts which Thou hast made. 

Martin Luther used this chant as the basis for his chorale for Pentecost “Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist” published in 1524.

Step 11 is my continual reality check and compass. It keeps me grounded in the reality that I know has brought me out of my addictive behaviors. It keeps me in a safe place by keeping my conscious contact with God. Through prayer and meditation I maintain this conscious contact with God and continually try to carry out what God leads me to do. In that path, I find the sanity, serenity and joy that I have been seeking. – From 12Step.org  

By this time in all probability we have gained some measure of release from our more devastating handicaps. We enjoy moments in which there is something like real peace of mind. To those of us who have hitherto known only excitement, depression, or anxiety – in other words, to all of us – this newfound peace is a priceless gift. – TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 74. 
I am learning to let go and let God, to have a mind that is open and a heart that is willing to receive God’s grace in all my affairs; in this way I can experience the peace and freedom that come as a result of surrender. It has been proven that an act of surrender, originating in desperation and defeat, can grow into an ongoing act of faith, and that faith means freedom and victory. 
Today’s reflection theme incorporates the concept of spiritual surrender. Surrender is defined as the act of giving up one’s own control to an acknowledged higher power. This is what may be met intuitively with resistance by our own learned behavioral tendencies. It is that belief that we must manage every facet of our behavior, or others’ behavior, even that which we have little or no control over, that creates the profound challenge. We must be willing to surrender that which we have no control over to the higher power. 

Of course this challenge to surrender may create confusion and frustration. What do we let go of – where does that letting go begin and end? This confusion and frustration is plainly evident in the Surrender song written and performed by Cheap Trick: 
Surrender – written and performed by Cheap Trick. 

Mother told me, yes, she told me That I’d meet girls like you. 

She also told me, “Stay away you’ll never know what you’ll catch.” 

When we approach the task more maturely, perhaps with the assistance of a mentor, life coach, or pastor, we explore the more definitive logical task of experiencing and recognizing feedback and assurance that we are indeed releasing our troubles and receiving grace in return! 
All to Jesus I Surrender  – performed by VineYard

All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give. 
I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence I will live. 

All to Jesus I surrender, Savior make me wholly thine. 

Let me feel Your Holy Spirit, Truly know that You are mine. 

Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. – 1 John 3:18.

We are going to explore compassion, a character trait that will be great to practice behaviorally as we engage Step 11!

Every so often when I walk into my office in the morning, I find a surprise on my desk. Not long ago the item was a sunflower coffee mug dropped off by a fellow employee. She had seen it in a shop and knew it would cheer up my wife – so she bought it and left it on my desk with an encouraging note.
It was my pleasure to take that gift home to my wife and to give it to her in the name of the woman who wanted to encourage her.
This person could have simply thought about my wife. She could have talked to someone about her in a positive way. But those things don’t come close to providing the encouragement that comes from taking action.
In 1 John 3:18, John talked about what we are to do when we see others in need. He told us to have active compassion: “Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed.” When we see a need, it is good to talk about it, but we must also do something about it. We are instructed, “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.” James 1:22.
Ask the Holy Spirit to place someone on your heart to help in Jesus’ name. Then take action. Make a difference today. Send a card. Give a gift. Offer a ride. Make a call. Love in deed is love indeed. – Dave Branon. Daily Bread.
Compassion (Change the World).  – Andrew Witt.

Lord, when I learn that someone is hurting,
Help me know what to do and to say;

Speak to my heart and give me compassion,

Let Your great love flow through me today. – K. De Haan

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes that we may see you in our brothers and sisters. Lord, open our ears that we may hear the cries of the hungry, the cold, the frightened, the oppressed. Lord, open our hearts that we may love each other as you love us. Renew in us your spirit. Lord, free us and make us one. Compassion is love in action. Amen. – Mother Teresa.

Trust in Jesus Celebration  for the  Community Everyone is Welcome!

All who touched His cloak were healed. Mark 6:56. Trust in Jesus!

Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us

Dorothy A Thrupp (1736).  – performed by Rick Betts.

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, Much we need Thy tender care;

In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, For our use Thy folds prepare:

Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;

Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

Prayer:  Holy God of Israel, ever present and moving among your people, draw us near to you, that in place of hostility there may be peace; in place of loneliness, compassion; in place of aimlessness, direction; and in place of sickness, healing; through Christ Jesus, in whom you draw near to us. Amen.

Trust in Jesus  – performed by Third Day.

One of these days we all will stand in judgment for every single word that we have spoken.

One of these days we all will stand before the Lord, Give a reason for everything we’ve done

And what I’ve done is:

Trust in Jesus, My great Deliverer, My strong Defender, The Son of God.

I trust in Jesus, Blessed Redeemer, My Lord forever, The Holy One, the Holy One.

Prayer:  Shepherd God, you call us into a rhythm of work and rest that our lives may be the better for it. So shape our leisure and our labor, that the world will recognize us as Jesus’ disciples and our ministry as what you would have us do. Amen.

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.

Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!

Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!

Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!

Contact Us with Special Requests!

Friday Evenings in the Park

Family Activities, Food, Fun!

– List is Growing! – Mix in Your Suggestions!

most Friday evenings – about 6:00 pm until done.

Valley City Park Large Pavilion, 400 West Vass Street

– sponsored by Spirit of Peace

Pastors Michael & Cathy Hanus – Visit with Pastor!

Spirit.Peace@outlook.com blog.peacelcmc.org

Connect with Your Spirit! Check the blog! Contact Pastor!

Step 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when wrong, promptly admitted it.  AA.org 

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith GOD has given you.” Romans 12:3.

Have Thine Own Way Lord
Adelaide Pollard (1906).

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!  Thou art the potter, I am the clay.  Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.

How It Works: This thought brings us to Step Ten, which suggests we continue to take personal inventory and continue to set right any new mistakes as we go along. We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help. Love and tolerance of others is our code.  – A.A. Big Book p.84

The emphasis on inventory is heavy only because a great many of us have never really acquired the habit of accurate self-appraisal. Once this healthy practice has been groomed, it will be so interesting and profitable that the time it takes won’t be missed. For these minutes and sometimes hours spent in self-examination are bound to make all the other hours of our day better and happier. And at length our inventories become a regular part of everyday living, rather than unusual or set apart.  – Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 89-90

Step 10 begins laying the foundation for the rest of my life. It is a pledge to continually monitor my life with honesty and humility. It requires me to be vigilant against my addictive behavior and against the triggers for my addictive behavior. It requires me to be humble before my God who can keep me from my addictive behavior if I have the right attitude. It requires me to deal with my defects promptly when they arise and not to let them linger in my life. – From 12Step.org

Our daily inventory certainly needs to assess the status of our relationship with God. Are we still yielding our will to Him? Bill Wilson emphasized how crucial this evaluation is, especially for addictive personalities, which tend to be willful. Our need to surrender ourselves to God on a daily basis will go on throughout our lives, and we shall explore the means of that continuing spiritual surrender in Step 11. – Serenity, A Companion for Twelve Step Recovery, p. 67, 69.

Unconditional love is known as affection without any limitations, it can also be love without conditions. This term may be associated with other terms such as true altruism or complete love. 

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  John 14:2.

Is there no greater example of unconditional love as we find in Biblical Scripture where Jesus endures hardship and questioning as He lives a life of example, then suffers and dies on the cross for our sins, hands us the gracious Gift of Salvation for our belief in Him and makes a place for us in Heaven?

A thousand strands of time, events, and people weave into a tapestry we call place. More than just a house, place is where meaning, belonging, and safety come together under the covering of our best efforts at unconditional love. Place beckons us with memories buried deep in our souls. Even when our place is not perfect, its hold on us is dramatic, magnetic.

The Bible speaks frequently of place. We see an example in Nehemiah’s longing for a restored Jerusalem.  Neh. 1:3-4; 2:2.  It is no surprise, then, that Jesus would speak of place when He wants to comfort us.

“Let not your heart be troubled, I go to prepare a place for you.”  John 14:1-2.

For those who have fond memories of earthly places, this promise links us to something we can easily understand and look forward to. For those whose places have been anything but comforting and safe, Jesus promises that one day they will hear the sweet song place sings, for they will inhabit it with Him. – Randy Kilgore. Daily Bread.

Unconditional Love – Johnny UK

Whatever the struggle, whatever the faltering on your faith journey, remember this:  There is a place in heaven already waiting, fitted just for you.  Jesus would not have said so if it were not true.

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, I can not wait to live in the home You have prepared for me. Thank You that no matter what my earthly place holds, comfort or pain, my home with You will be so much better. May the memory of our earthly place point us with hope to our heavenly place.  Amen.