GOD Will Remove All These Defects of Character

Step 6. We are entirely ready to have GOD remove all these defects of character. AA.org. This step states the best possible attitude one can take in order to make a beginning on this lifetime job. This does not mean that we expect all our character defects to be lifted out of us as the drive to drink was. A few of them may be, but with most of them we shall have to be content with patient improvement. The words “entirely ready” underline the fact that we want to aim at the very best we know or can learn.
– Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 65.

Psalm 139. Search Me Lord.
Psalm 139. Search Me Lord.

Scripture states:
“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.” Isaiah 1:19.

As a rule, most defects of character involve some imbalance in the expression of and the experience of our most basic human needs. For example, ambition is not bad unless our experiences of this drive are imbalanced. If we are driven by ambition to the point of workaholism, this expression has become a defect we must address. Our sixth step prayers would not “Take away my ambition.” Rather, we might pray, “Channel my ambition into enhancing my private life as well as my work life.”
As we hold known defects of character up to God, we must avoid self-shaming and self-condemnation. The goal here is spiritual release, not spiritual self-punishment. For most of us, this process is ongoing. We will not be healed and sent forward immediately; rather, recovery will be a daily effort to evaluate, balance, and adjust the healthy expression of all of our God-given needs.
– Serenity, A Companion for Twelve Step Recovery, p. 50-51.

Precious Lord Take My Hand Beginnings
While leading a Church Service, Reverend Thomas Dorsey received a telegram that his wife and baby both died during childbirth. Rev. Dorsey was gripped by despair. Within one week as he sat before a piano, a peaceful calm came over him as he started to play and sing.
Composer Reverend Thomas Dorsey the “Father of Gospel Music” Writes Precious Lord Take My Hand.

Precious Lord, Take my hand
– performed by Elvis Presley

Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand. I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m alone.

Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light. Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.

Amen.

Community Sharing Concert

St Marks Lutheran 115 West Meigs Valley Nebraska plans a Father’s Day concert with Dave Anderson and Roger Walck on Sunday June 21 at the 8:15 am and 10:30 am Services. St Marks community invites everyone to come and enjoy the concert and service!

Dave Anderson & Roger Walck
Dave Anderson & Roger Walck

Welcome! Kingdom Celebration

Welcome! Kingdom Celebration for the Community

Everyone is Welcome!

The Kingdom of God is like the mustard seed. Mark 4:31.

Kingdom is like a Mustard Seed
Kingdom is like a Mustard Seed

Gracious Spirit Holy Ghost
Christopher Wordsworth (1862)

Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost, taught by you, we covet most,
of your gifts at Pentecost, holy, heavenly love.

Faith that mountains could remove, tongues of earth or heaven above,

knowledge, all things, empty prove without heavenly love.

Prayer:
Mighty God,
to you belong the mysteries of the universe.

You transform shepherds into kings,

the smallest seeds into magnificent trees,

and hardened hearts into loving ones.

Bless us with your life-giving Spirit,

re-create us in your image,

and shape us to your purposes,

through Jesus Christ. Amen.

How can I Keep from Singing

– performed by Chris Tomlin

There is an endless song Echoes in my soul I hear the music ring,

And though the storms may come I am holding on to the rock I cling,

How can I keep from singing Your praise? How can I ever say enough How amazing is Your love?

How can I keep from shouting Your name? I know I am loved by the King and it makes my heart want to sing!

I will lift my eyes in the darkest night for I know my Savior lives,

And I will walk with You knowing You’ll see me through and sing the songs You give.

Prayer:
God of judgment and mercy, when we hide ourselves in shame, you seek us out in love. Grant us the fullness of your forgiveness, that as one people, united by your grace, we may stand with Christ against the powers of evil. Amen.

This next quick hymn calls upon all of creation, on earth and in heaven, to offer praise to the Trinity, in recognition that all good things come from The Lord.

Doxology

Thomas Ken (1674)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

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!

Price: Free will offering (sweet!) Thank you!

Questions?: Please contact Michael or Cathy Hanus

Spirit.Peace@outlook.com

Do Not Lose Heart Devotion

Cooking can become tedious work when I do it three times a day, week after week. I get tired of peeling, cutting, slicing, mixing, and then waiting for food to bake, grill, or boil. But eating is never tedious! It’s actually something I truly enjoy even though I do it day after day.
Paul used the illustration of sowing and reaping because he knew that doing good can be tiring (Gal. 6:7-10). He wrote, “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9). It’s difficult to love our enemies, discipline our children, or pray without ceasing. However, reaping the good we have sown is not tedious! What a joy when we see love conquering strife, or children following God’s ways, or answers to prayer.

Do Not Lose Heart
Do Not Lose Heart

While the cooking process can take hours, my family usually finishes a meal in thirty minutes or less. But the reaping that Paul talks about will be eternal. As we have the opportunity, let’s do what is good and wait for the blessings in God’s timing. Do not lose heart today as you go about following God’s ways. Remember that joy is guaranteed for more than a lifetime. – Keila Ochoa – Daily Bread.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me not to become weary of doing good today. I’m thankful that some day I will be with You for a joy-filled eternity! For ever and ever Amen.

Keep running the race with eternity in view. Insight: The churches of Galatia, a province in ancient Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), were recipients of this emotionally charged letter from Paul. He had founded these churches (Gal. 1:8; 4:13,19), yet they had fallen away from the gospel of grace that he had preached to them. Instead, they had begun embracing a blend of the gospel and legalistic Judaism. Because grace, which is rooted in God’s kindness, and legalism, which is rooted in our performance, are incompatible; Paul responded with this letter in which he expresses deep concern for their spiritual condition.

You can and do make a difference!

Great Day for Rocket Science

Pastors awoke today to the sunshine and a great day!

What a day the Lord has given us to greet the community and … Design, Build and Launch Rockets!

Rocket Science Briefing
Rocket Science Briefing

Some days service to the community happens in unconventional ways! Here Pastor Cathy is briefing community youth on rocket science.

Launch Team
Launch Team

The launch team is ready for action out in the park. Pastor Michael, Brother Sebastian and Eric assist community youth in launching over fifty rockets this great day!

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Psalm 118:24.

This is the Day the Lord has Made.

Independence Day Celebration Soon

Independence Day Celebration Community Event is Coming Up!

Family Activities, Food, Fun!   –   List is Growing!
Friday, July 3, 3:00 – 7:00 pm
Saturday, July 4, 3:00 – 7:00 pm + SnoCones, GlowSticks

Valley City Park Large Pavilion,  400 West Vass Street
– sponsored by Spirit of Peace
Pastors Michael & Cathy Hanus
Spirit.Peace@outlook.com   —    blog.peacelcmc.org

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

Family FUN - Spirit of Peace
Family FUN – Spirit of Peace
EventBrite Tickets

FaceBook Event

In the Meantime We Offer:  Fellowship – Prayer – Church Services – Devotions – Discussion – Christian Education – Bible School – and More! – Contact Us!

Updates will be Coming!

Deceptive Perceptions Reflection

True humility credits God for every success. 

In his book “The Hidden Brain,” science writer Shankar Vedantam describes the day he went for a leisurely swim. The water was calm and clear, and he felt strong and proud for covering a long distance so easily. He decided to swim out of the bay and into open water. But when he tried to return he couldn’t make any progress. He had been deceived by the current. The ease of swimming had not been due to his strength but to the movement of the water.
In our relationship with God something similar can happen. “Going with the flow” can lead us to believe we’re stronger than we are. When life is easy, our minds tell us that it’s due to our own strength. We become proud and self-confident. But when trouble hits, we realize how little strength we have and how helpless we are.
This happened with the Israelites. God would bless them with military success, peace, and prosperity. But thinking they had achieved it on their own, they would then become proud and self-sufficient (Deut. 8:11-12). Assuming that they no longer needed God, they would go their own way until an enemy attacked and they would realize how powerless they were without God’s help.
When life is going well we too need to beware of self-deception. Pride will take us where we do not want to go. Only humility will keep us where we ought to be, grateful to God and dependent on His strength. – Julie Ackerman Link – Daily Bread.

Lay It Down (Humility) – Michael Gleason (2011) – Amber Sky –


I think it’s Time to Make a Change, It’s Time to Turn some Things Around, I’m gonna Stop and Rearrange, Take some Time and Lay It Down.

Prayer: Lord, we don’t dare trust in our own strength to do our tasks today. You are the Giver of our talents and opportunities. Help us use them not for our own advancement, but to help others. Amen.

Humility - thinking of yourself less
Humility – thinking of yourself less

Insight: The children of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and now stood at the threshold of the Promised Land. This important book reviews their covenant with God. – Deuteronomy.

 

Welcome! Sibling Celebration

Welcome! Sibling Celebration for the Community

Everyone is Welcome!

Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister. Mark 3:35.
Day by Day
AL Skoog and Carolina Sandell (1865)

– performed by Mennonite Choir

Day by day and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each day what He deems best;

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Carolina Sandell went out on the lake in a boat with her father and witnessed his drowning.

Love One Another
Love One Another

Prayer:

Unlike earthly kings, you, O Lord, are ever steadfast and faithful. You sent us your Son, Jesus the Christ, to rule over us, not as a tyrant, but as a gentle shepherd. Keep us united and strong in faith, that we may always know your presence in our lives, and, when you call us home, may we enter your heavenly kingdom where you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

The theme of this inspired hymn is about the sufficiency of Christ to give comfort, power, and grace in any circumstance. It is a plea that Jesus will provide sanctuary to the tempted.

Jesus Lover of My Soul
Charles Wesley (1740)

– performed by Altar of Praise Chorale

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly,

while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high;

hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;

safe into the haven guide, O receive my soul at last!

Prayer:
God of judgment and mercy, when we hide ourselves in shame, you seek us out in love. Grant us the fullness of your forgiveness, that as one people, united by your grace, we may stand with Christ against the powers of evil. Amen.

I Love to Tell the Story
Katie Hankey. William Fischer. 1866.

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,

of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;

it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

This quick hymn calls upon all of creation, on earth and in heaven, to offer praise to the Trinity, in recognition that all good things come from The Lord.
Doxology
Thomas Ken (1674)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

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!

Price: Free will offering (sweet!) Thank you!
Questions?: Please contact Michael or Cathy Hanus
Spirit.Peace@outlook.com

Psalm Significance Reflection

Feeling Insignificant? We are among seven billion people who coexist on a tiny planet that resides in a small section of a rather insignificant solar system. Our earth, in reality, is just one miniscule blue dot among millions of celestial bodies that God created. On the gigantic canvas that is our universe, our beautiful, majestic Earth appears as a tiny speck of dust.
That could make us feel extremely unimportant and inconsequential. However, God’s Word suggests that just the opposite is true. Our great God, who “measured the waters in the hollow of His hand” (Isa. 40:12), has singled out each person on this planet as supremely important, for we are made in His image.
The Lord has created everything for us to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17). Also, for all who have trusted Jesus as Savior, God has given purpose (Eph. 2:10). And then there’s this: Despite the vastness of this world, God cares specifically about each of us. Psalm 139 says He knows what we are going to say and what we are thinking. We can’t escape His presence, and He planned our earthly existence before we were born.
We don’t need to feel unimportant when the God of the universe is this interested in us! – Dave Branon – Daily Bread
God of Wonders

Creator of the Universe
Creator of the Universe

Third Day –


Lord of all creation, of water earth and sky, the heavens are your Tabernacle. Glory to the Lord on high.

Prayer: Lord, I look out into the vastness of the heavens and I see the grandeur of Your infinite power, yet You look at me from heaven and see someone You know, love, and care about. Thank You that You find value in me.

The God who created the universe is the God who loves you.
INSIGHT: The Psalms, attributed to King David, often give us insight into our human condition and encourage us with comforting thoughts about God’s power and wisdom. The opening verses of Psalm 139 affirm God’s omnipresence and omniscience, that He is everywhere and knows everything. O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
Amen.