This is a very engaging activity! Spirit of Peace Ministers enjoy engaging the Missional Community! Valley Days can be challenging but satisfying. We took on all interested people, numbering well over one hundred, over the afternoon hours. We served a lunch of Crafted Angus and Sirloin quarter pound burgers, Natural Bratwurst sausages, Quarter pound beef hot dogs, homemade cabbage and carrot slaw and Southern style potato salad, Fresh garden mint sun tea; and
Ta-Da! well over one hundred vanilla, chocolate, chocolate chip sundaes with various fresh fruit, nut and other toppings! were served.
There was concurrent Rocket Design, Build and Launch going on. People of all ages chose the color of their pre-rolled rocket fuselage, rolled their own, selected personal creative colors and designs for fins and nose cones. Over one hundred personalized rockets were designed, built and launched; with many great performers flying over the fence!
Fellowship is our strong suit. We enjoy community engagement! Our volunteers are caring and concerned. We appreciate everyone who stopped by to engage or observe! We look forward to visiting again!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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
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).
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
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
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
This articulated service has ended. Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord. Amen.
Bats are God’s creatures sent to us in order to assist in maintaining a safe environment with fewer disease carrying mosquitoes. One bat feeds on many mosquitoes in one night. During our waking daylight hours, bats need a restful, comfortable, safe home for rest and relaxation. We will Design, Build and Launch this Project!
Please Join Us! All Are Welcome!
Bat House Build
Light Meal, Engaging Fellowship!
Saturday, June 29th, 11 am – 1 pm or so
Spirit Mini-Park 105 N Spruce St. Valley, NE 68064
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.
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
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.