Emmanuel's Seniors Journal

I am so glad I can connect with you through email and the Emmanuel Blog.   I am missing worship together on Sunday mornings, but coming together does not only happen on Sunday.   I also appreciate the new ways I have found to connect.   Last week, I had pleasant visits in backyards, the church parking lot, over a bowl of soup, on long walks in the park, sitting on a park bench, and of course, through zoom groups, texts, and emails. The conversations have been delightful and encouraging.   I have also enjoyed hearing the different ways people are abiding in Christ. Very inspiring. We are continuing to connect through listening to one another’s thoughts on what it means to be part of the vine, as we walk through our daily lives, walking with Jesus and one another.   Today, I listened to the morning service sitting in the sun, at 9:30 am imagining others were also worshipping at the same time. A few weeks ago, I talked about taking time to pause, and last wee...

Alex and I have been riding our bikes each night out into Lakeview park.   There is something beautiful about riding a bike in the summer, like a warm wind blowing across your face (I was going to say through your hair, but I wear a helmet). Then the freedom of being on a bike, and being with my grandson.   I like to get on the bike and ride until I get home, without too many stops.   Alex wants to ride, pause for a few moments he calls it fueling up his bike, then off we will go again.   We stop, chat, and take in the surroundings while he fills up.   During a forty-minute ride, he will stop at least five times.   I am learning from him to pause and enjoy the world around me.   Not to be so focused on completing a task instead, stop and be aware. Being still and practicing pause is vital to good health.   There are three areas of life we need to keep in balance, even when we consider taking time to pause silently, they are: physically, emotiona...

As I write, my vacation days are coming to an end. The last two weeks have been very restful, and I have enjoyed my backyard during these warmer days.   As I mentioned last week, the staff have so graciously stepped forward to help write, to encourage those who read the senior's blog.   Today we have devotional from Rob: some thoughts on neighbours…   One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”   Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”   The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”   “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”                           ...