Emmanuel's Seniors Journal

Hi Everyone, My goal is to only write once a week, but today presented many simple gifts I would like to share.  I had both CT scans done today which is a blessing, and I was told my surgeons will receive the results today.  I ask, please pray I will receive confirmed dates for surgery quickly.    I asked for two things this summer, to see a beautiful Monarch Butterfly in my backyard and for my morning glory to bring forth a flower.    As I went out into my yard at lunch, now almost the end of summer, I was given both requests.  A monarch landed near me on the railing of my deck, sadly I was unable to take a picture and then I noticed a white and purple flower on the morning glory plant.  Both requests were given today, I feel extremely blessed.  I also would like to share an email from earlier today that my friend Roger sent.  He wrote a post three weeks ago, about his friends the beavers.  I was encouraged and blessed by his words...

  As we all have experienced, 2020 will be a year to remember, walking through a pandemic, financial burdens, not able to see love ones, riots, and I am sure the list of events can go on for each one of us.     Personally, there have been some fantastic wins and some profound valleys during this season.   I never thought I would help teach a child to learn at home. Learning to help home school back in March was a challenge for our family and continues to be.   But the challenge is worth it. We are growing closer as a family. Alex was in grade two when the school closed, and now he is enrolled in online learning grade three. I am amazed at how much he knows about the computer as we started his online homework yesterday.   This grandma is going to really need to rely on the Holy Spirit to teach her a deeper understanding of grace.   A bonus of staying at home to learn, notice Alex has no shoes or socks on! As I have mentioned in earlier posts, I ha...

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...

Good Morning Everyone, I have been reflecting all week on how to connect with the senior community at EBC.   Having a blog is a great idea, but not everyone goes online. Email or phone seems to be the way to communicate during these days of isolation.   I have been writing a Sunday Morning Thought , for three weeks and posting it on the blog, but today I am also sending it via email. I want all of you to know I care, and I AM praying for you.   Thank you to all who are praying for me during this time I appreciate every prayer.   I have been doing well. During this time of isolation, it is my prayer that this time will be used wisely and not wasted. I sense that this is truly a time to practice being still before God, letting Him guide and direct my prayers.   And to practice being grateful for all that I have even the gift of every breath I breathe.   Living a grateful life truly makes a difference in this world. A scripture that has been in my pr...

Living God,  we worship you today with joy in our hearts and thanksgiving on our lips. When the powers of evil had done their worst,  crucifying your son, and burying him in death,  you raised him to life again: an act of power giving hope to the world. Lord Jesus,  we rejoice that death could not keep you in its grip; that you were raised to life, alive forevermore.  You greeted your friends,  and now you stand amongst us in your risen power.  Spirit of God, you are always giving life to the people of God,  giving birth to the children of God. Remodel us in the image of Jesus,  fill us with his love and enable us with his risen power,  that we might be faithful to his way,  used by you in redeeming your world.   Amen.    "I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 ...

All week thoughts of revival have caught my attention.   What would it look like for true revival to take over the world and turn people’s hearts back to the One True God?   Following is a quote from E. M. Bounds and a scripture verse to consider what personal and corporate revival looks like during the time of COVID-19. "All the true revivals have been born in prayer.   When God’s people become so concerned about the state of religion that they lie on their faces, day and night in earnest supplication, the blessing will be sure to fall.”   E. M. Bounds “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 Prayer:   Father God, I pray that during this time, people will turn to you with their whole heart.   That they will be open to the work of Your Spirit in their life, and true...

For those who appreciate prayer prompts, this prayer for COVID-19 is a good start for your prayers.  What I like about this prayer, the writer Kerry Weber prays the prayer.  A Coronavirus Prayer Click here to listen. Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love. Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care. Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another. Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders. Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow. Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace. Be...

Father show me your ways clearly through the pauses in daily life through my anxious thoughts through all my wrong choices let Your truth be my plumb-line let Your mercy be my power to see let Your grace be the gift over my life let Your forgiveness bring healing From Your hand comes grace and blessings moment by moment into each human life. Amen. John 1:16