Emmanuel's Seniors Journal

Spring brings the opportunity to plant seeds and bedding plants than to watch them grow.   Each year brings different flowers and colours.   I heard from several seniors in our community that they also enjoy planting and caring for their flower and vegetable gardens.   Getting outside and enjoying the sunshine is healthy and a nice reprieve from cold days of winter. Each week I look forward to the little nuggets of life-giving truth that come my way through reading blogs, emails, news articles and books.   One of the reasons I keep a journal is to save my treasured nuggets to read again in months or even years later.   I desire to live a life of gratefulness daily.   By remembering how God teaches me, His faithfulness, and how He cares for me, helps to nourish the gift of thankfulness.   The following are a few nuggets I gathered this week, and I hope they inspire gratefulness as you read. Nugget One:   I am a word person even if I have a ha...

Monday, the start of a new week and what a beautiful day we have been given. I pray you will have some time today to enjoy the sunshine and warmth. I just finished riding my bike around Lakeview park, it was lovely.  Last week, I asked Beverly Toth (Director for Children's Ministry) to share a thought from her life, and this week I thought it would be great to hear from Jan Smith (Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper) at Emmanuel. The title of Jan's thought is, Choosing to be Content.   "Hey Smith … one more lap at the same pace." "Ok coach", I replied, as I trudged out another 200m on the track.  In the back of my mind, I was justifying the hard work as I knew this training was going to pay off at the upcoming meets.  I was getting pretty excited as the flight tickets had just been purchased & the Team Canada clothing had been ordered for the World Masters Athletic Championships in Toronto this July.  As a masters athlete, every 5 year...

A few weeks ago, I thought it would be great if we could read a thought from Beverly Toth, our Children's Director.   She was thrilled to have an opportunity to write a letter for the Senior Adult community at Emmanuel.   Her note is like receiving a simple flower from a child; it blesses the heart of the receiver. Dear Friends, Robin asked if I would share with you today.  It is a pleasure to greet you.   I'm missing your kindness, your smiles, your encouragement.  Your pleasure in seeing the little ones skip to the front during the morning service times brings a smile. Their bright eyes were always so ready to share what amazing things happened to them that week.   I think about children sitting on the floor in a circle as we learned, prayed, and grew a little closer to the heart of God together during Sunday School classes.  I won't take those precious times for granted again. I think we've heard this ...

Perspective and gratitude seem to be the glue that helps us through hard times. Leaning on Christ to teach us and shape our thinking is also essential.   I have been pondering Matthew 11:27-30 from the Message over the last few months.   I like how Eugene Peterson wrote Jesus' words in this translation.   "Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. "The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.    "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Getaway with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything...

Every Friday, I receive an email from Scott Stoner, who sends out inspiring thoughts to consider.   Every May, he sends out requests for his readers to send him wise words women have spoken into their lives.    The following are the "Momisms" sent to Scott Stoner, and my personal favourite is, do not leave home without saying, "I love you."   Mother's Day can be an emotional time. Many of you shared your grief because this is the first Mother's Day since your mother or grandmother passed away, or because you can't be with your loved ones this year. For many people, and for many reasons, Mother's Day can sometimes be a sad time, and so my heart goes out to all who are grieving right now.   So, without further ado, here is the special Covid-19 edition of "Momisms." You don't have to like it, but you do have to do it. Never leave the house without saying, "I love you." (the first part seems especially releva...

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...

Good Morning I had the privilege to lead us in community prayer at EBC today. Click here to listen.   To begin, a prayer of confession. Our God, whose son is the light of the world and the resurrection and the life,          in his penetrating light we acknowledge our darkness; in his constant gaze, our careless love; in his generous giving, our sordid grasping; in his equal justice, our dire prejudice; in his fortitude, our fearful failure; in his inclusive love, our deep divisions; in his pure sacrifice, our selfish sins. But in his cross is our forgiveness, and in his resurrection, our enduring hope. The pardon and the promise we now claim in penitence and faith, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.   Holy Father, we gather today to worship and praise you.   Maybe not in a church building, but right here in this moment.   We come now to rest in your presence, remind us of...