Page 8 - Senior Times South Central Michigan May 2023 - 30-05

Page 8
Senior Times - May 2023
Faith
Life is Even Better at
NorthPointe Woods!
Enjoy the best in retirement living on a beautiful 50+ acre country setting campus in the heart of Battle Creek and just minutes from downtown. Have peace of mind living in a maintenance-free, safe, and secure community. Senior living at its best!
CONTACT Amber Duncan to schedule your private or virtual tour!
(269) 964-7625 / NorthPointeWoods.org
700 North Avenue in Battle Creek
WORDS
off as the real thing. So don’t gossip! There I’ve said it!
MATTERS
Rev. Dr. James Gysel, Special to Senior Times
Have you ever tried to get the toothpaste back into the tube after you’ve squeezed it out? Tricky isn’t it? More like impossible! I’ve literally done this with a group of children, illustrating with toothpaste and a paper plate, (they love it!) with the point being that our words are like that toothpaste... Once we’ve said them, they are out! And there’s no taking them back.
Remember what mother said? “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.” Now that was real wisdom.
I was shocked this week when I read the posting of a profanity on Facebook about a fairly important issue. I was shocked because this public display of profanity was by someone who I trust as a friend, and from one whom I’ve never heard talk that way face-to-face. Now to give the benefit of the doubt, people do tend to guard their words when they’re around an ordained member of the clergy, so
Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death." In this world of 24/7 communication in every mode imaginable, we especially need to think about the impact of our words. What we say has really does have the power to give life and support to someone, or kill their spirit, their personality, their life.
I may not hear the way folks really speak to one another... profane or oth- erwise. But still I was shocked.
Marty was a good friend of mine who was a successful coach of youth, but at the age of 30 went through a deep depression. As I’ve looked back countless times, there were symptoms of self-destruction going on but I was busy and for some reason didn’t take time to find out what was going on. He tragically took his own life; he felt that bad. And I’ve always wondered if I could have spent some time with him and picked up on his pain, if that might have made a difference in him re-thinking suicide.
The Bible does have some profound things to say about our words and how we use them, for instance, James 3:8 says that, “No one can tame the tongue – a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” It goes on to describe hateful words as a forest fire that races through an area. This is gossip, which really is an evil thing, because it usually is not true, but made up of half-truths pawned
This May, maybe especially this Mother’s Day, take time to use your words for the good for someone else’s benefit... A mom, a friend, a stranger. Your words truly do contain the power of Life.
~ Faithfully yours, Jim Gysel Legal Advice
for Seniors
By: Anna Moss, Managing Attorney
The Legal Services of South Central Michigan-Battle Creek office will conduct interviews for legal advice and possible representation, without charge, on the fol- lowing dates and times for interested older adults.
OVER THE TELEPHONE PLEASE CALL (269) 244-5040 on the following days and time:
• Friday, May 19, 9am-12:30pm for St. Joseph County Residents
• Wednesday, May 3, 10:30am–12:30pm, Delton Faith United Methodist Church, 503 South Grove Street, Delton, MI
Probate• Elder Law Estate Planning
Erin L. Majka Phillip E. Harter
395 S. Shore Drive, Suite 205 Battle Creek, MI 49014 (269) 963-3900
www.mielderlaw.com
IN PERSON OUTREACH:
• Wednesday, May 10, 9am-12:30pm, Burnside Senior Center, 65 Grahl, Coldwater, MI
• Friday, May 12, 9am-12:30pm, the Battle Creek Office, 123 West Territorial Road, Battle Creek, MI
• Wednesday, May 17, 10:30am-12pm, Barry County Commission on Aging, 320 W. Woodlawn, Hastings, MI
• Wednesday, May 24, 11am-12pm Heritage Commons Senior Enrichment Center, 15885 W. Michigan Avenue, Marshall, MI
• Wednesday, May 31, 10-11am Forks Senior Center, 101 N. Albion Street, Albion, MI
We Provide Top
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SERVICES WE PROVIDE
• Skilled Nursing Care • Respite Care
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(269) 968-2296 • www.laurelsofbedford.com
270 NORTH BEDFORD ROAD • BATTLE CREEK, MI 49037