Vernon T. Jones MTS, Spiritual Consultant, Author - Vernon's Blog

Advent Refection: Abounding in Hope

12/5/2024

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15: 13

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent; just a few more weeks until Christmas day! The marketing of the holiday season that began well before Thanksgiving continues at a frantic pace. Even in the midst of so many things going on around us locally and globally; marketing for this season continues.

However, for the Christian church, Advent is a time to prepare our hearts, minds, and souls for the coming of the Christ Child, who is with us now, and who is still coming. It is a period set aside to reflect on this wonderful gift of love given to humankind by the God of love.

The Advent season should be a time of hope. However, having hope about the future can be challenging, when it is so easy to be discouraged by the things happening around us, such as the many physical storms of nature, the emotional storms in daily life, the nation’s political divide, and wars that humankind is facing worldwide.

However, God’s hope is always there, even if sometimes hidden by dark clouds. It does not completely take us out of the ups and downs of this fallible world, nonetheless, by focusing on God’s word and love it helps us to get to the other side of these storms. During this Advent may you be able to find hope about your future, and joy and peace in your daily life; no matter what may be facing you at the moment. Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Happy Thanksgiving!

11/28/2024

“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” John 6: 27

Happy Thanksgiving! Shirley and I pray that you and your family have a great holiday and can enjoy the many wonderful things that come with it. At some point reflect on the many things that you have to be thankful for; and realize that there are many all around us that are less fortunate than we are. Many are struggling for any number of reasons.

When we think of others that do not have what we have been blessed to have or have the good health that we have; that may allow us to even be more grateful for where we are. It may be also, allow us to be more appreciative of the small gifts of life, that are all around us that we often miss; especially, when we are too hung up on all of the material stuff that society and mass media throws our way.

Also reflect on these words from the Gospel of John, where the only thing that will last into the next life is God’s love, and what is done for God’s kingdom.

May God’s peace and love be with you and your family! Vernon T., Shirley, and our blended/extended family.

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

The picture is when we were at Elitch Gardens Theme Park, Denver, CO.

Being Faithful and Being Kept Sound

11/21/2024

“May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do this.” I Thessalonians 5: 23-24

This letter from Paul gives us a view of his initial missionary activity and it gives encouragement about how believers should live at that time. He wanted them to know that their entire being would be kept sound because Jesus was faithful about his promises to return. We all may have times in our lives when we do not have the faith to trust in the promises of God, or in our present situations, or in the people that are around us.

Having the faith to trust is something that I, personally, have had challenges with at various times in my life. Once, in October of 1993, one of the insurance companies I worked for took all of their management staff to an outward-bound experience with a company called Pecos River Learning Centers. Pecos River worked with organizations to help train their employees to faithfully function together while doing various tasks.

I was worried about it before I went, and even tried to talk my supervisor out of making me go, which did not work. Those few days took me way out of my comfort zone. One of the activities was to climb up this tall pole, which was at least twenty feet up, and to jump off the pole to hit a bell some distance away, with nothing under neath you. You had to do this by trusting that your teammates would securely hold you up with ropes.

I am deathly afraid of heights and told my teammates this, the day before we were scheduled to do it. I let them know that I did not want to do it. However, because we had some other team building events prior to that, I came to trust in my teammates. I was able to climb the pole and jumped off it----in faith. A team member took this picture of me jumping off the high pole and hitting the bell. It was a wonderful experience for me, and one I will always remember and one I am very grateful for.

On your spiritual pilgrimage please be faithful and believe that God will also keep you safe and sound, when you are asked by the Holy Spirit to take a risk; physically, emotionally, or spiritually! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Faith Community

11/14/2024

"And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10: 24–25

This passage is often quoted to encourage people to worship regularly with a faith community. From my own personal experience, being connected to and involved with a worshiping community has been an important part of my spiritual pilgrimage. Over the years communities I have attended have been a support and help for me. I realize that there are no perfect faith communities, just as there are no perfect people. All of the communities have had aspects that I did not like or care for, but in most cases the good have outweighed the bad. My family and I have been formed and blessed by several, and here are a few of them.

Jerusalem Baptist Church in Youngstown, Ohio was the cradle where my faith formation began. While attending Youngstown State University, I also became involved in its Campus Christian Fellowship. Being a part of this organization and others on campus enabled me to participate in an environment whereby people from different faiths, backgrounds, and cultures could come together in unity.

Following my marriage to my late wife Judy, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Pickerington, Ohio was the faith community that nurtured my family for a number of years. As I moved around the country on corporate moves, my family was also involved in several other Catholic churches. I later joined Epiphany Lutheran (ELCA) Church, also in Pickerington, where I once again became involved in various ministries.

Other faith communities were Bethany Lutheran Church in Louisville, Kentucky where I was their Worship Leader and Spiritual Consultant as well as Christ Lutheran Church, also in Louisville, where I served as Director of Small Group Ministry. The two churches that Shirley has served as Pastor has contributed to my walk as well, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Louisville, Kentucky and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alpena, Michigan.

While in Alpena I also attended the midweek services at Trinity Episcopal Church. Currently we belong to Lutheran Church of Hope in Bloomfield, CO, and also attend St. James Episcopal Church in Wheat Ridge, CO, for their midweek noon service.

I would encourage all of you to try to find a community that can help you on your journey. In one’s spiritual pilgrimage it is vitally important to be part of a faith—filled community. If you are a part of one that works well for you that is wonderful. Some of you may have even been hurt by a community and could find it hard to join another, however, if you are not part of one, try to find an open, loving, and supportive body that is best for you! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Growing in the Knowledge of God

11/8/2024

"For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1: 9–10

As this passage notes, we are to grow in God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Our knowledge about God’s will in our life, and about God’s kingdom will change and evolve over time. Being a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ carries with it the responsibility to always be looking for ways to grow in our faith and in the knowledge about God and God’s word.

I entered Trinity Lutheran Seminary because I thought that was what God wanted me to do. I did not know why I was going, only that I was meant to go. One thing for sure I realized that I was not called to be an ordained pastor. I had always thought that I knew the Bible fairly well and was firm in many of my faith beliefs. However, the first quarter at Trinity was one of the most challenging and demanding times of my life. The remaining quarters had their stresses as well, but that first quarter was off the charts.

A number of things that I believed to be true about the Bible were radically changed or altered during that period. Some of the classes and the discussions from them caused me to sincerely reflect on some of my long—held faith beliefs. It took a tremendous amount of emotional and physical energy to get through those courses. I made it, but what an effort! I continued my class work and in two years received a Master of Theological Studies Degree from Trinity. Even with this degree, I still read, reflect, and learn, and continue to be challenged regarding my knowledge and beliefs.

Please be open on your spiritual pilgrimage to receiving new wisdom and understanding about God’s will in your life. Also, endeavor to grow in the knowledge about God’s word. On this spiritual walk you may be asked to change your beliefs or alter what you once thought to be truth! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Prayer for our Government Leaders

11/6/2024

O Lord, our governor, your glory shines throughout the world.
We commend our nation to your merciful care, that we may live securely in peace
and may be guided by your providence.
Give all in authority the wisdom and strength to know your will and to do it.
Help them remember that they are called to serve the people as lovers of truth
and justice; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Book of Common Worship---Daily Prayer” Westminster/John Knox press

Have no Fear

10/31/2024

"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31: 8

These words were from Moses to Joshua as the nation of Israel was preparing to go into the promised land. They were words that would give them the faith to trust that the Lord would be with them in this new place. Part of the challenge of being on this spiritual pilgrimage is that we also may be asked to go to a new place, or be guided to step out in faith to enter a different phase in our lives or be asked to take a risk. Passages like this one may help us to move forward. When I was younger, I was asked to do something similar.

My late wife and I met while we were students at Youngstown State University, in Youngstown, Ohio. I grew up in Youngstown, and Judy was from a town less than 60 miles away. Neither of us had ever lived anywhere else but that part of the country. When we finished our degrees, we had hoped to find jobs in the area, and we were willing to stay around, because both of our families were near. However, over time, nothing else came up, but then I was offered a job with a national insurance company. However, in order to take this job, we would have to move far away.

Thank goodness Judy was willing to take the risk to move far away from our families. I am not sure if I was not married to her would I have been willing to move away by myself, or if I had been married to someone else would they be willing to make the move? Judy had an open and trusting inner spirit which was very beneficial to me then and countless times later on.

The company moved us to Denver, Colorado, which was great place to train for the new job, but was a huge step for both of us, because we would be so far from our family and friends. (Amazing Shirley and I moved back to the Denver area, some forty-five years later to live here once again--- WOW!) Of course, this first move worked out for us. Thank goodness we were willing to make the move, in hindsight it does not seem like a really big deal, but at that point in our lives it was a tremendous step with so many unknowns!

Please be open to what God through the Holy Spirit may be asking you to do next on this journey, it may involve risk, it may take you out of your comfort zone, and it may take you to places you have never been before. The important thing to remember is that the Lord will go before you and will be with you and will not fail nor forsake you. May you have the faith to trust in these promises of God to be with you! Peace, Vernon T. (Picture is of when Judy and I received our bachelor’s degrees from YSU and our 3-year-old, daughter, Elizabeth, is in the background.)

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Prayer at the Time of an Election

10/28/2024

Under your law we live, great God, and by your will we govern ourselves.
Help us as good citizens to respect neighbors whose views differ from ours,
so that without partisan anger, we may work out issues that divide us,
and elect candidates to serve the common welfare;
through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

“Book of Common Worship---Daily Prayer” Westminster/John Knox press

God’s Grace

10/24/2024

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them-though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe." I Corinthians 15: 10-11

Think for a moment about events in your life when you have been given something that you did not expect, or been given time to complete a project or assignment that you did not think you would be granted. These examples and many more that you could think of, are all forms of grace in one way of the other. Grace is about getting something unexpected or undeserved.

In my own life I have been shown grace countless times for various reasons, and hopefully I was aware of this and able to acknowledge how fortunate I was then. I remember when I was going to college part time and working full time that I was shown my share of grace. A couple times I thought I was able to take more courses than I should have taken and had a very hard time keeping up with all of the course work.

At the same time my grade point average was lower than it should have been, and I was subject to being put on probation. At one point one of my professors (Mrs. Edna McDonald) showed me tremendous grace by working with me to keep my grade point average high enough to continue in school. However, I did not learn my lesson then and later on was put on probation. Over time I realized that I had to slow down and deal with what I could handle. I did get off of probation and completed my course work to earn my degree. But a lot of people helped me and grace was shown me in many different ways.

Please be encouraged that the grace that was described in this passage is still very much available to us today, when we come before God with a sincere and contrite heart. May you like the Apostle Paul be able to state that the grace from our Lord was not given in vain! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Jesus Prays for his Disciples and for Us

10/17/2024

In the John Chapter 17 we have Jesus praying for his disciples. He prayed for them because he was about to leave them, and he wanted his Father to be with them. Just as Jesus prayed for his disciples, he continues to pray for all of us today. Jesus is a model for us to follow. Praying for those you love or who are in need is something that all of us on this spiritual pilgrimage should take very seriously and try to do daily.

During my prayer time I have a list of family members, friends, church members, and situations around the world that are prayed for. Holding others up in prayer can cause us to reach out beyond ourselves to walk with others during their challenging times. Just as God through the Holy Spirit walks with you daily, you can walk with others as well. People do realize that they are thought about and loved when they know they are being prayed for.

Be creative in the ways that this can be done. During the year I place the Christmas cards that we have received in a basket, and every couple of days I pull a card. The family whose card is pulled is prayed for during my mealtimes. Of course we can pray for others anytime, in the shower, in a car, on a walk, etc. Get in the habit of praying for others on a daily basis.

Just as Jesus prayed for his disciples and he continues to pray for us, please find ways to pray for others. May this practice help you in your spiritual journey to become a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved