Vernon T. Jones MTS, Spiritual Consultant, Author
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“All things Shall Be Made Well”---Julian of Norwich’s Vision /Words From Jesus

5/15/2025

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Shirley recently did a presentation on the life of Julian of Norwich, who was an amazing woman. Julian lived in an era that was very challenging and yet she was still able to have a very spiritual life and supported those around her. It seems beneficial to reflect on Julian’s life and the words that she was given by Jesus as we try to live in this present time---with so many difficulties facing us.

We know little of Julian’s early life. She is known to us almost exclusively through her book, “The Revelations of Divine Love,” which is widely acknowledged as one of the great Christian classics of the spiritual life. She is thought to have been the first woman to write a book in English that has survived. When she lived the outbreak of the Black Plague in the middle of the 1300s decreased the population of Europe by a third.

​Life for most was short and hard. Death and eternity must have seemed for most a hair’s breadth away because defenses against disease were few and rarely effective. Some historians believe that Julian may have been married and lost her husband and a child/children to the Plague.
 
In additional to the devasting loss of lives from the Plague many men and much money was sucked out of the economy to sustain England’s forces in the Hundred Year’s War with France. Eventually, the peasants, tradesmen, and well-to-do farmers revolted against the constant collection of war taxes.

As if all this chaos was not enough, religious conflict was added to the mix because John Wycliffe was attacking the wealth and the institutional power of the Catholic Church, seeking a simpler Christianity and the availability of a Bible in English. Social unrest and violent reprisals were prevalent throughout England and Julian’s town of Norwich was not spared any of the social/economic turmoil, wars, or religious questioning. 

Julian's “Revelations of Divine Love” is based on a series of sixteen visions she received on the 8th of May 1373. Julian was lying on, what was thought at the time, to be her deathbed  (however, she lived to be 74) when suddenly she saw a vision of Christ bleeding in front of her. She received insight into his deep love for us through his Passion. Often Julian referred to Christ as “our courteous Lord.” One of the oft quoted sayings in her book are the words Christ gave to her: “I can make all things well; I shall make all things well; and thou canst see for thyself that all manner of things shall be well.”

We know from the medieval literary work, “The Book of Margery Kempe,” that Julian was known as a spiritual counsellor. People would come to her cell in Norwich to seek advice. Considering that, at the time, the citizens of Norwich suffered from war, plague and poverty, as well as a famine, she must have counselled a lot of people in pain. Yet, her writings are filled with hope and trust in God's goodness.

Presently, we are not living with deadly plagues, extreme poverty and a war like Julian had to deal with. However, we have our own set of challenges and human-made plagues, which makes it easy to become discouraged or stressed out.

Please reflect on Julian’s life and how she was able to have a spiritually rich life that impacted so many people then and now. By doing this it may help all of us to reach out and support those in need. Also reflecting on Jesus words that “he will make all things well,” can give us hope about the future for ourselves, our nation, and the wider world. Peace and blessings to you and your family. Vernon T. (My thanks to Shirley for her wonderful research!)

Copyright © 2025 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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God Reigns

5/12/2025

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“God reigns over the nations; God sits upon heaven’s holy throne... The rulers of the earth belong to God, and God is highly exalted.” Psalm 47: 8, 10

Let us keep praying for our nation and our leaders, knowing that over time God’s will----will reign!

“God of power and righteousness, you stand in power over all authorities, and you rule over all governments. Let the peoples of earth rejoice and the leaders of nations follow the way of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen” 
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“Book of Common Worship---Daily Prayer” Westminster/John Knox press

​Peace, Vernon T.


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Daily Steps

5/8/2025

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"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. . .. Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way." Psalm 37: 3, 23

One of the challenging aspects of this faith walk, is taking daily steps when we are not sure how things will turn out. When I was in the business world, most of my time there was in marketing departments. We spent a lot of time doing short and long range planning. It was an expected practice to make plans, and to work very hard to make those plans a reality.

That, however, is not always the case with our faith journey. In our spiritual pilgrimage we can be directed to take steps that do not fit into our personal-short/long-range goals. These steps can also take us to new places, once unknown to us.

After working in a steel mill for over eight years, I was guided to leave that job and move away from family and friends to take a position in the insurance industry. Much later on I left that insurance career of more than twenty-seven years and went to the Seminary, not fully knowing why I was going, only that I was meant to go, and I did.
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On your journey may you commit your way to the Lord, take the daily steps as directed, and trust that the Lord will make you steps firm! Peace, Vernon T.

​Here is a prayer for guidance that Shirley and I use on a daily basis.

“O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” Lutheran Book of Worship page 304


Copyright © 2025 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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LOVE---TRUTH---JUSTICE---RIGHTEOUS

5/5/2025

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Continue to pray for and strongly implore the White House, Congress, Federal-State-Local Governments, and our Judicial Systems to govern through the lens of love, truth, justice and righteous.
 
“Those who say, ‘I love God’ and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.” I John 4: 20-21
 
“For thus says the Lord of hosts…These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgements that are true and make for peace, do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, says the Lord.” Zechariah 8: 14a, 16-17
 
“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Amos 5: 24
 
Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2025 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Today is the National Day of Prayer----We should pray for our nation today and every day---- Amen

5/1/2025

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Prayer for our Country
 
“Almighty God, you have given us this good land as our heritage.
Make us always remember your generosity and constantly do your will.
Bless our land with honest industry, sound learning, and an honorable way of life.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance,
and from every evil way.
Make us who come from many nations with many different languages a united people.
Defend our liberties and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of
government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land.
When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and, in troubled times, do not
let our trust in you fail.
We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
 
“Book of Common Worship---Daily Prayer” Westminster/John Knox press
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Shirley and Vernon at St. Peter’s Square and saw Pope Francis

4/28/2025

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It was a sunny day with beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, as we awaited the arrival of Pope Francis riding in his Pope-mobile through St. Peter’s Square. Shirley and I were there with our group of thirty-some Mitten Synod pilgrims traveling to Germany and Italy in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Sister Nancy Brousseau and Bishop Craig Satterlee were our leaders on this pilgrimage.

Pope Francis came within yards of where we were standing. His smile, his obvious joy at being among the hundreds of people who were able to get tickets for admission to the Square that day, and the kindness and gentleness of his smile and demeanor was one of the highlights of our pilgrimage. It was so apparent that he loved people and especially the children, as he was so willing to interact with so many.

The Church and the world have been transformed by his ground-breaking leadership throughout the past 12 years. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. The attached picture is one that we took as he passed by us.

Following is a prayer that he wrote that comes from the depths of his love for our broken world and a prayer that is so desperately needed today:
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         Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live… O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your kingdom of justice, peace, love, and beauty. Amen. “Christ in Our Home” Spring 2025 Edition
​
 Peace, Vernon T.

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​Responsive Prayer for Easter (The Easter Season lasts for 50 days)

4/24/2025

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“O Christ, in your resurrection, the heavens and the earth rejoice. Alleluia!
By your resurrection you broke open the gates of hell, and destroyed sin and death.
 
Keep us victorious over sin.
 
By your resurrection you raised the dead, and brought us from death to life.
 
Guide us in the way of eternal life.
 
By your resurrection you confounded your guards and executioners, and filled the disciples with joy.
 
Give us joy in your service.
 
By your resurrection you proclaimed good news to the women and apostles, and brought salvation to the whole world.
 
Direct our lives as your new creation.
 
God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death, you raise us with him and renew your gift of life within us. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen”
 
“Book of Common Worship---Daily Prayer” Westminster/John Knox press

Picture is “Christ Appearing to Mary” From Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery, Artist Albert Pinkham Ryder, 1885, Public Domain

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HAPPY EASTER!

4/20/2025

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​A Canticle of Love for Maundy Thursday

4/17/2025

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“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God. All who love are born of God and know God; all who do not love do not know God.
 
Love does not insist on its own way, is not quick to take offense; it does not rejoice at wrong, but it rejoices in the right.
 
Love is patient and kind; love is not envious or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love bears all things and believes all things. Love hopes all things and endures all things. Love will never come to an end.
 
Prophecies will vanish; tongues will cease; and knowledge will pass away. For our knowledge and our prophecy are imperfect, but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass way.
 
Now I know in part, then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. Now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
 
I John 4: 7, 8; I Corinthians 13: 4-10, 12-13

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Holy Week and Easter

4/10/2025

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Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, and for some of the churches in American, (like ours) there will be a Palm procession. Many liturgical churches will be having a number of extra services next week leading up to Easter. For some Christians, Easter is the most holy day of the church year. Since I am married to a retired Lutheran (ELCA) pastor, I know how busy this week usually is.
 
However, I grew up in an American Baptist Church in Youngstown, Ohio, and for us Holy Week did not have a lot of extra services. But Easter morning was a huge deal for us. Jerusalem Baptist Church was made of persons of Color, who had mainly come from the Southern States to find work up North. They were mostly blue-collar working people, who loved getting dressed up for Sunday worship. However, on Easter morning, they took getting dressed up to another level. Most everyone, got something new and lovely for the worship service. The hats, dresses, and suits were so colorful, and often people tried to outdo each other. Looking back many years later, I wonder, if the resurrection of Jesus on Easter, took a back seat to the clothes worn on that day. I am sure we were not the only church to do this.
 
No matter what how your faith community celebrates Easter, I would encourage all of you, to try and realize that the resurrection of Jesus and the new birth that event brings into our lives---happens daily, when we are open to it. The love that our Lord God has for all of us as shown in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is still there, regardless of how we worship on Palm Sunday, during Holy Week, Easter or throughout the year.
 
Acknowledging that this is still a very stressful time for the entire world, please find time to reflect about the wonderful gift given to humanity by our loving Lord. Try to look for areas of love and hope around you so that Easter can come to you, in more moments/days than just March 20, 2025. May God’s love and grace, bless you and your families/loved ones at this time. Peace, Vernon T.
 
Copyright © 2025 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved  
    
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    Vernon T. Jones earned his Master of Theological Studies Degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary after a lengthy insurance industry career. Jones has assisted people with incorporating into their faith journey the discipleship practices that are outlined in his upcoming book and his presentations. 

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