Blog Archives

Scripture Reflection: By Faith

2/27/2020

“By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac.” Hebrews 11:17

Read Hebrews 11:17-28 for many examples of acts of faith. This passage records the faith of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses. Many of these verses begin with the words “By Faith.” As you reflect on this passage, think about times in your lives when you were called to act by faith, and not on your own sight.

One of those times for me was when I left the insurance industry after nearly twenty-eight years to enter the seminary; that was totally an act that was done by me “by faith.” I was doing fine with my job, had a good wage, with benefits, and could have stayed there as long as I wanted to. I had learned a lot about that industry and I felt comfortable with what I was doing. Additionally, I wasn’t old enough to retire. I didn’t fully know why I was being directed to go, and I had no idea what I was going to do, once I finished the course work.

However, through a number of signs and people’s direction it was pretty clear, that God wanted me to enter Trinity Lutheran Seminary in the fall of 2000. Sometimes we are asked to move out in faith, not knowing what will come next, only that we are guided to take that next step.

Traveling on this spiritual pilgrimage takes courage and strength. However, this courage and strength come from our relationship from God through Jesus Christ, and this relationship is developed over time as we strive for God’s kingdom. Blessings on your spiritual travels and may you be open to taking steps by faith, and not always by sight! Peace! Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

0 Comments

Scripture Reflection: Cry for Help

2/20/2020

0 Comments

“Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am . . . The Lord will guide you continually . . .” Isaiah 58: 9, 11a

This passage definitely shows that when we call out to the Lord for help, God will hear us and guide us. However, from wisdom and writings handed down by our desert mothers and fathers this guidance and help, may not come in the time frame or manner that we want or would hope for. However, that doesn’t mean that God isn’t there nor forgotten us.

As humans who are always in a hurry to get things done, in our action-packed 24 hour a day society that we live in, waiting for anything; just doesn’t cut it. When we can instantly hear about what is happening around the world and when we can find out detailed information about just any topic in seconds; why oh why would we ever want to wait on some kind of answer from our prayers?

Walking this spiritual pilgrimage doesn’t guarantee that we will get everything that we ask for or want; when we want it. But the journey can increase our faith to allow us to keep moving forward, even when things are a little cloudy at the moment. “The Lord guiding us continually,” ---- may be done so quietly that we may have a hard time understanding it or realizing it, but that doesn’t be meant that it isn’t there. Patience and persistence are important aspects of this spiritual journey. Peace! Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

0 Comments

Scripture Reflection: Bless the Lord

2/13/2020

0 Comments

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits.” Psalm 103:1-2

Blessing the Lord comes from our acknowledgment that everything we have is a gift of God. From the pictures with some of my postings you can tell that I love sunsets and sunrises. These are wonderful times to bless the Lord. Shirley and I lived in Alpena, Michigan, when she served as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church. The city was right on the bay reaching out to Lake Huron. We both loved seeing the sun and how it made wonderful sights on that great body of water. Sometimes it could take your breath away, and cause one to think, WOW! I tried to visit the bay whenever I could, and no matter how many times I saw it, it always looked different.

We are also able to live in the greater Louisville area when Shirley was pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church there. We both enjoyed walking the Riverfront area which had been developed along the Ohio River, which was very awesome and again, always looked different.

Additionally, with my late, Judy, we lived in the Bay area of Northern California, and a number of places in the Midwest, and there were always sights, sunsets, and sunrises, that were so lovely and again changed with the seasons. Now Shirley and I live in the greater Denver area, and the Rocky Mountains can take one’s breath away. In all of these places, we have had many reasons to bless the Lord!

As we get caught up in the challenges of life that impact us all, it is easy to go right by views like these. But when we are able to stop a moment, slow down, and take in the scene, we can begin to bless the Lord, right then and there.

Moreover, we can also bless the Lord anytime during the day for small happenings. Things like seeing a baby take it first’s steps, witnessing an act of kindness, or realizing that if we were able to get out of bed this morning---that could be a miracle that many others may not be able to do.

I would challenge each of you to find ways during your day to bless the Lord, even when you didn’t feel like it, or have to look long and hard to do so. This blessing can aid you in your spiritual pilgrimage. Peace! Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

0 Comments