Vernon T. Jones MTS, Spiritual Consultant, Author
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​Reflection: All of Life is a Gift from God---Including a New Birth

5/28/2020

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In our extended/blended family we have been fortunate enough to have grandchildren who are young adults, and some between the ages of six and ten; and a great grandchild who is nearly one. Because of time and distance, we haven’t always been able to be a part of their young lives, but when we were able, we took advantage of that opportunity. In my mind, all life is a gift from God, additionally a new birth is one as well.
 
My understanding of a new birth being God’s gift was enhanced after my late wife’s (Judy) second surgery to remove a brain tumor. After this second one, she couldn’t walk, talk, or move her right side. After a really long time in rehab and lots of treatments, she slowly learned these skills again. However, in time the tumor came back and took her life.

​Nonetheless, along that long road, I began to realize what a wonderful creation the human body is, and how it could function as it did. I was amazed about how Judy’s brain somehow healed itself, and for a while began to operate again. I always appreciated the births of my children, and other new births. (These pictures are of Judy and I holding our new born son, Kevin, over forty years ago.) However, that experience with Judy’s cancer challenges, opened my eyes, heart, and soul even more to this miracle of life.
 
I began to look at all of life as a gift to treasure from God, and took more time to enjoy so many other aspects of life that had been around me before. I especially went crazy over new births and babies. Thus, whenever I was around a baby, (this was of course before our COVID-19 Crisis) where ever possible, I would ask to hold the baby. For I was so amazed about what a gift a new born was to their parents, family, and the world. I would hold them for as long as I was able.
 
For me new birth of any kind is a gift of God’s love to humankind, and when we are open to it, that love can give us hope for the future. Prayer helps us to be open to all of God’s gifts. We don’t know what will come from this Coronavirus Crisis, but please know that because of God’s love for all of the world, we can have hope for the future. This love and hope, is what we should try and focus on when things get daunting through this time.
 
Just as I learned to appreciate how wonderfully made our human bodies are, and what a wonderful gift a new birth is; may you find something in your daily spiritual practices that allows you to better understand, that anytime you can become aware of some type of new birth around you, that can lead you to being open to God’s love and hope for all of us---for the future. Blessings to you and your family during this time. Peace, Vernon T.    
 
Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
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​Reflection: All Things Pass Away Except God

5/21/2020

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Picture"Saint Teresa of Avila," artist unknown. Smithsonian Art American Museum, 16th-17th century. Public Domain
“Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing make you afraid. All things are passing. God alone never changes. Patience gains all things. If you have God you will want for nothing. God alone suffices.” Saint Teresa of Avila
 
Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) founded the Discalced Carmelites and became the first woman to be named Doctor of the Church. She was a very gifted writer, and wrote a number of spiritual classics. Her spiritual teachings were based on a life of prayer. (“Let Nothing Disturb You---Teresa of Avila” Series Editor, John Kirvan, Ave Maria Press, 2008)
 
Many years ago, I learned a form of this prayer. It became one of a number of mantras, that has been used over the years, to help me get through some of life’s more stressful moments. What I used was this shorten version: “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things will pass away except God; God alone is sufficient.” No matter which version you reflect on, they hold some important concepts at any time, but especially in these very trying times that we are going through today.  
 
Saint Teresa had a number of challenges that she had to deal with in her life, but she used her prayer routines to help her get through them. She was able to state with some assurance that everything in life passed away except the Lord God. That God alone was sufficient, and that nothing else was needed. During this World-Wide Pandemic may you be able to reflect upon, and realize this same understanding. Please be open to using prayers like this one, and the wisdom gained from past and present spiritual saints, to help you make it another day. Again, please be safe, well, and as sane as you can be. Peace, Vernon T.
 
Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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​Scripture Reflection: Strive for God’s Kingdom---One Day at a Time

5/14/2020

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PictureThe "Sermon on the Mount" by Henry Wolf, 1899. Smithsonian Art American Museum. Public Domain
“But strive first for the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6: 33-34
 
This passage is part of what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is teaching those close to him about how he wants them to live. This message wasn’t for everyone, but only for those who were willing to follow him, and risk going against the culture at that time.
 
This message offers all of us who are attempting to become a disciple of Jesus Christ guidance about where our focus should be. By stating that we are to strive first for the kingdom of God, it reminds us that our daily decisions should be made through the lens of God’s kingdom, and not the lens of the world. That is hard to do especially when there are so many worldly voices vying out for our attention.
 
During this time of the COVID-19 Crisis, there are certainly plenty of social barriers, governmental orders, family/personal concerns/needs----essentially many different voices/forces competing for our attention and energy. Today, it’s certainly very difficult to keep our hearts and minds on striving for God’s kingdom before all else. Additionally, at the same time taking our life one day at a time, and not worrying about tomorrow, and leaving the future in the hands of our Lord----is really trying for most of us.
 
However, that is what Jesus taught his closest followers, and what this passage continues to teach us today----even in this very uncertain time. May the Holy Spirit assist you in striving first for the kingdom of God before anything else, and leaving the tomorrow’s worries to our faithful and loving Lord! God bless you and your family now and always, and may you feel God’s love beside you on this ever-changing journey! Peace, Vernon T.
 
Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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​Reflection: A New Normal

5/7/2020

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As most of you know, both Shirley and I were married for a number of years before losing our spouses. Shirley lost Bob in an accident, and I lost Judy after a long battle with brain tumors.  Shirley and I didn’t know each until we met at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 2000, but we have often compared our feelings concerning what we went through during those periods of lost.
 
For me. when we decided to put Judy under Hospice care, we knew that she was going to pass away at some point, and we did begin to grieve her lost before-hand. However, nothing could prepare us for when it really did happen. For Shirley and her family, Bob was well and healthy at one moment, and the next moment he was gone. The shock and heartache, came all at once and of course was very overwhelming to everyone.
 
When any of us loses a loved one, we deal with it differently based on a number of factors, for this is something that can’t be ignored. I wouldn’t go through all of the gut-wrenching moments that we both experienced after Bob and Judy passed away, only to note that it was long and extremely trying for both of us, and our family and friends. However, at some point, we had to get use to the idea, that they were gone, and we had a new normal that we had to grow into slowly on a day-to-day basis. As much as we longed to have them back, we couldn’t bring them back, no matter what we did. Our new normal was a life without them.
 
In this time of a world wide pandemic caused by the COVID-19 Virus, all of us have had to deal with aspects of our life that are drastically changed, and in a number of situations we don’t any control concerning these changes. Today we have a new normal in dealing with these issues, and no doubt, after we come through this period, we will have another new normal that we will have to adjust to also. We can keep the memories and lessons learned from our past experiences, but at some point, we have to let them go in order to move ahead.
 
Just as Shirley and I would have loved to bring Bob and Judy back, we couldn’t. Their love is a part of who we are today, and will always be with us from that standpoint, and we will never forget them. But at some point, we had to adjust to this new normal. In the same way, please pray for the courage, wisdom, and persistence to be open to how God’s Spirit may be guiding you through, and to the other side of this Crisis. May that Spirit help you to adjust to the new normal that is awaiting the entire World at some point in the future. Be safe and well! Vernon T.  
 
Copyright © 2020 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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