It was a another beautiful day for a book signing for my Discipleship Book, this past Wednesday, at the Mackinaw Area Public Library, as part of their Michigan Author Open House! Vernon T.
 "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 didn’t know why I was going, only that I was meant to go. One thing for sure I realized that I wasn’t 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 maybe asked to change your beliefs or alter what you once thought to be truth! Prayer, Lord of wisdom and understanding, help me to be open to the Holy Spirit moving me along on this spiritual journey and in the process changing me! Amen. Vernon T. Copyright © 2015 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved You are Invited to a book signing for my Discipleship Book on Wednesday, June 24 from 3:30-6:00 p.m. It will be held at the Mackinaw Area Public Library, 528 W. Central Ave, Mackinaw City. The event is part of their Michigan Author Open House. Hope to see you there! Vernon T.  "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 worshipping 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 didn’t 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. 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 aren’t part of one, try to find an open, loving, and supportive body that is best for you! Prayer, Holy Spirit, help me to be open to embracing the spiritual aspects of community life that can assist me in becoming a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ, and may that support and love be something that I can share with others! Amen. Vernon T. Copyright © 2015 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved  "But who can endure the day of his [the Lord of hosts] coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness." Malachi 3: 2–3
This passage from Malachi reminds us that part of this spiritual pilgrimage does include us being purified by fire and soap, which could also involve us letting go of the impurities of our inner self. My mother and father were divorced, and my mother raised my brothers and me mostly on her own. I am not sure how she did it now that I am a parent and grandparent. However, we made it through and all became functioning adults. Hearing the words, a refiner’s fire makes me think of the times that my mother tried to purify us, so that we could be better people. My mother did believe in the old way of thinking that at some point, when one of us was out of line, a spanking was required. I know that doing this is looked down upon in our society today, but my mother felt she needed to do that at certain times to keep us four boys out of trouble and to learn how live in our society. Of course we didn’t know that at the time. On your spiritual journey may you be receptive to the Lord God working through the Holy Spirit to purify you to become the person that God wants you to be. This will probably require change and even some pain for you, but God knows what is needed to purify and to refine you! Prayer, Lord of Hosts, please help me to be open to your refiner’s fire and fullers’ soap purifying me, so that I can become a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ! Amen. Vernon T. Copyright © 2015 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved It was a beautiful day for a book signing for my Discipleship book, this past Saturday at Horizon books in Traverse City Michigan! Vernon T.
 ". . .Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this." Esther 4: 14b
Sometimes we can become overwhelmed with all of the negative happenings that come into our world every day. It seems that a day doesn’t go by that we don’t hear of another story of human suffering in one form or the other. The issue could be caused by some war, accident, or natural catastrophe, now matter what is, it can cause pain to those involved with the event, or to those who have compassion for those connected to it. This could cause some of us to have a sense of hopelessness with what is going on around us and in the world. In most cases all we can only pray, and offer encouragement. Another way to look at what is going on, is that each of us has been called to live in this time and place, and we are here for a reason. We may not be able to stop most of the things that are going that are of a negative nature. However, we can influence our own lives and to a certain extent some of the things going on around us. When our faith and hope are in the love of God and not in what humans are doing, we can still be encouraged that this is the Lord’s world and not ours. Our prayers and concerns can change and help what is going on around us. Please be encouraged to continue your spiritual practices so these routines can help you cope with the issues and noise that are all around us. These habits will not remove us from the pain of the world, but when we keep our focus on God’s kingdom we know that in the end God’s love will be the only thing that will remain and that we are called to be where we presently are! Prayer, loving Lord, help me to continue on my spiritual pilgrimage so that daily my hope and trust are in your hands versus the worlds! Amen. Vernon T. Copyright © 2015 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved  You are Invited to a book signing for my Discipleship Book on Saturday, June 6 from 2-4 p.m. It will be held at Horizon Books, at 243 East Front St, Traverse City, MI. Hope to see you there! Vernon T. |
Archives
January 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed
