“ . . . therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers.” I Peter 4: 7b

The ministry that I feel called to is assisting congregations, and church bodies with their spiritual pilgrimages. From my standpoint this comes about with prayer, Bible study and reflection. This is done to allow us to become the person that God wants us to be; a lifelong learning disciple of Jesus Christ.

Many desert mothers and fathers have shown that this takes discipline, and a willing and open heart and spirit. This is something that is done is daily, and is ongoing on our earthy walk. May you find the time and space to embark or enhance your practices. Blessings on your spiritual journey! Vernon T.     

“Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” I Peter 3:8

There is a lot of meaning in this little verse. When I think of loving one another with a tender heart and a humble mind, I think of many people, but Vito often comes to mind first. Vito has my late wife’s father, and to some he might have come off as a tough person on the outside.

However, for me after some initial challenges between us he was a wonderful example of someone who loved with a tender heart and humble mind. His very life embodied this verse, and he continues to impact my life. May your spiritual practices allow you to be open to living a life which embraces these traits. Blessings on your spiritual travels! Vernon T. 

“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. 

However, we can also bless the Lord anytime during the day for small happenings. 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. Blessings on your spiritual travels! Vernon T.      

“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 my experiences I have found that this guidance and help, may not come in the time frame or manner that I want or would hope for.

However, that doesn’t mean that God isn’t there nor forgotten us. 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 little cloudy at the moment. Blessings on your spiritual walk! Vernon T.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weigh and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith . . . ” Hebrews 12:1-2a

In Hebrews 11 we heard about all of the people who acted by faith, and Hebrews 12 reminds us that these people are great witnesses for us. That we should try and follow their example, and leave behind those things in our lives that are barriers to becoming the persons that God wants us to be. This laying aside or leaving behind isn’t a one time event, but an hourly/daily one. 

On your pilgrimage may your spiritual practices give the hope, discernment, and courage you need to run your race, keeping your focus on where God wants to direct you versus your own plans. Blessings on your spiritual journey! Vernon T.   

As you may know in January of this year, I entered into an agreement with, Resource Publications a division of Wipf and Stock Publishers, to publish a book titled Discipleship-a Lifelong Spiritual Pilgrimage: A Disciple’s Reflection on Actively Living in God’s Kingdom Today.

The book has made it through the in-house editor and final pages review stages. I have just approved the design for the book cover, which shows a person climbing a high mountain with a lovely sun rise in the background. Things continue to move forward, please keep this process and my ministry in your prayers. Vernon T.

“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. 

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! Vernon T.      

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.” Psalm 127:1

My late wife, Judy, did a cross stitch with the first half of this verse on it. She did it many years ago, and even after several moves and my remarriage it still found a place on my walls.

When Judy and I were first married, we had many of the same challenges that young couples have, with a few more thrown in. We felt that we had to include the Lord God in our marriage as much as possible in order to make it. Having this verse on our walls helped keep the Lord God always before us. We were fortunate and blessed to be married for twenty-eight years when she passed away. Vernon T.  

“And he [Jesus] said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possession.’” Luke 12:15 

In this passage from Luke 12:13-21, we have the parable of the rich fool. Jesus uses this parable to show how life does not consist in the obtaining of possessions, versus being rich toward God. Read this passage to get Jesus’ full message. Vernon T.