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Scripture Reflection: Growing in The Knowledge of God!

8/28/2014

“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 discussion around the classes 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 classes. 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 to alter what you once thought to be truth!

Prayer, Lord of wisdom and understanding, help me to open to the Holy Spirit moving me along on this spiritual journey and in the process changing me! Amen. Vernon T.
Copyright © 2014 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: Faith Community!

8/21/2014

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“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 worshiping 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! Vernon T.

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.

Copyright © 2014 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: A Prayer for Discernment!

8/14/2014

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“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.” Psalm 86: 11

Discernment comes to us in many forms, and often comes in ways that may be hard for us to see. We are all called by God to fulfill some part to bring about God’s kingdom into our present time. We all have certain gifts and talents that others don’t have, and thus it is important for all of us to seek how those talents should be used, and set about using them. A prayer like this verse, is a good one to use to begin looking for how your gifts might be used.

My late wife, Judy, went into a Catholic Religious Order to become a nun right after high school. She joined the Humility of Mary Order (often called the Blue Nuns), for that is what she thought God was calling her to do at that moment. She felt that being a nun was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. This Order taught her in school and she became very close with them.

She was in the Order for more than two years, and the time was a very good one for her, for she grew spiritually and in many other ways. However, as time went on, she knew that this wasn’t what she was called to do for all time. She left the Order, but she continued to discern her call as a disciple of Christ and continued to use her talents. Besides helping our family and me grow in our faith she also was deeply involved in Christian education in her local parish. Her entire life became a witness of God’s love to those around her and she discerned God’s call throughout her life

Discernment comes to all of us daily. May you be open to where it may be leading you; it could take you to places that are totally new and different for you!

Prayer, O Lord, help me to walk in your truth, and give me an undivided heart, soul, and mind, to praise your name, and trust you about the future! Amen. Vernon T.

Copyright © 2014 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: The Spirit Speaking Through Us!

8/7/2014

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“When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10: 19-20

This passage is recorded after Jesus talks about his twelve disciples going out to the Gentiles to proclaim that the kingdom of God had come near. He gives them instructions for the journey and warns them that they may be handed over to the authorities, in which case they should not worry about what to say, but the Holy Spirit would give them what to speak.

On our spiritual pilgrimage, the Holy Spirit can guide and comfort us when we are open to receiving the help. It can also speak through us, when we are called to witness to our faith, and when we are called to proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near.

Recently I was fortunate to lead two Lutheran (ELCA) Synod workshops on the topic of discipleship, one in Michigan and one in Indiana within a few weeks of each other. For both workshops I had a handout with a presentation that I could have given. However, the sessions were right after lunch and people had listened to speakers all morning, and I thought that it would a challenge to keep their attention. After a brief overview, I asked them to quickly read over my handout and come up with topics that they wanted to hear versus what I thought they wanted to hear.

In that way they were more invested in the discussion, and we let the Holy Spirit guide what would be covered. It could have been a risk on my part to do it this way, because you never know where the discussion would go. Both breakouts seemed to go well and those who attended appeared to get something out of them. When I had done presentations in the past, I generally followed my outline to keep everything on track. I still had to keep things under control and moving in this case, but I trusted that what would be covered was what the people needed to hear.

May you be open to the Holy Spirit giving you guidance on your daily walk and when you are speaking about your faith or proclaiming the gospel message. It takes courage to trust and to give up some control of the situation, but that is what Jesus asked his disciples to do, hopefully you can do the same when the time is right to do so!

Prayer, Holy Spirit, please help me to trust and believe that you are guiding me and comforting me, and may I be willing to let you speak through me when that is what is needed! Amen. Vernon T.
Copyright © 2014 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: Growing in The Knowledge of God!

Scripture Reflection: Faith Community!

Scripture Reflection: A Prayer for Discernment!

Scripture Reflection: The Spirit Speaking Through Us!

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