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Prayer for Racial Peace

8/31/2020

Prayer for Racial Peace

Great God over us all, destroy prejudice that turns us against one another.
Teach us that we are all children of your love,
whether we are black or brown or red or white or yellow.
Encourage us to live together, loving one another in peace,
so that someday a golden race of people may have the world,
giving praise to Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

“Book of Common Worship---Daily Prayer” Westminster/John Knox press

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Scripture Reflection: Meditating Day and Night on God’s Word

8/27/2020

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“Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked. . . but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, they meditate day and night.” Psalm 1: 1-2

During the current COVID-19 Pandemic that we are presently in and will probably be in for some time, we are being asked to drastically alter our daily routines. In most states we are told to stay in one’s own space whenever possible, to wear a mask, and to practice physical distancing.

We are all thinking of creative ways to keep ourselves sane and healthy during this time. I would like to again offer something else that we could all think of doing; meditating day and night on God’s word. As some of you know my calling with my ministry, with this Blog, and with the books I have written, is to assist individuals and congregations on their spiritual pilgrimage. This ministry is one where we are all encouraged to begin or enhance our spiritual practices. Like anything else in life, these routines take time, effort, and energy.

I am a fairly big sports fan, and have also read my fair share of sport stories and sport biographies. One of the common themes that has appeared is that the very best in any field, devotes a great amount of time in developing their abilities. A person can’t rely solely on their natural gifts; a great amount of hard work is also required. Most professional athletes train almost year-round, even when they are out of season. (Some work at their sport day and night.) They realize that they have to be in the best condition in order to complete with others in their field. Many years ago, that wasn’t necessary, however in the highly competitive world that we live in today, giving ones all requires more effort then what was needed before.

Likewise, if a person who proclaims that Jesus Christ is Lord of their life, and then wanted to develop a closer loving relationship with Jesus, it seems that they would also need to devote time, energy, and perseverance in studying the Bible in order to develop this relationship. Many current spiritual writers, and the desert mothers and fathers knew that they couldn’t become the person that God wanted them to be, without putting their heart and soul into their spiritual journey. Thus, they have written about this process, and lived it on a daily basis. Jesus, himself, often went off alone to pray, and he was a good Jewish man, in that he knew the scriptures as well. It seems with all of these witnesses; how can we not do the same thing.

During the current crisis that we are in, and while we are being asked to change our routines, maybe think of starting or improving on your spiritual practices. This verse mentions meditating day and night, which could be interpreted as this practice becoming part of the very fiber of one’s life. For those on this spiritual pilgrimage and for all of us during this uncertain time in our world today, may you find the time, every day, to meditate on God’s word. Maybe you can start some practices that can be continued after we get through these Pandemics that we now are in. Peace! Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: God’s Love is Eternal, and Will Even Outlast the two Pandemics!

8/20/2020

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“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant…it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. I Corinthians 13: 4, 7. 8a

During the COVID-19 and Racial Injustice Pandemics, often it may be difficult for us to feel God’s love and be able to trust that the Lord is walking beside us. As this period goes on, some of us may be running out of patience with each other, those around us, and the local, state, national, and world governmental bodies. With still so many unknowns around these situations, it is easy to lose heart and become discouraged. However, many places in the Bible as in I Corinthians 13, it notes that God’s love never ends and is eternal. That no matter what happens in this earthly world that we live in, that love is everlasting. Yes, this love will outlast these Pandemics!

As I have shared before, a really trying time for me in my life was when my late wife, Judy, went under Hospice care. We kept her at home during this time and we tried our best to care for her. After about three and half months of this period I hit a wall, and couldn’t do anymore. To make a long story short, a number of ladies stepped forward to help with Judy’s care. These women were like angels to me, and they shared God’s love with me and my family during that very difficult time.

I wouldn’t have made it without their help and the help of many others. As much as we like to think that we can endure most anything, often during our life’s journey, we need others to assist us along the way. Those who do are vessels of God’s love and support when they share that love with us. I know that I will always be grateful for those who have helped me along the way, and especially those during that Hospice period.

As time moves on during these Pandemics, be open to offering God’s love and support to those that need it. Also be open to receiving this same love from those who are willing to offer it to you. We all need each other now more then ever. Remember that God’s love never ends and is eternal, and will long outlast these trying times. Again, be well, safe, and as sane as you can be! Peace Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: A Right Spirit in these Trying Times of the Nation’s Pandemics

8/13/2020

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“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:10-12

Over the past four to six months life in the United States as we knew it has drastically changed for all of us. Things that we once took for granted can’t be counted on any longer. People are dying, getting ill, through no fault of their own; from something that is a mystery and largely unknown to many. We all are overwhelmed by how fast this Virus has come upon us, and how little we truly have control of.

Additionally, people of Color, who have suffered from racial injustices for generations, have had to endure recent challenges which have created very deep divisions in our country. Many people from all walks of life, have taken to the streets and in other manners, to try and change this long- standing issue in our society. I don’t know how these two Pandemics will end up, but I do that God’s love will be with us through this, and that God’s Spirit will be within and around us.

In this short passage “spirit” is used three times. There are many definitions of this word, and can be looked at from many different angles. If one is on a spiritual pilgrimage, it could mean that invisible influence that can give guidance and comfort for us. In the footnote of my Harper Collins Study Bible it shows that the holy spirit in verse 11 means “God’s sustaining, powerful presence.” No matter how it is defined, the writer of this Psalm wants to have a new and right and willing spirit, and wants the Lord God and the Holy Spirit to be nearby.

Another way of looking at this term is in our dealings with others who have kindred spirits. Often, we can quickly bond and connect with other people, if our inner spirits are similar: who otherwise may be totally different from us as to faith traditions or family backgrounds. Sometimes we can meet someone for the first time, and immediately there is a tie or relationship that gives one the feeling: I have known this person for a long time and feel very comfortable being around them. God’s spirit being in us, and being renewed on a daily basis, has the power to cross barriers, that in other interactions may take years to develop. What we are currently going through as a nation may cause us all to look at each other, in a totally new and more caring light. For in this situation, our collective future is tied to how we treat and respect each other, and how our mutual loving spirits interact with each other.

As we walk into a very uncertain future from the impact of this COVID 19 Pandemic, and Racial Injustice Pandemic, may we all hold on to the truth that God’s Spirit will be walking with us no matter what may come. Additionally, this same loving Spirit, can also bring us closer to each other; if we are open to it. Peace! Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: The Church Building May be Closed---But the Lord Still Dwells with Us

8/6/2020

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“My (the Lord’s) dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Ezekiel 37: 27

You might say that I was born into a worshiping community. I started going to Jerusalem Baptist Church before I could walk, and was a member there until I moved away from Youngstown, Ohio and started in my insurance career. When I was younger, if my brothers and I didn’t go to church on Sunday, my Mother wouldn’t let us go to the movies on Sunday afternoon. This was a big deal for us back then, thus, we went to worship.

I grew up always going to worship and have carried that habit throughout my life. Over the years my family and I have been in a number of congregations, faith traditions in different areas of the country, as we have moved around from job to job, or call to call. I might miss one Sunday every once in a while, but never for longer than two weeks.

With all that being said, this new normal of not being able to gather in person to worship with our faith communities is hard to take; for many of us. This is just one of many things that we have had to do differently because of this COVID-19 Crisis. This Virus has impacted the entire world in some form or the other. Shirley and I are blessed that the church we belong to now, Lutheran Church of Hope, is able to Live-Stream an abbreviated Sunday worship service, which works for the time that we are in.

A number of pastors and people have stated, the church building may be closed, but the ministry continues. Many faith communities have found very creative ways in spreading the Gospel message, doing ministry and outreach; while at the same time, trying to continue to build community; given the obstacles that have to be overcome.

We know that we don’t need a building to worship God in, for that can be done anywhere or anytime; even if having a church building is what we are comfortable with in this regard. There are many scriptures that reference the point that God wants to dwell with us, to make a home with us.

Please be encouraged by this insight, that even if we can’t physically be together in worship in a building; that the good Lord still wants to dwell with us, to make a home with us, and to walk with us. In this uncertain time, may you feel the Lord’s presence within you, and around you; no matter what may be going on with you and in the world. Blessings to you during this very trying time. Be safe and well! Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Prayer for Racial Peace

Scripture Reflection: Meditating Day and Night on God’s Word

Scripture Reflection: God’s Love is Eternal, and Will Even Outlast the two Pandemics!

Scripture Reflection: A Right Spirit in these Trying Times of the Nation’s Pandemics

Scripture Reflection: The Church Building May be Closed---But the Lord Still Dwells with Us

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Archives

Categories

​Prayer for Racial Peace

​Scripture Reflection: Meditating Day and Night on God’s Word

​Scripture Reflection: God’s Love is Eternal, and Will Even Outlast the two Pandemics!

​Scripture Reflection: A Right Spirit in these Trying Times of the Nation’s Pandemics

​Scripture Reflection: The Church Building May be Closed---But the Lord Still Dwells with Us

Author

Archives

Categories

Prayer for Racial Peace

Scripture Reflection: Meditating Day and Night on God’s Word

Scripture Reflection: God’s Love is Eternal, and Will Even Outlast the two Pandemics!

Scripture Reflection: A Right Spirit in these Trying Times of the Nation’s Pandemics

Scripture Reflection: The Church Building May be Closed---But the Lord Still Dwells with Us