Vernon T. Jones MTS, Spiritual Consultant, Author
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​Scripture Reflection: God is Near

9/26/2019

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"So that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being;’ as even some of your poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’" Acts 17: 27-28
 
For many years I have tried to learn and memorize Bible verses. I started doing this to help with my low self-esteem after reading positive thinking books that encouraged practices such as this. I found this routine to be helpful for me, and it has been continued. The middle part of this passage is one that has helped me lot.
 
"In him we live and move and have our being," I think this says so much for us who are struggling with life’s challenges. The fact that in God we can live a renewed life daily, in God we can take steps knowing that God will walk with us, and in God our very being and existence can make it through whatever comes our way.
 
Think of using scripture as a way to reinforce your spiritual practices, and try memorizing scripture as a way of coping with life’s ups and downs. It will not keep you from having problems in life, but it may help you get through them. This verse would be a good one to start with, and you could even personalize it like this. "In God, I live, move, and have my being!" Peace, Vernon T.
 
Copyright © 2019 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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​Personal Retreat

9/19/2019

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I have been very fortunate to be able to take several personal retreats in my life. One of them was when I was able to take part in a personal retreat at St. Augustine’s House, a Lutheran Monastery, in Oxford, MI. Part of the retreat was silent, and there were many opportunities for worship, as the Monks normally worship eight different times a day. I was able to make several of their worship periods each day, and I had time for my own prayer, reading, and reflection.
 
The Monks were very welcoming and gracious to me while I was there. It was a very good experience for me, and I came away with a few good insights for me, and the ministry that I feel called to.

I would encourage you to think about taking part in something like that; somewhere, some day, when moved by the Holy Spirit to do so. You could also do a mini retreat, by just going off to a park, a waterfront, an empty church, basically any place where you can feel calm and quiet in your inner core; where you are able to pray, read, and reflect. Peace, Vernon T.
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​Scripture Reflection: Old Self into a New Self

9/12/2019

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" . . . seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator." Colossians 3: 9b-10
 
Two months after my high school graduation, I started working in a steel mill’s open-hearth department near my hometown, Youngstown, Ohio. I continued to work full time for nearly nine years until I earned my undergraduate degree. I had many different jobs during my time there, and some of the jobs required me to either get really dirty or be around a lot of heat causing me to perspire quite a bit.
 
Thus, I normally had to take off the work clothes and shower before putting on my street clothes. It was a wonderful feeling to remove the dirty and smelly work clothes after my shift was over. After the shower and putting on the clean clothes I felt almost like a new person.
 
In this passage from Colossians we have the image of being stripped of the old self (old clothes) and being renewed into a new self (new clothes). The reader is encouraged to leave behind the old practices that they were once involved in, and to be renewed with the knowledge of a new life in Christ.
 
As we take part in the spiritual pilgrimage, the practices of the old self (old clothes) maybe something we don’t feel like wearing any longer. Somewhat like when I couldn’t wait to get my dirty clothes off after my shift was over. While striving to become a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ, may you leave behind those old things that prevent you from being renewed. May you be clothed with your new self (new clothes) in the image of Christ! Peace----- Vernon T.
 
Copyright © 2019 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Scripture Reflection: Praying

9/5/2019

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PictureJudy and Vernon T. Jones
"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! . . . I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word, I hope: . . ." Psalm 130: 1-2, 5

This Psalm is about the writer crying out to, and asking the Lord to hear the prayer, and be attentive to it. The writer waits with hope that the prayer will be heard. There are countless books written on prayer and all that prayer entails. Many writers have noted that God does indeed hear all of our prayers, however, one can ask if God hears our prayers—why then aren’t they answered.

God is love and can’t help but love us, and walks with us throughout our life. However, that doesn’t mean that all of our prayers will be answered in the manner, and method that we have prayed for. The most important part about prayer is that it strengthens our relationship with our Lord, and helps us to become the persons God wants us to be—everything else is secondary.

I remember after my late wife’s second operation to remove a brain tumor she couldn’t talk, walk, or move her right side. I prayed and prayed that I could get the former Judy back. That prayer wasn’t answered the way I wanted. However, after she went under Hospice care, I prayed that she would go without any pain, and I think she did.

From what I have read about prayer and from my own experiences, the Lord does want us to cry out at any time and as often as we can. No matter if we think our prayers are answered or not, God’s love, grace, and mercy are still with us! Blessings on your prayer life. Vernon T.

Copyright © 2019 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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    Author

    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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