Blog Archives

Prayer for the Governments of the World

9/30/2024

As we continue to witness wars in a number of places in the world, let us persist in offering up prayers for peace where there is war and human suffering caused by these wars.

“High God, holy God: you rule the ways of peoples, and govern every earthly government. Work with those who work for peace. Make every person in authority an agent of your reconciliation, and every diplomat an ambassador of hope. Bring peace and goodwill among all people, fulfilling among us the promise made in Jesus Christ, who was born to save the world.”

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

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Praying for those suffering from storms

9/28/2024

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Let us continue to hold up in prayer those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

“Loving God, in the communion of Christ, we are joined with the trials and sufferings of all. Be with those who endure the wind and rain. Protect those in the path of danger. Open the pathway of evacuations. Help loved ones find one another in the chaos. Provide assistance to those who need help. Ease the fears of all and make your presence known in the stillness of your peace; Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.” ©

Prayer from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Permission is granted to reproduce this material for local, non-sale use only.

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A Road Less Traveled

9/26/2024

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Normally you can find me jogging several times a week. My jogging has allowed me to see things that one might not have been able to see unless they were out and about in the morning. This has let me see all kinds of wildlife, met some neat people who are out at the same time, and witnessed some awesome sunrises, the whiteness of freshly fallen snow, growing vegetable gardens, and beautiful flowers. Thus, I try to go out in all of the seasons of the year, including the winter months with its cold and snow.

Over the years I have been learned how to carefully jog on certain kinds of snow, however, ice and hard-packed snow cause me to stay inside. One thing that I have found when the snow has been around for a while is that on certain roads that I use, the edges are not as packed down as the middle part of the road, and thus is not as slippery. Therefore, I generally have better traction on the part that is less traveled.

You might try this concept when you are beginning or enhancing your spiritual practices. Just because some learned spiritual writers or your friends suggest a certain method as a way to get involved in these practices does not mean that they are right for you. Please be encouraged to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and come up with some routines that work for you. It just may be a method or manner that others may not have thought of before, or in essence a road less traveled.

You may come up with something that offers more traction for you, just as jogging on the edges of the snow-filled roads provides a better grip for me. Be open and creative, and not afraid to step out in faith, if that is where you feel you are being lead. The main thing is to start your rituals or continue them being open to change as you are being guided! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Personal Reflection on the Two-Year Anniversary of the Passing of my Brother and Sister-In-Law.

9/23/2024

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If there was ever a wonderful example of a couple and family who overcame a number of extremely challenging struggles with a joyful love and a strong determination, it was Bennett and Annette Jones. Two years ago, this fall we lost both of them within just about two months of each other.

Bennett was my oldest brother who died on September 16, 2022, and his wife, Annette, passed away on November 19, 2022. They had been married for over fifty-five years. When they got married, they had no idea what was coming later on. Unfortunately, Bennett began showing signs of having Multiple Sclerosis at age 42, in 1985. Over the years the disease increasingly took more and more of his physical abilities. Therefore, Annette, his primary caretaker, and their sons, Benny and Doug, as well as their support group had to do more and more to help him function on a daily basis. Until his death, this disease would play an increasing large role in their lives.

This reflection is something I feel guided to do because of the manner in which these two handled what life had given them. We all have had to deal with issues that have challenged us, but how these two and their family dealt with those challenges is a wonderful example for all of us.

Even though he was stuck in his MS body, Bennett still seemed to find ways to obtain joy in his surroundings and life in general. Despite his compromised condition, he never seemed to be bitter or angry. He kept a really positive attitude and outlook on life and tried to live each day to its fullest.

Annette was the center of the care for Bennett over the years, as she made sure that he had what was needed daily. She eventually had to bring in people to help care for him, while managing her business and household duties and remaining involved with her community activities. Bennett’s life would have been so much more difficult if not for Annette. Also, I am sure that there are many people who would have just walked away from him over this thirty-seven-year period.

Annette kept him at home as long as she could until having to place him into the VA Facility in February, 2017. Even then she would always be sure that he received the care that was needed, or else she would be in someone’s face telling them how she felt and what they ought to be doing. She did all of this because of her love for him, a love that overcame countless physical and medical challenges in herself and with Bennett.

Even though they both are gone, the love, joy, and strength demonstrated throughout their lives will exist in our family members and other lives whom they touched or influenced. This reflection briefly recalls their lives; but it mainly is written so that I can remember how much they impacted my life and how they are still a part of who I am today.

May you take a moment to reflect on those who have touched your life and are still a part of you, even though they may have left this earthly journey! Blessings and peace to you, Vernon T.

(Picture includes my brother Bennett in chair in front, Annette beside him, back row left to right, their son, Doug, my brother, Brian, their son, Benny, me and Shirley.)

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Praying Without Doubt

9/19/2024

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"But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord." James 1: 6-8

As young parent I was very nervous about how to deal with a newborn, for our first baby seemed to be so tiny and helpless. Overtime I got used to holding, feeding, and changing her. As I have gotten older and more used to being around babies, I have grown in my enjoyment in holding infants and being around young children. Part of my wonderment came about after my late wife’s battle with brain tumors, and when I learned more about how marvelous our human bodies are and how they function, and partly because of the new life that newborns represent to God’s creation.

Something that also helped me with this was one time I read that a baby can feel when they are being held by someone who is nervous or afraid of dropping them. Thus, often when a stranger tries to hold a newborn, the baby can sense the fear and begin to cry. But then if they are held by someone who is secure in holding them, there is less fear, and the baby is not as prone to cry. In the same way God knows when we are timid or doubting with our prayers.

This passage lets us know that God wants us to have faith when we pray, never doubting that we are being heard. Our faith is in the fact that we trust God will always hear our prayers and is full of love and only wants the best for us. What happens from our prayers may not be what we want or expect, but our faith and trust are in God, and not our own prayers or effects. Thus, we are to ask in faith, trusting that what comes will be from our God who only wants the best for us. Therefore, we cannot pray in doubt that we will not be heard at all! Peace, Vernon T. (Picture is of me holding my son, Kevin, my second child, shortly after he was born, he will turn fifty next February; yes, time surely goes by FAST!).

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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The Lord Listens

9/12/2024

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"For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my cry of supplication. In the day of my trouble, I call on you, for you will answer me." Psalm 86: 5-7

This short passage places a real importance on being heard. Words like call, ear, listen, cry, and answer, indicate that the writer is confident that what they will be saying will be heard by the one being addressed and that their pleas will be answered. I have often said that a person who had good listening skills was well on their way to having good relationships with anyone that they were involved with.

Before going to Trinity Lutheran Seminary, for more than twenty-seven years, I worked in the insurance industry, primarily in marketing. One of my main tasks was visiting the agencies that sold insurance for the companies that I worked for. For me to be effective in my job I had to be fully aware of what was being said. On those calls I had to be a good listener to what were the concerns and issues that were raised so that I, could correct any misinformation that was out there, help to solve any service problems, uncover why our products were not being sold, or deal with any number of assorted things. If I could not clearly understand what was being communicated, I could not fully address what was needed to be done with the agency or with my company.

Of course good communications are vital in any relationship, in a marriage, in family situations, in communities, in work environments, in governments, among nations, etc. This passage lets us know that God is also a good listener beside being forgiving and abounding in steadfast love. When we come before the Lord with our prayers and supplications they will be heard, especially in our day of trouble. May you be bold in speaking to God about anything that you need forgiveness for or help with, knowing that when you call you will be heard! Peace, Vernon T. (Picture is of Shirley and I at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail, CO.)

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Learning Is Part of the Pilgrimage

9/5/2024

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"Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long." Psalm 25: 4-5

In 2000, after spending nearly twenty-eight years in the insurance industry, I left that field to start Trinity Lutheran Seminary full time. I was guided to go while not fully knowing why. Initially that experience was a shock to my spiritual and mental makeup.

Over my life I had always attended worship services wherever we lived. I took part in countless Bible studies, Sunday school activities as a teacher and a student, in small group activities, and of course did my own private study as part of my spiritual pilgrimage. However, that period at Trinity traumatized my system in many ways and especially as far as my knowledge of the Bible went. Even though I felt comfortable with my knowledge of certain things before going to the Trinity, my view of some aspects of scripture was forever changed.

That first year at Trinity, and especially that first quarter was one of the more trying times that I have ever had in my life. Beside the workload and the writing of paper after paper, it really caused me a lot of pain and discomfort for what I was learning changed a part some of the long-held beliefs that I had about the Bible, its stories, and the background about some of its history. That became a very stressful time for me for many things, which I once held very sacredly, were drastically altered.

As you take part in your spiritual practices realize that you can be taught different aspects about your journey, and be open to learning that on this walk, there will always be something new to learn, or a fresh way to see a long-held view. Please be aware that this may indeed change you and could even cause you some discomfort. However, embrace what God may be doing in your life! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Prayer for the Governments of the World

Praying for those suffering from storms

A Road Less Traveled

Personal Reflection on the Two-Year Anniversary of the Passing of my Brother and Sister-In-Law.

Praying Without Doubt

The Lord Listens

Learning Is Part of the Pilgrimage

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Categories

​Prayer for the Governments of the World

​Praying for those suffering from storms

​A Road Less Traveled

​Personal Reflection on the Two-Year Anniversary of the Passing of my Brother and Sister-In-Law.

​Praying Without Doubt

The Lord Listens

Learning Is Part of the Pilgrimage

Author

Archives

Categories

Prayer for the Governments of the World

Praying for those suffering from storms

A Road Less Traveled

Personal Reflection on the Two-Year Anniversary of the Passing of my Brother and Sister-In-Law.

Praying Without Doubt