Vernon T. Jones MTS, Spiritual Consultant, Author
  • Home
  • Wipf & Stock
  • Amazon's Kindle Editions
  • Living Lutheran Article
  • Vernon's Blog
  • About Vernon
  • God's Plan For us
  • Jesus' Sermon
  • Jesus' Example
  • Resources

Scripture Reflection: Time Alone!

10/27/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
“Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. . . .” Matthew 14: 13a

In Matthew 14: 1-12 we have the death of John the Baptist described. After Jesus heard this he was sadden and had to get away. Even though he was the Son of God, this event greatly grieved him, and he had to be alone so that he could mourn the death of someone he loved very much.

We may have times in our lives when we have to be alone to think about, grieve, or contemplate something that has happen to us. Like Jesus we want to remove ourselves from the noise and strain of the world around us. However, notice what occurred in the verses that follow this one, Jesus was moved by the crowds and went to them and ministered to them. Thus, at some point after our periods of grief and reflection, and we are the only ones who know when that time is, we ought to think about getting active again in the community that we live in.

I experienced something like this, after my late wife, Judy, died after a long struggle with cancer. We had been married for more then twenty-eight years when she passed away in January, the middle of winter when the days are short. My time of grieving for her was when there wasn’t much day light, and I remember sitting in my living room alone after work, with it being dark outside, it really was a very trying and painful period for me.

​I was alone a great deal in the evenings, for I needed to grieve and process what had happened. Of course she was missed, and I didn’t know how my life would unfold. It took all my energy to make it each day. Spring did come, and I began to feel somewhat better. Looking back that time away from doing a lot extra activity was important for my healing, and for my moving on.

On your spiritual pilgrimage you may have the occasion when you need to get away to pray, grieve, or reflect on events in your life. If that is needed, please do so, remember Jesus did the same thing. However, realize that just as Jesus did, at some point we may need to get back into our surroundings in order to do the ministry that we have been called to do, and to continue with our healing!


Compassionate Lord when needed, help me to take the opportunity to be alone and reflect on the things that impact my life, and may that time allow me to share your love with those that I meet today! Amen. Vernon T.

Copyright © 2016 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

0 Comments

Scripture Reflection: Following Instructions!

10/20/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
“When he [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.” Luke 5: 4-6

In this chapter from Luke we have Jesus calling his first disciples. Jesus tells Simon (Peter) to go out into the deep water and let his nets now again. Even though Simon had fished all night and came up empty, he did what he was told. The catch was so big that his nets were strained and Simon had to get his partners to help out with the haul. Simon and the others were in awe at what had just happened. After this passage Jesus tells these individuals that they would be soon fishing for people. After getting to shore, all of them left their boats and followed Jesus.

As you take part in this spiritual pilgrimage, you may also be asked to do something that in human terns maybe quite remarkable. However, if the instructions and discernment come from the Lord through the Holy Spirit hopefully, we will be like the first disciples and do as we are guided.

Something like this happened to me the summer after I got out of high school. I didn’t quite know what to do afterwards, I wasn’t guided to go to college, or enter the military. I worked for a time at a few odd jobs. I didn’t have a lot of self-confidence at that time and was somewhat shy. So going out and trying to find a full-time job, or find out what I was meant to get involved with, was a very frightening task. A couple of men at my church helped me get interviews with two of the steel mills that were in town. I lived in Youngstown, Ohio and the steel mills were still a going concern for the community. However this was an industry that I knew very little about, and had never been in one before. So it took a lot of strength and faith on my part to enter this world.

I applied at one mill called Republic Steel, and they told me that they would call me later on if they wanted to hire me. I also applied at Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company, and they offered me a job on the spot and said I could start in a few days. A few days later Republic Steel called back and offered a job as well. I thought about it, and decided to go with Youngstown Sheet & Tube.

That really worked out for me in the long run. I was laid off less working for them, rather than for Republic over the next eight years. I was also able over time to work shifts, which allowed me to go to college part time, and eventually leave after getting my college degree. I became somewhat comfortable in those surroundings; however, it wasn’t very easy at first and took a long time before I got used to going to work every day. The mill environment could be very daunting and sometimes dangerous. Thus interviewing for the steel job and then staying with that job took me way out of my comfort zone.

I didn’t fully know of the importance of that decision, however for my journey it was extremely significant. My life has been far from being perfect, and I have made my share of mistakes both large and small ones, however, over the years I have increasingly sought the instruction and discernment of the Holy Spirit on my daily walk.
As you take part in this pilgrimage and with your spiritual practices may you like the early disciples listen for Jesus’ voice coming through the Holy Spirit calling you to do things for the kingdom of God that you never thought you could do before!

Holy Spirit, help me to listen for your daily instructions, and may this discernment allow me to become a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ, and in the process become a witness of God’s infinite love for all of humankind! Amen. Vernon T.

Copyright © 2016 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

0 Comments

Scripture Reflection: Disciples Being Strengthened and Encouraged

10/13/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Scripture Reflection: Disciples Being Strengthened and Encouraged!

“There they [Paul and Barnabas] strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, ‘It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.’” Acts 14: 22

We have Paul and Barnabas traveling from city to city proclaiming the good news and causing many to become disciples of Jesus Christ, then they returned to Antioch and spoke these words. They wanted the disciples to be strengthened in their souls and to be encouraged in their faith. Think about the times when you have been strengthened and encouraged by people around you, and when you were able to do the same for others.

This has happened many times in my life, and one of the major times was after my late wife’s second surgery to remove a brain tumor. After this operation she couldn’t talk, walk, or move her right side. She spent twelve weeks in two different hospitals and a nursing home recovering from the effects of the procedure, having radiation, and relearning her life functions again.

Needless to say that was a very trying time for my family and me, I was with her every day for some period of the day during that time, and thus grew extremely tired and became emotionally drained. Even though it was very demanding, we were nevertheless strengthened and encouraged by the many people who prayed for us, visited us, called us, sent us cards, gave us meals, and were there to support us and help us in anyway that they could.

That experience certainly changed me and caused me to see so many things in life differently. I know that I am more empathic to others who go through something similar. I will always remember those who aided us and became God’s love for us. Without this love and compassion that time period would have been more challenging and lonely. May you also be like Paul and Barnabas and our friends and family and strengthen the souls of others and offer encouragement in their faith, so that they can feel God’s love through you!

God of all love, please strengthen and encourage me on this spiritual pilgrimage, and in the process allow me to be a support for others whom I meet today! Amen. Vernon T.

Copyright © 2016 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

0 Comments

Pastor Shirley Ross-Jones, and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Alpena MI, Blessings of the Animal Service, Oct. 8, 2016.

10/10/2016

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

Scripture Reflection: Humans and Animals!

10/6/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
“Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.” Psalm 36: 6

This verse immediately makes me think of St. Francis of Assisi. Each year on October 4 many liturgical churches celebrate the Feast of St. Francis. The Feast recognizes the life of St. Francis who is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment. It has become a good day to have a blessing of the animals service.

My wife, Rev. Shirley Ross—Jones, began having a blessing of the animals service at the congregation she served in Louisville, Kentucky. She continues that practice at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alpena, Michigan. She will have one this year on Saturday, October 8 at 10:30 A.M. in the church parking area.

The service is generally held around October 4 to honor St. Francis and to bless the animals that are brought to the event. She also prays for the caretakers of the animals. It is a wonderful service for those who love their pets as well as reminding them that God loves their animals just as the Lord loves humans. If you are in the area and have a pet, please come by!

This verse reminds us that God loves and cares for all of creation, humans, and animals alike. St. Francis is also remembered for his work and ministry with the poor and the lepers, besides his love for all of creation. May your spiritual pilgrimage open your heart and may it be filled with love for  humans, animals, and the environment that God loves with an everlasting love!


Lord of the cosmos, may your Holy Spirit help me to see your presence in all of creation and inspire me to be a good steward of the gifts that are all around me! Amen.  

Copyright © 2016 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

0 Comments
    Picture

    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. 

    Archives

    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.