Blog Archives

Prayer at the Time of an Election

10/29/2020

Under your law we live, great God, and by your will we govern ourselves.
Help us as good citizens to respect neighbors whose views differ from ours,
so that without partisan anger, we may work out issues that divide us,
and elect candidates to serve the common welfare;
through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

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

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Prayer for Responsible Citizenship

10/22/2020

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Lord, keep this nation under your care.
Bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves
and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
Help us elect trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare,
and thus, serve you faithfully in our generation, to the honor of your holy name;
through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

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

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Shirley’s Sermon for St. Luke, the Evangelist Sunday

10/19/2020

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Shirley was asked to preach yesterday for St Luke’s Sunday. The writer of the Gospel of Luke was known as the beloved physician and his gospel account includes more healing stories than any of the other Gospels. Pastor Scott at Lutheran Church of Hope where we belong wanted to do some type of healing service to mark that Sunday. He knew of Shirley’s experience in doing healing services in her previous calls and he asked her to preach. I wanted to share that sermon with all of you.

The service was live-streamed and she recorded the sermon at home, and we sent it to the church and it was inserted into the service. Go to the link below, and find the service for October 18. She begins preaching between seven-eight minutes into the worship service.

Please continue to be safe and well. Vernon T.

https://www.lchope.org/lchope-video-archives

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Prayer for our Country

10/15/2020

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Almighty God, you have given us this good land as our heritage.
Make us always remember your generosity and constantly do your will.
Bless our land with honest industry, sound learning, and an honorable way of life.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance,
and from every evil way.
Make us who come from many nations with many different languages a united people.
Defend our liberties and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of
government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land.
When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and, in troubled times, do not
let our trust in you fail.
We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

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Scripture Reflection: Dealing with our National Pandemics---Like Running a Marathon---Not a Sprint

10/8/2020

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“…and let us run with perseverance the race that is before us.” Hebrews 12: 1

Having perseverance, patience, and acting purposefully are qualities we don’t often talk about in our modern fast-paced, instantaneous society. As has been noted on many occasions in my writings, I have not always been a very patient person. I have gotten better over the years, but still have my problems. I mention this so you know that when I state that in dealing with our Nation’s Pandemics, it is like we are running a marathon versus a sprint; and there is a need for lots of patience and perseverance---I am also talking to myself as much as to you.

Like most of you I am ready for the safer-at-home guidelines to be over so that we can be free again. However, as it has been said many times, we are on “Virus Time” and not “Human Time.” The COVID-19 Virus doesn’t care if we are all tired of the changes we have had to make. The Virus is only looking for the next person to infect, and no matter how careful we are, we or a loved one could be the next victim.

Racial injustices have been going on for generations and have survived countless attempts to get rid of it. Of course, many positive steps have been taken over the years, but the recent events have shown how deeply ingrained into the very fabric of our culture it really is. Thus, a lot of the rapid changes being made may not be enough to get to the very core of racism; that will take a long-term effort.

Our nation’s political divisions seemed to be increasing as we approach the November Elections. It appears that these divisions are causing more anxiety and tension in an already stressful time based on the other Pandemics. Each side of the division thinks the other side is wrong, and can’t understand why everyone doesn’t think like they do. Additionally, we have the weather-related catastrophes that have caused the U.S. more loss of life and property.

Regarding all of these of Pandemics and the climate issues, lets began to think about dealing with them as running a marathon---versus running a sprint. It takes certain skills and talents to run either a marathon or a sprint: such as endurance, conditioning, practice, and yes, patience and perseverance. However, most sprint races are run in seconds, whereas, a full marathon is run in hours!

In our world that has instant everything---where events around the world are known about in a matter of minutes, and in a few moments time the internet can provide us with countless amounts of information---it’s very difficult for us get our heads around having to wait for anything. According to what has been proven about all of these issues today, there are no quick fixes or no magic bullets in eliminating or correcting any of these. What is needed is perseverance, and something most of us don’t have in this world today---and that is patience.

In my ministry writings, I often refer to what many wise spiritual mothers and fathers have been saying for centuries, that being on a spiritual pilgrimage takes time and can’t be rushed. In the same manner, what the experts on these issues have said, and what this short blog is saying to us is the same message: that is to run the race relating to these challenges with perseverance and patience, and acknowledge that none can corrected in an instant. Let us all commit to the fact that we are running a marathon and not a sprint today. May your prayer practices allow you to be patient with what is going on around us, and do the best that we can do to change what we can alter; but at the same time to trust the future into the grace-filled hands of our loving Lord! Peace. Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Prayer for our Government Leaders

10/5/2020

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O Lord, our governor, your glory shines throughout the world.
We commend our nation to your merciful care, that we may live securely in peace
and may be guided by your providence.
Give all in authority the wisdom and strength to know your will and to do it.
Help them remember that they are called to serve the people as lovers of truth
and justice; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

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Scripture Reflection: Strive for God’s Kingdom---One Day at a Time

10/1/2020

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“But strive first for the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6: 33-34

This passage is part of what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is teaching those close to him about how he wants them to live. This message wasn’t for everyone, but only for those who were willing to follow him, and risk going against the culture at that time.

This message offers all of us who are attempting to become a disciple of Jesus Christ guidance about where our focus should be. By stating that we are to strive first for the kingdom of God, it reminds us that our daily decisions should be made through the lens of God’s kingdom, and not the lens of the world. That is hard to do especially when there are so many worldly voices vying out for our attention.

During this time of so many national pandemics, and overall---incredibly stressful times, it’s certainly very difficult to keep our hearts and minds on striving for God’s kingdom before all else. Additionally, at the same time taking our life one day at a time, and not worrying about tomorrow, and leaving the future in the hands of our Lord---is really trying for most of us.

However, that is what Jesus taught his closest followers, and what this passage continues to teach us today---even in this very uncertain time. May the Holy Spirit assist you in striving first for the kingdom of God before anything else, and leaving the tomorrow’s worries to our faithful and loving Lord! God bless you and your family now and always, and may you feel God’s love beside you on this ever-changing journey! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Prayer at the Time of an Election

Prayer for Responsible Citizenship

Shirley’s Sermon for St. Luke, the Evangelist Sunday

Prayer for our Country

Scripture Reflection: Dealing with our National Pandemics---Like Running a Marathon---Not a Sprint

Prayer for our Government Leaders

Scripture Reflection: Strive for God’s Kingdom---One Day at a Time

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Archives

Categories

​Prayer at the Time of an Election

​Prayer for Responsible Citizenship

​Shirley’s Sermon for St. Luke, the Evangelist Sunday

​Prayer for our Country

​Scripture Reflection: Dealing with our National Pandemics---Like Running a Marathon---Not a Sprint

​Prayer for our Government Leaders

​Scripture Reflection: Strive for God’s Kingdom---One Day at a Time

Author

Archives

Categories

Prayer at the Time of an Election

Prayer for Responsible Citizenship

Shirley’s Sermon for St. Luke, the Evangelist Sunday

Prayer for our Country

Scripture Reflection: Dealing with our National Pandemics---Like Running a Marathon---Not a Sprint

Prayer for our Government Leaders

Scripture Reflection: Strive for God’s Kingdom---One Day at a Time