Vernon T. Jones MTS, Spiritual Consultant, Author
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​A Prayer for Discernment

11/30/2023

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​“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.” Psalm 86: 11

Discernment comes to us in many forms, and often comes in ways that may be hard for us to see. We are all called by God to fulfill some part to bring about God’s kingdom into our present time. We all have certain gifts and talents that others do not have, and thus it is important for all of us to seek how those talents should be used, and set about using them. A prayer like this verse, is a good one to use to begin looking for how your gifts might be used.

My late wife, Judy, went into a Catholic Religious Order to become a sister right after high school. She joined the Humility of Mary Order (often called the Blue Nuns), for that is what she thought God was calling her to do at that moment. She felt that being a sister was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. This Order taught her in school and she became very close with them.

She was in the Order for more than two years, and the time was a very good one for her, for she grew spiritually and in many other ways. However, as time went on, she knew that this was not what she was called to do for all time. She left the Order, but she continued to discern her call as a disciple of Christ and continued to use her talents. Besides helping our family and me grow in our faith she also was deeply involved in Christian education in her local parish. Her entire life became a witness of God’s love to those around her and she discerned God’s call throughout her life

Discernment comes to all of us daily. May you be open to where it may be leading you; it could take you to places that are totally new and different for you! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2023 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
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​Happy Thanksgiving!

11/23/2023

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​“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” John 6: 27

Happy Thanksgiving! I pray that you and your family have a great holiday, and can enjoy the many wonderful things that come with it. At some point reflect on the many things that you have to be thankful for; and realize that there are many all around us that are less fortunate than we are. Many are struggling for any number of reasons.
 
When we think of others that do not have what we have been blessed to have, or have the good health that we have; that may allow us to even be more grateful for where we are. It may be also, allow us to be more appreciative of the small gifts of life, that are all around us that we often miss; especially, when we are too hung up on all of the material stuff that society and mass media throws our way.
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Also reflect on these words from the Gospel of John, where the only thing that will last into the next life is God’s love, and what is done for God’s kingdom.

May God’s peace and love be with you and your family! Vernon T., Shirley, and our blended/extended family.
 
Copyright © 2023 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Prayers

11/20/2023

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We continue to offer prayers for the people of Ukraine, the Middle East and other places suffering, such as Eastern Europe, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and so many others in our country and around the world.
 
“God of compassion, you watch our ways, and weave out of terrible happenings wonders of goodness and grace.
Surround those who have been shaken by tragedy with a sense of your present love, and hold them in faith.
Through they are lost in grief, may they find you and be comforted; through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives and rules this world with you. Amen.”
 
“Book of Common Worship---Daily Prayer” Westminster/John Knox press
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​Growing in the Knowledge of God

11/16/2023

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“For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1: 9-10

As this passage notes, we are to grow in God’s will and in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Our knowledge about the Lord’s will in our life, and about God’s kingdom will change and evolve over time. Being a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ carries with it the responsibility to always be looking for ways to grow in our faith and in the knowledge about God and God’s word.

I entered Trinity Lutheran Seminary because I thought that was what God wanted me to do. I did not know why I was going, only that I was meant to go. I had always thought that I knew the Bible fairly well, and was firm in many of my faith beliefs. However, the first quarter at Trinity was one of the most challenging and demanding times of my life. The remaining quarters had their stresses as well, but that first quarter was off the charts.

A number of things that I believed to be true about the Bible were radically changed or altered during that period. Some of the classes and discussion around the classes caused me to sincerely reflect on some of my long-held faith beliefs. It took a tremendous amount of emotional and physical energy to get through those classes. I made it, but what an effort. I continued my class work and in two years received a Master of Theological Studies Degree from Trinity. Even with this degree, I still read, reflect, and learn, and continue to be challenged regarding my knowledge and beliefs.

Please be open on your spiritual pilgrimage to receiving new wisdom and understanding about God’s will in your life. Also, endeavor to grow in the knowledge about God’s word. On this spiritual walk you may be asked to change your beliefs or to alter what you once thought to be truth! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2023 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Prayer

11/13/2023

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​We continue to offer prayers for the people of Ukraine, the Holy Land and other places suffering, such as Eastern Europe, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and so many others in our country and around the world.
 
Prayer---In a Time of International Crisis
 
Eternal God, our only hope,
our help in times of trouble:
show nations ways to work our differences.
Do not let threats multiply
or power be used without compassion.
May your will overrule human willfulness,
so that people may agree and settle claims peacefully.
Hold back those who are impulsive,
lest desire for vengeance overwhelm our common welfare.
Bring peace to earth, through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace and
Savior of us all. Amen
 
“Book of Common Worship---Daily Prayer” Westminster/John Knox press
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Faith to Trust in the Promises of God

11/9/2023

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“No distrust made him [Abraham] waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore, his faith ‘was reckoned to him as righteousness.’” Romans 4: 20-22

The story of Abraham and the faith he showed in God’s promises is recorded in several places in the Bible. He believed that God would do what was promised, even when things around him seemed to suggest something different. On our spiritual pilgrimage we often are called upon to have faith to trust in something that others cannot see or understand.

One of the times in my life when this occurred was when I was thinking of going to the Trinity Lutheran Seminary. I had spent more than twenty-seven years in the insurance industry and was not in a position to take early retirement but was given some really clear direction to go. The odd thing for me was that I knew that I should think about going but was not sure why I was going before I went. I very strongly believe that in order to become an ordained pastor, a person had to receive a call from God in some form or fashion, and I had not received that call. However, it became clearer as I went along that I should go anyway.
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After I started, people would ask me why I was here, I would say that God told me to come, but I did not know why. After I was there for a few months, people began telling me that I would make a great pastor, but again I did not feel called to be one. Going to Trinity took faith in God’s promises, for at the beginning I truly did not know why I was there. Later on, I found out why when I met and married Shirley Ross, and became involved in my current ministry, however that was after I went.

On your spiritual pilgrimage, may you like Abraham have the faith to trust in the promises of God, so that when you are called to act, you can do so knowing that God will be with you! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2023 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Shirley Preaching at our Reformation Service

11/2/2023

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Shirley retired from active ministry over five years ago, after which we moved to the Metro Denver area to be close to our Colorado family. She has not taken any interim calls, but still enjoys preaching when she can. We joined Lutheran Church of Hope after moving here, and she has guested preach there on occasion. She preached there this past Sunday on Reformation Sunday and enjoyed the experience. Below is link to that sermon, if you would like to watch it. Enjoy, Vernon T.
 
https://youtu.be/Of7QcbrvVDc
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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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