We normally got games as Christmas presents for each other and during the Christmas break, we played games and enjoyed each other’s company. I look back on that time as a blessing for we grew together as a family and enjoyed the time together. May this be a time of bonding and fun for you, your family, and close friends! Vernon T.
When I was in the secular work force, I was generally able to take off the time between Christmas and the New Year. This period became a bonding period for my immediate family when my children were young and we lived in Denver and then Northern CA. Both Judy’s (my late wife) and my families were back in Northern Ohio and so we spent these Christmas holidays away from them.
We normally got games as Christmas presents for each other and during the Christmas break, we played games and enjoyed each other’s company. I look back on that time as a blessing for we grew together as a family and enjoyed the time together. May this be a time of bonding and fun for you, your family, and close friends! Vernon T.
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Merry Christmas to you and your family! From Shirley and Vernon T. and the Ross & Jones family! "When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife." Matthew 1:24 Here we are on Christmas Eve. The Advent season is also over. Additionally all those last-minute Christmas chores are trying to be hastily done. However, for a moment lets think about how important Joseph’s act was to what we are celebrating. Joseph had planned to quietly dismiss Mary as was his right in the society at that time. However, he changed his mind and went against everything he had always believed in. While we are on this spiritual pilgrimage taking part in prayer, we should be open to being changed as Joseph was. Just as the angel of God appeared to Joseph and he changed what he had planned to do. God through the Holy Spirit may speak to us through prayer, some scripture, some spiritual book, or any number of ways. This message may cause us to change and move in a new direction. May we all be open to be changed on this Advent/spiritual journey! Vernon T Copyright © 2015 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved "It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions. But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." Jude 19-21 Only a few more days left until Christmas. So much of our society is mainly concerned about the material aspects of this time. For a long time, at least in the U.S., we have had our fair share of ads letting us know that until we buy the latest new thing, our life will be less then perfect. We know that this isn’t true, however, the daily message of buy-buy can weigh us down and get us off our center. I pray that during this Advent season you may continue with your spiritual practices of prayer, Bible study, and reflection to keep yourselves focused on where the Holy Spirit may be taking you. May there be little or no division in your life about what is really important at this time and all of your life. What we buy today is only short term, only God’s love will last for eternity. Blessings on your Advent pilgrimage! Vernon T. Copyright © 2015 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
"But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, . . . for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’" I Samuel 16:7 This passage from I Samuel concerns the anointing of David as king of Israel. In our culture we spend a lot of time, money, and effort on how we look, and we how we think others should look. For some of us, the importance of looking good overshadows many other aspects of life. We of course all need to spend some time on our personal appearance, but how much is enough. As we talk about this spiritual pilgrimage, spending time in prayer, Bible study, and reflection is primary to this walk. It appears from this passage that God looks on our heart and not how we look outwardly. As we spend time with our appearance, may we also find time to strengthen our heart with our spiritual practices, for that is what God is looking at! Vernon T. Copyright © 2015 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved |
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