Blog Archives

God Reigns!

12/27/2024

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see
the return of the Lord to Zion.

Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.

The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Isaiah 52: 7-10

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Merry Christmas

12/25/2024

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We wish you and yours a very blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with good health, and much joy!

Peace, Vernon T. & Shirley and our extended/blended family.

(Picture is from the Breckenridge CO Riverwalk Area.)

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Change in Challenging Circumstances

12/19/2024

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“When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.” Matthew 1: 24

Christmas Eve will be with us in a few days, yes, the Advent season is also over. Additionally, all those last-minute Christmas chores are trying to be hastily done. However, for a moment let us think about how important Joseph’s act was to what we are celebrating. Please take a moment to read the scriptures around this one. Joseph had planned to quietly dismiss Mary as was his right in that society. However, he changed his mind and went against everything he had always believed in, and against the customs that were in place back then. In doing so, he was able to be with Mary in what she was asked to do; and he became the father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

While we are in these very challenging times, we have all had to make changes of some type, most of which we did not want to. However, we did change! Additionally, on this Advent journey and on our own spiritual pilgrimage while taking part in prayer, we should also 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 spiritual direction. Being on this path may take us to places that we never dreamed of before. May we all be open to be changed on our Advent/spiritual journey! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Picture is of Mary, Joseph, and baby, Jesus; Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of George Campbell Cooper through Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 1635, Public Domain.

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Advent Anxiety

12/12/2024

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“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

As we get closer to Christmas, beside dealing with the evil/war/hatred, political, racial, and economic issues facing us; a good portion of our society is also concerned about the material aspects of this time. For many weeks, 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 than perfect. We know that this is not true (especially in these very trying times), however, the daily message of buy—buy can weigh us down even more, cause us to have anxiety, and continue to keep us off of our spiritual center.

I pray that during this Advent season and these stressful moments in our world, that 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 or currently experience is merely short term, only God’s love will last for eternity. Blessings on your Advent pilgrimage! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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Advent Refection: Abounding in Hope

12/5/2024

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“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

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent; just a few more weeks until Christmas day! The marketing of the holiday season that began well before Thanksgiving continues at a frantic pace. Even in the midst of so many things going on around us locally and globally; marketing for this season continues.

However, for the Christian church, Advent is a time to prepare our hearts, minds, and souls for the coming of the Christ Child, who is with us now, and who is still coming. It is a period set aside to reflect on this wonderful gift of love given to humankind by the God of love.

The Advent season should be a time of hope. However, having hope about the future can be challenging, when it is so easy to be discouraged by the things happening around us, such as the many physical storms of nature, the emotional storms in daily life, the nation’s political divide, and wars that humankind is facing worldwide.

However, God’s hope is always there, even if sometimes hidden by dark clouds. It does not completely take us out of the ups and downs of this fallible world, nonetheless, by focusing on God’s word and love it helps us to get to the other side of these storms. During this Advent may you be able to find hope about your future, and joy and peace in your daily life; no matter what may be facing you at the moment. Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2024 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

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God Reigns!

Merry Christmas

Change in Challenging Circumstances

Advent Anxiety

Advent Refection: Abounding in Hope

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​God Reigns!

​Merry Christmas

​Change in Challenging Circumstances

​Advent Anxiety

​Advent Refection: Abounding in Hope

Author

Archives

Categories

God Reigns!

Merry Christmas

Change in Challenging Circumstances

Advent Anxiety

Advent Refection: Abounding in Hope