Over the recent past all of us have had a number of things that we have had to deal with; that has added much stress to our everyday existence. Beginning with the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Racial Injustice Pandemic, all of the climate related disasters, the Presidential Election, the many mass shootings, the continued political divisions; you name it, we all have had a lot to deal with. My heart continues to go out to those who have lost loved ones, jobs or their former ways of living. There has been so much pain and sorrow!
As I have noted before, recently I have had some additional stresses that have had to be dealt with. Issues that I was also involved with were; my estranged daughter suddenly coming back into my life, however, who very sadly died six months later from a brain tumor, we had the drama with my teenage grandson when he lived with us for seven months, we also had to deal with the COVID-19 Pandemic like everyone else, then shortly after that, all of the racial injustice issues nearly did me in, then the long 2020 Presidential Campaign and Election took away whatever emotional energy I had left. Now as we move into the summer of 2021, our national political divide continues to place one side against the other, as we try and come out of the challenges that remain.
All of these experiences caused me to have some mild-moderate depression and low periods. Normally I am able to handle most things, but I really struggled to deal with this all. I tried to continue my spiritual practices, and commit and commend my spirit to the Lord. It was challenging, but I had to do this daily, in order to allow God’s Spirit to walk with me through the highs and lows that I was experiencing.
I pray that you have tried to do something similar. We have all been through a lot and sometimes we don’t see a way out of the positions that we are in. Prayer, reflection, and reading the Bible and spiritual books, and the writings of our spiritual mothers and fathers can help us make it through one day at a time. These practices, may not take us out of the pain and sorrow we are in, but it can help us take another step and attempt to move forward.
In no way am I suggesting that my ministry and books are in the same league as other well-known authors, but I offer them as a source to aid with your spiritual practices during your life journey and these trying days. My second book, Nourishment for the Spiritual Pilgrimage: Daily Devotions for Christian Disciples, is still available through Wipf and Stock Publishers. The site’s link is at the top of this page, marked Wipf & Stock. It provides an aid for those who want to participate in the spiritual pilgrimage of becoming a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ. There are countless other daily devotionals, but hopefully this can offer something that many of the others may not, a specific focus on the concept of discipleship and one’s spiritual practices.
My first book, Discipleship---A Lifelong Spiritual Pilgrimage is on also on sale through Wipf & Stock, note the link at the top of this page. This small book offers guidance and gives support to those already involved in this pilgrimage, plus encouragement to those wanting to do more in developing good discipleship practices. Both books are also available through Amazon.com. Besides being offered in hard copies they are offered in eBook and Kindle Editions as well.
My prayer is that these books and other sources will be a helpful resource to those who read them, as we all strive to get through all of these pandemics, while attempting to stay connected to God’s Spirit. Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2021 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
As I have noted before, recently I have had some additional stresses that have had to be dealt with. Issues that I was also involved with were; my estranged daughter suddenly coming back into my life, however, who very sadly died six months later from a brain tumor, we had the drama with my teenage grandson when he lived with us for seven months, we also had to deal with the COVID-19 Pandemic like everyone else, then shortly after that, all of the racial injustice issues nearly did me in, then the long 2020 Presidential Campaign and Election took away whatever emotional energy I had left. Now as we move into the summer of 2021, our national political divide continues to place one side against the other, as we try and come out of the challenges that remain.
All of these experiences caused me to have some mild-moderate depression and low periods. Normally I am able to handle most things, but I really struggled to deal with this all. I tried to continue my spiritual practices, and commit and commend my spirit to the Lord. It was challenging, but I had to do this daily, in order to allow God’s Spirit to walk with me through the highs and lows that I was experiencing.
I pray that you have tried to do something similar. We have all been through a lot and sometimes we don’t see a way out of the positions that we are in. Prayer, reflection, and reading the Bible and spiritual books, and the writings of our spiritual mothers and fathers can help us make it through one day at a time. These practices, may not take us out of the pain and sorrow we are in, but it can help us take another step and attempt to move forward.
In no way am I suggesting that my ministry and books are in the same league as other well-known authors, but I offer them as a source to aid with your spiritual practices during your life journey and these trying days. My second book, Nourishment for the Spiritual Pilgrimage: Daily Devotions for Christian Disciples, is still available through Wipf and Stock Publishers. The site’s link is at the top of this page, marked Wipf & Stock. It provides an aid for those who want to participate in the spiritual pilgrimage of becoming a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ. There are countless other daily devotionals, but hopefully this can offer something that many of the others may not, a specific focus on the concept of discipleship and one’s spiritual practices.
My first book, Discipleship---A Lifelong Spiritual Pilgrimage is on also on sale through Wipf & Stock, note the link at the top of this page. This small book offers guidance and gives support to those already involved in this pilgrimage, plus encouragement to those wanting to do more in developing good discipleship practices. Both books are also available through Amazon.com. Besides being offered in hard copies they are offered in eBook and Kindle Editions as well.
My prayer is that these books and other sources will be a helpful resource to those who read them, as we all strive to get through all of these pandemics, while attempting to stay connected to God’s Spirit. Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2021 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
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