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Bob Jones

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20,000 DAYS AND COUNTING

On the 20,000th day of his life, Robert D. Smith decided to change the way he measured his life. He spent the next 48 hours planning his next 20,000 days—and walked away with life-changing information. His book, 20,000 Days is a crash course for mastering your life. Recognizing life is short and needs to be lived intentionally leads to a whole new future because today takes on whole new meaning. 5 "I Will's For Today 1. I will gain critical wisdom. 2. I will be pushed to maximize my relationships. 3. I will dedicate 100% of my life to God. 4. I will possess a crystal clear vision for my life. 5. I will realize life’s true value. 7 Questions…
Bob Jones
December 22, 2012
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The One About Ornaments

A guest post about Christmas from Cindy Glubish. Chris and I started a tradition our very first Christmas together where we would exchange ornaments. Not just any ol’ ornament, but an ornament that held a special memory or inside joke pertaining to something that had happened to us that year. Some ornaments hold funny stories. Some ornaments are serious, like, ‘First Christmas Together,’ or, ‘Our First Home,’ or, ‘Baby’s First Christmas,’ or, ‘World’s Best Dad.’ And some ornaments are downright cheesy. The point is… they all mean something. I realized my life is like a tree. The trials I endure and the blessings I receive are my ornaments. Read the full article on Cindy's blog.
Bob Jones
December 20, 2012
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First Love

Guest post from Kathy Brown sharing her Christmas story. “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” Luke 2:17-18 It has been a very tough year. Very rewarding in many ways, but also disappointing in many other ways. I’ve made new friends, heard a lot of music, traveled and worked with a world class orchestra, bonded with my niece, served at my church a little bit, took several seminary courses among other things. On the other hand, I haven’t had sufficient employment in over a year, my house is out of order, my devotions have slipped,…
Bob Jones
December 18, 2012
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The Eyes of a Child

Life through the eyes of a child is awesome. Sunday night I got to sit beside my granddaughter Quinn (18 months) as we experienced the Singing Christmas Tree together. She was enthralled and I had fun watching her. When the Tree lights exploded in colour and the orchestra launched into their first piece and the projection screens came alive with the faces of the choir, Quinn had no idea where to look first. Back and forth from screen to platform to screen, taking it all in. When Michelle Buchynski sang, Quinn sang along with her. When Mannie Fonte led the choir and orchestra with his baton, she followed along with her hand. When the dancing Santas came down the aisles,…
Bob Jones
December 11, 2012
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Songs From Home

Kristen Fersovitch released her first CD in December 2012, “Songs From Home.” My disclaimer: I was a fan before I heard it. I can’t help being a promoter after I've heard it. My question: Is Kristen a singer who tells stories? Or is she a storyteller who sings? Behind every song is her story. Kristen opens her home and her heart to reflect on the meaning of each recording. From powerful original songs to classic hymns of faith, this CD will find its own home on your favourites list. “Songs From Home” includes “Christmastime (You can find Joy),” from the 2011 Singing Christmas Tree. Kristen’s story of her faith-filled battle with cancer inspired the sold out crowds at the Jubilee…
Bob Jones
December 5, 2012
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Rock Star

Yesterday.  For thousands of fans of Paul McCartney in Edmonton, yesterday is all that's left. Lucy is still here but the Walrus is on the run. McCartney's monumental first-ever concerts in Edmonton were like Christmas in November.  And oh what fun it was. Macca made it snow inside Rexall Place as 19 singers from North Pointe joined him on stage to back-up, "Wonderful Christmastime." As the Journal's Sandra Sperounes said, "Paul McCartney - omygoshomygoshomygosh." Rock stars.  Since Elvis came on the scene in the 50's, rock stars have had a religious-like effect on people. Their influence has been so significant that they themselves are influenced by it. From John Lennon's "bigger than Jesus" reference, to Jim Morrison, Robert Plant, and…
Bob Jones
November 30, 2012
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The River

"You can't fully experience The River from the banks . . .. You have to get in . . . all the way in." It’s not hard to get “all the way in” to Michael Neale’s “The River.” The fictional story is set in the beauty of the Colorado wild. It deals with death, grief, fear, young love and old hurts. “The River” follows Gabriel Clarke through the tragic death of his heroic father to a surprise encounter with the man his father died saving. The River backdrops the entire story of his life. I couldn’t help but see the River as an allegory of life in general and faith in God in particular. Contemporary Christianity compares the work of…
Bob Jones
November 10, 2012
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Remembering the Fatherless

God has a soft spot for orphans. He makes it very clear that any friend of His is a friend of orphans. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” (James 1:27) He fiercely describes Himself as a “father of the fatherless.” (Psalm 68:5) He distinguishes orphans by insisting on their provision and protection. “Learn to do good; seek justice…defend the orphan…” (Isaiah 1:17) Over the past nine years the North Pointe family has helped build homes, classrooms and a health clinic for orphans at our Village of Hope in Harare, Zimbabwe. Pamela Mukuze was the first orphan to be cared for at the Village of Hope.…
Bob Jones
November 7, 2012
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WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES IN A SHOEBOX

Vladimir Foreman was one of 400 kids, housed in groups of 20 at an orphanage in Russia. Living with 400 kids meant they were vying for everything - food, clothes and attention. “I had nothing to call my own. There was one towel used by 20 people and we could only take one bath or less every week.” He knew something was different the day red and green colored shoe boxes arrived at his orphanage. “I walked into a room and everyone was smiling.” SOMEBODY LOVED ME He was overwhelmed when he opened his shoebox. There was a notebook. “Wow,” I thought, “this is mine! I no longer had to share a piece of paper with someone else.” He could…
Bob Jones
October 16, 2012
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An NFL Godwink?

Faith…family…football. That’s Sunday in America, and in some parts of Canada. The 2nd half of the Colts-Packers game was on at our house. Our interest was piqued because the coach of the Colts, Chuck Pagano had been diagnosed with leukemia weeks earlier and was undergoing chemo treatments. When real life invades sports, the games become more than a game. They become a mission. “CHUCKSTRONG” signs were everywhere in the stadium. The players wore “CHUCKSTRONG” t-shirts under their jerseys. They were trying to win the game for their coach. The Colts were led by a rookie QB named “Luck.” With less than 5 minutes to play the Colts trailed by 5. After going 0 for 8 on 3rd down conversions in…
Bob Jones
October 8, 2012