Often people don't believe a woman who says she has been abused if they see no bruises. Emotional wounds leave no visible bruises. My friend understands this completely. (more…)
Bob JonesMay 15, 2019
The thing is, being a mom doesn’t stop for anything. Not for blizzards, not for late nights, and not for cancer. It was July 2017, and I had just gone through another round of CT scans. Checking my voicemail, I heard the familiar voice of my oncologist. “Hi, Julie,” she says in her quiet, steady voice. “I have your lab results back and I’d like to discuss them with you.” (more…)
Bob JonesMay 9, 2019
Pastors are an endangered species in North America. The women and men who accepted a call to shepherd congregations through their valleys of the shadow of death have broad shoulders. But even the best are falling prey to deadly burdens. (more…)
Bob JonesMay 3, 2019
I ran into the house clammy and panicked. I did not want to be alone. But, I also unquestionably did not want to share my tormenting thoughts with anyone else. Are You OK? Concerned by my frantic behavior, my husband asked, “Are you okay?” “I’m fine,” I lied, as I handed off the kids for bedtime. I hurried to my bedroom. “How does God deal with suicide? Would I really go to hell? How would my family deal with it? Would I ever actually have the guts to do it?” I locked my door, longing to leave these forceful thoughts on the other side of it, but they followed me to my bed, the place I always ran to when…
Bob JonesMay 1, 2019
Just write, Harrison. For the love of God, write. This speech needs to be locked in a week and you don’t even have an outline. So write. Like you’ve done a thousand times before. Baby is crying again. Ignore. She’ll get her. You’ve got to get this done. Oh yeah, and it’s got to be good. There will be 1,000 people with deep pockets at this thing. So make it compelling. And funny. And smart. Some inspiration would be good, too. Why can’t I do this? Just write one word. One stinkin’ word. Nothing. Heart pounds. Head spins. Muscles seize. This isn’t going to get done. Walk away. Lie down. Have I lost it? Will I get back? What if…
Bob JonesApril 29, 2019
Weaknesses! We all have them, but rarely do you see someone boasting about them. In fact, we view them as a negative thing, and try to hide them. We portray to the world this résumé full of all our key strengths and abilities. I want to challenge you by saying, God sees the résumé of your life, with all your failures and weaknesses and says, "I CAN USE THAT." (more…)
Bob JonesApril 29, 2019
Depression is personal to me. My cousin died by suicide. She was depressed following her divorce. She never recovered from the rejection and grief. As a pastor I’ve grieved with too many families whose loved one ended their life because they could find no other way to stop their internal pain. (more…)
Bob JonesApril 29, 2019
Fear and its relative cousins – worry, distress, and anxiety – are bigger than any giant you will ever face. Fear is brutal. However, Tanya Lafontaine knew there is something more powerful than fear. And cancer. (more…)
Bob JonesApril 27, 2019