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AMANDA’S STORY: NOW IS MY TIME

"Pastor Bob, if there is ever any way my story is able to help, I would love to save someone many unnecessary years of agony." Amanda's agony was a painful part of her past and a redemptive part of her future. Amanda explained to me why obeying Jesus and being baptized was so important to her. This was a determined and deeply emotional choice for her. (more…)
Bob Jones
October 3, 2019
Life FormationPopular

THEY CALL ME PASTOR

Being a pastor is not something to which I aspired. It certainly wasn't a childhood dream. By nurture, I'm a people person. By nature, I'm a loner. (My teenage ambition was to be a hermit. Really) I'm like a turtle on a fence post. When you see a turtle on a fence post you know it didn't get there on its own - someone put it there. My fence post is a platform of genuine love for the people God has entrusted to my care. (more…)
Bob Jones
May 5, 2019
Health MattersPopular

DEPRESSION: MY STORY by BROCK HARRISON

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 Jones
April 29, 2019
Popular

THE ONE THING THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING

Photo by Dmitry Ratushny on Unsplash Without this ONE thing even the smallest tasks feel impossible. Without this ONE thing couples give up on their marriage, parents give up on their teens, leaders give up on their people, people give up on their future. You can live for 40 days without food, about 3 days without water, and about 8 minutes without air. You don't want to go a single second without this ONE thing. The World Of Sports I've coached football long enough to know that spectacular fourth quarter turnarounds happen. Coaches inspire their team with, "All it takes is one break! All we need is one play! We're one turnover away from a comeback! There's time on the…
Bob Jones
August 8, 2018
Popular

3 WORDS TO LIVE BY

Words ultimately matter. Plain and simple. Less Is More As a pastor/teacher/writer I am constantly learning. My biggest lesson of the past twelve months? “Less is more.” It’s been a challenging lesson to learn but this trilogy of words is now a guiding light for me. They got me thinking – what else can be said that is meaningful, true and wise in three words? I asked associates, writers and social media friends to share three words they live by. Read through them. Who said them? Made you smile? Got a favorite? Post a comment. 3 Words To Live By I need coffee. Nothing is impossible. Never ever quit. Ideals. Action. Altruism. Eat more sushi. Make a difference. Be a…
Bob Jones
February 15, 2018
Popular

FOR TALIYAH AND THE WORLD

My day ended with with thoughts of 5 year-old Taliyah Marsman on my mind. I’d listened to Ryan Jesperson and Andrew Grose field texts and phone calls from irate listeners on an unscheduled 630 CHED radio program in response to the terrorist killings in Nice, France and the discovery of Taliyah’s body. A Pastor And The Death Penalty All Albertans held their collective breath as we waited with hope that Taliyah, missing for four days, would turn up somewhere safe with a caregiver. We took a collective punch to the gut with the discovery of her body and the 1st degree murder charges laid against the suspect. Then the calls flooded in for the death penalty to be re-instated for…
Bob Jones
July 15, 2016
Popular

10 MYTH-BUSTERS ABOUT INTROVERTS

The most misunderstood person on the planet is an introvert. The reason you don't hear much about that from us is because we are introverts. Silent no more. I'm coming out of my shell to explode ten myths about introverts. MYTH #1 - Introverts don't like to talk. Not true at all. I am a preacher. Some people say I talk too much. I don't like to talk unless I have something to say. Introverts hate small talk. I default to the serious all the time  - or talking family,  church, writing, Jesus or  football. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in and they won't stop talking for minutes. MYTH #2 - Introverts don't know how to…
Bob Jones
March 9, 2016
Popular

RISKY FAITH: RISING INTOLERANCE FOR CHRISTIANITY

A 65-year old man “became” a woman and everyone from the President of the United States to ESPN applauded this as “courageous.” Freedom of speech has its obvious liabilities but until recently, to say the least, free speech was tolerated. Anyone who expressed contrary opinions about this story were instantly demonized and dehumanized. If the commentator had any association with Christianity they were not only dismissed as deluded but derided as oppressively intolerant. Increasingly, Christianity is not tolerated because of the need for greater tolerance. Intolerance for Tolerance The word 'tolerant' as it is used today, seldom, if ever, includes opposing arguments or competing worldviews. Being tolerant used to mean, “I may disagree with you completely, but I will treat…
Bob Jones
June 3, 2015
Popular

HOW TO BE YOUR PASTOR’S MVP

Every pastor needs an MVP (Most Valuable Partner) or a whole tribe of them. MVP's will walk a mile in - not on - their pastor's shoes. MVP's know pastors are people first and pastors second. 3 Things I Know For Sure 1. People overwhelmingly love their pastors. 2. People often don’t express their love for their pastors. Church goers are more likely not to say anything about their pastors than express their love for them. 3. Critics often drown out those who love their pastors. Negative people tend to be relatively loud but in the distinct minority. As a consequence, pastors often feel like critics represent the majority. Most of the time, the vast majority of people are very…
Bob Jones
April 8, 2015
Popular

3 THINGS I LEARNED FROM A MARATHON MOMMA

You become what you are committed to. Commitment may develop you or it may destroy but it most certainly will define you. When you talk about commitment think of Mount Hiei, Japan - home to the "Tendai" or  "Marathon Monks." The Tendai are required to run "The Kaihogo" - that's why they are known as the “Marathon Monks.” Incredible Commitment "The Kaihogyo" is a 1,000-day running challenge the monks undertake over seven years. In the 7th year they must run two full marathons, everyday, for 100 consecutive days, wearing only paper shoes. (See below for full details of the seven year Challenge) The sheer volume of running is incredible but there is one final aspect that makes The Kaihogyo unlike…
Bob Jones
August 13, 2014