"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 JonesOctober 3, 2019
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 JonesMay 5, 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. (more…)
Bob JonesApril 29, 2019
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 JonesFebruary 15, 2018
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 JonesJuly 15, 2016
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 JonesMarch 9, 2016
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 JonesJune 3, 2015
I wouldn't be surprised if you've felt like "throwing in the towel" at one time. If you haven't, I suggest that you check your pulse. Quickly. And here's a real shocker for you: the notion that "winners never quit" is a myth! Everyone - even "winners"- have not only felt like it, but have quit at one time or another. I've been a quitter. I got discouraged and quit my first ministry assignment 38 years ago. The experience was humbling. It was also instructive - I learned valuable lessons that have served me for the rest of my life. 3 Lessons About Perseverance 1. Its always too soon to quit. If you have not finished a commitment, its too soon…
Bob JonesAugust 10, 2014