Skip to main content
Category

Uncategorized

THE VOID Uncategorized

THE VOID

You've felt it on your Monday morning commute to work. Or when you've achieved the ultimate dream of your life and were surprised by how empty it left you. Thoreau described it as “the mass of men living lives of quiet desperation.” That's your soul talking to you. You soul longs to find its ultimate purpose. It will not rest until you do. The void is God-shaped. The Void Your soul is letting you know you come from God and your life is intended to be God-inspired. You're a unique creation made by God to live and not simply exist. From your first breath you've been on a journey, and a significant part of it has been a search for…
Bob Jones
August 15, 2018
THE LAST ARROW OF ERWIN MCMANUS Uncategorized

THE LAST ARROW OF ERWIN MCMANUS

The greatest battles you face are the ones on the inside. Erwin McManus is an author, mystic, futurist, filmmaker, designer and the lead pastor of Mosaic, a church community in LA. He is also living with cancer. The Last Arrow McManus is famous for his visionary literary work in An Unstoppable Force: Daring to Become the Church God Had in Mind, Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment and Soul Cravings. In authoring his latest book, The Last Arrow, he wanted to be able to write in a way you could read as if you’re at the end of your life, before you’re at the end of your life, so that you could live your life without regret. After…
Bob Jones
August 10, 2018
THE ESSENTIAL QUALITY TO GROWING YOUNGER Uncategorized

THE ESSENTIAL QUALITY TO GROWING YOUNGER

Youth photo by Pisit Heng on Unsplash “Pastor, if I raise my finger, will God know which one I’m going to raise even before I raise it?” Thirteen-year-old Steve attended church every week with his parents. This particular Sunday, he had stayed after the worship service to ask his pastor this pressing question. Answering The Questions of Youth The pastor replied, “Yes, God knows everything.” Troubled by African children suffering from famine, Steve then pulled out a Life magazine cover depicting two children tormented by starvation. He asked the logical follow-up, “Well, does God know about this and what’s going to happen to those kids?” The pastor gave a similar response: “Steve, I know you don’t understand, but yes, God…
Bob Jones
August 4, 2018
KEEPING YOUR KIDS ON GOD’S SIDE Uncategorized

KEEPING YOUR KIDS ON GOD’S SIDE

Parents obsess over car seats, bike helmets and sunscreen. It’s why you pack lunches, track down sports gear and drive all over town for school supplies. You prepare your kids because you love them. How prepared are your kids for Canada's changing culture? Culture Shift Are your kids prepared for the questions they'll face in the classroom with answers that will serve them well? You can let your kids flounder in a sea of skepticism or you can help them face the challenges that will come their way. Kids can learn to think critically and express their beliefs in a reasonable manner. Conversations To Have With Your Kids If you’re not sure where to find answers to tough questions, you…
Bob Jones
August 4, 2018
LIFE’S CRUISES AND CROSSES Uncategorized

LIFE’S CRUISES AND CROSSES

Enjoying a dose of natural vitamin “D” in January in an equipping environment seemed like a great idea for body and soul. I never imagined that I would learn so much about carrying a cross on a cruise. Cruises Make Sense In 2014 I co-chaired a task force assigned to rally pastors from some of Canada's largest churches in a conference setting. Someone suggested facilitating our meetings on a Caribbean cruise. After some initial resistance we agreed that the idea made cents. A 5-day cruise was equal in cost to a 5-day stay at a Toronto-area hotel. Before you could say, “Belize it or not” forty of us were on our way to Central America with Royal Caribbean. By the end…
Bob Jones
August 1, 2018
7 THINGS KIDS DO TO CHANGE THE WORLD Uncategorized

7 THINGS KIDS DO TO CHANGE THE WORLD

"What can kids do? They're too young to make a difference." Don't tell that to Sydney Woodworth and her crew at "The Lemonade Stand." While none of them are old enough to get their beginner driver's license they all have enough drive to move mountains. Plus, they've been changing the world for nine summers now. Sydney was awarded "Superstar" status in July 2016 for organizing the TOP FUNDRAISING GROUP for the Stollery. Jesus said, "Whoever becomes as a humble as a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Faith is not childish, its child-like and its what moves mountains. Adults can learn important lessons from kids and what they are doing. 7 Things Kids Do To Change the…
Bob Jones
July 29, 2018
3 GOOD REASONS TO TAKE PERSONALITY ASSESSMENTS Uncategorized

3 GOOD REASONS TO TAKE PERSONALITY ASSESSMENTS

It's incredible to be understood. To be known for who you are and why you do things the way you do. And to know yourself. That's how personality assessments can be your best friend. 1. Personality assessments are enlightening and entertaining. You've probably taken personality assessments at work or for self-discovery. Or just for fun. Some of your best twelve minutes today could be spent in completing a free online survey suggested to me by good friends. It's hosted by 16 Personalities. Scroll now to the survey at the bottom of this post if your personality type is impatient. When you complete the survey you'll receive a profile based on your responses. And you may hear yourself saying, "Uncanny. I…
Bob Jones
July 20, 2018
IN THE ROUGH Uncategorized

IN THE ROUGH

The rough - its a destination for which my golf ball never needs to ask directions. Recreational and professional golfers alike, end up in it. It can be a place of intimidation or immortality. Some of the most memorable victories in the PGA or LPGA are of pros who made improbable shots out of the rough. In golf, championships are won not by avoiding getting into the rough but by successfully getting out. Life is much the same way. Life's UnFair Way To be in the rough is to be off the fairway. The rough feels unfair, frustrating, discouraging, and stands in the way of success. All too often, life resembles golf: our lives end up "in the rough" and…
Jones Bob
July 19, 2018
HERE COMES JON BAUER Uncategorized

HERE COMES JON BAUER

Jon Bauer knows why he gets up in the morning. His why is the explanation for crowds around the world grooving to his music. Story In Song Jon’s a singer, songwriter, storyteller with a heart the size of the Prairies. Crowds get into his concerts because he sings their stories through his songs. On Sunday August 5th Jon will engage everyone who’ll make their way to North Pointe Church in Edmonton for any one of the three concert services. He hopes you’ll accept his personal invitation to be there. Jon's Career Jon’s twenty-two-year career is highlighted by twelve Canadian Christian radio hits, encompassing a #1 song and six Top 5 singles. He's most proud of his million dollar family -…
Bob Jones
July 18, 2018
3 WAYS TO GET YOUR WORDS OUT Uncategorized

3 WAYS TO GET YOUR WORDS OUT

Writers know how to share. If you share freely there will always be more. This radical proposition runs contrary to human nature and dogs with a bone. Writers by nature and function are dogged by the call to listen to life and then freely empty their souls of the things they've heard. Think of your favorite writer. I wager that they're you're favorite because they excel at sharing. The Writers Group at North Pointe  is learning the value of sharing. We help each other become better writers and better people. Read how you can get involved here..."Writers Connect" Writing And Life Anne Lamott  is laugh-out-loud funny and alternately cranky and kind throughout her book, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions On…
Bob Jones
July 13, 2018