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BOB JONES

Coach / Author / Communicator /  Check out the popular posts page, for a curated list of top stories.

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Unbroken: The Rest of the Story Uncategorized

Unbroken: The Rest of the Story

Louis Zamperin is a hero worth getting to know. Zamperini survived his B-24 Liberator's crash into the Pacific during WW2. He endured 46 days in a liferaft, was captured by the Japanese, imprisoned on “Execution Island” – a place that every known prisoner had been put to death, was starved, suffered beatings and torture at the hands of sadistic guards for over two years. Angelina Jolie's film version of Louis Zamperini's life graphically depicts the violence he endured. What Jolie misses in a film characterized as her "triumph" is how Louis triumphed over his traumas. His faith story is mostly absent from the film until the end. The closing slide says it all - “After years of severe post-traumatic stress,…
Bob Jones
December 21, 2014
4 of the Most Inspiring People of 2014 Uncategorized

4 of the Most Inspiring People of 2014

Inspiring people show us that adversity can be overcome and become a platform for hope. Here are glimpses into the lives of four of my most inspiring people in 2014. MALALA YOUSAFZAI Malala Yousafzai, became the youngest-ever recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize and the first Pakistani to become a laureate. Her 17 years of life have decades worth of living and wisdom in them. “I tell my story not because it is unique but because it is not,” she said in her speech at the Nobel ceremony. “It is the story of many girls. Today, I tell their stories too.” Malala was born into a Pashtun family in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. The district was a tourist destination until the…
Bob Jones
December 17, 2014
Awe-Inspiring Sounds of Christmas Uncategorized

Awe-Inspiring Sounds of Christmas

Experiencing a North Pointe Sunday of worship for the first time, may feel more like Broadway Avenue than Church Street. That's OK. Worship can be subdued and it can also sparkle. December 14th was our Sunday to sparkle! CHRISTMAS MAKES EVERYTHING NEW For Christmas 2014 our Rock Choir presented, "Christmas Makes Everything New." You can hear the full version below. Some of the choir’s music will carry you. Just listen. Soak it in. Let it inspire you. Worship music communicates in a manner that spoken words cannot. God’s Spirit will make this more than just melodies for you - He’ll make it a ministry to you. HEARTFELT RESPONSES Read what people had to say after experiencing the presentation. "The concert…
Bob Jones
December 17, 2014
Kay Warren: The First Christmas Without… Uncategorized

Kay Warren: The First Christmas Without…

My cousin Sharon died by suicide in April 2003. Her despair from a marriage that ended in divorce coupled with her decade long struggle with depression were too much for her to cope. Christmas 2003 for her surviving family was one in which her extended family left a lot to be desired. Looking back I am sure we dropped the ball. I wish I knew then what I learned by reading Kay Warren's story about the first Christmas without her son, Matthew. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS WITHOUT... Rick and Kay Warren's son Matthew died by suicide in April 2013. Her mother's heart says it all in this post about her first Christmas without Matthew. "Christmas 2013 was our family’s first without…
Bob Jones
December 12, 2014
THE KIDS GOT IT RIGHT Uncategorized

THE KIDS GOT IT RIGHT

I had a front row seat for three all-star Christmas presentations by our Children’s Ministry. Color me, “Proud Pastor.” None of the participants were my children or grandchildren, but they were all family! On Our First Day of Christmas There Were 22 bell ringers chiming, 8 cheerleaders jumping, 7 angels singing, 5 band members serenading, 4 line dancers grooving, 3 C & W singers crooning, 2 choir directors leading, 1 sixty-five voice choir singing and a partridge in a pear tree (OK, so no partridge). A Christmas Extravaganza Yep, it was our King’s Kids Christmas presentation! There was Ginger Breadhouse, Holly Branch, Candy Cane, Mary, and…Ned, Ted and Jed! Miss Carolyn Bells, the children's choir director, was leading the kids…
Bob Jones
December 7, 2014
HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS! Uncategorized

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The song, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is loved by millions, including me. Its been covered by singers like Frank Sinatra to Twisted Sister. There are over 500 versions of the song on iTunes. I bet you'll hear it sometime before Christmas Day 2016 is over. What makes the song so popular is as basic to human nature as breathing. THE BACKSTORY It was Christmas 1944 and World War II was in its final stages. Judy Garland, perhaps the world’s greatest entertainer, was about to star in what would become a movie classic, “Meet Me in St Louis.” The movie tells the story of a close-knit family living in St. Louis in the early 1900s. The family is devastated…
Bob Jones
December 6, 2014
Top 3 Posts of November ’14 Uncategorized

Top 3 Posts of November ’14

Information. Inspiration. Insight. Those were the values our readers experienced this past month based on our most popular posts. You know people who would enjoy the content as much as you have. Please tweet this link / share it on your FB page / or leave a comment below. The Top 3 Posts of November 2014 #1 - "5 Things You Need to Know About the Islamic State" One year ago, most Canadians had never heard of the Islamic State. Now, its a term that most Canadians wish they could forget. The Islamic State is referred to in the media as “ISI” “ISIS” and “ISIL.” What difference does one letter make? An L of a lot. #2 - "God Will…
Bob Jones
November 30, 2014
Many Voices – One Clear Choice Uncategorized

Many Voices – One Clear Choice

How does God work in drawing people to a faith in Jesus Christ?  This is Dr. Ron Powell's story.  Ron is the Youth Ministry Institute Director at Vanguard College in Edmonton and is equipping pastors be a voice for their generation. He is an avid blogger at YouthMinistryUnleashed  It’s not just one influence that brings a soul to Christ. In my case, there were many different voices that led me to one clear choice. You may be surprised to see the variety voices God uses to save a life. My Parents My dad lost and found his Scottish Presbyterian faith in the front lines of Korea. When he returned to Montreal, he married Shirley Knowles a staunch Anglican. Together they…
Bob Jones
November 26, 2014
LAURIE’S STORY: FREEDOM FROM ADDICTION Uncategorized

LAURIE’S STORY: FREEDOM FROM ADDICTION

Laurie understands what it is to descend into addiction and hopelessness. She used to live there. Laurie also knows what's it like to find freedom and wholeness. She's a freedom fighter now - sharing her story to help others find freedom. I've known Laurie and her family for almost ten years since they started attending North Pointe. LAURIE'S STORY: FITTING IN I grew up in a religious home and had good parents, but I was never sure where I fit or found acceptance. When I was 12 years old I discovered alcohol, and instantly I felt like I was able to make friends and be the life of the party - I finally fit in. For years I drank on…
Bob Jones
November 26, 2014
What Can a 60 Year Old Say to Youth? Uncategorized

What Can a 60 Year Old Say to Youth?

Dr Ron Powell allowed me to guest post on his blog, YouthMinistryUnleashed. Ron and his family have been a part of North Pointe Community Church for the over 10 years. He has been on a mission of pastoring and teaching youth ministry for the past 29 years and currently is the Youth Ministry Institute Director at Vanguard College in Edmonton.  “Pastor, would you speak at our youth retreat?” My quick response surprised Jeremy, our youth pastor, not just because I seldom respond quickly but because it was an enthusiastic one. And it was heartfelt. There was no need to pray, think, ponder or mull over this decision. “Yes!” When I preach on Sundays at North Pointe there are youth in…
Bob Jones
November 19, 2014