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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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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
Its Not a Goat…Its a Future. Uncategorized

Its Not a Goat…Its a Future.

“I wrote this in response to a World Vision gift my sister gave on my behalf—a goat. The story is my imagined result of that gift.  And, my intent is to help people imagine what the gift might do.” Are you able to feel the cool floor through your sleeping mat, drifting there on the red dirt? Soon the mat will be rolled up and the day will start with a pot of water to boil on a small fire, and you walking to get more water. It will take an hour. Read more here... BACKGROUND ON NKAYI, ZIMBABWE North Pointe is partnering with World Vision in Nkayi, Zimbabwe to help give children a future. Just over 190 children are…
Bob Jones
November 18, 2014
5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ISLAMIC STATE Uncategorized

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ISLAMIC STATE

One year ago, most Canadians had never heard of "ISIL." Now, "ISIL" or "IS" is a term that most Canadians wish they could forget. 5 Things You Need to Know About The Islamic State 1. WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES AN "L" MAKE? The Islamic State is referred to in the media as "IS" “ISI” “ISIS” and “ISIL.” What difference does one letter make? An L of a lot. ISI ( The Islamic State of Iraq) ISIS (The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria). ISIL (The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). In political terms, the Levant is an area roughly bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, the interior deserts of modern Syria, Iraq, and…
Bob Jones
November 12, 2014
LIVING WITHOUT JIM Uncategorized

LIVING WITHOUT JIM

“My best friend was in heaven. And I was still on earth.” Sue Keddy chose those bittersweet words to begin the story of her husband, Jim’s, sudden death and her life without him. What unfolds is an inspiring, raw account of grief, faith and courage. She has my gratitude for sharing her journey. Sue's story is personal for me. MARRIAGE, MINISTRY AND MISSIONS I attended Bible College with Jim Keddy for three years. His quit wit, winsome smile, artistic talent, gentle spirit and positive attitude won him the admiration and respect of classmates and profs, alike. Jim was our Student Council President. He married Sue Ozard, a pastor’s daughter, three months after I married Jocelyn. We graduated together a year…
Bob Jones
November 8, 2014