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Canadian Insights for US Church Leaders on Same-Sex Marriage and Youth

In most cases, Canadians play catch-up with American leaders on social issues, but here's two issues where Canadians can offer some leading insights. 1. Some Advice on Same Sex Marriage For US Church Leaders From a Canadian Carey Nieuwhof is a pastor in Barrie, Ontario. His recent blog post on same-sex marriage has been shared over 100,000 times and counting. Canadian pastors are ten years ahead of our US colleagues in dealing with legalized same-sex marriage. Nieuwhof says, "If you believe sex is a gift given by God to be experienced between a man and a woman within marriage, why would you expect people who don’t follow Christ to embrace that? Why do Christians expect non-Christians to act like Christians?…
Bob Jones
July 1, 2015
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Amazing Grace in Charleston

Jon Stewart began his June 18th edition of The Daily Show with an emotional, joke-free commentary about racism and gun violence in America following the shooting deaths of nine people at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. “I’ve got nothing for you in terms of jokes and sounds, because of what happened in South Carolina,” Stewart said. “I honestly have nothing other than just sadness once again that we have to peer into the abyss of the depraved violence we do to each other and the nexus of a gaping racial wound that will not heal yet we pretend doesn’t exist.” A Gaping Wound When a nation’s comedian finds humor inappropriate, you know the events of the…
Bob Jones
June 19, 2015
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2000 YEARS OF JESUS BUILDING HIS CHURCH

The animated map contained in this post is a powerful visual depiction of the most important movement in history: the spread of Christianity. Every frame is one year in the last 2000 years of the Great Commission. Watching the video inspires me. I can see in a few moments what Jesus saw 2000 years ago as he hung on the cross. He has built His Church and "the gates of hell" have not prevailed. 2000 Years of Jesus Building His Church Charting the geographic progress of the Gospel over the last 2,000 years includes the stories of the apostles' journeys, the outposts of the early church, the hotbeds of persecution, the staging grounds of the Church’s major theological battles and…
Bob Jones
June 15, 2015
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Storm

If this was the ONLY book you read this year by a Christian leader you would draw the incorrect conclusion that the Church reeks. I think it rocks...and I think deep down Jim Cymbala feels that way too. He is negative about the state of the Church, critical of pastoral priorities and practices and is of the opinion that very little good or godly is going on in North American ministries. Hard to Argue With Prayer Pastor Cymbala repeatedly states that he has written the book out of humility and concern and certainly not from a perspective that he has all the answers. He then goes on to give his answer to all of the problems in the Church –…
Bob Jones
March 15, 2015
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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
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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
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THE MOST INSPIRING WORDS

I asked over 1200 people to write down their favorite Bible verse on a card. Most wrote from memory. Some wrote from the New Testament they had just received, courtesy of the Gideons of Canada. After sifting through hundreds of cards, I quickly concluded 3 things: 1. A wide variety of Old and New Testament verses mean something very special to people. I went through 38 cards before I found my first duplicate verse. There were literally 100's of different favorites. 2. The most popular verses in this given sample were: Jeremiah 29:11 Romans 8:28,29 John 3:16 Proverbs 3:5,6 Psalm 23:1 3. The Bible is a rich source of inspiration and direction for people at North Pointe. Many who wrote…
Bob Jones
October 15, 2014
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THE OPPOSITE OF LONELINESS

"We don’t have a word for the opposite of loneliness, but if we did, I could say that’s what I want in life." Marina Keegan was a student at Yale and a student of life. She was a playwright, a performer, an activist, a poet, a writer of fiction and a journalist for the Yale Daily News. Five days after she graduated in 2012, 22-year-old Marina was killed in a car accident. Her final composition went viral in the days following her death. Marina's last words hold a bitter sweet irony: "We don’t have a word for the opposite of loneliness, but if we did, I could say that’s what I want in life. What I’m grateful and thankful to…
Bob Jones
June 11, 2014
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VISITING NORTH POINTE ON A SUNDAY

  Visiting a church for the first time can be an adventure. Its nice to know what to expect, right? You’d love to ask, but you’re not sure who to ask or even if your question sounds silly. 6 Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting North Pointe 1. What should I wear? We are a “come as you are” church. You’ll see all kinds of people and all kinds of styles. Some will wear a suit and tie (men or women). Some will wear a dress (women). Some will wear jeans and t-shirts. You may even see shorts (even if the weather isn’t warm enough – its Edmonton, eh). 2. What will we do? What can I expect? Show up early…
Bob Jones
April 26, 2014
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Just Walk Across The Room

My wife and I are runners. We’ve completed a 10-miler; a couple of half-marathons and a full marathon. One of the unexpected things I learned to appreciate about running is the "runners culture." The Runners Culture Runners have a culture all their own - language, customs, gear and camaraderie. What I love most about the culture is the runners’ "greeting." When runners encounter runners they ALWAYS acknowledge each other - its one of the rules of running. In passing, they lift a hand to wave, or tip their cap, or offer a “Good morning” or an encouraging, “Keep going!” or the awesome words, “You guys are making it look so easy!” Sometimes its just a smile. Jocelyn and I seldom…
Bob Jones
April 23, 2014