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REFLECTIONS ON WAITING IN LINE Uncategorized

REFLECTIONS ON WAITING IN LINE

MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS PHOTO taken by Justin Sinclair A few Christmases ago I was waiting in line at a big box store (the one that sells awesome hotdogs), reminding myself of why I don't frequent big box stores. Is it just me or does the shortest line always become the slowest line because I'm in it? The longer I waited the more frustrated I became. Unseasonal words filled my mind. "Why me, Lord?" Waiting And as I waited I had an "aha" moment. Waiting. I was waiting to get through the line. Nothing spectacular. I wasn't waiting on something spiritual, as in "waiting on the Lord." But I was experiencing what the weeks before Christmas are supposed to mean to…
Bob Jones
November 22, 2017
WHAT THE BAGGAGE HANDLER SAID Uncategorized

WHAT THE BAGGAGE HANDLER SAID

I started to do what I often do when life refuses to cooperate with me. I started talking to myself. Frustration lifted from my nerves right out of my mouth. What The Luggage Handler Said “I’m just such an idiot. I invite so much unnecessary drama and complication in my life, because my pace and my brain aren’t in sync. I mean, seriously, what is wrong with my brain?!” The luggage man made an abrupt about-face turn in my direction, extended his arm, and held up his hand, signaling me to stop. “Not in my presence,” he said. “Not in my presence will you talk about yourself this way. Absolutely not.” His command startled me. His words stopped me. Lysa…
Bob Jones
October 22, 2017
HOW TO HOLD IT TOGETHER WHEN YOUR WORLD IS FALLING APART Uncategorized

HOW TO HOLD IT TOGETHER WHEN YOUR WORLD IS FALLING APART

I can’t help but giggle sometimes at the news reports of wild weather storms. The weatherman is barely standing. Wind and waves are violently walloping against him. Meanwhile the other television host sits comfortably from her warm studio with perfect lipstick saying, “Weatherman Joe, can you please explain the storm situation right now?” Storms Weatherman Joe begins to yell while dodging debris and flying tree branches “Well, as you can see anchor woman Wendy, it’s pretty windy out here…” Really, Joe, really? Lately, I have been feeling a bit like Weatherman Joe, standing in the midst of a violent storm; debris flying at my head, waters rising to my knees, my balance being tested by gale-force winds and all the…
Bob Jones
October 11, 2017
COLE YOUNG: SPECIAL IN EVERY WAY Uncategorized

COLE YOUNG: SPECIAL IN EVERY WAY

Cole Young was amazing grace. Anyone who met Cole knew what it was to encounter the love of God. Not that Cole was perfect or able to turn water into wine. But he could turn whine into gratitude. Special Needs Cole was born with DiGeorge Syndrome, which is caused by the deletion of a small segment of chromosome 22. Typical of DiGeorge, he suffered for eighteen years from respiratory difficulties, heart murmur, frequent infections and eventually, organ failure. In some circles, Cole was known as having "special needs." In the circles that knew him best he was known as serving "special needs." Had a bad day? Cole could lift your spirit. Feeling sorry for yourself because life dealt you an…
Bob Jones
October 8, 2017
CHAPLAINS TO THE INVICTUS WARRIORS Uncategorized

CHAPLAINS TO THE INVICTUS WARRIORS

The Invictus Games aren't about the finish line – they’re all about making it to the starting line. This is an event where everyone gets a medal but there’s no coddled attitude for participants. For every competitor, just playing the game is important, courageous and admirable. The 3rd version of the Invictus Games - Toronto 2017 - featured more than 550 competitors from 17 nations participating in 12 adaptive sports. Wounded Warriors Each competitor is a wounded warrior. Melanie Harris, 42, from Edmonton, competed in bioarchery. She spent twenty years in the Armed Forces, serving four tours, including two in Afghanistan.  Harris lives with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and lingering pain from a back injury sustained overseas. In 2008 she…
Bob Jones
October 1, 2017
TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS: DOROTHY VISSER Uncategorized

TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS: DOROTHY VISSER

Upset. Angry. Judgmental. That was me before breast cancer. Yes, before. From Fear to Peace I am sitting on my deck reflecting on the day and feeling so peaceful. These past couple of months have been the hardest and most blessed in my life. Cancer. The diagnosis terrified me. Would the cancer kill me? My fear made me feel guilty. An inner voice nagged me, “Isn’t love supposed to cast out fear? Doesn’t God love you? Where’s your faith?” I was afraid of chemo and radiation and everything associated with cancer. Then I discovered how something life threatening could teach me how to live. In February 2017 Dorothy Visser's doctor informed her that she had breast cancer. Dorothy sat in…
Bob Jones
September 10, 2017
MY LOVE HATE LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH SPORTS Uncategorized

MY LOVE HATE LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH SPORTS

To be honest, you and I have had a turbulent relationship. You’ve caused me late nights and early mornings, disappointment and heartache, and you’ve made me wipe tears from my children’s faces on more than one occasion.  I have resented you, cursed you many times and some days you have even stolen my sanity. The life of a sports family is often chaotic, tiring, scheduled and trying but I wouldn’t give it up for anything. Alisha-Jans Lemoine is a part of the North Pointe Writers Group. She is a skilled writer and an even more awesome mom. This post first appeared on Alisha's blog at yegsolomom.   Teacher And Mentor You have been an amazing teacher and mentor. You have taught…
Bob Jones
September 6, 2017
DANCING IN THE RAIN: LINDA WINICK Uncategorized

DANCING IN THE RAIN: LINDA WINICK

Ask a hundred people who knew Linda Winick and you'll get hundred and one responses of "her smile" as her most impressionable quality. She left an indelible impact on anyone she met. Linda happily went in with all heart to anything she committed herself to - from 4-H as a child, community work as a homemaker and serving in her church during the last seven years of her life. No other earthly commitment mattered as much as her family - and she had a lot of them to love. Family Matters Next to her husband Wilson, her five children and their spouses and the nineteen grandchildren they gave her, were the apple of her eye. And she was a great-grandmother…
Bob Jones
July 3, 2017
HOLY SPIRIT POWER AND YOU Uncategorized

HOLY SPIRIT POWER AND YOU

Chrome, carnauba wax, and classic cars get your motor running? North Pointe is the place to be on the first Saturday of June 2018. The parking lot is packed with collectors of classics, admirers, and memories from days gone by at our Annual Cruise Into Summer Show 'N Shine. You can't miss the pristine exterior of the cars on display. And the powerful engines under the hoods. I started thinking about the horsepower available in these restored cars and the power of God's Spirit. Horsepower Under The Hood If you like the look of engines then you'll love the next couple of pictures. If not, scroll down... Yesterday's Power Maybe its the name "Bob Pilkie" that got my attention. This…
Bob Jones
June 3, 2017
REV. PHYLLIS RYAN FISHER: WOMAN OF HOPE Uncategorized

REV. PHYLLIS RYAN FISHER: WOMAN OF HOPE

Sixty nine years ago, Phyllis Ryan Fisher was born in Toronto to a loving and resourceful mother who in post war years either cared directly for Phyllis or made sure she was nurtured in wonderful homes surrounded by people who “adopted” her into their families. Small Town Girl Although Phyllis was an only child she collected moms and dads and sisters along the way that enriched her life and helped mold her into the lady she grew to be. This small-town girl loved the water and the Kawartha Lake country where she grew up and never forgot the friends who all loved her as a local girl who was going to make her mark in life. Rev. Bruce and Phyllis…
Bob Jones
May 24, 2017