“The Boy’s Uncle made me Real,” the Skin Horse said. “That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”(Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit(1922) (Avon Books Edition, 1975), pages 12-13)
Becoming Real
Like the Velveteen Rabbit when new, Pastor Bob started in this pastoring business with a full head of shoulder-length hair, and a full beard. 39 years later, he has been loved well by his congregations and communities, has a lot less hair, and has like the Velveteen Rabbit, become “real”.
A guest post from Tim Fowler – published author, a fellow writer, and a friend. You can enjoy his work here – Birch Canoe.
The Deal With Being Real
Being a pastor is like any other job. You go to school, train, apply, get hired and go to work, you report to someone, and others report to you.
But, it is unlike any other job: it will rub your hair off.
Pastor Bob has lead too many funerals, dealt with too many unknown details of pain and grit in his counseling office. He has blessed babies, graduates, marriages of young and very old. He has visited broken people in their broken homes, talked people off the proverbial cliff, and experienced the shock and horror when they cannot be talked down.
These are people he loves, and knows well, people from his congregation and community. These are not strangers executing a single transaction, they are people he has a relationship with. Some are deep relationships.
By The Time You Are Real
“You can only become real by being loved for a long time.” The Skin Horse said. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”
Life tends to polish off the rough edges, grinding, honing, polishing, making us real.
Pastor Bob has been real for sometime. He has witnessed sparkling miracles, and vicious bitter disappointment. Through it all he maintains focus on God’s promises. In fact he leads a congregation where our tag line includes the phrase: where people are real.
Thank you Tim, for your words. Words create worlds.
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Pastor Bob was with us many years ago. Then he left and I thought I would never be able to speak to him again. We found him and we were delight.
Aside from my personal experience of learning how to walk with God, he taught me how to walk with God. Let me make this clearer.
Do you know the definition of REAL?
“The state of things as they actually exist”.
REAL LIFE
TRUTH
He taught me it is all right in front of me with the Bible, “word of God”, and learning to listen to God through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I try to live, think, be as one who loves the Lord, walks with the Lord, listens to the Holy Spirit, and I know when I fall, The Lord is there always to pick me up and set me on the right path of TRUTH.
I thank God for Pastor Bob is my life.
I once had a good friend who lost her husband two weeks after they were married. He died suddenky by a heart attack. I was devistated. I went to Pastor Bob in despair. I asked him how can I help my friend. I dont understand WHY? Pastor Bob looked at me, fully understanding my grief and said, “you can help when you get from the WHY to the WHAT.”
I let you all think about that but that not only is TRUTH but its the REAL DEAL!
What a lesson I learned from The Real Deal Velveteen Pastor.
Thank you Jesus for Pastor Bob.
Susan and I are both sad and happy. Sad that you are going but happy that you finally get to go do things for the both of you. I pray we will get the opportunity to visit your home one day, as we have not been there yet, please enjoy these extra years to the fullest go play, have fun get dirty run around, splash in the puddles and truly enjoy life to the fullest. You’re very loved. ❤️
My daughter and myself been with Northpointe 5 years and my grandchild joined us 4 years ago. It has been personally challenging years. Though we never had the opportunity to meet with him personally we emailed many many times at all odd hours and he was sure to reply back comforting us and leading us closer and closer to theLord by his reassuring words from the word of God. He is annointed man. Will miss him terribly , we fully understand the need to hang up the coat someday. Seems like this is his turn. We are sure Jocelyn &him won’t be idle. May their blessings multiply and spread far and wide. With love, respect and blessings
Pastor Bob when you announced that your concluding your stay at North Pointe i was shocked and surprised, but i think when we are serving the Lord we obey even when we don’t know the unknown. You are very real, i see how you served, i admire your humbleness, you are a great Pastor and teacher it hurts to see you and Jocelyn go. We will miss you dearly and we love you.
Bob’s family has been a blessing to Karen and I. I am thankful to count him as my Christian brother. I learn something every time he shares the Word. We have been blessed to have him, Jocelyn and family as our shepherd. Where ever they go they will be a blessing!!!
I LOVED this! It made me laugh and cry! SO good!
Thank you for sharing YOUR words of inspiration pastor Bob, because words indeed matter.
Blessings 🙂