Pointes Of View

Stories shape the world. You’ll find stories here of how Christian faith catalyzes values, relationships and purpose.  Check out the popular posts page, for a curated list of top articles.

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He is Risen!

There is nothing quite like finishing a task that you have had on your to-do list for a long time. Until you complete it, there is always a weight on your shoulders. No matter what you do there is a nagging feeling that there are other things that must be accomplished. I take great pleasure in putting a checkmark beside that task. Done. It’s off my plate. Now on to other important things. Last Words: It is Finished In the last four weeks, we have been talking about the last words of Jesus from the cross. This Friday we'll dig deeper into Jesus final words from the cross. These aren't words of defeat. Instead, they were a cry of victory.…
Michael Voll
April 16, 2019
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Never Alone

One of the greatest fears that people of all ages face is being alone. Autophobia or monophobia is the technical name for it (for those of you who like to be in the know!).Don’t get me wrong, there are times you want your own space. A few hours to break free from the chit chat, small talk, pushy crowds and demands from kids, employers and even your significant other can be a dream come true.Made for RelationshipFor the most part though, as humans we are relational. Even Batman has Robin!We were made to be in relationship with one another. And this is because we were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and God is relational to the very…
Michael Voll
April 11, 2019
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Deathbed Confessions

A deathbed confession is when a person admits something that is weighing on their conscience before they die. Often this is done to a close friend, family member, doctor or pastor/priest. While Jesus was hanging on the cross between two thieves, he heard such a confession. Clearing the Air Evidently one of the two thieves wanted to clear the air. He was guilty, had been convicted, and now he was paying for his crimes with his life. He did the crime, now he was doing the time. Then he called out to Jesus. "Remember me." In a few moments, all three of these men hanging on their crosses would be dead, to slip entirely out of memory. They would be…
Michael Voll
April 4, 2019
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Father, Forgive Them

Last week we started a sermon series at North Pointe called “Any Last Words?” It is focused on the last words of Jesus as he was hanging on the cross. Words Are Powerful One can learn a lot about a person by their last words. We hear what was most important to them, as well as their hopes and regrets. These words reveal what they want to be remembered for and pass on to others who will live on. Jesus last words are very counter-intuitive. There are so many things that he says that are surprising, even shocking. However, when we get to know Jesus we begin to understand that his last words were a culmination of everything he taught…
Michael Voll
March 28, 2019
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Any Last Words?

The last words of a person can reveal a lot about their character, values, hopes, dreams and mental state at the time. Last Words Matter For some, their last words reveal their dry humor, such as the convicted murderer James W. Rodgers, who, when asked if he had a last request before going in front of a firing squad replied, “Bring me a bullet-proof vest.” Leonardo da Vinci revealed his ache at not accomplishing enough in life on his deathbed. In his final breaths, he said, “I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.” I hope that when the time comes for me to utter my last words that they will…
Michael Voll
March 23, 2019
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Humbled, Excited and Nervous

Humbled. Excited. Nervous. These are just a few of the words I use to describe how I feel right now when asked by friends and family. The role of Lead Pastor carries a tangible weight of responsibility that God has been preparing me for over the course of my 21 years in full-time vocational ministry. And for the last 14 years, I have been blessed to be a part of the North Pointe family. At times I wasn’t sure if there would be a chance for me to fulfill the calling of leading a church that God laid on my heart as a fifteen-year-old. Other times I thought our family would need to relocate to a different church, city or…
Michael Voll
March 8, 2019
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29 YEARS OF ADVENTURES IN SAYING YES

Twenty-nine years ago Rev. Bruce Fisher invited me to serve on his pastoral team at Central Tabernacle in Edmonton. I said, “Yes.” I had a lot of hair and some experience. Twenty-nine years later I have almost no hair and a bit more experience. Isolation To Congregation Being a pastor was not my childhood dream. My aspiration was to become a hermit - to live a tranquil life in isolation undisturbed by people. So how did I get from isolation to congregation? I said, “Yes.” God nudged me to follow His calling and be trained to become a pastor. Ten years along my pastoral journey I accepted the role of Christian Education and Missions Pastor at Central – a storied…
Jones Bob
March 3, 2019
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JESUS: DESPISED AND REJECTED

Rejection makes you feel like you’re not good enough. That everyone is better than you. Rejection is defined as to throw away, the state of being refused or the denial of love and acceptance. No wonder it hurts so much. One person's opinion, or one single incident, should never define who you are. Don't let your self-worth depend upon other people's opinions of you. Just because someone else thinks something about you, doesn't mean it's true. When it comes to revealing one’s true character, there are few tests as effective as rejection. No man ever passed this test like Jesus. He was abandoned and rejected, not by just one but by all. Nevertheless, He remained loving, kind and generous. He…
Jones Bob
February 27, 2019
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THE REAL DEAL: VELVETEEN PASTOR

“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, member of the Board at North Pointe Church and a fellow writer. You can enjoy his work here -…
Jones Bob
February 24, 2019
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THE HOLY SPIRIT AND LOVE

The intensity of what happened after I prayed convinced me that something supernatural was taking place. My future changed in an instant. I was filled with the Holy Spirit. Talking To Others About Jesus The year was 1976. Ancient history for some but for me it feels like just yesterday. A Saturday afternoon and I was kneeling by my bed praying. It was me and God. Saturday afternoon prayer meetings were not usual for me but this was an unusual time in my life. I was living in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario where I had a job with Air Canada. God was prompting me to talk about Jesus with people who were closest to me. The thought of talking to…
Jones Bob
February 13, 2019