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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NOW ITS PERSONAL: PROSTATE CANCER

“Pastor Bob, you look horrible.” At first I didn't like my mustache either. But then, it grew on me. Doing Good A friend told me, “If I grew a mustache, my wife wouldn’t kiss me for a month. How do you get away with that?” My unfiltered response was, “What makes you think I’m getting away with it?” I grew a stache not so I could look good, but so I could do good. You know. MOvember. Now, three weeks into MOvember and suddenly the cause is personal. Sobering Stats There are too many men and the wives and kids who love them, going through horrible times because of cancer. A close friend was diagnosed with testicular cancer two decades…
Jones Bob
November 25, 2018
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CHILD SOLDIER: THE JENNIFER MITCHELL STORY

Nine-year old Jennifer held her breath until she felt she would pass out. She begged herself, lie still. Just a bit longer. Rebel soldiers of Uganda’s murderous leader – Joseph Kony - would surely move on. Soon. The soldiers’ boots were inches from Jennifer's and her seven-year old sister’s bodies. And then one of the soldier’s stepped on her sister and the little girl cried out. Captured Jennifer bravely stood up and showed herself. The rebels captured her but her sister fled and escaped with her life. Joseph Kony led the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda for over two decades. They terrorized Northern Uganda, raiding villages, killing adults and kidnapping children. Over 100,000 Ugandans lost their lives at the…
Jones Bob
November 24, 2018
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THE HEALING POWER OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

Love. It’s an overused word. We love everything from Peanut Buster Parfaits to our best friend. Love is overused and perhaps underrated - and definitely underutilized. The Face Of A Dying Man Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross is one of the outstanding psychiatrists in the world. She meets with AIDS patients who are dying. Dr. Kubler-Ross couldn't help but notice the face of a man who would attract anyone. He had disintegrated with the disease to the point of having holes in his face. She glanced over at him and instead of being in despair he was radiant. She kept noticing him as she talked and tried to encourage these young men. Finally she said to him: "I wish you would wait…
Jones Bob
November 21, 2018
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5 CHRISTIAN TEACHINGS USED TO SUPPORT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic Violence Often people don't believe a woman who says she has been abused if they see no bruises. Emotional wounds leave no visible bruises. My friend understands this completely. She suffered emotional abuse for years from her husband. They went through premarital counseling with me. I officiated their wedding decades ago. They left our church because he didn't agree with my views on marriage among other things. I'm humbled she is still my friend. I didn't see her suffering. Her silent torment woke me to domestic violence in Christian families. How many others may be suffering? Domestic Violence Is A Behavior Not A Sickness Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in which a person uses coercion, harassment, deception,…
Jones Bob
November 17, 2018
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ORNAMENT REVIEWS: FAITH, JOY AND HOPE

Ornament This book is a wonderful gift of hope to any who would take the time to read it. HOPE The graphic excellence and intimate details create a connection portrayed through the challenging personal journey and photographs. Ornament beautifully challenges the assumption that life has to be perfect to find joy; that circumstance have to work out in our favour to maintain our faith. It breaks the bonds of despair by showing who is able to bring real HOPE! If you need help finding that kind of hope; a redemption not yet visible-you need this book! (Grace Maclellan) Faith "I have a personal connection with Kristen Fersovitch - she was a dear friend - whenever I listened to her- sing…
Jones Bob
November 17, 2018
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4 CHRISTIAN MYTHS THAT MAKE YOU MISERABLE

MYTHS Photo by Hans-Peter Gauster on Unsplash Belief does not have to be true in order for it to affect you emotionally. Myths, especially Christians ones, will make you miserable. 4 Christian Myths That Make You Miserable 1. Being exposed to sound Biblical teaching will automatically solve your problems. There is no Bible hocus-pocus application by osmosis. You need to apply teaching. Even then, your problem may not be resolved. 2. All the problems you will face are addressed in the Bible. They are not. There are many times when you will not be able to find any Scripture that explicitly deals with what you are facing. 3. Because you‘re a Christian, your problems are easily solved. The Bible never…
Jones Bob
November 14, 2018
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UGLY TWISTS OF FATE AND FORGIVENESS

Toronto L.O.V.E. chapter Daniel and Twinkle Rudberg were deliriously in love. They had planned a casual evening out with friends. Downtown Montreal. September 30, 1972. The Price Of Violence As they drove they did what happy couples do – talking, sharing, planning, dreaming. They had no inkling that this would be the last night any of those activities would ever be shared again. It was beyond imagination that within minutes, because of a freak encounter, Daniel would be dead. The ugly twist of fate that would soon strike the Rudbergs began when a teen leapt from the backseat of a parked car and hurled himself on a elderly women. Daniel, saw the boy steal the woman’s purse. He stopped his…
Jones Bob
November 11, 2018
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REMEMBRANCE: IMAGINE 1918

If you are a young woman aged 15 to 25, imagine that you don't travel all that often. Whether you live in a small town, the country, or a big city, your world is your neighborhood and you know pretty much everybody. One of The Boys That means you probably already know the man you will marry. Chances are he is one of the boys you grew up with. Now, imagine war has broken out in some far flung place and everyone seems to be interested in it. It's all over the news, the old people are now tense and hard to talk to. Young men one by one and two by two sign up at a recruiting office that…
Jones Bob
November 7, 2018
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WHY WE REMEMBER

Remembrance Day Soldier There were over 37 million soldiers and civilians casualties during what is known as "The Great War." 17 million deaths and over 20 million wounded give WWI the dubious distinction of being one of the bloodiest wars in history. Approximately 63,000 of the dead were Canadians. My grandfather fought for Canada at Vimy Ridge in 1917. The last soldier to die in WWI was a Canadian, Private George Lawrence Price, killed by sniper fire just two minutes before the Armistice took effect at 11:00am on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Canada's Freedom Gives Us Reason To Remember The World Wars were a turning point in our nation's history. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians…
Jones Bob
November 6, 2018
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CHALLENGE YOUR OUTLOOK: DOUBT YOUR DOUBTS

Doubt Photo by Matt Duncan on Unsplash The one thing people of faith have in common is doubt. “I struggle with my faith. It's funny because I believe very powerfully in God and all that He can do and yet I have so many doubts.” The longer I’ve lived and the more I’ve sought to know and understand God, the more I’m certain that doubts are essential to maturity in believers. Challenge Your Outlook The wrong response to doubting and questioning is to keep people in a “Christian bubble”—or simply to dismiss their questions and exhort them to “pray harder,” “read the Bible,” or “just believe.” The better response is to teach people how to challenge their outlook. Believers are instructed to…
Jones Bob
November 4, 2018