Lucky 13 Things in Four Months by Bob Jones

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

We were asked to write about ten things we'll be doing in the next four months. My first thought was, “Only ten?” And then I read the rest of the prompt and saw that we could choose any number we like. So, I cooked up a baker’s dozen.

I'm lucky, or blessed I get to do these.

Number 1

In November my wife and I will be leaving for a month for Ukraine. It is an arduous journey for 70+ year-olds, flying from Edmonton to Toronto to Krakow, then transferring to a van to cross the Polish/Ukrainian border and arrive in Lviv. After teaching for a week in a seminary there'll be more cars, vans, and trains deep into eastern Ukraine.

The two days before writing this post have been the worst of the entire 4 /12 year war in Ukraine. Massive missile, rocket, and drone attacks with horrendous deaths of children and civilians. The most tragic happened on Ukrainian Knowledge Day, the first day back to school, September 1st. Imagine your children or grandchildren with no sleep the night before because of air raids, trying to find refuge in a bomb shelter and the next morning getting dressed up to go to school and gather again in a bomb shelter.

If you know Ukrainians, you won't be surprised that the children sing in those situations.

Number 2 

In the meantime, my wife and I are raising funds to assist in rebuilding churches and deliver humanitarian aid to the front lines. Our goal is $20,000CAN. We’re at $12,500 and change.

Number 3 

I've been writing a seven-session curriculum for pastors over the last nine months. After recruiting and training 25 facilitators and apprentices, we launched the cohorts September 1^st across Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

Number 4

I'm overseeing the translation and production of a book in Ukrainian for pastors.

Number 5 

And I decided that I should endeavor to keep my mind sharp and started a Masters of Leadership and Systems (MALTS) at Briercrest College. That begins in six days.

Number 6 

Before we leave for Ukraine, I'll be traveling to the Maritimes to work with pastors in Halifax and neighbouring communities, as well as up to Peace Country in Alberta, down to Calgary, and just West of Edmonton in Spruce Grove. We’ll be working as teams to listen to God’s voice and discern the Spirit’s specific vision for each church to reach their community with the love of Jesus.

Number 7

My practise for the last seven years was to write three blogs a week for REVwords. Most likely, and prudently, I will have to cut back back to two or even possibly one per week with all that's going on.

Number 8

The blog content will be heavy on justice in Alberta and Ukraine. I’ll be speaking on those subjects in churches over the next four months. I imagine I'll be extra engaged prior to October 19^th and the Alberta referendum. I also post on Substack.

Number 9

My to-read list consists of books that would source my knowledge in theology and justice. And my college textbooks will make the list a little longer.

Number 10

This week I start writing a seminary course for Growing an Effective Great Commission Church, to be completed by November 1st.

Number 11 

I've been asked to write social media prayers for Alberta MLAs in support of Pray Alberta. Isn’t that great?!

Number 12 

As well, I write prayers for Ukraine. That’s better than bombs.

Number 13

I will be experimenting on how to add an extra day of work to each week over the next four months.  

What are your goals? And if you need an extra one, I could use help with #13.

Thank you for reading. My advice to you is keep your goals away from the trolls. 

Seasons of Purpose by Bob Jones

The prompt for August is: Write about a season you are currently experiencing or have experienced. How did it affect your writing life?

Depending on where you live, the seasons in Canada will be shorter or longer, harsh or gentle or unique to the area’s character. In Edmonton we have two seasons: winter and construction. I imagined that was a westerner’s sense of humour until our family of four moved to Edmonton thirty-five years ago. That’s how I now describe our seasons. In eighteen months from now, Alberta will be the place I have lived more than half my life. I feel like an Albertan. Growing up in Ontario, I never paid my province of birth any mind. I was Canadian. Still am. Forever Canadian.

Politics and Hockey 

Alberta is an interesting place to live and write about. It feels like we are either under construction by the latest government misplay, or we are in winter in June, cheering on McDavid and the Oilers and feeling sorry for the Flames. I would write about politics, or politicians but everyone takes their politics very seriously in Alberta, almost as seriously as they take their hockey.

Edmonton bleeds copper and blue or orange. And there was a lot of blood the last two years in the Stanley Cup finals. 

Ukraine

At this time in my writing life, all things Ukraine are in season. 

 

It’s embarrassing to admit that I thought the war with Russia started on February 24, 2022. Sadly, this was the beginning of my education in Ukrainian history. The Russian invasion of Crimea and the eastern regions of the country in 2014 was the start of the war. How was I oblivious to that for eight years? I know Ukrainians. I pastored Ukrainians. I was invited to go to Ukraine on missions trips numerous times. None of that clicked with me. I must have been focused on Alberta politics and hockey. 

 

Now, three humanitarian trips to Ukraine in 18 months doesn’t feel enough.

Jocelyn came with me on a seven-week trip in June and July. The trip coincided with Russia’s change of tactics. June set the record for drone attacks and July exceeded it. There is no safe place in Ukraine. 

 

People were impressed that Jocelyn was eager to deliver food further towards Russia than any Canadian woman since 2022. And she did it with a smile. Our friends assured us that just being with people in the war was 90% of the benefit of us going. “People send their prayers and promises to come after the war but having someone leave a peaceful country in the summer and come to us is a priceless gift. Thank you.” The pleasure and privilege were all ours. It hardly seems enough.

Purposeful Writing 

I recently sat with a political science professor from one of our Canadian Universities. He’s a bit younger than me. His heritage is Czech where two generations of his family suffered as anti-communists. He resonates with what Ukraine is going through. We talked about how, at our ages, using our skill and experience to draw attention to the injustices against Ukraine is highly purposeful. Ukrainians are engaged in the largest and most deadly war in Europe in 80 years. 

 

There has never been a more needed moment in my lifetime for advocacy than now. I am Canadian. Canadians stand up and fight together for the freedom of others.

 

I am in a season of writing about children, churches, the trauma of war, Canadian generosity, and faith in Ukraine.

Thank you for reading. There is more at REVwords.com

Small Kindnesses Go Around The World by Bob Jones

I long to accomplish a great and noble task,

but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks,

as if they were great and noble. Mother Teresa

 

Tinned fruit. Toothpaste. Cooking oil. A can of soup and a few other items in a plastic bag. That doesn’t add up to much but when invaders have forced you from your home with nothing except the clothes on your back, it feels like hope. Even the plastic bag won’t go to waste.

I’ve seen them gather in Liviv, Dnipro, Kriviyi Rih, and Kupiansk, Ukraine. Moms with their littles. Their homes were destroyed, some are war widows, some have husbands fighting on the frontlines. They are grateful for the goodness of fellow Ukrainians.

A little kindness goes a long, long way.

And much of the kindness is supplied by generous Canadians and distributed by Ukrainian Christians. The funds to purchase the non-perishable items in the bags come from Canadians. Most of the humanitarian support near the frontlines is delivered by evangelical believers. I’ve travelled with pastors and volunteers to distribute bread and clothing to seniors within earshot of artillery fire. We pray with them, tell them that they are not forgotten, that God cares and invite them to trust Jesus as Saviour.

My pastor friends are not being melodramatic when they say that they live one day at a time. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. I have stayed in hotels and preached in meeting centres that no longer exist because they have been rocketed by the Russians.

This summer, I will be returning to eastern Ukraine with my wife for seven weeks, helping pastors and churches. People ask, “Is it safe?” Of course not, but it’s good. It’s the least we could do to offer kindness to people who are war weary after three plus years of devastation and terror. One project is ensuring over 2,000 children will have a week-long summer camp experience, filled with nutritious food, amazing crafts, inspiring Bible stories and joy. What a thrill to help them treasure every moment of every day and feel the love of Jesus.

 

Small things done with great love.

That’s how the world is changed.

 

Thank you for reading. I invite you to take a moment and pray for Ukraine.

Thank you.

Follow Bob at REVwords.com

The Shattered Landscape Around Me by Bob Jones

We stepped out of our vehicle on the side of a road. The local time was 16:13. All was quiet. I know that to be the exact time because two days previous, 100s of Christian leaders had agreed to stop, kneel, and pray for their country at 16:13 every day. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith.” I taught that we “stand firm on our knees.”

Kneeling on the side of the road a few kms from the Russian frontline in Ukraine, we prayed for protection of the soldiers, peace for the nation, and favour for the gospel. At the exact moment we said, “Amen,” an artillery shell exploded down the road shaking us to the core.

 

Landscape

In 2025, landscape has less to do with geography and more to do with experience.

I was in Ukraine for 3½ weeks in December 2023 and again in April 2024. My wife and I will return to Ukraine for 6 weeks at the end of May. People ask if it’s safe. Of course it’s not safe, but it’s good. Missionaries have been going to risky places over the last century. Nothing new.

We’ll settle into an apartment in Eastern Ukraine as our base and get used to going to sleep listening to sirens. We will be present. Support. Listen. Pray. Love. Give. Summertime in Ukraine is when community Kids Camps ramp up. For a day or two, Ukrainian kids get to feel like kids again amid the devastation of an invasion. There will be face painting, games, prizes, snacks, laughter, Bible stories, and love.

The Bible verse used in this writing prompt is one I pray will be fulfilled in Ukraine. “He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19 Until God rescues Ukraine, Christian presence is essential.

 

Humanitarian Work

Since the latest Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, the evangelical churches of Ukraine have delivered 80% of the humanitarian aid. It’s dangerous work. We have delivered fresh bread and non-perishables to civilians while the ground is shaking from nearby artillery fire. Many are seniors, living on the edge of destruction with no heat, or infrastructure support. At least we can return to places of relative safety.

 

The church is growing in Ukraine with salvations, baptisms, church plants, pastors and missionaries trained for ministry. Prior to the war, evangelicals were seen as a cult. Now they are seen as community champions. Don’t believe what western social media says about the government being anti-church or anti-Christian. The church is the hope of Ukraine.

Generosity and presence go a long way in wartime. It’s not an exaggeration to say that $10.00 Canadian has the effect of $100 in Ukraine, not because of the exchange rate, but because of the compassion rate. Food, clothing, medical supplies, prayer, Bibles, and genuine love make a difference. Ukrainians appreciate all that Canada and Canadian generosity is providing for them.

The landscape of Ukraine shapes my thoughts and prayer most every day.

 

I have been a part of Inscribe Writers for almost 10 years. This is my go to community for writing support.
Happy to have an online conversation with you if you are interested in how you can support God’s work in Ukraine. Bob.pb.jones@gmail.com or on my blogsite REVwords.com.

Thank you for reading. 

COVID, Lament and God's Compassion

 

“I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.” - Psalm 69

 

When you hear the word “lament” what feelings bubble to the surface?  

 

Reflections on the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic could fill a contemporary book of Lamentations. Lament is a godly response to the reality of suffering.

 

The Jewish prophet Jeremiah wrote the Old Testament book with the title, “Lamentations.” His words, “I am the one who has seen affliction” (Lamentations 3:1) are an echo of suffering around the globe. Six million. That’s how many people died from COVID but the number is astronomically higher from people who died by suicide, and opioid overdoses, or who lost their marriage, or employment, or friends, or their mental health.

 

COVID changed the impact of words. Masks, convoy, vaccination, and freedom have all taken on atomically charged new meanings.

 

The last 24 months magnified division, amplified anxiety, and fostered destructive disinformation. In a single week, as protesters descended on Ottawa and tensions around the country ran high, we saw a fake death by horse-trampling, a fake Governor General registry of 3.5 per cent of Canadians to secure a vote of no confidence, a fake frozen bank account, and a fake UN reinforcements story because a plane was getting maintenance in North Bay. As you read this you may think, "I thought those were true." Who can you trust for information? Can I even trust you, Bob? 

You see?

 

We responded to the pandemic with the production and delivery of a vaccine that a portion of the population did not trust. Some said the vaccine couldn’t be trusted because the process was rushed, the testing wasn’t rigorous enough.

 

Church world is where I work and live. Even as restrictions lift and congregations regather there is lament over what was and what is. Attendance, volunteer numbers, and financials are down. Conflict is up.

 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine thrust the world into another global crisis as the pandemic simmers on a back burner. There was an unprecedented, unified, rapid global response to sanction Russia. In just ten days major Ukrainian cities were emptied of inhabitants and filled with destruction from rockets, bombs, and invaders. We witnessed 1.3 million Ukrainians suddenly become refugees.

 

Social media is rife with conspiracy theories about “The Great Reset” and a “New World Order.”

 

Be intentional about holding space for lament. Our natural inclination is a rush to comfort. Its no coincidence that this post comes during the season of Lent. Giving up comfort to embrace lament is a good trade as we approach the death of Jesus on the cross.

 

Lament is not void of worship or gratitude. Jeremiah’s testimony of God’s sovereignty and love is his act of defiance in the face of suffering. His lamentation was an expression of trust in God. Lament is the path to a sacrifice of worship. Humility before God in the face of suffering creates an unexpected lift for the soul.

 

“Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Lamentations 3:23

 

I write to grow hope, inspire people to be real, forge an authentic faith in Jesus, and discover their life purpose.

Please follow my writing at REVwords.com

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