I am being asked about Venezuela. Last year we hosted an event at Menlo Church which outlined the historical issues and economic problems with Venezuela. We thought the problems would be somewhat short-lived with the possible and immanent replacement of President Nicolas Maduro with opposition leader Juan Guaido. Then things went south. Guaido has been…
Read More
Eggs McKnight
Today my friend Scot McKnight moved his blog over to Christianity Today and just launched it. Jesus Creed. I thought I would use this as an encouragement to start blogging again after 18 months away. I also created a breakfast for my kids today and named it Eggs McKnight. Eggs McKnight is a toasted muffin…
Read More
Thanksgiving from the Upside Down . . . and Stuffing
Today I am preparing a message for New Day Community Church in Stockton that has a special Thanksgiving Day Service tomorrow, followed by a Thanksgiving meal, and I have been invited to speak. I am not sure if I am more excited about talking during the service or presenting my Thanksgiving stuffing at the meal.…
Read More
Thor: Ragnarok and understanding Kiwi Humor
Tonight I am going to see Thor: Ragnarok with my daughter who has already seen it twice. The selling point for me was the humor – Kiwi humor, or “humour” as we would say, of director Taika Waititi. I lived in New Zealand until I was 17 and I not only fully understand and appreciate…
Read More
The Women Who Blogged and Brought a Heresy To It’s Knees.
How fitting that an unorthodox theological position running rampant for 30 years in evangelicalism, namely the complementarian doctrine of a hierarchically ordered Trinity based on authority/submission (ESS – Eternal Subordination of the Son) that has given rise to patriarchy, misogyny, clerical abuse by arrogant bully New Calvinist pastors, the silencing of women, the problematic ESV…
Read More
Night Time Blessing
This morning I woke up and wrote a night time blessing. Influence from John O’Donohue and Sabastian Faulks whose high society parties in 1960’s Washington in “On Green Dolphin Street” are still in my mind as I am currently reading that novel. ——————————— Good Night By Andrew Jones On the night when your body surrenders…
Read More
This Fermenting Earth
Blanket of morning mist hovers, shimmers, broods over this fermenting earth, watching forests decay and green blades protrude rudely and volcanic labyrinths twitch below to remind us they live. Sunlit rays pierce cloud and green responds with orange. Grassy cushion hills rise up to greet the morning light. This land of nutrient mud and winter…
Read More
Losing Debbie
Sorry this post is so late. I have not been well. I posted on FB but this is for my friends outside. Debra Diane Jones, my caring partner and wife for 29 years, best friend, my conversation partner, my critic, my fashion consultant, my travel companion, my co-conspirator, my right hand, my lover . .…
Read More
2015 in Review
It’s been a wonderful and challenging year and I give thanks to God for making it possible. And a SPECIAL THANKS to those of you who supported us financially through our New Zealand supporters and SYRIOUS LOVE (Syrian Refugee Ministry). Some highlights from 2015 We worked in these countries: Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Serbia, Croatia, Slovakia, Czech Republic,…
Read More
Feeding Syrian Refugees at the Border
From the main blog A little update from me. We arrived at the border a few days ago and started cooking immediately, both for the team and for the stream of Syrian refugees. Most of them were in too much of a hurry to stop and chat – they were at the finish line of…
Read More
Relevant Magazine on Beer
Relevant Magazine has good article on Christianity’s Most Enthusiastic Beer Enthusiasts. Nothing you probably dont already know but its good to be reminded, especially when you lift the Guinness to your lips and reflect on church history. It doesn’t feature the excellent micro-brews coming out from the pub churches and modern day monasteries but its worth the…
Read More
Thoughts on Ashley Madison Scandal
Here’s some random thoughts on the Ashley Madison Scandal, marriage, shaming, and its impact on Christian pastors and bloggers. Reformation Sunday came early this year. An expected 400 Christian pastors resigned today in the wake of the Ashley Madison marriage cheating website being hacked and the names of subscribers, including the particularities and peculiarities of their sexual fantasies with a…
Read More
Interview with Family Adventure
The good people at Family Adventure Podcast interviewed our family regarding being on the road with so many kids and I thought I would put a link to it here.
Read MoreThoughts on Pope Francis
GREAT to hear waves of excitement over the new Pope. I am also excited about the appointment of Pope Francis, because . . . – he is from South America. – he is a humble man, riding the bus to work and refusing ecclesiastic titles. – he has a heart for the poor. – he…
Read MoreWedding Day
Today is the big day for our family. Our Number One son Sam marries Jenna White. All very exciting. Lots of airport pickups. I got to bed at 3am last night. In a few hours we host the wedding ceremony. The pig is already on the spit. Yes, we are taking lots of photos and…
Read MoreAmerican Christians and the Mormon factor
Right now is an interesting time in American politics and religion. There are plenty of conservative evangelical Christians in USA who are about to vote for a Mormon to be their president. Who woulda thunk??? I read a few snippets on Billy Graham removing the “cult” status on the BGEA website. I would be curious to…
Read MoreMuslim sanctuaries: For Your Eyes Only
“Cinderazahd: For Your Eyes Only” has its world premiere at the Dowse Art Museum next week but men will not be allowed in. The Qatari writer and film-maker Sophia Al-Maria has expressed her wishes that men should not see the unveiled women in her video, a wish that corresponds with her Muslim faith. Fair enough. I…
Read MoreOn Muslims Destroying Religious Shrines and Pagan Artifacts
Are the Muslims REALLY planning to destroy the pyramids? I think NOT. The story this week from Egypt appears to be a hoax. Which is good news. Last year we had a fantastic tour of both the pyramids and the Cairo museum by Ibrahmim Morgan, an egyptologist and historian. We even took a camel tour of…
Read MoreVideo: Bishop Justin Duckworth starts wearing purple
Here is my short video of Justin Duckworth getting installed as Bishop of Wellington last weekend. There’s some footage of the breakfast we all had with him in the morning, the ceremony at the Cathedral, some thoughts from Jenny Duckworth on the symbols, and some fun stuff. All in 5 minutes!! For the video of…
Read MoreEgypt: A Christian vice-president and potential for change
Last year in Egypt I met some amazing people who live in Cairo and have a special interest in the goings-on among the government and church. One of them is W. I asked him for the skinny on the recent happenings. Andrew: Hi W. I just heard some news about Egypt: “One of the first decisions will…
Read More