Our first family photo!
Jonesboy's Photos

Late Night Blog

Rhys has put on 1lb in a week. This is no surprise to me as I listen to his grunting, slurping across the other side of the bed. Actually, I'm now up as a direct result. I wish it were in some sacrificical kinda empathy for Kristen having to be up, but actually its just hard to sleep...

He is doing well and I suspect we have one of the "good ones" if some of the horror stories are anything to go by.

I spoke at at an Easter camp that the cessioncommunity helps organise. I quite like speaking at camp, even just doing one session. The theme for this year is freedom so I got to do the hard one: "What Not To Do With Freedom". So went down the Genesis 3 line of the original sin as "being like God" in answer to the Romans 6 question: "Shall we go on sinning?" Its interesting thinking through sin as an attempt to "be like God" or at least "play God". One thing that emerged for me was the fresh observation that Adam & Eve weren't kicked out of Eden for their disobedience with the tree but rather the potential for future disobedience. Their punishments are described as being (and I paraphrase) in both cases as "hard labour". The actual eviction related more to the possibility that they might next eat from the Tree of Life, thus adding immortality to their "being like God" in having knowledge of good and evil. Guess we just weren't designed to be God.

This week I'm expecting to be back into some kind of routine - I may need to leave the house to achieve it! We have Kristen's parents staying with us which is fun.

Anyways, better try to get some sleep as the boy will be going back down soon.

Jonesboy

All Publicity is Good Publicity?

Well, as of today I'm not sure I believe it! Yup, this awful photo made front page news in the local paper...
http://www.times.co.nz/uploads/news_images/brettjones.jpg">.

At least the article was quite good if a little inaccurate with some of the facts and in the quotes attributed to me!

We're home with baby Rhys now and with Papa and Granny Hinterman staying with us. All is going well and I even got some sleep last night!

Anyways, its great being a Dad.

Jonesbore

Jones Jnr

OK - so the blogging style has been cramped just a little...

Rhys Christopher Glen Jones made his way into the world on Wednesday 17 March 2005. He is a large man (as you'd expect) weighing in at 4.25kg (9 lb 6 for the neanderthals). He has more hair than most men over 60 and is altogether quite the perfect little bundle of joy.

Kristen is doing fine after a difficult labour. She is a natural at this mothering thing. I'm very proud of her - 23 hours after a C-section she walks out of the hospital!

I am already convinced Rhys will change the world:

• I think he could play no.8 for the AB's - there are signs he will have the physical presence and of course he'll have smarts...
• He is gifted with uncanny head control for such a young baby - he is definitely destined fro greatness
• He has long fingers which with his genes should translate into a talented musician

But then of course you know he already changed my world.

Jonesboy

Randomised

> Why is it that the world stops when Prince William falls off his horse playing polo?
> If Michael Jackson lies on oath, will his nose grow back?
> Why do I feel vaguely concerned at my emerging desire to grow a really great lawn?
> What is a smiling?
> Why are we Australia's whipping boys in cricket?
> Is it a bad sign that Jones jr disobeyed me by not being born yesterday?
> If someone blogs in a deserted part of the Amazon rainforest?
> Why does a clean office instil a state of zen-like tranquility within me?
> Why am I a recidivist stacker, dropper, piler, sort-that-file later kinda guy?
> Will my mother ask me to give her Grenz book back now?
> What is the sound of 2 feet clapping?
> Why am I still here instead of sweating manfully at the gymnauseum?

Jonesball

Strange Sunday

Its Saturday night and I'm contemplating a strange Sunday. I'm not playing keys nor preaching...in fact there's a very good chance I won't even go to church...we're waiting for this baby and in a state of high optimism I arranged to off duty this weekend in advance of our due date just gone on Friday. I told the baby this evening that I expected him/her to get in behind the needs of the ministry and arrange its exit today/tomorrow. Anyone want to lay bets on how successful THAT approach is gonna be?!

Anyways, I'm not really impatient - just wondering whether now I should go to church tomorrow in readiness for NEXT Sunday...

Had some friends over tonight. Nice and relaxed. Lotsa curries and my wife's awesome enchiladas. "Hi my name is Brett and I use food as a mood changer." Watched the Blues go down to the Chiefs. Now there's an embarassing loss. Looks like another season of Jekyll and Hyde.

Cricket was good though - after being given no chance against Australia we're matching them blow for blow. NZ 433 in the first innings. Au 432 in their first innings. NZ lead by 1 run! 2 days to go and as long as we don't collapse it should go to a draw. Now my US friends are completely mystified by a game that can go 5 days and still be a draw (and that be a good thing). We feel the same way about a World series played in one country ;)

Right well its time for bed. By the way tomorrow is this blog's blogaversary. One year since I started hurling keystrokes into the ether. Its been an interesting mostly positive experience. I should blog on it...

Jonesblog

In Your Living Room...

Chanced upon an E-Entertainment special this morning on the Michael Jackson trial. Left me slightly speechless! Because the trial is closed and there is no TV coverage of the action, E has created these "re enactments" based on the transcripts. Its stunning really - the actors all look the same and its very well done - you could easily forget its not the actual trial...therein lies the problem. The subtlties of reaction are perhaps not faithfully rendered and the overall impression could be tailored. But this is unreality reality TV at a new level. Acting out real life as it happens. To be honest I couldn't find any bias - if the transcripts were faithfully kept to it really spoke for itself.

On that note - I finished my viewing convinced of one thing - Michael Jackson may well be guilty of something (anyone feel they're NOT in that category), but this witness, the eye witness brother of the alleged victim, was lying...either that or he is simply the worst truthful witness I have ever seen in a Court room! This was more than coaching in my opinion (although that was clearly apparent - choice of language and prepared evasions). There were examples of exaggeration (which he was unable to substantiate), downright lying (you can't give 2 completely conflicting accounts and expect to be believed), clearly fabricated accounts of detail and evasion (poorly executed). The cross examining lawyer had a field day - this was no contrived destruction of a witness - there was a highway a mile wide to surge down. Now we've yet to hear from the victim, but in that he was supposedly asleep during some of the alleged attacks, this kid was their key witness.

In my view this case should not have been brought based on what I saw - if Jackson is convicted you'd have to say it will be on the grounds that he is a freak. It will be interesting to see - OJ Simpson this is not.

Its the day off and NZ are 350-5 against the world champs Australia - compulsive viewing!

Jonesbarrister

Disciplined Indiscipline

Last night marked 1 year since we planted the cessioncommunity - amazing to look back over what God has been doing! Sadly, we were a bit down with a few regulars out of play, but that didn't take the shine off the highlight of the night for me: One of the newer people to the community, Mel, baked a huge birthday cake for us! She did this out of her own sense of wanting to celebrate what she has been discovering at cession. It was truly awesome watching her light the candle...and inspiring hearing her talk on the phone today as she spoke about what has been happening for her and her partner Tyrone since they were invited just 3 months ago! When you see someone being transformed by the power of Christ-centred community you catch a glimpse of what the church should be all about...its sometimes hard to describe it, but you know it when you see it!

Saturday was a good day - a first serious foray into training our cell leaders. I was very committed to being at this event but also wondering whether I would resent the time expenditure - I'm not the best cell leader in the world but I have been doing it for a little while. What I (re) discovered was why I love leading cells so much! The power that community has to transform, love and extend the Kingdom. Melva did a fantabulous job with the training. I got completely lost in the experience and it really sharpened me up. I am so thankful that she is taking point on this - it was something that caused me angst most of last year and it is such a relief to have a highly competent self-starter carrying the vision of cell groups forward.

Sunday night was week 4: The Disciplined Life - I played the Willard/Ortberg card aka Training v Trying in attempting to cast vision for how life could look with a plan! It went on way too long and developed into a seminar rather than a sermon, but I think it connected with a number...what was awesome to see was the number of cool stories developing around this series:

• Paul shared a story about how he has built prayer and meditation into his running - he prays while stretching and takes a bible verse from his devotions with him to memorise and meditate on
• Richard re started his bible reading by diarising it - then discovered he was enjoying it so much he missed it if he didn't do it!
• Rachel is now 22 days smoke free...

The series has totally exceeded my expectations!

Well, I cannot log off without welcoming Mr Frank Ritchie to the blogosphere - I met Frank last October when he began hanging around cession...Frank has one or 2 opinions and a way of looking at life that will make you think...check out his blog from the right hand menu "Fritchay"...

Jonesboy

Service with a Difference

So we're in week 3 of "The Undivided Life" - this week it was "The Worshipping Life"...our usual venue was booked for the ballet(!) so we relocated for the night to the nearby Habitat For Humanity warehouse. The usual food options were there with chairs set up outdoors all ready for "the service". What people didn't know was that we were going to worship through service to Habitat! 2 hours later, people were sweaty, dirty but feeling good about their worship offering...nice.

Its been a weird week:

• Wednesday I was debriefing with 2 of our missionaries wearing the National Church hat;
• Then that night playing small group leader;
• Thursday, I was playing National Secretary at the National Council - this still feels like a weird role but people seem to appreciate that we are actually getting away from administration to strategy and leadership;
• Saturday, I got the chance to marry Jimmy and Nicola (they married each other as well). A great witness - this is the couple who, having got their lives with Christ sorted out, began living apart at the start of their engagement - they specifically asked me to talk about this in the message...so I did!
• Sunday, it was National Secretary time again, this time at a Ministerial Licensing;
• Sunday afternoon was a dedication for a fringe cession attender;
• Tuesday I fly to Wellington for the Heads of Churches meeting;

I feel the conflict of these various roles, particularly the time demands and role changes with events very close together. And I still feel like the same stroppy know-it-all that led me to pastoral ministry. Some days I feel distinctly non-pastor-al...

My wife took me on a day-date on Friday. We went to "The House of Flying Daggers" a beautifully shot martial arts love story complete with subtitles...highly recommended for the visual symphony. Picnic lunch on the Mission Bay boardwalk/park. A quick pastoral visit to one of 3 babies born this week. Then dinner at a Thai restaurant.

Anyways...lowest weight to date on the weekend...somehow?

Lotsa good stuff happening...need to keep moving!

Jonesbones

My New Weekly Blog...

Welcome to my new weekly blog...

So the weekend was frantastic...that is a new word which means mindblowing busy but awesome all at the same time...

Saturday, I taught a full day course for a local church - it was a dumb thing to do - but I enjoyed the people and the nice cheque they gave me!

Sunday was week 2 of The Undivided Life - its going really well - this week's message seemed to connect - I'll never understand that dynamic - one week you give everything and it falls flat; the next week you do the same and it connects! We have some cool things going on within the community right now, with new people searching earnestly for God. Many of them are in our new cell groups, most of which are now full and already candidates for reproduction. Heaps of people showed up with their devotional journals and took notes. One non Christian seeker has given up smoking for Lent. Nice.

So, I preached on The Examined Life using James 1:22-25. I find James interesting because he didn't follow Jesus (his brother) prior to the resurrection. I get that. If my brother called in one day and asked me to "Follow him" I'd probably ask him whether he was still drunk from the night before! And who'd believe that someone who you consistently beat in backyard cricket for your whole life could be the son of God? But at the same time, if I, like James, saw my brother get killed and then come back to life? Well I might believe with the passion that James did and pen a book like the book of James with its uncompromising stance...and its call to look intently into the mirror and see who we really are.

Cool thing happened on the weekend - this guy Daniel who's been travelling with us for a while - well he's been reading everything he can lay his hands on including the Koran and so on. We did this small group thing together last year called Journeys and he seemed to gain quite a bit of insight into what following Jesus was all about. But he was really tossing up between Judaism and Christianity cos he couldn't quite get the need for Jesus. So anyway on Christmas Eve I preach on the Great Banquet, which is this story Jesus tells about people who get invited to a huge feast. And when the host sends out messengers on the day that everything is ready a bunch of people renege on their earlier invitations. There is a lot in the story but basically Jesus is comparing the Jews to these no-show guests - the invitations had gone out through the prophecies concerning the Messiah, but when Jesus actually shows up, they turn into party poopers. So Daniel is there that night and amazingly comes forward for communion in what was a pretty unequivocal statement by him (he's a way intelligent guy and my invitation left no room for confusion). Then he drops from sight over the Christmas vacation. I'm thinking. "He's not gone to the Jews after all?!" Then reappears at a party on Saturday night and asks if he can be baptised at Easter! Makes all those late Monday nights talking philosophy, theology and bollocks worth it...

Anyways, back into the day - feeling good after the gym - weight is down, nearly at the first goal - 2 more weeks I reckon. I'm trying to lose my sympathetic pregnancy weight by the time Kristen sheds 6-10 pounds (now in only 17 days, officially that is...we're not holding the baby to that timetable). Then I'm heading earnestly for my 2 year low. Thats still 20 pounds away however!

Jonesbuff

Morning Wakeup

Up and at 'em at 5am this morning! Time to farewell our Canadian friends from the Atlantic District. Had good times with this seriously serving sextet... As always, I had to share them with the other churches and would have enjoyed some more downtime getting to talk with people.

Peter Moore brought an inspired message at ECW on Sunday just gone. Romans 14 and holiness stuff. More Wesleyan than the Wesleyan church, if you get my drift...also enjoyed Drew Donovan's worship leadership - gave me a chance to just be the keyboard player.

Sunday evening @ cession we started our new series "The Undivided Life". Things seemed a bit uneven and I was left feeling quite flat about the message. I thought the content was good and I gave my all in the execution...but it didn't seem to resonate. The good thing was we had a bunch of people sign up for cell groups to work through the parallel series we have prepared for the groups. We also handed out personal devotional journals we made - Melissa did an awesome job of these - the goal is to have people work through the material one on one with God, including specific processing of the message and application exercises based on the scriptures read.

Some things we have tried NOT to emulate from a certain other 40 days type resource:

• The idea of the "pop and play" small groups with the "all you need to know is how to run a VCR" recruitment strategy does not sit well with me. We've taken the obligation-free small group route but established groups with well trained leaders with a clear agenda for ongoing leadership development and multiplication
• There is a lot to be said for the devotional per day approach...but there are some weaknesses: do people really engage the scripture or just read the book? Is there actually a lot of time spent wrestling with God over the issues? Do people end up with information overload and little application? These questions led us to a more interactive approach - less information; more scripture. Fewer 5 A's of Alliteration; more spiritual disciplines. Lots of space to journal (without buying the companion journal...)
• A somewhat consumeristic paradigm (maybe thats the marketing rather than the original product's intention) We've incorporated a local missions trip into our worship slot...to put our muscle where our mouth is...

Anyways...it might flop and we won't get to sell millions of copies of a book with mostly empty pages! But we pray that God will deepen the community's roots in Him so that we can springboard into our year. We have some seekers with us for the series as well so hoping it will give them a clear view of what the Christian life can look like.

Well, the day is calling...and the shower adds its demanding tone as the post-gym sweat screams in falsetto...

Jonesbaritone

Blog in the USSR...

Something of a blogging hiatus I'm afraid. A week of some franticasity. All good though and lots going on in a cool way.

Had a guest preacher Sunday - Neville Gosman from Sussex Wesleyan in New Brunswick. Cast a great vision from Acts 7 for the whole body of Christ to be involved in taking the church forward. Don't know whether to feel excited or frightened at his statement: "There's no reason why cession should not be 300 in 18 months". I know he's an evangelist but I'm not sure if he's a prophet! Anyways it was good and there was a high degree of response to his challenge for people to be onboard.

Watched some of the superbowl. Not surprisingly, my main area of attention was the half time entertainment. It was a good bet that the 60 year old Sir Paul would not take his top off halfway through "Hey Jude". But here's the thing that made me laugh: When did Paul McCartney ex Beatle become "American Family Values" guy? Weren't the Beatles all that was wrong and seductive about the world of rock 'n' roll back in the 60's? Thats progress, huh. I can't wait until the 2036 superbowl - I bet Marilyn Manson will have a cool light show too...

Start our bi monthly leadership training gig today. Looking forward to it. Have about 20 people coming - a great leadership core to work with and develop.

Jones Jnr is officially 1 month away...in as much as babies ever come on time (apparently 8% are born on the "due" date)

Jonesbaby

Week's End

Its been one of THOSE weeks - where you simply have to say, "Is that the week over already?" The fulcrum of the week was a funeral on Wednesday for a 23 month infant found dead in her cot. The parents, both challenged by mild intellectual disabilities, were devastated, this being the second child they have lost in this way. The child was high risk with both Epilepsy and Asthma but nevertheless a shock for the family. I, along with 2 people from cession, was involved with providing music for the funeral held at the family's home. The mother's family are Maori and so it was open casket...yeah, that does make a difference. I could wax on lyrically about the occasion and the fragility of life etc. but my only reflection is a personally oriented one...this is my blog so I'll be introspective if I want to...once again faced with the death of another I was amazed at my "ability" to remain largely "untouched" by it all. Through the death of both my Father and my wife Claire I have wondered at my relative lack of distress in these moments. Its not the same as indifference - I care deeply for the impact on others and entirely regret the loss of these people. But I find simply find myself in a state of calm at these times. In earlier times I used to wonder that perhaps I was nursing some huge psychopathic imbalance that would one day reveal itself in a monumental episode...but more and more I tend to think that somehow I am able to access God's peace without noticeable effort (yes, I know thats how it should be) or even conscious appropriation. When I reflect on the past 18 years of my following Jesus and the difficult events that my life has traversed I am glad of that grace.

Or I could be a complete nutter.

The other major happening to conspire against me was the arrival of our first Missions team from Canada (also on Wednesday)! Somehow we ended up being the airport deputation and a last minute host family...needless to say that has the effect of muddling all my best laid plans. We have Neville Gosman staying with us. I really like Neville, although unfortunately he shares a passion (with me) for talking. I see some (more) late nights ahead! The good thing is that its his booty that will be on the preaching platform at cession this Sunday, not mine, so I can manage the lack of sleep! Good training for Jones jnr.

Well today I catch up with my (younger) brother for lunch. Hard times for him lately and with it some distancing from the family. Actually I was a bit surprised he could make it. He's a high-flying advertising executive with an expansive (read expensive) lifestyle. Praying I can offer something to him today.

Well, I have deviated from the gym long enough! Time to sweat...

Jonesblob

The Worship Gallery

Rich time on Sunday evening with the Worship Gallery - a series of interactive "exhibits" and an hour of unstructured time to participate. Personal faves included:

• The Art viewing exhibit - moving powerpoint images of artists down the ages portraying Christ - the guidebook had short explanations so you could get a handle on period, title and artist. Nice.
• The confession cam - a chance to respond to the events of the evening and share what the experience was like (I couldn't help myself and voted Jacob off the island while I was there)
• The Art exhibit - this was where you got to play with charcoals and paints and pastels and stuff! I'm no artist but enjoyed creating my own surreal yet highly spiritual (!) pastel work...

Cool time and impacting for people old and new. Definitely need to do it again in another format.

Went to the Parachute Music Festival on Saturday. Couldn't believe the heat! Music was great - saw a variety of bands/artists - Blair Giles Band, Matt Couper, Day of Fire, Rapture Ruckus (!), Alabaster Box, Audio Adrenaline. Here is the fluid intake register: 3 bottles of water, 1 can pepsi, 2 milkshakes, 1 coffee, 2 bottles chocolate milk...I told you it was hot!

Its a public holiday today so I'll take some time out yet catch up on a few outstanding tasks that otherwise won't get done...

Jonesband

Sabbath Arrival

The Unthinkable has happened! My Friday Sabbath has arrived (for those of you who don't know I'm a 6th Day Adventist) and even with the new found freedom of fulltime status I haven't cleared my "to do" list. Its kind of annoying but a reality check as well. This is where I get to say, "It is good, what God is doing in and through my life, is good." And then I rest. For me, the offering of a worshipful restfulness is often more worship than my effort for God. Alright I'm convinced. I'll rest.

Had a great small group last night - we officially commissioned Pete and Antoinette to go plant their new group. Pete was baptised last April and has grown hugely in his relationship with God and in his leadership. Antoinette is an invitational machine. They will be partnering with 2 of our cessionlcore leaders, Reuben and Vania, and are putting together an awesome group of people. It was a wonderful moment for the group recalling the experiences of the past months and realising that we were helping extend that kind of opportunity to others.

This week I wrote an article for Emergent Wesleyan - I don't really like doing these sorts of things - there are some pretty ascerbic commentators on the site - and I'm not really into that. The first commentator was kind, although he said he didn't understand what I was getting at (although he did)! So much for the clarity of my thought! Thats fine - its just more postmodern that way...anyway you can check it out here if you're interested. In suggesting that there is a kind of postmodern fundamentalism in some emerging churches that is often as exclusive and as purging as their "modern" counterparts, I'm bound to raise the ire of some. So if its blood, particularly my blood you want to see, have a look in a couple of days. Of course, maybe what I have written IS meaningless in which case no one will comment!

Right I need to get busy with this resting.

Jonesboy

PS Prayer Blog is updated...