John Hebenton's Podcast

John suggests that we bring the same kind of assumptions to this phrase, "the Kingdom of God", as Jesus hearers did. Are we able to engage with his answer? What does it do to our understanding of who we are and what is ours to do?

John explores the doctrine of the trinity as something that leads us to God as multidimensional, ultimately mysterious, who invites us through the relationship within the Trinity to live by different principles

John explores the wonder of the languages, and how that might shape our understanding of the radical activity of God in Pentecost

John explores what the Ascension of Jesus might offer us beyond Jesus goes to heaven.

John talks about how mothers day is not so great for all people. He also wonder how we might need to let go of some of our understanding of love so that we might be alternative primary images of love to those around us.

John uses his tomatoes to explore the “I am the vine” saying, focussing on the words – prune, abide and love. He finishes by inviting the people to ask what needs pruning so that they might abide in God’s love and invite others through their lives to abide in that love as well.

Using Kenneth Bailey's work in "The Good Shepherd " John tries to enter into the world of a shepherd, and see how “David” uses this to describe his trust in God, noting that we need to be careful not to romanticise it. Then he notes how that tradition was used and expanded by the prophetic tradition and finally by Jesus. And then he wonders what all this offers us on this centenary anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli and as we remember the Battle of Gate Pa

John explores how our understanding the words “sin” and “righteousness” shape our understanding of what Jesus was on about

John offers an imagination exercise to help people enter into the Easter story, to experience it afresh, and to wonder where they meet the resurrected Christ today.

John invites people to enter into the story of Palm Sunday and to hear the invitation to let go of our preconceptions, so that we might engage with the story and God in a new way.

John uses the whakatauki "Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei" to suggest that we keep aiming too small, too low. He then uses John's gospel reading to suggest we need to go bigger. The cross exposes our smallness of thought – thought about God, and the world, and who we are in all that. The cross exposes our preoccupation with ourselves and our own desires, dreams, hopes and aspirations. In the cross they are shown to be so petty. We are invited instead to have our imagination and our focus reoriented back to God.

The Very Revd John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry Cathedral, tells the story of the Community of the Cross of Nails, and invites us to be part of that story

Gail Spence, the Diocesan Lay Director for Cursillo in the Anglican Diocese of Waiapu talks about what Cursillo is and what it offers us.

John explores the importance of names, and suggest that our name be based on the character of God, and asks what name God might be inviting us into. He then explores Jesus saying that those who follow him are to pick up their cross and follow him. How does this change who we are? What I want to happen: People to reflect on what they might be invited to let go of this lent.

Lent is a time to slow down, embrace being still and silent, so that we might listen more deeply. It is a time to pay attention to the three questions that shape us: Whose are we. who are we, what is ours to do? In particular it is a time to reflect on who we understand God to be, and to hear the invitation to deepen that understanding, to let go of some images and embrace new images.. John uses Genesis 9:8-17 and Mark 1:9-15 to explore this further.

Sam Held uses Mark 1:40-45 - the story of Jesus healing a leper to explore uncondional love He writes,"The willingness to give freely is a positive characteristic in a person, and we might add, a necessity for a follower of Christ. There is a lot to be said for giving, it is normally a source of pleasure and thankfulness for the receiver, which in turn can make us feel good too. If the gift is not well-received, then we may allow ourselves just a little righteous indignation about the lack of due thanks. That can make us feel a bit better about ourselves because we would never be so rude would we? Giving is seldom completely free of all conditions or expectations; more often it’s not so much a gift as an exchange; a sort of ‘give and gain’. Jesus gives even though he knows it will be to his disadvantage. In healing a leper he adds another miracle to his reputation, each one making him more famous, more in-demand for his healing, and more and more at odds with the Pharisees and scribes. He can’t go any

John briefly explores Candlemas, finishing with the importance of Christ the light - how does light Christ enable us to see ourselves and the world we live in.. Then he uses the article The Likely Cause of Addiction Has Been Discovered, and It Is Not What You Think by Johann Hari to refelct on Mark 1:21-28 and what it is that Jesus might be liberating those in the story and those hearing the story from He finishes by inviting people to reflect on what cages Christ is both liberating us from, and what we are being invited into?

John uses the reading from Jonah (3:1-5, 10) and the Gospel (Mark 1:14-20) to reflect on our calls and to ask what we might be invited to this year.

John explores the role Mary plays in helping us enter into the mystery of Christmas, and living out God’s faith, hope, peace and hope for all people the rest of the year. Question to reflect on Who is Mary for me? How does she help or hinder my life in Christ?

John asks what gives us joy as we approach Christmas, and then uses the readings from Isaiah and John to explore what gives God joy.