Steffan Jones

Jesus follower, husband to Marlene, father to Joseia and Mateo

[The Rest Is History @TheRestHistory]

Tom Holland meets a fan

[Amazing Maps @amazingmap]

Celtic language distribution across Britain and Ireland

[Archbishop of Canterbury @ArchbishopSarah]

Alleluia, Christ is risen!

Throughout the world, these words will resonate in many languages, from churches to homes to makeshift shelters and refugee camps.

‘Christ is risen’ proclaims that whatever the circumstances of our world today, God is ever transforming it, reshaping it, and that the shape of things to come will be infinitely more glorious than anything we know right now.

On this Easter Day, we are filled with joy at what God brings, yet we remember all those for whom joy is hard won, and overshadowed by the realities of war, conflict and death.

We remember that to proclaim the Christ who died and rose again is to proclaim a radically different reality that challenges all the powers of this world, and all the forces that work for death instead of life.

And so today, in solidarity with all for whom this day is difficult, we proclaim:
Christ is risen!

“‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’” — Luke 24:5-7

[Archbishop of Canterbury @ArchbishopSarah]

Holy Saturday is the ultimate time of waiting and lamenting. It’s easy to look back when you know what comes next, but Holy Saturday asks us to enter a death that seems final; without hope and without future. For the disciples, it’s the day that all stopped: when the future was snatched away, and the past fell under a heavy question mark. How do you make sense of that which makes no sense?

We shy away from Holy Saturday, and yet it is something we need to practice. Sitting in the darkness, where we cannot see the way ahead, we can sit in solidarity with all those, near and far, for whom the past lies in ashes and the future cannot be imagined. It is a day to weep along with those who weep.

“So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.” — Matthew 27:59-60

[Archbishop of Canterbury @ArchbishopSarah]

Good Friday feels like the opposite of good. Good Friday invites us into a place of utter desolation. It reminds us of everything that is not good in the world: gross injustice, abuses of power, scapegoating of the vulnerable and those who are different, betrayal, abandonment, and the horrendous violence that human beings always seem willing to inflict upon one another. All that is ugly, shameful and sinful about humanity is brought into focus on Good Friday, as Jesus is nailed upon a cross.

And yet, it is Good. Not because of what takes place, but because within the worst of circumstances, Jesus demonstrates what it is to inhabit the broken world with profound and ultimate goodness. Jesus demonstrates the cost of goodness in the world – and does not shrink from it, despite the tears and fears of Gethsemane.

“From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” — Matthew 27:45-46

[Niall Ferguson @nfergus]

She was a Muslim, then an atheist. Now she is a Christian. This is an extraordinary article by @Ayaan. https://t.co/8MFODl6l1H 1/4

[VeryBritishProblems @SoVeryBritish]

I wish Guy Fawkes would come back to life just so we can show him Fireworks Night.

“See that, Guy? That’s about you.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Yep.”
“It was over 400 years ago!”
“I know.”
“Do you do a night like this for anyone else?”
“No, just you. Here, have a sparkler.”

[Steffan Jones @SteffanDJones]

Anrhydedd i cymryd yr oedfa heddi - a privilege to take the service today!
#rhaidcaelpawbynrhydd

[Radio Cymru @BBCRadioCymru]

Bydd yr oedfa am 12 o dan arweiniad Steffan Jones, Llanelli a'r thema fydd "rhaid cael pawb yn rhydd"
https://t.co/X3v3Bvn9IR

[Steffan Jones @SteffanDJones]

I am so very thankful for the day, many years ago, that I came across Timothy Keller’s preaching and teaching via podcast.
His influence on my thinking and preaching has been immeasurable, but most of all, because of Tim, I know Jesus better. And for that I am eternally grateful.

[Steffan Jones @SteffanDJones]

3 years ago today you were born into the world, and you made me a Father in the process. I am so grateful for you bachgen bach, you are headstrong, independent and intelligent, yet kind, endearing and often hilarious. Proud o ti Joseia bach #joseiabach #threenager

[Steffan Jones @SteffanDJones]

@nathevs21 @RealMLJOfficial @PettyThoughtz_ @JustTalkWrestle Recklessly brutal!

[Steffan Jones @SteffanDJones]

https://t.co/4saT9FwAfJ
Here it is, in 4k, the final cut of our Heart for the House 2022 video.
The story is one that contradicts the Welsh cultural narrative, because it’s a story of Church growth.
Grateful for what God has done, and continues to do @21centurychurch

[Steffan Jones @SteffanDJones]

A privilege and an honour to dedicate these two today - grateful to God for my boys.
May you grow into the mighty men of God you’ve been called to be.
#babydedication @21stcenturychurch

[Steffan Jones @SteffanDJones]

Penblwydd Hapus Mateo Joaquim, yn 1 heddi!
You are such a little legend already, always full of smiles and laughs, and I am so very grateful for you, it’s an honour to be your Dad. Caru ti bachgen bach!
#mateobach #happy1stbirthday #penblwyddhapus

[Anna Tema @Anatema0]

"She could have retired decades ago with little public comment; yet she chose to carry on because of an oath she took. What a fantastically antiquated notion in an age of employment laws...But she truly believed it was her sworn duty to carry on, and we were all secretly glad".

[Steffan Jones @SteffanDJones]

@nathevs21 @WWE @Goldberg For sure!

[Steffan Jones @SteffanDJones]

Wedi cael dau dydd anhygoel yn @souledoutcymru 2022! Wedi teimlo’n mor gartrefol ac mae e wedi fod shwd fendith i cwrdd a chi gyd ac i fod yn rhan o beth ma Duw yn neud lan yn y Gogledd, yn byd y Cymru Cymraeg. Diolch - dyddiau cyffroes o’m flaen! #souledout #cadwchyffydd

[Steffan Jones @SteffanDJones]

So grateful to see God at work, huge congratulations to each of you! #baptism #church @21centurychurch

[Steffan Jones @SteffanDJones]

Just amazing to see 6 more baptised in our second baptism service @21centurychurch with a total of 21 in May!!

[Steffan Jones @SteffanDJones]

It was so good to have @ruthwatkinmog with us from @compassionuk this Sunday @21centurychurch, and we’re so pumped to see brand new sponsorships on Sunday, in Jesus name.
Thank you to all who sponsor, and if you’re yet to, it’s still not too late, https://t.co/VSt9gOHOQA