Andrew Urquhart talks with Wynand Jacobs, Executive Director of Family Life New Zealand, about the success of Marriage Week (marriageweek.org.nz). They discuss how churches and organisations came together with more coordination this year, and share an encouraging story of a pastor being thanked for finally preaching on marriage from the pulpit.




The conversation turns to the surprising backlash some received online for celebrating long-married couples, prompting reflection on those for whom marriage represents pain, disappointment, or unmet hopes. Wynand draws on an illustration from Pilgrim's Progress to highlight the power of hope in overcoming despair, encouraging listeners to hold onto hope for their relationships, with more resources available at familylife.nz.



Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Andrew Urquhart talks with Wynand Jacobs, Executive Director of Family Life New Zealand, about the success of Marriage Week (marriageweek.org.nz). They discuss how churches and organisations came together with more coordination this year, and share an encouraging story of a pastor being thanked for finally preaching on marriage from the pulpit. The conversation turns to the surprising backlash some received online for celebrating long-married couples, prompting reflection on those for whom marriage represents pain, disappointment, or unmet hopes. Wynand draws on an illustration from Pilgrim's Progress to highlight the power of hope in overcoming despair, encouraging listeners to hold onto hope for their relationships, with more resources available at familylife.nz. Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Here you can catch up on all of the latest interviews from Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart.

Here you can catch up on all of the latest interviews from Thoughts &amp; Comments with Andrew Urquhart.

Thoughts & Comments Interviews

Thoughts & Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience. In each episode, Andrew chats with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We’ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts &amp; Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience. In each episode, Andrew chats with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We&rsquo;ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts &amp; Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts & Comments Podcast

Thoughts & Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience, chatting with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We’ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts &amp; Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience, chatting with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We&rsquo;ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts &amp; Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts & Comments

Reflecting on Marriage Week and the Power of Hope

Andrew Urquhart welcomes public commentator Brendan Malone to discuss the recent use of expletives in Parliament, with speakers being ejected by the Speaker of the House. They explore how standards of speech are not so much "slipping" as being actively eroded or abandoned, linking this to the biblical call for gentleness and respect and the broader concept of human dignity. Brendan argues that speech reflects both self-respect and respect for others, and that MPs represent the whole nation, so their language matters beyond personal preference—even suggesting offenders should be barred from the House for three months, a view he says applies equally across party lines.



The conversation extends to social media, journalism, and fiction, distinguishing between context-driven use of coarse language (such as shock, grief, or storytelling devices like in the film "Odyssey") and deliberate abusive speech in public life. Brendan and Andrew agree that while words and physical violence are not equivalent, careless or vulgar language in Parliament reflects poorly on virtue and civility, and that charitable disagreement—not vulgarity—should be the standard for political discourse.



Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Andrew Urquhart welcomes public commentator Brendan Malone to discuss the recent use of expletives in Parliament, with speakers being ejected by the Speaker of the House. They explore how standards of speech are not so much "slipping" as being actively eroded or abandoned, linking this to the biblical call for gentleness and respect and the broader concept of human dignity. Brendan argues that speech reflects both self-respect and respect for others, and that MPs represent the whole nation, so their language matters beyond personal preference—even suggesting offenders should be barred from the House for three months, a view he says applies equally across party lines. The conversation extends to social media, journalism, and fiction, distinguishing between context-driven use of coarse language (such as shock, grief, or storytelling devices like in the film "Odyssey") and deliberate abusive speech in public life. Brendan and Andrew agree that while words and physical violence are not equivalent, careless or vulgar language in Parliament reflects poorly on virtue and civility, and that charitable disagreement—not vulgarity—should be the standard for political discourse. Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Parliament's Swearing Scandal: A Question of Dignity

Andrew Urquhart talks with Nick from Pilar NZ about the government's renewed push to increase oversight of homeschooling families, following the tragic Tom Phillips case where three children vanished with their homeschooling father for four years. Nick argues this is a red herring, noting that the Ministry of Education and Education Review Office had already tried to sneak similar controls into legislation earlier in the year before public pressure forced a withdrawal.



Both agree the real failures lie with Police and Oranga Tamariki, who held critical information about Phillips but failed to act, rather than with homeschooling regulation itself. They warn against using this tragedy to push an ideological agenda that erodes homeschooling families' freedoms, and encourage listeners to contact their local politicians and support organisations like Pilar NZ in defending homeschooling rights.



Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Andrew Urquhart talks with Nick from Pilar NZ about the government's renewed push to increase oversight of homeschooling families, following the tragic Tom Phillips case where three children vanished with their homeschooling father for four years. Nick argues this is a red herring, noting that the Ministry of Education and Education Review Office had already tried to sneak similar controls into legislation earlier in the year before public pressure forced a withdrawal. Both agree the real failures lie with Police and Oranga Tamariki, who held critical information about Phillips but failed to act, rather than with homeschooling regulation itself. They warn against using this tragedy to push an ideological agenda that erodes homeschooling families' freedoms, and encourage listeners to contact their local politicians and support organisations like Pilar NZ in defending homeschooling rights. Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Homeschooling Rights Under Fire After Tom Phillips Case

Andrew Urquhart hosts Thoughts and Comments, inviting listener texts on the importance of civil discourse, especially in an election year and amid social media division. He's joined by Matt from Laidlaw College to discuss how Christians can engage respectfully on important topics.



Drawing on 1 Peter 3:15, Matt explores the balance between being ready to give a reason for one's faith and doing so with gentleness and respect, reflecting on Peter's own transformation from brashness to wisdom. They discuss how aggressive evangelism approaches (like Ray Comfort's) sparked passion but sometimes came across as judgmental, and how Christianity's public image has suffered due to being seen as restrictive or hypocritical rather than hopeful. They conclude that Scripture, including the fruits of the Spirit, offers timeless guidance for engaging others with kindness while still sharing the gospel.



Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Andrew Urquhart hosts Thoughts and Comments, inviting listener texts on the importance of civil discourse, especially in an election year and amid social media division. He's joined by Matt from Laidlaw College to discuss how Christians can engage respectfully on important topics. Drawing on 1 Peter 3:15, Matt explores the balance between being ready to give a reason for one's faith and doing so with gentleness and respect, reflecting on Peter's own transformation from brashness to wisdom. They discuss how aggressive evangelism approaches (like Ray Comfort's) sparked passion but sometimes came across as judgmental, and how Christianity's public image has suffered due to being seen as restrictive or hypocritical rather than hopeful. They conclude that Scripture, including the fruits of the Spirit, offers timeless guidance for engaging others with kindness while still sharing the gospel. Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Reflecting on Marriage Week and the Power of Hope

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