[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 15/Dec/2024]
For some time now I have been working my way through the Bible and after wading through the history and poetry books I have finally reached what I see as the jewel in the Old Testament crown – the book of Isaiah. (more…)
[A ‘Tuesday Challenge’ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during December 2024]
Each morning I tune in to the daily reflection from All Saints’ Cathedral, Nairobi (an Anglican church that I used to attend in the early 1960s). This week the theme is an introduction to Advent,[1] using the lighting of candles as a visual aid to the explanation of the four personal characteristics that that particular denomination emphasises during this season. The four candles represent hope, peace, joy and love – sentiments that we promote at Christmas but which should be part of our life year-round. (more…)
[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 08/Dec/2024]
With Christmas approaching, we often have requests from family members about what we would like as a present. I must admit that these days I am quite happy to receive a surprise gift however small. When I was young I received a gift that was the best and most important in my life, and that has been the case ever since. (more…)
[A ‘Tuesday Challenge’ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during December 2024]
Are there aspects of the Christian faith that you do not understand? Of course there are, but I suspect that many of us think that we have a good grasp of our faith and are content with our current knowledge. However, even King David admitted that he did not understand the full extent of God’s relationship with mankind:
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139 v6 [ESVUK]
[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 01/Dec/2024]
I was at work one Sunday morning a few weeks ago. I had this heavy feeling in my heart. I just felt weighed down. I realised that it was to do with what I’d heard on the news that morning. The conflict in the Middle East grabbed the headlines. It was depressing news. The other news stories weren’t that uplifting either. The rhetoric and conduct of those involved the US Presidential campaigns, stories closer to home, of people dying while crossing the channel …, the situation felt hopeless, and I felt helpless. (more…)
[A ‘Tuesday Challenge’ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during November 2024]
In many parts of the USA the Friday after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. The official date for Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November, which means that, in theory, Black Friday 2024 is 29th November but the particular activities that gave the day its fame are rarely confined to just that date. (more…)