[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 25/Aug/2024]
In last week’s edition of YOURS, one of the prayer points was for kindness, openness & acceptance across the UK, and an end to threats of riots and violence. We were asked to pray for all people who have been affected by the violence and hostility and to pray for a truly welcoming society. It ended with the plea “Heal our land, Lord.” (more…)
[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2024]
With so many of our consumer products originating in the Far East we are becoming increasingly familiar with ‘Chinglish’, that sometimes-amusing form of English intended to provide instructions for the use of the product. The information may or may not be useful but at least we know how to read it, even if the message isn’t always clear. (more…)
[This reflection by Dennis Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 18/Aug/2024]
Recently, at church on Sunday mornings, we’ve been singing “He has broken every chain!” But, for most of us, that doesn’t really ring true. We continue to struggle in despair to find freedom from sin in our lives – stuff that we’ve been enslaved to for years. Sometimes all of our lives! (more…)
[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2024]
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity
Our opening quotation comes from the first lines of ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ published by Charles Dickens in 1859. The story is set during the French Revolution (1789-1799); the two cities in the novel are London and Paris, both cities were rife with moral corruption and anarchy. (more…)
[This reflection by Chris Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 11/Aug/2024]
How good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity.
Psalm 133 v1
It suddenly occurred to me the other day when I was playing table-tennis with my grandson what a similarity there was between playing tennis and our relationship with Jesus. (We hit the ball and he hits it back to us). Quite a lively situation really! (more…)
[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2024]
During the past few weeks we have enjoyed a teaching series based on the book of Ruth. Four sermons and one ‘Going Deeper’ have given us plenty of things to think about.
However, is it appropriate to simply ‘enjoy’ these sermons? Indeed what is the purpose of a sermon? Is it simply a clause in the pastor’s contract of employment? Should it be more than an interlude of verbal entertainment? (more…)