The Bread, the Stone and the Nails

[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during September 2024]

Recently I overheard a telephone conversation between a young boy, who was on holiday, with his father who was at work. The conversation, more accurately the monologue, consisted entirely of a list of the things he wanted when he got home: a long ladder with a slide, a tree-house and, for Christmas, a present “costing 300 pounds”. (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a …!

[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 01/Sep/2024]

In my last reflection I reminisced about a town in central Australia where they held an annual regatta on a river where there was no water. I thought this time I would also recall an experience in Queensland, Australia, in the tropics. (more…)

Contributor: Michael Goble

Believe It, Or Not

[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2024]

Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.

This proclamation is known as the Memorial Acclamation and it has its formal origin in the liturgy of several of the early Eastern denominations. More recently it has been adopted by many of the major western denominations.[1] Whilst it is primarily used in communion services it is a simple statement of faith that is appropriate for many other occasions. (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

[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…)

Contributor: David Makanjuola

It’s All Greek To Me

[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…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Has He Broken Every Chain?

[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…)

Contributor: Dennis Ginter