[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 10/May/2026]
We always enjoy Martin coming to speak to us on a Thursday morning, especially when he has been on holiday. We see his photographs on the screen and hear about the things that happened with his family as part of his message. I thought I would try it here, without the photographs!
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during May 2026]
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
Nicene Creed[1]
Do you ever thank God just for being God?
It is relatively easy to pray for certain blessings that we think we need, or even to give thanks for what we have received so far, but prayers of adoration seem to require a special effort. Our minds wander and our thoughts digress as we try to find words that describe a God who is beyond description.
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[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 03/May/2026]
Have you ever poured out your love on someone who didn’t want it? Perhaps you fell in love with someone who wasn’t interested. I remember when I had that experience many years ago, what helped me most was (heresy alert) not a Bible verse but hearing Gloria Gaynor’s song “I will survive”. The message about surviving and saving my love for someone who loves me has inspired me ever since I first heard it 47 years ago.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during April 2026]
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4 v18 [ESVUK]
During a recent conversation around the parable of the prodigal son,[1] the focus turned to the feelings of the younger son after he recognised his plight. He had lost everything – his wealth, his friends, his self-respect, even the very means of providing for himself.
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[This reflection by Dennis Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 26/Apr/2026]
Two Sundays ago Martin introduced us to our series of teachings on prayer. He emphasised that prayer is communicating with God. But what kind of communication can we have with God (or anyone else for that matter) if we can’t be honest with each other?
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during April 2026]
Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Isaiah 55 v1 [ESVUK]
In the UK the 21st April has been designated as National Tea Day. Whether your preference is the scent of Earl Grey or the real taste of Yorkshire, this date gives us an excuse for an extra ‘cuppa’. A cup of tea is an excellent aid when reading the Scriptures so it is particularly disappointing that there is no mention of tea, as we know it, in the Bible.
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