A Tale of Two Cities

[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…)

: 121
Contributor: Steve Humphreys
Read full article ~ 2 Comments

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: ,

When Brethren Dwell Together in Unity

[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…)

: 65
Contributor: Chris Ginter
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Yours on Sunday ~ Tags:

What Can We Glean from This?

[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…)

: 83
Contributor: Steve Humphreys
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: ,

Finding Strength in Gratitude

[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 04/Aug/2024]

Life is challenging and that can feel overwhelming! Stress, responsibilities, financial concerns, and relationship struggles can weigh us down and make things feel difficult. Then don’t we love to complain about it, It’s the British prerogative! However, amid these difficulties, cultivating an “attitude of gratitude” can provide us with the strength to persevere. (more…)

: 68
Contributor: Dazz Jones
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Yours on Sunday ~ Tags:

Disappointment with God

[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 28/Jul/2024]

I think one thing Christians find hard to acknowledge is a feeling of disappointment with God. When we first become Christians life often seems wonderful and we believe everything is going to be different, but then our old troubles come back and we can struggle with feelings of disappointment. (more…)

: 50
Contributor: Helen Ruffhead
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Yours on Sunday ~ Tags:

Make It Mine!

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

Those of us who follow the international news regularly will have noticed that the story of Ahab and Naboth recurs with almost daily frequency.[1]

The characters are different but the scenario is basically the same. A person in a position of power sees an adjacent piece of real-estate and decides that it would fit well within his own portfolio. He – or indeed, she – makes what they consider to be a reasonable offer for it and, if that is declined, then resorts to the use of deception, guile or blatant force. (more…)

: 150
Contributor: Steve Humphreys
Read full article ~ 2 Comments

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: , ,
« Earlier Reflections

Later Reflections »