Down, Not Out

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

When Satan tempts me to despair or tells me of the guilt within …

As you look around on a Sunday morning and see all those super-saints worshipping God so confidently are you ever tempted to echo the words of a song rooted in a certain period in American history?

Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen

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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

What – No Water?

[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 21/Jul/2024]

In the arid centre of Australia there is a river called Todd River which flows through Alice Springs. It is quite wide and there are big stone bridges for the traffic to drive across the river. Each year in the town they hold the Henley-on-Todd Regatta and about 20,000 people come to watch the boating races. There is only one problem. (more…)

Contributor: Michael Goble

Does Peace Outweigh Truth?

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

Have there been times when you decide to hold your tongue rather than provoke a pointless argument over some minor matter? Or perhaps you prefer to be pedantic, setting the record straight at the risk of upsetting someone who has a different recollection of events. (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys

JESUS – The Centre

[This reflection by Martin Shorey was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 14/Jul/2024]

This August I will have been at Horley for 7 years! How that time has flown, marked by how tall my son is getting (who was only a bump when we first moved). It will also be 13 years for me as a Baptist minister. I love my job, with it’s ups and downs, and joys and frustrations. I was unsure at first whether this was what God as calling me to, but I can look back and see how God has guided and blessed me since I made that step 16 years ago to pack my bags and head to Bible College. (more…)

Contributor: Martin Shorey

The Rule of Law

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

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119 v18 [NIVUK]

When, last year, the then Polish government took some actions that were contrary to the expectations of the European Commission the Poles were accused of defying the ‘rule of law’. Whose law were they breaking? Surely, as an independent sovereign state, they were entitled to make their own laws. What is ‘the rule of law’ anyway? (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Leave Your Burdens at the Foot of the Cross

[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 07/Jul/2024]

There are a few of us who write these short articles for ‘Yours’. We have a rota, and this is sent out every 4 months, so you know well in advance when it is your turn. As I am sure the other people on the rota will attest to, time seems to move differently with the rota, because it seems like you just blink and it’s your turn again. This means you have to find inspiration, and quickly. I was in that position and went onto Horley Baptist Church on YouTube to find inspiration (something I am sure just about all of you do). (more…)

Contributor: David Makanjuola