[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2024]
During the research for last week’s reflection a question arose about the timescales defined (or rather, not defined) in the early chapters of Genesis. That question – how long were Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden before they sinned? – led to another: When did Satan fall from heaven? (more…)
[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 02/Jun/2024]
Martin’s article last week reminded me that the previous week had been about the Jewish Feast or Festival of Pentecost. I had been ill that day and not been at church to be reminded of that. That also made me think of an excellent article by Helen Ruffhead in which she told how a number of Jewish Festivals related to our Christian faith. At Pentecost when the Jews celebrated the revelation of God’s word to Moses, God revealed His Holy Spirit and the Christian church was born. So how do all these Jewish Feasts or Festivals have meaning for us as Christians? (more…)
[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during May 2024]
During the past eight weeks our Sunday morning preachers have been deeply into sin. Pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth have all found their way into the centre of the church’s life but it should be added by way of clarification that the preachers have been researching these sins rather than indulging in them. We now know much more about sin after hearing what they had to say. (more…)
[This reflection by Martin Shorey was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 26/May/2024]
Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait …
Acts 1 v4
Last Saturday us HBC guys gathered together at church to test our brain power. We had 4 rooms, and each room contained an object to find with the help of various clues, within an allotted time. My team managed the first room well, searching the room for clues, and finally discovering the location of a stolen jewel. Things didn’t go so smoothly in the second room. (more…)
[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during May 2024]
Our title is taken from the first line of a popular song from the early 1950s. In its original form it was a reminder to servicemen that, no matter where they were, there was someone waiting for them. Later it was taken to include anyone travelling far away from home. (more…)
[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 12/May/2024]
During a recent ‘Connect in Faith’ house group meeting, the internet connections went awry and the songs that had been prepared could not be projected and played.
The following day in church, I met one of the regular attenders, a friend, whose smile is usually so welcoming, you have no choice but to give him a hug, but not that day. He looked quite sad, and the smile was nothing near its usual, brightness. He just said it had been quite a difficult week. (more…)