[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 21/Apr/2024]
There’s a saying that goes something like “the flowers grow where you water them” … and greed is one of those subtle things that could creep up on us without realising it, just like a weed in the garden. Just like weeds in a garden, these 7 deadly sins we’re looking at over the coming weeks can be kept at bay from growing into problems if we do a self-check ‘little and often’. (more…)
[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during April 2024]
Have you ever received a message that you did not want to hear? Perhaps you had a summons to a meeting that you wanted to avoid or maybe you were instructed to do something that you did not want to do. (more…)
[This reflection by Brian Alton was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 14/Apr/2024]
At the turn of the year, ITV screened a drama about the injustice suffered by sub-postmasters over many years; accused wrongly of theft and fraud, when in fact a new software programme was at fault. People were bankrupted, sent to prison, lost livelihoods. Campaigns to exonerate those affected had been attempted over many years, with little success. However, the drama turned a shocking story from impersonal words on a page, to the story of real people, and the impact has been huge. Viewers could watch and feel the emotional consequence of this tragic situation. (more…)
[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 07/Apr/2024]
The granddaughter of our next door neighbours is a trainee film director and she arranged to make a film at her grandparent’s home just before Easter. As that would be the film set, we were happy to agree to her request for two days to use two rooms in our house, the conservatory and the dining room. It was a surprise when we discovered how much was involved. (more…)
[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during April 2024]
When we look back at the events of Easter we can picture the central characters of the story: Pilate, Herod, the chief priests, the indifferent soldiers, the frightened disciples, the manipulated mob and, of course, Jesus himself. However, as Dazz reminded us,[1] there are many characters whose role seems secondary but yet without whom the story would be incomplete. (more…)
[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 31/Mar/2024]
By the time this article is being read, we will be approaching the end of the run up to Easter. I have been pondering over the passages laid out in the Essential Jesus reading plan that some of us have been following for the last couple of months. The last few days have turned the focus to Christ’s resurrection. One thing I noticed but haven’t been able to understand is why those who encountered Jesus after he had risen didn’t recognise him. (more…)