Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This reflection by Martin Shorey was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 09/Jul/2023]

We will not hide these truths from our children;
  we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
  about his power and his mighty wonders.
Psalm 78:4

Can you remember back to your childhood? Was there someone who was particularly influential in your life, who perhaps shaped your values, and helped you to see the world in a particular way? Maybe they spent time listening to you, or just being around – a consistent presence. That loving and caring investment at an early age is invaluable, and has an immeasurable positive effect on a person’s direction in life, as well as their well-being and self esteem.

As a church we want to be part of shaping the next generation – teaching the values of Christianity, and stories of the Bible, and what it means to follow Jesus. We want them to know that through Jesus we can live the best version of our life possible. The earlier that is done the better, as research has shown that only 5% of Christians became Christians once past school age. This means that if we want to see people come to know Jesus, we would be stupid not to put virtually all our resources; time, volunteers, paid staff, etc, into our Children and Youth work. If we are not putting the majority of our focus as a church into the next generation, making church as accessible and attractive to them as we can, then the church will soon die out.

We have an opportunity to shape a young person’s life. In a dark and messed world, where the truth has been exchanged for a lie, we have the moral imperative to guide and nurture our young people, so that they might live a full and exciting life with and for Jesus. This is probably the greatest gift we can offer!

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Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections
.
Link to Index of Bible Passages
 
Last week’s reflection: Is Love All You Need? by Helen Ruffhead
 

[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 02/Jul/2023]

When I was growing up there were numerous songs about love being the answer to the world’s troubles, like “All you need is love” and “What the world needs now is love, sweet love”. I believe that they were right: love is the answer, but they were usually looking at the wrong type of love. Recently in Praise Club (a group for adults with learning disabilities) we looked at the 4 Greek words for love:

Eros – romantic love
Storge – family love
Philia – friendship love
Agape – the selfless love God has for us.

Divorce rates and domestic violence show how romantic love can turn sour and there are few things more painful than unrequited love. The love of parents for their children is usually one of the strongest bonds, yet I have seen so many children and young people who have been rejected or abused by their own families. Friends are a wonderful gift, but they can tire of you, or not want you once they find a partner, or be too busy to see you any more.

The only love that will never let us down is God’s Agape love for us. It is this love that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 13 v 4-8:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

It was this kind of love that was shown to me as a troubled 18-year-old, full of anxiety, bitterness and self-pity, by a group of Christians at university and it transformed my life. Now I try to offer the same love to the young people in my care. I often fail, as I am weak and human, but hope that some of God’s love shines through.

Mother Theresa once said: “We are not called to do extraordinary things; we are called to do ordinary things with extraordinary love“.

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Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections
.
Link to Index of Bible Passages
 
Last week’s reflection: Friendships by Dazz Jones
 

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during July 2023]

What’s significant about the 4th of July? At least one of the members of our congregation should be able to answer without hesitation. Bonus marks for those who can name the three American past-presidents who died and the one future president who was born on this date.^[1] However, leaving aside the activities of some dissident colonialists, what else makes this date memorable?

If you had been a resident of Western Samoa in 1892 you would have good cause to remember the date; on that day the International Date Line was moved, with the result that there were two days with the same date and a year with 367 days.

Very few of us get the opportunity to relive a day of our lives; would we waste the same amount of time, make the same mistakes, have the same regrets? What would you change if you could replay a day of your life? Is it too late to do something about it?

Control of the Samoan islands was hotly contended by various imperial powers during the nineteenth century. Robert Louis Stevenson cautioned the Samoan leaders in 1894:^[2]

There is but one way to defend Samoa. …
It is to make roads, and gardens, and care for your trees, and sell their produce wisely, and, in one word, to occupy and use your country… if you do not occupy and use your country, others will. It will not continue to be yours or your children’s, … You and your children will in that case be cast out into outer darkness.

We can see a parallel with the advice that Jeremiah gave to the Israelite exiles in Babylon, in effect to settle down, earn your living and seek the well-being of the country where you live.^[3] Is this good advice for us too? We assert that we are not citizens of this world but simply passing through on our way to a better one. Yet, this is where we are for the time being, our behaviour here can have an influence (for good or bad) on those who are living alongside us.

The apostle Paul wrote some advice to Titus to pass onto the congregation he was pastoring:

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. Titus 3 v1-2 [NASB]

Are our characteristics and lifestyles a clear declaration of our status as Christ’s ambassadors or is it a case of “When on earth, do as the earthlings do”?

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Resources:
[1] Thomas Jefferson and John Adams 1836, James Munroe 1831, Calvin Coolidge 1872
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoa
[3] Jeremiah 29 v5-7

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections

Link to Index of Bible Passages

Last week’s reflection: The Stuff of Dreams
 

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during June 2023]

In 1595 William Shakespeare wrote his play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. It is said to be one of his most popular plays, possibly due to the potential liberality of its interpretation. In contrast to the discipline of his historical works, this play is an amalgam of five interwoven storylines that can become somewhat confusing.

Do your dreams confuse you? Do you ever have the type of dream that, when you awake, you regret that what you have seen is not true? What provoked those delightful images that now cannot be recaptured? On the other hand, what about those nightmares where waking up comes as a blessed relief, an escape from an horrific experience?

It is said that we cannot control our dreams, but is that true? Increasingly, psychologists are finding that there are ways of influencing our dreams; the most significant factor being those things that occupy our minds before we sleep.^[1] Do you like to catch a midnight movie? What you see may linger subconsciously and reappear in your dreams. Are you suffering from sleeplessness? An online sermon would be a better cure for insomnia.

Dreams feature in Matthew’s account of the nativity. Had the Magi sensed something in Herod’s attitude that was preying on their minds? Had Joseph heard something through the grapevine that was causing him to worry about his family? Be that as it may, it is clear that God used those dreams to to instruct the Magi and Joseph about their next moves.

Dreams are much more prevalent in the Old Testament rather than the New. On Sunday morning we were reminded about Joseph and Daniel who are two examples of men who were familiar with God-given dreams, both their own and those of other people. To what extent can we treat dreams as messages from God? We now have many more resources including the written Bible, the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the accumulated experience of the wider Christian community. How do our dreams measure up against them? Has the age of prophetic dreams passed?

Our minds are often so preoccupied with the busy-ness of day-to-day living that God can’t get through. Do we make time and space for him? Maybe we need a wake-up call.

In Genesis we read of how Isaac went out during the evening into a quiet place to meditate. For him it resulted in a dream come true.^[2] For us, it is an example that we would do well to emulate.

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Resources:
[1] https://www.wikihow.com/Influence-Your-Dreams
[2] Genesis 24 v63-67

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections

Link to Index of Bible Passages

Last week’s reflection: The Need To Know
 

[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 25/Jun/2023]

We are created for community, and friendship is a wonderful privilege that we enjoy with other people.

I am amazed at the way that sharing my own struggles has drawn the relationships I have with people tighter to me. So many of us struggle and fight things alone, we are dealing with things that we don’t want to tell everyone about, that we’re not sure if we can share. If you have a struggle you working with at the moment I urge you to share it with someone, someone who can listen to you and will not try and fix it for you but will hear you and empathise with you.

The Bible reminds us of the value and importance of friendship. In Proverbs 17:17, we read, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity”. True friends are there for us through the highs and lows, offering a listening ear, a comforting presence, and perhaps a helping hand. They walk beside us, sharing in our joys and providing a shoulder to lean on in times of sorrow. Through their love and support, they reflect the unconditional love of Jesus in our lives.

Friendship also plays a role in our spiritual growth. Proverbs 27:17 states, “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another”. When we surround ourselves with godly friends, they encourage us in our faith journey, challenging us to become better versions of ourselves, and pushing us towards becoming Christlike (or at least trying to!). They help us stay accountable to our beliefs, reminding us of God’s truth when we are tempted to do our own thing. Together, we can study the Word, pray, and worship Jesus, deepening our understanding of God’s love and purpose for our lives.

Jesus Himself modelled the essence of true friendship during His time on Earth. He chose twelve disciples, not merely as followers, but as companions and friends. He shared meals with them, taught them, and walked alongside them. In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”. He demonstrated this love by giving His life on the cross for us, showing the ultimate sacrifice and commitment that true friendship entails.

As a church community, we have an opportunity to foster a culture of friendship and inclusion. We can create spaces for fellowship, like our small groups, where people can connect, share their lives, and build meaningful relationships. We can reach out to those who may be lonely or new to the faith, extending the love of Christ and inviting them into the family of believers.

It was such a joy to come together at the church weekend recently, I felt a real joy being part of the team who’d planned it and so pleased to see everyone enjoy themselves as we prayed they would! Thank God for Horley Baptist Church.

Let us remember that friendship is a gift from God, and it is a gift we can give to others. As we embrace the gift of friendship, we experience the joy of belonging, the comfort of companionship, and encouragement in spiritual growth. May we value and pursue the friendships God has placed in our lives, and may we, in turn, be faithful and loving friends to those around us.

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Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections
.
Link to Index of Bible Passages
 
Last week’s reflection: Who Is Your Best Friend? by Michael Goble
 

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during June 2023]

Do you ever get the feeling that maybe you are not getting the whole story? It’s not that you are being lied to or deliberately misled; rather that something doesn’t quite add-up in what you have heard. Maybe it’s simply that what you thought you heard was not what I thought I said. Somewhere along the line of communication some part of the context of the message got lost.

Here is an example. I used to work as a traffic analyst in London and part of my analysis showed that “buses moved 17% faster in those bus lanes that were being actively enforced”. A subsequent press notice reported that “bus journeys are now 17% quicker”. The figure was accurate but the statement no longer reflected the correct context. Were those writing the press report aware of the limitations of the full context or was it a case of ‘why let the truth get in the way of a good story?’^[1]

To what extent is partial truth still truth? In American crime movies witnesses swear to ‘tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth’. Obviously, those legislators who originally drafted that requirement decided that the context is an essential part of a true account of events.

Is it the same in some of the Bible accounts? As Christians we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, delivered by the Holy Spirit through the medium of accurate writers and diligent translators. Yet, do we think that there are bits missing, that there are aspects that appear to not add up?

In the account of the woman at the well in Samaria,^[2] we infer certain aspects of her lifestyle from her solitary visit to the well and her relationships history, but this is at odds with the enthusiastic way in which her neighbours received her report about her encounter with Jesus. Surely, if the image that we have of her is true then her story would have been dismissed as just the start of yet another ‘fling’.

One reason why Bible stories can be short on detail is that some things can be taken as read. Certain aspects of every-day life in Bible times would not need to be spelt out – the original readers would be familiar with the details of family relationships, daily life and religious practices. The implications of a solitary woman drawing water at midday would not have been lost on them but neither would the significance of the location, close to where Jacob was buried.^[3] Societies change, languages evolve; living in a different culture means that we might miss out on the full context or overlook the significance of some of the details.

Do the gaps in the Bible accounts mean that it is only a partial truth? Are we tempted to speculate about what might have been omitted? For example, we are not told how the Jewish disciples felt about having to stay two days in a Samaritan town. Did they rejoice about the success of a new outreach or did habitual perceptions of a strained relationship persist?

Towards the end of his gospel the apostle John explained that not everything that Jesus did had been recorded and surely the reason that he gives is valid for all scripture:

… but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20 v31 [NKJV]

Are you tempted to read between the lines or even add a few lines of your own? Surely the simplicity of John’s statement provides all we need to know.

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Resources:
[1] Mark Twain, after satirist Jonathan Swift
[2] John 4 v1-42
[3] Joshua 24 v32

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections

Link to Index of Bible Passages

Last week’s reflection: It Ain’t Half Hot, Mum