[This reflection by Dennis Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 26/Apr/2026]
Two Sundays ago Martin introduced us to our series of teachings on prayer. He emphasised that prayer is communicating with God. But what kind of communication can we have with God (or anyone else for that matter) if we can’t be honest with each other?
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during April 2026]
Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Isaiah 55 v1 [ESVUK]
In the UK the 21st April has been designated as National Tea Day. Whether your preference is the scent of Earl Grey or the real taste of Yorkshire, this date gives us an excuse for an extra ‘cuppa’. A cup of tea is an excellent aid when reading the Scriptures so it is particularly disappointing that there is no mention of tea, as we know it, in the Bible.
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[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 19/Apr/2026]
‘Twas the time after Easter and all through the night, not a fishy was biting, not even a trout’. This is the story of what the disciples were doing after Easter. It must have been a confusing, if not mind-blowing time for them. So much had happened in such a short span of time. Peter decided to go back to something he was familiar with – fishing, and he took a few of the disciples with him. John, one of the disciples, tells the story in his gospel as follows;
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during April 2026]
Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir
Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,
With a cargo of ivory, and apes and peacocks,
Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.
John Masefield (1903)
Does this cargo manifest sound familiar? Those of a certain age may have learnt John Masefield’s poem at school but its inspiration is much earlier. King Solomon had a fleet of trading ships modelled after those built at Tarshish for the equivalent of global trade within the then-known world. They were the container vessels of their day.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during April 2026]
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy’. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Matthew 5 v43-44 [ESVUK]
These words come from Matthew’s account of the teachings of Jesus collectively known as the Sermon on the Mount. He was speaking in the context of a nation under occupation at a time when there was no shortage of enemies and persecution.
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[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 05/Apr/2026]
Easter, similarly to Christmas, is one of those wonderful times of year when chocolate seems entirely appropriate at any hour of the day. Shops are full of brightly wrapped eggs, children (and adults!) delight in hunting for them, and the mysterious Bunny makes his annual appearance, in homes around the country – somehow managing to deliver a remarkable amount of chocolate overnight (is that how it works?).
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