[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 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 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…)
[This reflection by Dennis Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 24/Mar/2024]
We Are Family!?
We often refer to our church as ‘family’. Last Sunday Reece shared with us from the front how God had responded to the persistent prayers of friends and healed him of a really worrying kidney problem. That kind of thing, as Reece said, should be shared much more often – if we really are ‘family ‘!
I know it’s not easy to facilitate such testimonies in the middle of a packed Sunday service. And maybe most of us already have a small group of fellow Jesus followers who really are family. But, if we’re going to call the larger church ‘family’, perhaps it’s time to ask ourselves whether we can somehow become more intimate – which is the identifying characteristic of true family.
The weekly YOURS bulletin is one way to do that, but it seldom functions as a family forum. And maybe it can’t.
Recently there has been a shift in our Sunday meetings. It seems, to me at least, that there’s more warmth, more deep love for one another.
That’s what Martin was talking about, wasn’t it? It’s more than possible for a large gathering to really be family, and I think the Holy Spirit is doing it!!
Resources:
[1]
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[This reflection by Chris Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 17/Mar/2024]
In returning and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
Isaiah 30 v15 [NKJV]
After spending 6 months trying to fathom out what on earth is going on with my body, fighting illness and not being able to fully participate in all sorts of activities that I’m used to, I have come to the conclusion that I really do need to trust Jesus more.
I can glibly say, I trust Jesus, but to be totally honest, if I’m truthful, it’s not that easy. Or it is easy when I’m feeling well and sickness hasn’t presented its head that day. So my attitude has become, Lord I really don’t understand what’s going on right now but I give it all to you, show me Lord how to handle the present circumstances over to you.
Even though it all looks like nothing seems to be going forward – it’s amazing when I cry out to you and ask for help and really surrender, God seems to break through with simple answers and doors open that no man can shut.
So as I move forward in the days ahead in whatever life style and activities God has for me, I’m learning to take one step at a time. I really don’t like cancelling plans and letting people down but in the process God seems to be bringing me face to face with new opportunities to have contact with folk that I would never have come close to before.
Romans 8 v28 has come to the forefront of my thinking again.
All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes.
So you could say, where I was floundering, I’m trying to leave all things in God’s hands.
Resources:
[1]
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