[This reflection by Dennis Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 25/May/2025]
We have just finished this month’s teaching series ‘The Power to Change, Breaking Free for Good’. Even before the first sermon, I knew I was going to hear things that hurt. You see – for me at least – finding freedom has always involved pain. I think that’s because of the stuff that needs to be ripped out of me first – stuff that I’ve been in bondage to for many years.
(more…)
[This reflection by Chris Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 18/May/2025]
It has been so encouraging lately to see so many people welcomed into our church for special events – Easter celebrations, Family Fun Days, baptisms, Christmas happenings. But the amazing, wonderful thing is that Jesus is turning up palpably by His Spirit as we worship and praise Him!
(more…)
[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 11/May/2025]
For the past few months Connect in Faith have been studying the life of Daniel, who as a young teenager was taken from his home and family and deported to Babylon, where he and his 3 friends were forced to serve the enemy of their people, King Nebuchadnezzar. This king was not only extremely powerful, but cruel, childish in his rages and mentally unstable.
(more…)
[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 04/May/2025]
Recently, I was talking with a friend who said, “I’ve ‘unfollowed’ [insert famous church leader here] because of what he said about …”
The leader in question had posted a written prayer on Instagram about a particularly emotive subject. I had a look myself and, interestingly, I thought it wasn’t clearly aligned with either side of the issue — but perhaps that was just my perception.
(more…)
[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 27/Apr/2025]
There are two accounts of the resurrection of Jesus that I find most moving. The first is when Mary thinks she sees a gardener at the tomb of Jesus. When Jesus says to her, “Mary”, she realises that He really was the risen Jesus who was speaking to her. Her sorrow was turned to joy (John 20:15-16). The other moving occasion is when two followers of Jesus, after His death, were walking from Jerusalem to their home in a village called Emmaus, and at that time Jesus came up and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognising Him (Luke 24:13-35).
(more…)
[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 20/Apr/2025]
Martin’s sermon last week reminded us about Jesus’ words on the cross – “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing”. I was talking to someone after the service, and we discussed whether it mattered that the person who has wronged you needs to repent before you forgive them.
When we try to forgive, we often feel it needs to be earned. You will have heard of people saying things like ‘I can’t forgive him, he’s shown no remorse for what he has done’. Or, ‘I think he’s really sorry for what he’s done, so I’ll let him off this time’.
(more…)