[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2025]
He did not have much but little is much if God is in it.[1]
In John’s report of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus challenged his disciple Philip with the need to feed the people that came to see Jesus. The disciples knew that, although they no doubt had some assets[2], their resources would not be adequate for the task. So they said that the problem could not be solved.
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[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 02/Feb/2025]
One thing I have never been able to understand is why people tend to be rated according to their wealth. You see it in playgrounds where children with the latest phone or designer clothes are respected and those without these things are bullied. Adults want to be seen driving an expensive car, wearing the latest fashions or showing off their lovely homes. Those in poverty are made to feel ashamed if they have to ask for help and are too often blamed for their situation.
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[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2024]
During the past few weeks we have enjoyed a teaching series based on the book of Ruth. Four sermons and one ‘Going Deeper’ have given us plenty of things to think about.
However, is it appropriate to simply ‘enjoy’ these sermons? Indeed what is the purpose of a sermon? Is it simply a clause in the pastor’s contract of employment? Should it be more than an interlude of verbal entertainment? (more…)
[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during July 2024]
Have there been times when you decide to hold your tongue rather than provoke a pointless argument over some minor matter? Or perhaps you prefer to be pedantic, setting the record straight at the risk of upsetting someone who has a different recollection of events. (more…)
[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during April 2024]
Recently I saw a photo of a billboard poster. Its message read:
Save 100%
↓
Don’t buy anything
[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…)