[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…)
[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during January 2025]
Our title comes from the words of Jesus as recorded by the gospel-writer Luke. At the end of his last supper together with his disciples, Jesus spoke to them about the difficulties ahead. In particular, he addressed Simon Peter.
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
Luke 22 v31-32 [NIVUK]
[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during February 2024]
Can you recall the feeling of relief that comes when you realise that the horrific events that you have just witnessed were only a nightmare? Perhaps ‘only’ is not an appropriate word to describe the impact of what you have experienced; those moments just before we wake up can be very distressing. (more…)