Posts Tagged: ‘Matthew’

Can Prayer Meetings Be Exciting?

[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 09/Nov/2025]

Fifty years ago I attended my first prayer meeting. At the time I was angry with God and hated to hear people praying, but some people from the Christian Union had befriended me on my first day at university. About 3 weeks into term, feeling lonely one evening I went to visit a friend, only to find her about to leave for the prayer meeting, so something made me decide to join her.
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Contributor: Helen Ruffhead
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Having Higher Standards Than God?

[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 19/Oct/2025]

As I write this, it has been a very eventful few days. After two years of turmoil, hardship and heartache, the ceasefire has come into effect between Israel and the people in Gaza. Many people played a part behind the scenes in negotiations to end the conflict and get the hostages home, President Trump being very significant in getting things across the line.
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Contributor: David Makanjuola
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Taxing Times

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during October 2025]

“A tax is the best means of defence”. So said Frank Wiesel, the political adviser to the right honourable Jim Hacker, the Minister for Administrative Affairs in the TV series ‘Yes, Minister’.

We live at a time when taxes and tariffs figure as prominently in our daily news reports as they do in our everyday transactions. Indeed, the idiom that ‘the only two certainties in life are death and taxes’ is often quoted when the topic comes up in conversation. The phrase itself is usually attributed to US statesman Benjamin Franklin in 1789 but the sentiment had several earlier incarnations.
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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The Harvest is Plenty

[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 07/Sep/2025]

We were due to have a few people over for a barbecue and as the date got closer, like most people do, we started getting things in order so that the house would look presentable. It involved buying a couple of flowerpots for the front porch, and although it definitely looked much better that it had been, to someone who had never been to visit us, the extent of the transformation would be lost on them. For people who had been to visit us before though, on the day of the barbecue, they commented on the difference, and how good those flowerpots looked. It made me realise that there are times when change happens in us, but it is only evident to those who now us really well.
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Contributor: David Makanjuola
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Membership Matters 4: Give Generously

[Transcript of a midweek message published by Horley Baptist Church on YouTube[1], 03/Sep/2025]

Message 4: Give Generously – fuelling the mission through giving.

Welcome back. So far, we’ve talked about growing together and serving together. In this message, we’re exploring another key part of membership, giving generously. Now, let’s be honest, talking about money can feel awkward. But what if generosity isn’t about guilt, but about grace?
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Contributor: Martin Shorey
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Skilful Investment

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2025]

What is the relationship between your spiritual life and your daily activities? Or, to put it another way, if your faith does not affect your lifestyle, your work-ethic and your politics, is it anything more than a hobby?
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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