Posts Tagged: ‘John’

Knowing You, Jesus

[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 12/Jan/2025]

During the sermon on Sunday, Martin talked about looking away from ourselves and the difficult situations we might find ourselves in, but to look up to God for His help and then to look around us and recognise the plight of others and seek to help them.

A similar comment about looking up to God is found in Psalm 121. Verses 1 and 2 state, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
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Contributor: David Makanjuola

Love came down at Christmas

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge’ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during December 2024]

Where do I begin to tell the story of how great a love can be
The sweet love story that is older than the sea?

These words, composed by lyricist Carl Sigman, were written to give a vocal counterpart to the theme from the 1970 film, ‘Love Story’. Various artists have made both the tune and the lyrics very popular. But can there really be a ‘love that is older than the sea’? (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Jesus – the Fulfilment of Prophecy

[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 15/Dec/2024]

For some time now I have been working my way through the Bible and after wading through the history and poetry books I have finally reached what I see as the jewel in the Old Testament crown – the book of Isaiah. (more…)

Contributor: Helen Ruffhead

What do you want for Christmas?

[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 08/Dec/2024]

With Christmas approaching, we often have requests from family members about what we would like as a present. I must admit that these days I am quite happy to receive a surprise gift however small. When I was young I received a gift that was the best and most important in my life, and that has been the case ever since. (more…)

Contributor: Michael Goble

War, and Peace?

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge’ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during November 2024]

red poppy

Peace, perfect peace in this dark world of sin?

Even as our thoughts turn to the Armistice of November 1918 and we honour the sacrifice and ordeals of those who have suffered in the service of their country since then, we are reminded that ‘the war to end all wars’ did not achieve that result. (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Where do I Begin?

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge’ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during October 2024]

As often happens when preparing these reflections, it starts with a question: “Where do I begin …” Fortunately, the actress Julie Andrews is able to offer some advice:

Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start [1]

For us as Christians (and for everybody else but few admit it) that takes us to the earliest verses of the Bible. (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys