[This reflection by Martin Shorey was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 07/Jun/2026]
Some of you may have seen a recent video from the United States in which a police officer pulls over a female driver whom he suspects of driving without due care and attention. He asks her to wind down her window and tells her that he saw her holding a mobile phone in her right hand.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during May 2026]
So their entreaty ascended fervently to heaven.
3 Maccabees 5:9 [NRSVA]
It is perhaps unusual for us to quote from the books of the Apocrypha but those words give us an appropriate context for our thoughts this week as we consider prayers of supplication.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during October 2025]
What good would it do to change my way of living
If everything inside me stayed the same?
The question was posed by song-writer Barry McGuire in his 1978 song “What Good Would It Do?”; the song was later included in his “Cosmic Cowboy” album. The lyrics ask whether there is any benefit arising from a change of behaviour if that change is only superficial.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2025]
Rejoice with those who rejoice (sharing others’ joy), and weep with those who weep (sharing others’ grief).
Romans 12 v15 [AMP]
Is Paul suggesting that we should be two-faced in our relationships? Certainly not, but this verse does recognise that there may be times when we are faced with two different courses of action.
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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 ‘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]