Stephen McDonald

Exactly As We Have Been Told (Acts 27:1-44)

We ask “Why? Why do we have accidents? Why do we have time off work? Why do we get cancer? Why do relationships break down? Why do children die before their parents?” And we ask “When? When will things be how they should be?” Acts 27 is a situation that should not have been. ButContinue reading “Exactly As We Have Been Told (Acts 27:1-44)”

When Going to Church Makes Everything Worse (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)

‘I’m not a very good Christian. There are days when I don’t stop to pray. There are days when I’m too busy to read the Bible.’ Do you ever feel like that? ‘I’m not a very good Christian, but at least I got to church this week.’ But would it surprise you to hear thatContinue reading “When Going to Church Makes Everything Worse (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)”

Sleep is a Gift from God (Psalm 127:1-5)

As you look back on 2019, how do you assess it? And what do you expect in 2020? There’s a lot of talk about being blessed today, even from people who don’t believe in a God who can bless them. How would you know if you were blessed? How do you know that God lovesContinue reading “Sleep is a Gift from God (Psalm 127:1-5)”

He Will Crush the Serpent’s Head (Genesis 3:15)

Why do we need Christmas? Sure, there are lots of pluses: pluses on your odometer, pluses on your credit card, pluses on your bathroom scales. Do we need Christmas? True, some good things happen at Christmas, like time with our families, and reconnecting with old friends. Yes, some good things happen at Christmas, like theContinue reading “He Will Crush the Serpent’s Head (Genesis 3:15)”

‘My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation’ (Luke 2:22-35)

What do you think when you see a new baby? I usually notice whether they have much hair or not. Maybe you’re trying to see whether they look more like their Mum or their Dad. How do you react to a baby? Do you wonder what they’ll grow up to be? We’ve just read whatContinue reading “‘My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation’ (Luke 2:22-35)”