Monthly Archives: September 2009

The Christian as a Teacher

Posted on September 29, 2009 by russellmckinney

Allow me to offer three illustrations that involve teaching. Teaching, of course, can be a wonderful thing that produces desirable results. As we will see with each of these illustrations, however, sometimes the whole process can turn sideways in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Children, Influence, Parenting, Scripture, Teaching, The Bible | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Prayer Worth Praying

Posted on September 25, 2009 by russellmckinney

My friend Malcolm Woody once sent me an e-mail that included an awesome prayer. The prayer came from John Baillie, the Scottish theologian who wrote the classic book A Diary of Private Prayer. The prayer goes like this: Teach me, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Courage, Disappointment, Fear, God's Sovereignty, Humility, Loneliness, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Problems, Sanctification, Sickness, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sin & Church Attendance

Posted on September 22, 2009 by russellmckinney

Can you imagine getting drunk Saturday night and then going to church the next morning? Can you imagine rolling out of a bed you share with your live-in lover, getting dressed, and going to church? Can you imagine having beer … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doing Good, Faithfulness, Holiness, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Sanctification, Sin, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Temptation’s Wreckers

Posted on September 17, 2009 by russellmckinney

As a lifelong resident of North Carolina, I’m interested in historical tidbits of information about my state. Somewhere along the way, I picked up an old legend about Nags Head, a town located on the Outer Banks of eastern North … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, Choices, Contentment, Deception, Decisions, Discernment, God's Will, Greed, Lust, Problems, Temptation, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Lord, Send Us Rattlesnakes”

Posted on September 15, 2009 by russellmckinney

Once upon a time there was a family of backslidden church members. The family consisted of a father and three sons. They had all once been very active in church but lately had fallen away completely. Many people visited the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Church Attendance, Discipline, Disobedience, Obedience, Parenting, Personal Holiness, Prayer Requests, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Idolatry in Early Bloom (A Word About Youth Sports)

Posted on September 11, 2009 by russellmckinney

When you are the parent of a child involved in youth sports, you know more than you want to know about gyms, football fields, baseball diamonds, and soccer fields. You know how time consuming those places are. You know how … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Choices, Christian Liberty, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Family, Fatherhood, God's Will, Idolatry, Motherhood, Parenting, Personal, Priorities, Sports, Worship, Youth | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Does the Bible Teach About Divorce & Remarriage?

Posted on September 8, 2009 by russellmckinney

“Marriage” series: (post #9) Any series on marriage would be lacking if it didn’t address the issue of divorce and remarriage. For one thing, it would pass over an entire category of marriages, a category that has become commonplace in our society. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Divorce, Divorce & Remarriage, God's Will, Homosexuality, Husbands, Marriage, Polygamy, Series: "Marriage", Wives | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What About Communication in Marriage?

Posted on September 3, 2009 by russellmckinney

“Marriage” series: (post #8) It’s been said that problems in a marriage don’t become catastrophic until the couple can’t talk about them. It’s also been said that silence is the most frightening sound in any marriage. The Bible certainly gives … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Husbands, Marriage, Series: "Marriage", The Tongue, Wives | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment