Author Archives: russellmckinney

How’s Your Driving These Days?

Lee Strobel, a Christian apologist and author, tells about a police officer who pulled over a car that was traveling at a strangely low speed. As the officer approached the driver’s window, he noticed that the car was full of … Continue reading

Posted in Baptism, Belief, Bible Study, Faith, God's Word, Preaching, Repentance, Salvation, Scripture, Teaching, The Bible, Truth | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

“Lord, Why Am I Having to Wait?”

I was driving down the interstate one day, listening to a Christian radio station, when I happened to hear one of those little call-in promos such stations do. This promo featured a woman who had called the station to voice … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Belief, Comfort, Commitment, Desires, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Impatience, Needs, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Prophecy, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

One Reason Why God’s Will Rarely Gets Done

Suppose I wake up tomorrow morning and God burdens me to spend the day working on a new sermon based on John 3:16. Okay class, how many individuals are involved with me either doing God’s will by preparing that sermon … Continue reading

Posted in Choices, Church, Criticism, Discernment, Disobedience, Doing Good, Doubt, Dying To Self, God's Will, Obedience, Pastors, Personal, Prayer, Preaching, Rebellion, Reconciliation | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

“Surely the Wrath of Man Shall Praise Thee”

The title for this post is taken directly from Psalm 76:10, the full text of which says: Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee; the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. (K.J.V.) But what does “Surely the wrath of … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Disappointment, Doing Good, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Omnipotence, God's Judgment, God's Work, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Rebellion, Revenge, Reward, Sowing and Reaping, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Interesting Thought About Politics

Let me begin by saying that I am a card-carrying member of the United States of America. I was born and raised here. I have a birth certificate. I have a driver’s license. I pay taxes. My children went to … Continue reading

Posted in Current Events, Government, Leadership, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Word American Christians Don’t Want to Hear

But the Lord said him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Children, Commitment, Courage, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Giving, God's Work, Loneliness, Ministry, Money, Parenting, Pastors, Persecution, Perseverance, Preaching, Priorities, Problems, Prosperity, Service, Sports, Stewardship, Suffering, Tithing, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Bruised Reed & A Smoldering Wick

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out…”(Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20; N.I.V.) The words of our text are first found in the Old Testament book of Isaiah and then later referenced in … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Encouragement, God's Love, Needs, Problems | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God: Heavenly Father or Heavenly Commander in Chief?

Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, I was a huge fan of the t.v. show M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital). For that matter, I’ve continued to watch the reruns ever since. I know all the characters, all the episodes, … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Commitment, Courage, Demons, Dying To Self, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Satan, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Devil, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Job’s Wife & Her Tongue of Fire

The book of Job consists of 1,070 verses and 42 chapters. First, chapters 1 and 2 feature conversations between God and Satan. Second, chapters 3 through 31 feature conversations between Job and Eliphaz, Job and Bildad, and Job and Zophar. … Continue reading

Posted in Communication, Complaining, Criticism, Influence, Marriage, The Tongue | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

False Expectations

During the period of my late teens and early twenties, I spent four years working at Bakersville Quick Mart, a convenience store in my hometown. My job there entailed a wide variety of duties: pump gas, run the cash register, … Continue reading

Posted in Change, Choices, Disappointment, God's Will, Humor, Personal, Waiting | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments