Category Archives: Addiction

How to Use Your Bad Experience

Posted on January 22, 2021 by russellmckinney

Tom Wallace tells the story of a time when he received a phone call in which he was told that a certain family was in need of pastoral comfort in the emergency room of the local hospital. Tragically, the family’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Problems, Service, Suffering, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Rattlesnake of Addiction

Posted on September 16, 2020 by russellmckinney

In his book Quest for Character, Chuck Swindoll tells an incredible story from the life of Tom Rathman, the NFL running back who made a name for himself playing for the San Francisco 49ers. Rathman was hunting deer in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling, Gluttony, Restoration, Sex, Tattoos, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Transforming the Hardcore Sinner & the Addict

Posted on July 11, 2020 by russellmckinney

Hugh Price Hughes, an influential Methodist minister, was once challenged to a debate by Charles Bradlaugh, an atheistic political activist. Bradlaugh wanted Hughes to defend Christianity as being anything other than just a man-made religion based upon a fairy tale. … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Atheism, Change, God's Love, God's Provision, Grace, Inner Peace, Needs, Personal Holiness, Problems, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

When False Teeth Become a Problem

Posted on July 27, 2019 by russellmckinney

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16, N.K.J.V.) In his booklet How to Kill a Church Without Really … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Business, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Gambling, God's Holiness, God's Work, Holiness, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy, Influence, Lying, Making Restitution, Money, Personal Holiness, Racism, Repentance, Righteousness, Salvation, Sanctification, Sex, Sin, Temptation, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Only Real Fix

Posted on May 4, 2019 by russellmckinney

Evangelist D.L. Moody once told the story of a man who bought a farm that had a well as its water source. The well water was accessed by way of a pump handle that was situated atop a platform. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Anger, Change, Death, Depravity, Desires, Eternity, Gambling, Gluttony, God's Wrath, Greed, Heaven, Hell, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy, Joy, Lying, Personal Holiness, Pride, Racism, Rebellion, Reconciliation, Repentance, Restoration, Revenge, Salvation, Sin, The Heart, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Why Sit Here Until We Die?”

Posted on April 22, 2019 by russellmckinney

“Why sit here until we die?” That question is at the heart of one of the Bible’s most incredible stories, 2 Kings 7:1-20, and it’s a question that still has relevance to a multitude of situations today. So, let’s talk … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Attitude, Change, Choices, Church, Complaining, Contentment, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Faith, Fear, God's Timing, God's Guidance, God's Provision, God's Will, Inner Peace, Needs, Problems, Seeking Advice, Suffering, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Getting Right About Being Wrong

Posted on February 18, 2019 by russellmckinney

He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13, N.K.J.V.) A businessman stopped at a restaurant and ordered a cup of coffee. The waitress didn’t even try to disguise her … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Attitude, Backsliding, Change, Character, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Love, God's Mercy, Grace, Guilt, Lying, Making Restitution, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

God & Evil

Posted on January 14, 2019 by russellmckinney

Mathew 5:48 says that God is “perfect.” 1st John 1:5 says: “…God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” James 1:13 says: “…God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” Genesis 1:31 says … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Addiction, Adultery, Adversity, Aging, Alcohol, Angels, Anger, Creation, Death, Demons, Depravity, God's Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Greed, Lust, Lying, Man's Freewill, Persecution, Polygamy, Pride, Problems, Racism, Rebellion, Satan, Sickness, Sin, Slavery, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Suicide, The Devil, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The First Church Scandal

Posted on November 3, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #9) I don’t care how smoothly a church is humming along, it isn’t immune from scandal. The problem is that people can’t help but be people. They are sin-marred individuals who are members … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Church, Deacons, Depravity, Discernment, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, Holiness, Hypocrisy, Lying, Ministry, Money, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Sin, Temptation, The Holy Spirit, The Sin Unto Death | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Going Back Home

Posted on December 27, 2017 by russellmckinney

New York’s Bowery Mission was founded in 1879 and still serves today as a rescue mission and men’s shelter. Sam Hadley was once the superintendent there and told a certain story about the place. I’d like to share that story … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Belief, Brokenness, Change, Children, Confession, Conviction, Disobedience, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, Forgiveness, God's Love, Grace, Guilt, Love, Missions, New Year, Parenting, Problems, Rebellion, Reconciliation, Repentance, Salvation, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin, Youth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment