Category Archives: Adversity

How Optimistic Are You About Your Future?

Posted on June 22, 2011 by russellmckinney

Flagstaff, Maine, was chosen as the site for a huge hydroelectric installation. The installation would include a dam that would impound miles and miles of water and bury the town under water. Consequently, in the late 1940s, the process of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Assurance of Salvation, Attitude, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Comfort, Contentment, Depression, Disappointment, Elderly, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faith, Heaven, Peace, Problems, Reward, Salvation, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Criticism

Posted on June 20, 2011 by russellmckinney

I once heard Jack Graham, the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas, tell a great story in his sermon. The story went as follows. A man and his wife walked into a store. A parrot sitting on a perch … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Commitment, Criticism, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Will, Humor, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A True Masterpiece

Posted on June 13, 2011 by russellmckinney

An artist visited a museum where one of his masterpieces was on exhibit. He approached the painting and noticed that the museum had placed one of his earlier, lesser-known works beside it. As he stood there comparing both paintings, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Backsliding, Belief, Bible Study, Children, Church Attendance, Disappointment, Doubt, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, God's Work, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Salvation, Scripture, Service, The Bible, Trials, Trusting In God, Witnessing, Youth | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Suffering

Posted on June 2, 2011 by russellmckinney

We live in a culture in which we are taught to avoid suffering. After all, avoiding it does seem to make perfect sense. But the problem is that God, who oftentimes delights in making little or no sense, uses suffering … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Comfort, Complaining, Contentment, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Reward, Salvation, Sanctification, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Is Your Opinion of God?

Posted on May 23, 2011 by russellmckinney

Somewhere along the way, I picked up a two-column chart on the subject of God. The chart presents two very different opinions concerning our Maker. See which side best describes your opinion of God. Opinion 1 ————————————————————————————- Opinion 2 a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Attitude, Depression, Disappointment, Honesty, Perseverance, Prayer, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

All You Need to Know

Posted on April 5, 2011 by russellmckinney

The teacher of a children’s Sunday School class gave her students one month to memorize the 23rd Psalm. Little Bobby gave it his best, but by month’s end he still couldn’t quote all the Psalm. So, when it came his … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Eternal Security, God's Love, God's Omnipresence, God's Provision, Needs, Problems, Sunday School, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Headed North

Posted on March 16, 2011 by russellmckinney

Is it possible for a person to be moving north and south at the same time? Sure. Imagine a man walking south on the deck of a ship that is headed north. As we live the Christian life, we oftentimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Comfort, Demons, Eternal Security, Heaven, Perseverance, Problems, Reward, Salvation, Satan, Sowing and Reaping, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mitchell County (We’re Not All Leaving)

Posted on March 4, 2011 by russellmckinney

In March of 2024, the United States Census Bureau released its 2023 county population estimates for North Carolina. Of North Carolina’s 100 counties, 85 of them had either grown in population or at least remained almost identically the same in … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Business, Church, Commitment, Contentment, Current Events, Faithfulness, God's Omnipotence, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Pastors, Personal, Problems, Prosperity, Service, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How to Properly Appreciate Heaven

Posted on March 2, 2011 by russellmckinney

Charles Spurgeon, Victorian England’s most famous preacher, wrote the following concerning why the Christian has difficulties in this life: We would never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched or enjoy the juice of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Encouragement, Eternity, Heaven, Perseverance, Problems, Reward | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What to Do About Clouds

Posted on February 11, 2011 by russellmckinney

I miss Patrick Swayze. He was one of my favorite movie stars. I always liked watching him, no matter what part he was playing. Swayze and his wife Niemi were both pilots, and they enjoyed flying airplanes together. On one … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, Faith, God's Will, Perseverance, Problems, Scripture, The Bible, The Holy Spirit, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment