Category Archives: Backsliding

My Runaway Child

Posted on April 8, 2022 by russellmckinney

One night, when my son Royce was eight years old, my wife Tonya had to chaperon a school dance for a couple of hours. That left me at home with not only Royce but also his older brother Ryan, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Belief, Children, Christ's Death, Corporal Punishment, Depravity, Disobedience, Family, Fatherhood, Forgiveness, Humor, Parenting, Personal, Salvation, Sin, Spanking | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Dry Land

Posted on April 4, 2022 by russellmckinney

When a drought hits a land, springs go dry, wells stop working, and creeks run low. There is, however, another kind of drought, one that is mentioned in Psalm 68:5-6. Those verses say: A father of the fatherless, a defender … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Backsliding, Bible Study, Change, Character, Choices, Confession, Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Chastening, God's Love, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Pride, Problems, Rebellion, Repentance, Reward, Scripture, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Submission, The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Temptation’s Cliff

Posted on March 14, 2022 by russellmckinney

Once there was a man who lived in a mountainous region. The road to his house ran along a steep cliff. When the man set about to hire a coachman, three candidates applied for the position. The man called in the first candidate … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Choices, Idolatry, Personal Holiness, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Family Resemblance

Posted on March 11, 2022 by russellmckinney

Let me shock you: God’s chief characteristic is not love. “Then what is it it?” you ask. Answer: holiness. Psalm 47:8 doesn’t say God sits upon his “loving” throne. It says He sits upon His “holy” throne. When Moses stood before the burning … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Disobedience, Fatherhood, God's Holiness, God's Love, Heaven, Hell, Holiness, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Salvation, Sanctification, Sin, Temptation, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Good Example of Discipleship

Posted on March 4, 2022 by russellmckinney

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Confession, Discipleship, Disobedience, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Will, Obedience, Rebellion, Repentance, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Divine Link Between Growing & Learning

Posted on February 28, 2022 by russellmckinney

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me… (Matthew 11:29, N.K.J.V.) There was a preacher who had been in the ministry for twenty years. In a conversation he had with one of his church members, he said with pride, … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Bible Study, Church Attendance, Commitment, Discernment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Giving, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Preaching, Sanctification, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Crossroad in Life

Posted on February 25, 2022 by russellmckinney

The word “crossroad” probably brings up a certain mental image with you. I myself envision a dirt road out in the middle of nowhere that comes to a four-way intersection with three other dirt roads. The person who comes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Business, Change, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, Dying To Self, God's Will, Leadership, Obedience, Submission, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Keep Playing

Posted on February 4, 2022 by russellmckinney

In Galatians 6:9, the apostle Paul says to the Christians of Galatia, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (N.K.J.V.). At the risk of sounding like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Comfort, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Doing Good, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Impatience, Influence, Ministry, Obedience, Patience, Perseverance, Problems, Reward, Service, Sowing and Reaping, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Making Excuses for Your Sins

Posted on February 2, 2022 by russellmckinney

Four old codgers were playing poker for money in the back of their local store. Suddenly, the sheriff walked in on them and said, “Gambling again, eh? This time I’m going to arrest you fellows just to teach you a … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Attitude, Backsliding, Change, Disobedience, Drugs, Gambling, Gluttony, Lust, Lying, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Problems, Racism, Rebellion, Repentance, Sanctification, Sex, Sin, The Tongue, Worry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Lord, Send Us Rattlesnakes”

Posted on January 28, 2022 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